Francesca Teodoro

Francesca La Rosa Teodoro, 91, of Holiday, Florida, passed away on September 27th, 2025. She was born on September 29, 1933, in Floridia, Sicily, Italy, to Carmela Lo Nero and Salvatore La Rosa. She was the oldest of 5 siblings: Sebastiano La Rosa (d) Salvatore La Rosa (d) Nancy Caravelli, and Mario La Rosa.(d)

She was married to Carmelino Rodolfo Teodoro from January 4, 1951 – March 15-2020 (his death).

Francesca is survived by 4 children: Dr. Paul Teodoro (Linda), Mrs. Concetta Leshnower (Henry), Mr. Salvatore Teodoro, and Robert Teodoro. She is survived by 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Her father, Salvatore La Rosa, was born on September 26, 1912 in Somerset, Pennsylvania making him a US citizen, even though his parents returned to Sicily when he was a few months old. His children became US citizens automatically.

Francesca came alone to US on March 12, 1962. Her parents, 2 of her brothers and sister had already emigrated. My father, and 2 brothers Paul, Salvatore, and I followed 4 months later on July 17, 1962. (Robert wasn't born until 1965).

Francesca worked in a coat factory while Pop did construction and then worked in a dye house. Pop was very handy so they started buying old ramshackle houses, renovating them on nights and weekends and either renting them out or flipping them.

In 1975, they bought a rundown castle in the neighboring town of Haledon. The main reason were the extensive wooded lots that came with it. They planned to give 1 lot to each of their 4 children to build homes and stay close. In 1989, they bought a home in Florida and retired there instead.

Francesca became a Jehovah's Witness in the 1970's and was baptized.