Florence Smith

Apr. 19, 1919 - Oct. 26, 2018 San Jose

Florence J. (Vassallo) Smith was born in Buffalo, New York on April 19,1919. The youngest of six, she left Buffalo in her 20’s for California to pursue her dream of owning a couture dress shop. A woman of exceptional talent, she worked in the wardrobe and design department for 20th Century Fox in the 1940’s. A decade later she became a small business owner and created custom draperies for Macy’s, Emporium and other major retailers.

In the mid-forties she married Walter Smith and in 1950 her dream of becoming a mother came true with the birth of her only son, Brad.

Sitting still was never in Flo’s nature and she continued to work throughout her 50’s as a manager for Mervyn’s jewelry department in San Jose. A fan of casinos, one of her life’s highlights was being the first person to win a large jackpot on a progressive slot machine. After retirement, Flo volunteered for the Second Harvest Food Bank until she was 93. At nearly 100 years old, despite her tenacious desire to live, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Florence passed away on October 26 in San Jose. She is survived by her son Dean Bradley Smith, her granddaughters, Myka Williams and Erin Gersey, and her great-grandchildren, Kenny Williams, III, Teddy Williams, and Addison Gersey. A Memorial Mass will be held on December 10th at 11am at St. Christophers Church in San Jose.