FLORENCE B. D'URSO

D'URSO--Florence B. Florence B. D'Urso was welcomed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Calvary Hospital. A longtime resident of Pelham Manor, NY and Manhattan, she is survived by her loving daughters, Donna and Lisa, her devoted son Mark and beloved granddaughter Michaela Frances D'Urso, daughter-in-law Michelle, sister and brother-in-law Rose Ann and Donald White, sister-in-law Mary Pelletiere and many loving friends, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was sadly predeceased by her beloved husband Camillo, her beloved son David Francis, her parents, Anna and Anthony Perkosky, her brother, the late Rev. Francis Perkosky S.S. and brother and sister-in-law Anthony and Lucia Perkosky. Florence will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her extraordinary grace in the face of deep grief and pain, her beauty, compassion, her appreciation of architecture, art and design, and her love of flowers as symbols of God's munificence. She was a graduate of Marywood University and New York School of Interior Design. She worked professionally as a teacher, a fashion model, as a VP of Design and Planning and after the untimely death of her husband, as Chairman of the Board and CEO of D'Urso Supermarkets, Inc. Throughout her life, Florence was committed to charitable involvement with organizations and also undertook many projects on her own. With her husband Camillo, she built Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Cancun, a Technology Center at Iona Prep and the Patient Activity Center at Calvary Hospital. Florence became a major donor to St. Vincent's and Our Lady of Mercy Hospitals as well as establishing Birthing Clinics overseas. Compassion for the poor led Florence to found seven different Funds the world over, defining her as an international philanthropist. Her devout faith impelled Florence to direct much of her beneficence to the Catholic Church and the priesthood. She founded scholarships at St. Joseph's Seminary and the Pontifical North American College as well as providing ongoing support to the Legionaries of Christ, the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Life. Because of her closeness to Blessed Mother Teresa, Florence developed a special relationship with her followers, the Missionaries of Charity. For almost two decades, Florence contributed in a major way to the restoration work at St. Patrick's Cathedral. She also did the floral arrangements for its altars, becoming known as the Cathedral's "Flower Lady." On a really grand scale, Florence designed, and worked hands-on with the floral arrangements for the visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI; the latter despite her painful battle with cancer. Florence was only the third person, thus far, to receive the Michelangelo Medal for her outstanding support of the Art of the Vatican Museums. She also funded restoration work here as a member of the New York Municipal Art Society and Old Westbury Gardens. The Inner-City Scholarship Fund was a significant beneficiary of her generosity, and Florence gave as a major donor to Boys' Town of Italy, Best Buddies International, Special Olympics and Marywood University in her desire to support youth, intellectual and developmental disabilities and education. Her countless projects and tireless work for the less fortunate led Florence to be recognized by organizations both large and small, in the U.S. and throughout the world. She was the first woman appointed to serve as Trustee of St. Patrick's Cathedral, she also served as a Trustee of Inner-City Scholarship Fund, as Calvary Fund Board Trustee Emerita and as a past Trustee of Best Buddies International. She served on the Iona Grammar and Preparatory School Mother Auxiliary Boards, St. Vincent's Hospital, Harrison-Auxiliary and Advisory Board, Boys' Town of Italy and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. She was honored as a Dame of Magistral Grace of the Sovereign Military Hospitalier Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, as Dame Commander with Star of St. Gregory the Great and Dame Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. When praised for her selfless efforts and generosity, Florence would often quote her sainted idol, Blessed Mother Teresa, saying, "God does not choose us to do good, we must choose to do good." Florence made that choice for the betterment of countless lives. She hoped to, and tried to guide souls as well through recognition of and devotion to Divine Mercy. Her oft repeated prayer was "Jesus, I trust in you." Family will receive friends at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home (1076 Madison Avenue at 81st Street) on Tuesday, May 1st from 7-9pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Mass of Resurrection at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Friday, May 4th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to The Missionaries of Charity, 335 East 145th Street, Bronx, NY 10451, Attn: Rev. Sister Lisseria Lonan, M.C., S.G. and the Inner-City Scholarship Fund: www.icsf-nyc.org.