Services will be 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church for Florence Lavanty, 94, of Boardman who passed away Tuesday evening at St. Elizabeth Health Center with her loving family by her side.
Mrs. Lavanty was born July 29, 1921 in Youngstown and was a daughter of Ralph and Louise Bertina Diana and was a lifelong member of the community.
During World War II she briefly worked for Truscon Steel before starting a family. Mrs. Lavanty was the matriarch of her family. She loved life and along with a glass of wine always wanted to be among her family and cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Throughout the seventies she made homemade bread and pizza on Friday for family and friends. Mrs. Lavanty traveled to New York several times and to Italy and also to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for her granddaughter's wedding at 90 years old.
Mrs. Lavanty leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Rosanne (Tom) Stevens of Ashtabula; Dianna Lynn (Rich) Rosen of Boardman whom she made her home; and Janet (Neil) Guerreri of Boardman; four grandsons, Tom Stevens, Jr.;  Paul (Cassie) Stevens; Rich Rosen; and Rob (Melissa) Rosen; three granddaughters, Chrissy Stevens; Kristen (Dan) Sorbo;  and Michelle (Nelson) Villa; great grandchildren, Nicholas Villa; Mason Villa; Brynn Marie Rosen; Lilyanna Stevens;  Noah Sorbo; and a sixth great grandson due any day to Rob and Melissa Rosen.
Her husband, Frank Lavanty , whom she married June 10, 1944 passed away August 9, 1981. Besides her husband and parents she was preceded in death by brothers, Anthony, Joseph, Raymond and Dominic Diana; sisters, Lena Jordan, Mary Sinko and Jennie Duffy.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home. Arrangements are by the McCauley Funeral Home and thoughts and condolences may be sent to the funeral home website www.mccauleyfuneral.com.
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