Florence T. “Flossie” Mascherino, 84, of Downingtown, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 27, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. She is now at peace.

She was born in Caln on April 21, 1923, to the late Michele and Rosaria (Cimmorelli) Castaldi. She then moved to Bradford Heights when she was 4 and Downingtown at the age of 7.

She graduated from Downingtown High School -- Class of 1942.

After graduation, she worked as a waitress in “Old Pappa Nichol’s” diner and was a secretary for Sears & Roebuck. After raising her children, she returned to work in several cafterias for the Downingtown Area School District until she later retired.

Florence was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a sweepstakes seller.

She belonged to the Downingtown School District Alumni Association. She was a lifetime member of many women’s auxiliaries, including the Alert and Minquas Fire Companies, the VFW and St. Anthony’s Lodge, where she also served as the treasurer for many years. You could also find Florence working for the infamous Frog Leg party.

Up until her death, she was an active member of the Red Hot Momma’s Red Hat Society and the Downingtown Senior Center.

She was an avid Philadelphia sports fan, and she especially loved the Phillies. She sat through many years of football and girls basketball games at Downingtown West.

Florence enjoyed playing cards with her family, Club 8 or anyone who knew how to play pinochle. In her spare time, she loved to travel, play bingo and sew.

Florence is survived by her children, Anthony “Masch” and wife Rosemary, Louis Jr. and wife Rhonda, Michael and wife Rosemary, Rose R. Ciarlone and husband Michael, Donna DiBerardinis and husband Gary, and Patricia “Tish” McCarter and husband John. She was blessed with 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Michael Castaldi and wife Rose, and Dominic “Coogs” Castaldi and wife Joan.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Costandino “Christy” and wife Evelyn, Anthony “Tony” and wife Eve; and sister Mary Colella and husband Joe.

Family and friends may visit Florence on Wednesday, May 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Thursday, May 31, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her memory on Thursday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Downingtown.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Florence’s memory to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 338 Manor Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335.

Everyone is invited to visit her online memorial at http://www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com/mascherino.htm