Florence loved to sing and dance to all types of music, and was a devoted member of the church choir until well into her 90s.
Florence Babiana Kostolas, age 96, of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late Peter M. Kostolas, passed into eternal rest on September 9, 2023.
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Florence was born on September 1, 1927 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the daughter of the late George and Marie Andre Babiana. She graduated from Woonsocket High School with high honors in business administration and attended Hill Junior College at night. She was an avid reader and always valued education. She took adult education classes in everything from accounting and business to learning how to speak French, cooking, and decorating cakes. After her marriage in 1947, Florence became the first married woman to work as a teller at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank and held many positions during her 15-year banking career. When her husband founded Sperco Typesetting Company in 1960, she became office manager. She had been a very active and devoted member of St. Dimitri Orthodox Church since moving to Bridgeport after her marriage, and was involved in all aspects of the church community. She held many positions in the Ladies Auxiliary, serving as president in 1966, as well as the Orthodox Women’s Council, Sunday School, and Retirees’ Group. Florence was known for her organizational and leadership qualities. She has taken on special projects including editing a successful cookbook, starting a youth dance group and playing a large role in annual festivals. She ran the pastry stand and raffle booth and was co-president for several years. Florence loved to sing and dance to all types of music, and was a devoted member of the church choir until well into her 90s. She participated in Macedonian dramas written by her father-in-law Michael Kostolas and they spent hours together singing his songs. Years later, she took his vocal music and copied it for posterity. If there is ethnic music, it can be found on the dance floor leading the line.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Mary Jennifer of Fairfield and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Seabo of Southport. Additionally, she will be missed by her many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by siblings Victoria P. Chiacco, Andrew Papiana, Stella P. Papiana, Sylvia P. Vatsi, James Papiana and Virginia Baker.
Rites of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, September 15 at St. Dimitri Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Road, Easton with Rev. Fr. George M. Coca ceremony, followed by burial in Lakeview Cemetery. People can pay their respects at the church starting at 10:00 a.m. before the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Dimitri Church Endowment Fund. For travel directions, or to sign her guest registry, please visit LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com