Filomena (Florence) Palombo Manfredo Feuerstein 25 December 1915 - 4 January 2003 Filomena (Florence) Palombo Manfredo Feuerstein 25 December 1915 - 4 January 2003 Filomena Palombo was born in Denver, Colorado Christmas Day, 1915. Her mother Giovanna Palombo was a recent Italian immigrant from Vicalvi, Frosinone, Italy, who settled in Denver. Giovanna married Giacomo Manfredo, an immigrant from Casamassima, Bari, Italy, on 18 March 1918 in Denver, and they soon moved to Pocatello where Giacomo worked for the Northern Pacific railroad.

Filomena, Christina, Dominic at Fifth Street House, Pocatello, Easter Sunday about 1927

Filomena was the first of 4 children. Her brother and sister, Dominic and Christina were born in Pocatello in 1918 and 1923 respectively. A second brother Ralph was born in 1925, but lived for only a short time. The family lived in an Italian neighborhood on 5th Street, most of whom, including the women at times, worked for the railroad. Filomena spoke Italian until she entered Grade School where she learned English and was re-named Florence by her First Grade teacher. She became the English speaker and writer for the family, with such tasks as signing Giacomo's paychecks. Family life in Pocatello was one of Florence's most enduring memories.

Florence graduated from Pocatello High School in 1934. At 18, she was an accomplished seamstress, fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish. Her fist job in 1941 was at the J.C.Penney Store in downtown Pocatello where she met and fell in love with Charles "Chic" Feuerstein, a Penney's employee who had been transferred from the Idaho Falls store. They were married 11 January 1943 in Pocatello during Chic's military leave.

About 1939, Filomena on Fifth Street Sidewalk in dress she made.

1936 Family Photo - Dominic, Filomena, Cristina, Giovanna, Giacomo They "honeymoon'd" in Florida for a short time in 1943 while Chic trained for overseas service. Florence bid Chic off in Orlando, then traveled back to Pocatello, stopping in Aliquippa to visit her Uncle Angelo (Giovanna's brother), his wife Julia Bisinianni and their two sons Gilbert and Edward. She maintained a lifelong correspondence with these relatives. While Chic served in World War II, Florence took a job as clerk in the local bank, continuing to live at the Fifth Street family home.

When Chic returned from WWII service, Florence became pregnant with their first child. Raymond was born in 1948 in Pocatello. He was premature and lived only a few hours. John was born in 1949; Gary, 1950; Mary Jo, 1952; and Robert, 1954. Chic was promoted to assistant manger, then manager as the family moved from Pocatello to Albany (1950), Longview (1952), Kelso (1954) where they bought their first house, Butte (1955) and Aberdeen, Washington (1960).

Gary, Chic, Mary Jo, Florence, Rob, John About 1955 in Kelso

Florence continued her sewing skills, making clothes for herself and the kids through high school. She was an excellent cook, especially Italian food, learning from her Mother who never used a recipe. Friday was Pizza night - thick crust Southern Italian pizza. Florence encouraged all the kids to take up art - piano, dance, guitar and crafts - often spending hours ferrying kids to and attending the lessons. She made many costumes for dance performances as well as for holiday attire. Florence spent thousands of hours volunteering in the office and lunchroom at St. Mary's School in Aberdeen while the kids were in grade school there. She also was an active member of the Altar Society and St. Aurilla's Guild at St Mary's Church. Florence was one of the original Soccer Moms, only in this case it was Little League Baseball in Aberdeen where she kept score and helped in the snack bar during games for John, Gary and Rob.

Florence and Chic in Butte about 1956

Florence and Chic loved to dance. They took dance lessons at the Morck Hotel in Aberdeen, learning the standards as well as the rumba, fox trot, and Florence's favorite, the cha-cha. Florence developed an interest in ceramics in her 40's, attending a weekly ceramics studio in Aberdeen. Many of the pieces she made are distributed among the family. She was especially proud of the beautiful 18-piece nativity set she made.

Florence took up painting in her 50's and continued the hobby for 15 years. She produced dozens of oils and acrylics which were displayed in her home and now are distributed among her friends and family. Chic retired in 1980. They moved to Vancouver, Washington, purchasing a house in Fairway Village east of Vancouver, a retirement community centered around a Golf Course and Club House. With Chic's encouragement, Florence took up golf in her 60's so they could spend more time together. She was active in the community, winning recognition for her role as volunteer photographer for Fairway Village Events.

Florence and Crissy in Pocatello about 1990 Chic, Phyllis Manfredo and Florence checking out the scores at Fairway Village

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION That busy little lady with the camera is Florence Feuerstein! As the Village Historian Florence has taken pictures at virtually every Fairway Village function since 1983. Back then there was no clubhouse and golf groups listed only 42 members. Florence relates that Phil Bostwick asked her to take pictures at the very first Awards Dinner held that year at Eatons Restaurant. She has been at it ever since and has filled six albums. Florence enjoys this activity and takes it seriously; she goes out of her way to cover every event, even those which she might not otherwise attend. Her pictures are always displayed on the upstairs bulletin board by the morning after the event. Typical of Fairway Village volunteers, Florence has other interests. She maintains both general bulletin boards and was Captain of the Ladies Golf very early in its history. And we have a happy memory of meeting Chic and Florence when they brought a bottle of wine to our door the day we moved in, seven years ago! -Frank L. Wells

Chic and Florence at Fairway Village Costume Party about 1992 Chic, Phyllis Manfredo, Florence, (Brother) Dominic Manfredo at Fairway Village 1990

Between the years 1982 and 1992 they enjoyed traveling, including visits to Mexico, Florida, Washington DC, Victoria Canada, and a number of visits to Las Vegas and Arizona where son Rob lives.

Florence and Chic Rockefeller Center February 1991

Florence and Chic Washington Monument September 1988

Florence and Chic US Capitol September 1988

Florence in Vicalvi Italy, 1991

In 1990, Florence, Chic and Gary traveled to Italy, a life long dream for Florence. She visited with her cousin in Pisa, Italy and visited Rome, Florence, Venice, Perugia and Asissi. They returned in 1991, visiting Frankfurt and Munich, Germany, Trento, Pisa, Milan, Rome, as well as Vicalvi, Italy, the birthplace of her Mother Giovanna.

Florence cared for Chic during heart attack recoveries in 1982, 1984, June 1996, and April 1997. By 1996, Florence began exhibiting signs of memory loss. By 1999, her dementia required more intensive care. After several living situations, she found a comfortable setting in a group home a few blocks from where they had been living in East Vancouver. Chic visited daily until his death in August 2002. On Thursday, January 2, 2003 Florence was admitted to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver for treatment of a fever and infection. On Friday, the fever broke. Florence, exhausted, slept most of the day. Saturday morning Florence woke to the company of Mary Jo, Terry, Holly, Colleen, John, Cheryl, Joe, Deb and Gary. She rallied to greet each of us, holding our hands, touching our faces, offering her last words and gestures of acknowledgement. She died peacefully about 9:30 PM, Saturday, January 4, 2003, 10 days after her 87th birthday. Chic and Florence, Christmas and Birthday 2000

Go to Giacomo Manfredo Page
Go to Giovanna Palombo Manfredo Page
Go to GF Family Page
Go to Italy Page
Go to GF Homepage

Casamassima Homepage

Link to Vicalvi, Italy Page



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