Florence M. Grande

Co-Owner Savastano?s Restaurant Methuen, MA ? Florence M. (Savastano) Grande, 88, died Monday August 10, 2009 at the Lawrence General Hospital. Mrs. Grande was born in Lawrence the daughter of Crescenzo and Christine (Miele) Savastano. Along with her family; they owned Savastano?s Restaurant and Catering Service, a Lawrence landmark located on Elm Street for many years and were considered the consummate Italian restaurant in this area. She was involved with the O. P. A. during World War II and also worked for Economy Cleaners and Korbey Oil as a bookkeeper. After urban redevelopment took over the restaurant business, she was employed by the Lawrence School Department as an accountant for State and Federal funds. Florence was a ?1939? graduate of Lawrence High School, and also was a graduate of Burdette College. A longtime communicant of Corpus Christi/Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence, Florence was also a member of Saint Rita?s Sodality. She served as a past director of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and enjoyed reading, needlepoint, cooking, babysitting, working with charities and she considered family to be everything to her. The widow of Angelo Grande; she is survived by two daughters Marie Louise Nichols, wife of the late Lyle Nichols, Jr., and Luanne Nesbitt and her husband John, both of Methuen, grandchildren Lyle Nichols, III, and his wife Catherine, Audra Nichols and Nicole Nesbitt, great grandchild Cody Jackson Nichols, sisters Tomassina Grillo of Plaistow, NH, Modestina Ferraro, Carmela Savastano, both of Methuen and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her great-granddaughter Cali Angelina Nichols, and her brothers and sisters, Harry & Ralph Savastano, Lucy Zompa, Julia Messina, Anne Muraca and Rita Piccirillo. A Mass of Christian buria1 will take place on Thursday morning at 10 o?clock in Holy Rosary Church with burial to follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery of Lawrence. Friends may pay their respects on Wednesday from 4-8 P.M. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc. 233 Lawrence Street of Methuen. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Corpus Christi Parish/Holy Rosary Church 35 Essex Street Lawrence, MA 01840 or to the Charity of One?s Choice.

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Florence M. Grande