Mrs. Florence Monteforte, age 89 of Brentwood NH, formerly of Bourne and Medford died Thursday at her daughter’s home in Brentwood NH. She is the wife of the late Alexander L. Monteforte. Born in Boston, daughter of the late Rosario and Angela L. (Ricciardi) Balliro.
She was educated in local schools. She is the former proprietor of the Jennie’s Cuisine in Boston’s North End from 1962 until 1992. She later opened Monteforte’s Italian Restaurant in Salem and operated that from 1972 – 1975. She loved vintage movies, and old style music. She collected WWII memorabilia and had kept every letter sent to her by her husband during WWII. Mrs. Monteforte was an avid reader and was known for her exquisite floral designs. She was also involved with other fields of design. In earlier years she was a CCD teacher and an active communicant of the former St. James Church where she also sang in the choir. She is the beloved mother of Margaret Wohrle and her husband Hans of Stoneham, Lucille Collings of Malden, Leah Miller and her husband Stephen of Brentwood, NH, Louis Monteforte and his wife Janice of Everett, and the late Alexis M. Giangrande. Loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Dear sister of Mary Tzannos and her husband Nicholas of Bourne, Frances Bent and her husband Arthur of Wilmington, Lucille Winship of Plymouth, William Balliro and his wife Linda of Revere, Anthony Balliro of Boston’s North End, Bruno Balliro and his wife Dee of FL. Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD Monday at 9:30 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Sunday 4 - 8. Contributions in Florence’s name may be sent to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108. Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.