Obituary of Florence Rafaela Sommo

Florence R. Sommo (Rafaela) Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home Email this Obituary to a friend Printer-friendly Format ROCKLAND (Aug 25, 2009): Florence R. Sommo (Rafaela), 89, died Aug. 23, 2009 at the Knox Center. Florence was born in New York City on Aug. 18, 1920. Her parents were John and Filomena DeMayo. Florence married George Sommo at the height of World War Two. Their wonderful life together lasted 45 years. Florence lived in the Bronx until her retirement. She and George then set out on an adventure when they moved to their country home in Pine Island, New York. In 2004, Florence moved to Maine where she resided at Bartlett Woods, briefly at Quarry Hill, and finally at the Knox Center. She made many new friends wherever she resided. Florence was a great collector of antiques and interesting items. She loved her family trips to 49 of the 50 states. She was a family archivist as she maintained family papers and an extensive photo collection. Many family members can remember blazing lights as she documented family events with her 8mm movie camera. She was predeceased by her husband, George, and a granddaughter, Michelle, as well as her brothers Johnny, Louie, and Frankie and her sister, Camella. Florence is survived by her children, Ben Sommo and his wife Reba, of Cuba, Missouri; Mary Anne Sommo and her husband, John, of the Bronx, New York; and John Sommo and his wife, Peggy, of Appleton, Maine. Florence had eight grandchildren: Elizabeth, Anna, Lucy, Thomas, Benny, Lei, Raf, and Georgie. A celebration of her life will held at the Knox Center on Friday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Knox Center, 6 White St. Rockland, Maine 04841 or Bartlett Woods, 20 Bartlett Dr., Rockland. Online condolences may be placed at crabielripostafuneralhome.com.