Flora Castellano

In the care of: Blount & Curry Funeral Home

Florida “Flora” Castellano passed away on August 24, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. Flora was born on April 14, 1928, in Tampa, but spent her formative years in Ohio. When Flora moved back to Tampa, she married the love of her life, Peter Castellano, to whom she was married for seventy-one years.

Flora was an exceptionally personable, gregarious, and outgoing person. She was ahead of her time as a female entrepreneur, owning and operating five Flora Beauty Salons around the Tampa Bay area. In doing so, she was able to pursue both her passion for hair styling and connecting with others. She had countless friends, each of whom she cared for deeply.

Flora loved sports. She was an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan throughout her life, and held season tickets since the team’s first game in 1976. She traveled with her husband to New Orleans for what would be the team’s first ever victory (in their second season) in 1977. She was also a devoted fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Gators, pro tennis, and golf.

Flora was a talented bowler and could frequently be found at Pin Chasers on Armenia Avenue, competing against men and women decades younger than her in various leagues. She loved playing poker at the Italian Club and would often find herself as the only woman at the table.

Flora’s greatest love, however, was her family. She is survived by her beloved husband Peter; her children, Mary Linda Frierson (Frank) and Nicholas Castellano (Kathleen); her five grandchildren, Ross Frierson (Alexandra), Brett Frierson, Troy Frierson (Jennifer), Nicholas Castellano II (Allie), and Alyssa Perez (Jacob); her great-grandchildren, Isabella Frierson, Ethan Frierson, Emma Frierson, Nicholas “Tripp” Castellano III, Adeline Castellano, and a baby girl due to arrive in December; her sisters Dora DiTomasso and Gina Bryan. Her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother filled her with immense pride.

Flora cherished Sunday nights with her grandchildren, which were filled with food, laughter, and a lively game of dominoes. Ever the competitor, Flora loved to tease her grandchildren by hiding the blank domino up her sleeve. The shouting that was exchanged between the players would only be outweighed by the laughter at the end of each round.

Flora was a woman who was loved by many, and who could always be depended upon by her friends and family. Her loss is felt throughout the Tampa Bay community by those she knew and those she loved.

Flora is preceded in death by her parents, Giuseppe and Sara Vallesi; her brothers Carlos and Louis Vallesi, and her sisters Helen and Yolanda.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Visitation 9 – 10 am

Funeral Mass 10 am

Private burial at the Garden of Memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which can be made at www.stjude.org.