Sanzotti

Flora Sanzotti was born Flora Scialabba, Jan. 15, 1910, the third child and only daughter of Gandolfo and Maria Scialabba, on Mercer Street in the West End of Butler. Upon seeing her for the first time, her father chose "flower" as her name.

Flora and her three brothers, all deceased, grew up in a home rich in Sicilian food, customs and heritage. Her parents emphasized education, music and good citizenship as the best training and gave her an enormous sense of family. Her three musician brothers all had careers in bands and orchestras.

She attended public schools in Butler: Jefferson Street, McKean Street and Butler High School, graduating in 1928. Flora was employed briefly by the Friedman Grocery Store on West Jefferson Street.

Flora married Bruno Sanzotti in 1930, and they made their home in Butler: first on Muntz Avenue, then Elm Street, Jefferson Street, and finally, the Old Monroe Hotel on the corner of Jefferson and Monroe streets in Butler. Bruno and Flora operated the hotel from 1945 to 1980. Their two children, Sara Jane (Vero) and Vincent James, were both born and raised in Butler.

After 35 years in the hotel/restaurant business, Bruno and Flora retired to two acres next to the Slippery Rock Creek in Kiester, Pa.

Bruno passed away in June 1982, and Flora lived alone at 530 N. Main St., the Butler Townhouse, until 2006, when she moved into the Newhaven Court Assisted Living Facility in Center Township, Butler County. Attendance records will show she was one of the most active residents at Newhaven. She attended exercise class, crossword sessions and bingo every day. While Flora waited for an activity to begin, she did not sit idly by. She knitted, crocheted or read.

The most important thing to Flora during this past century has been her family. Two children, nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren — she remembered the birth date of each one and never failed to congratulate each one via a card.

Flora was a lifetime member of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Butler.

She was a remarkable woman, who was much loved, and she will be greatly missed by all.

<B>SANZOTTI</B> — Friends of Flora Sanzotti, who died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the <B>Martin Funeral Home</B>, 429 Center Ave., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Father James Dolan, pastor, officiating. Burial will take place in the St. Michael Cemetery.The Bereavement Group of St. Michael the Archangel Parish will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home to conduct a scriptural wake service.Information also is available at www.martinfh.net.