Florence Ann (Costa) Menangas 88 of Provincetown died early Monday morning, April 11, 2011 at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehab Center in No. Chatham. Born on Alden St. in Provincetown on March 5, 1923, she was the daughter of the late John and Elvira (Azevedo) Costa. She was the wife of the late Anthony Menangas who died in 1991, to whom she was married for over 43 years. During WWII she served as a temporary member of the United States Coast Guard and received her Certificate of Disenrollment on September 30, 1945 after having received the rank of Yeoman second class. During the early 1960s she was Captain of the Civil Defense Medical Unit earning may accreditations through the United States Civil Defense Corps. The Department of Defense, the Office of Civil Defense – Massachusetts Civil Defense Agency and the University of Massachusetts, awarded her a certificate for completing a required course of study for Civil Defense Managers. During this time in her life she also volunteered for many Red Cross Blood Drives. When her children were young, she was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl leader; was active in the Cub Scouts, Little League, and High School Mother's Clubs, where fund raising was done to send High School Seniors on a class trip. She was a member of the Lewis A. Young Post #3152 of Provincetown where she dedicated time decorating the annual float for the Fourth of July parade. She was the original decorator of the Saint Peter statue for the Blessing of the Fleet. Through her, one of her nephews remade the broken keys in St. Peter's hands as well as the platform used to carry Saint Peter through the streets. For many years she and her husband Tony would spend many hours in the garage behind the rectory decorating Saint Peter for the Blessing. Often times there were three generations there to help. In honor of her mother and mother in law, she and Tony purchased a four foot statue of Our Lady of Fatima. In May it was decorated, crowned with flowers, usually by a 1st Communion student, and carried in candlelight procession both inside and outside Saint Peter the Apostle Church while the rosary was recited. The last two years of her life were spent at Liberty Common Skilled Nursing Care Facility where she made many new friends both young and old. The family cannot adequately express their sincere gratitude for the may kindnesses shown Florence by the caring and loving staff, the residents and their families.
She is the beloved mother of Floran and Nolan Rozzelle of Wellfleet, Gerard and Kathryn Menangas of Provincetown, Annette Silva and Maureen Oulette of Eastham and Martin and Debbie Menangas of North Truro. She was predeceased by her daughter in law Linda (Mottto) Menangas. She is the sister of Gerald Costa of Bedford, MA and Lucretia Rose of Bossier City, LA. She was also the sister of the late Mary Guerreiro, Doris Shaffer, and John, Louis, Antone, Matthew and Elmer Costa. She is the beloved grandmother of Theresa Pitta and her husband Sean, Michael Chiuchiolo, Michele Chiuchiolo, Stephanie Menangas, Jamie Coelho and David Montealegre, Scott Menangas, Amy King and her husband Darren, and Derek Menangas. She was predeceased by 3 grandchildren, Angela, Ricky and Randy Silva. She is the great grandmother of Michael Chiuchiolo, John Chiuchiolo, Payne Holt, Noah Pitta, Gage daLomba, Alissandra Chiuchiolo, Anthony Chiuchiolo, Avery daLomba, Ayda Menangas and Kenly daLomba..
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday April 15, 2011 in St. Peter the Apostle Church 11 Prince St. Provincetown. Burial will follow in St. Peter the Apostle Cemetery. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Gately – McHoul Funeral Home 94 Harry Kemp Way Provincetown. If desired, memorial contributions in her honor may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Peter the Apostle Church 11 Prince St. Provincetown, MA 02657 or to the Liberty Commons Residents Fund c/o Liberty Commons Nursing Rehabilitation Center
390 Orleans Rd North Chatham, MA 02650