Florence A. "Lil" DeBaise

Florence A. "Lil" (Carroll) DeBaise, 99, of Wallingford, died Monday, June 30, 2025. She was the beloved wife of 75 years to the late Pasquale "Pat" J. DeBaise.
Lil was born in Wallingford, January 22, 1926, a daughter of the late Charles and Bridgette (Smelgen) Carroll. Loving mother of four children and dedicated wife, caring for Pasquale during his extended illness. Her response to how she managed it was simply, "That's what we do ".
Mom's brothers and sisters grew up during the depression. Her family was poor and they often went to bed hungry. Mom remembers standing in food lines at the town buildings which were later owned by her husband Pat.
Because of her depression experience, she was very frugal. If on sale, she would buy more groceries than needed for the short term. Canned foods were stored in the basement in a huge deep shelved storage unit. When we decided to clean the shelves out, we found rusted leaking cans, which had long been forgotten, hidden in the back of the shelves. Many were more than ten years old.
Mom was unflappable, cool and concise. The following interaction is an example of these qualities. Mom: "Quick, get the thing in the thing." John: "What thing in what thing? Mom: "Ooooh you know!"
Strong woman that managed a household with a husband and four children and cared for her late husband during his lengthy illness.
She worked hard for what she wanted, and she was not afraid to go after it. Just a few days ago, she looked one of her sons in the eye and said, "Why doesn't He take me?" referring to God. Sounds like she was ready
Lil is survived by her four sons, John DeBaise of Pennsylvania, Dennis DeBaise and his wife, Evelina of New Jersey, Pat DeBaise of Wallingford, and Thomas DeBaise and Janet DeBaise of Florida; seven grandchildren; one great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was predeceased by her brothers, Charles, Edward, Joseph and Frank Carroll; and her sisters, Helen Woodtke, Alda Farone and Nancy Revoir.
Her family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, July 7, 2025, at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., from 9:30am to 10:30am when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 North Colony St., Wallingford, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am. Entombment will follow at Sacred Heart Mausoleum in Meriden. In lieu of flowers, Lil's family wish that gifts in her memory be sent to: The Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington St., Wallingford, CT 06492.
www.wallingfordfh.com