Flora DePasquale Obituary

Flora was born in Sanger, CA on August 25th, 1929, to Mike and Isabel Conte. She passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 13, 2025 at the age of 96.

Flora graduated from Sanger High school and talked endlessly about how she loved singing in the school choir.

Mike and Isabel Conte became friends with the DePasquale family (all immigrated to the USA from the same area of Italy) and after Flora and their daughters became friends, they couldn't wait to introduce her to their cute brother, Pete. This resulted in their marriage on November 14, 1948. They were married just shy of 65 years when Pete passed away in 2013.

Flora's family has fond memories of her talking about all the fun she had working in the soda shop in downtown Sanger during her high school years. Later, she worked in packing houses during the summer months and helped out with family businesses. In 1970 she went to work for the newly opened Weinstock's department store, where she worked in the men's clothing department for close to 20 years. In 1996 Weinstocks changed to Macy's and after that, everyone knew of Flora's love for shopping at Macy's.

During her life she was a member of, and provided hours of service to, the Dante Club, American Legion 594, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Edison Social Club, Italo-American Club of Madera, and the Italian Catholic Federation at Sacred Heart and OLPH where she held many board positions and was selected as a delegate for many conventions. Pete and Flora spent many hours over the years cooking dinners and fundraising for all of these organizations in which Flora was always the top seller for ticket sales. After Pete passed, Flora became a volunteer at the VA Hospital and worked mainly in the convalescent wing.

Flora loved doing any kind of craft, especially crocheting baby blankets and hanging kitchen towels. Singing and dancing were her passions. She won many jitterbug competitions with Pete and they loved belonging to dance clubs. Later, Flora sang and danced with "The New Wrinkles" and belonged to the Retired Teachers Chorus. She was a member of the Fresno Tarantella Dancers for many years, and performed traditional Italian dancing at various festivals, schools and Italian functions.

Flora and Pete loved to travel, especially to Italy, and they enjoyed road trips and cruising with friends. Flora continued to enjoy cruises with friends after Pete passed away.

Flora enjoyed all sorts of games. She loved having game nights with her wonderful friends and going with them to local Fresno area casinos where she would go straight to her favorite penny machines after which they would enjoy endless buffets together. She played Bunco regularly with a group for over 30 years up until the week she moved to Idaho to be closer to her daughter at the age of 95.

Flora adored and endlessly bragged about her grandchildren. They loved being with her and spending time learning games and singing songs. She had many friends and her door was always open with a meal or her famous 'cookies' waiting to share.

Flora is survived by her daughter, Julie De Luca and her husband, Brad of Star, Idaho; her son, Pete De Pasquale and his wife, Annette of Winchester, CA; grandchildren, Marc De Luca (Dana), Gina De Luca-Hill (Michael), Joseph De Luca, Marisa Kuebler (Shae), Peter De Pasquale (Julia), Alexa Warren (Carter); great-grandchildren, Giovanni De Luca (Kayla), Mikaela Kooyman (Zach), Sergio De Luca, Andrew Hincy, Audrey Hincy, Sofia De Luca, Mckenzie Kueber, Vincenzo De Luca, Madison Kuebler, David De Luca, Forest Kuebler, and Isaac De Luca; with one great-great grandchild on the way and two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Conte and Michele Del Conte along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by Peter De Pasquale (husband), Michael De Luca (grandson), seven brothers - Joe, Victor, Tony, Staney, Louie, Mike, and Robert and one sister - Rose Patricia Roark.

Mass will be held at St. Mary Queen of the Apostles on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. Viewing will be prior to Mass beginning at 9:15. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org