Clorinda Guarino

Clorinda Guarino, nee Fioravanti, age 95, passed away peacefully on December 15. Born to Italian immigrant parents, the late Giulio and Bianca Fioravanti, Clorinda was raised with a deep appreciation for family, a love of learning and a strong work ethic. She was the oldest of three children and was predeceased by her sister, Mary Buccafurni and her baby brother, Anthony. She attended Philadelphia Girls High and met her future husband, the late Honorable Angelo A. Guarino, while an education student at Temple University. Their forty-two year marriage was blessed with three sons: the late Michael J. Guarino, MD (Patricia), the late Julius M. Guarino, MD (Rosemary) and Carl A. Guarino, JD (Alice, deceased).

Clorinda valued faith and family above all else. She was a daily Mass attendee and lector and had a special devotion to St. Anthony. Her unwavering faith was never more evident than in the grace with which she endured profound loss - first her husband and most especially the loss of two sons. She never questioned, only believed.

Her life revolved around her ten beloved grandchildren, Andrew (Mona), Robert (Irene), Angela (Colin), Jeffrey (Nicole), Paul (Stephanie), Christopher, Suzanne (Daniel), Eric (Anna), Karen (Gregory) and Juliana as well as her 20 great-grandchildren. She knew every birthday by heart and followed each of their lives closely.

A talented cook and baker, Clorinda found her greatest joy when her dining room table extended into the living room overflowing with all of her family members. She baked countless trays of Italian cookies for all of the weddings and created beautifully crocheted blankets and sweaters for all of the babies. No birthday party was complete without her mac and cheese and chocolate chip cookies. On Christmas Eve she cooked more than the required seven fishes and baked many meat and cheese pies for every Easter brunch.

Clorinda and Angelo brought up their sons with the same work ethic and love of learning that guided their own lives. Happily Clorinda was able to see the fruition of her labors in her many “sunshines”. She took great pride in attending all of their school functions, graduations and sacraments.

She also treasured time spent with valued friends, whether enjoying elaborately cooked feasts or coffee and dessert at book clubs.

After more than 70 years living in her family South Philadelphia home, Clorinda embraced a new life in a retirement community. There she quickly acclimated and became involved with the residents teaching Italian, enjoying concerts and praying the rosary. Of course these could all be trumped by a family member’s visit.

G-Mom was our family matriarch. She will be forever cherished and sorely missed by us all.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, December 19 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, 17th and Morris Streets, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private for family only.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145 or to a charity of your choice.