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Phyllis Anne Provenzano of Fresno passed away peacefully from aspiration pneumonia in Glendale, California on May 30, 2015. Ms. Provenzano was born to Minnie and Felix Paladino on March 10, 1922 and called Fresno, California her home with her three older siblings Nicholas Paladino, Louis Paladino and Jean Aranaz (all deceased). Phyllis graduated from Edison Technical High School on June 7, 1940 and sustained her many childhood friendships on "Mayor Street" throughout the years. She loved to help others and volunteered in the "iron lung ward" when she was with the American Red Cross to help polio patients during WWII. Phyllis met her future husband Fred Provenzano on "V-J Day" while celebrating with her family at a local bar. She and Freddie dated for three years and married in Reno, Nevada on July 19, 1948 and shortly thereafter purchased Rossi Floral Company in Fresno. Many years later, they welcomed their lovely daughter Gianna into the world. When Freddie passed away on May 31, 1978, Phyllis continued to run the business and stayed active in the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and the Fig Garden Woman's Club. Phyllis was the first woman to participate with the Northwest Fresno Water District Board and held meetings at her home on a monthly basis. In December 1984, Phyllis sold the floral business, and worked as a courier at Regency Bank (now California Bank & Trust). In 2000, she retired from her job but hardly retired from life. She was a volunteer in the service guild at St. Agnes Hospital and enjoyed accompanying her daughter Gianna to many cities across the country as Gianna produced live game shows for Sony Pictures Entertainment's GSN. Phyllis loved her home, gardening, animals, parties and traveling. She was fond of always looking her best, enjoying spa and salon days with her daughter even until the end of her life. Everyone who knew Phyllis knew that her favorite saying was "and there you are." Phyllis leaves behind a loving daughter, Gianna Provenzano and son-in-law Ted Kurtz, her niece Janet Mattson and her husband Dr. John Mattson, her nephew Joel Aranaz and his wife Juanita Aranaz, her niece Donna Beckman and her husband Ed Beckman, her nephews Nicholas Don Paladino, David Paladino and Michael Paladino. Phyllis’ desire was to have a “Celebration of Life” party instead of a "Memorial Service" with close family and friends and then, a private ceremony in Aptos, California. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Organization at www.alz.org in loving memory of Phyllis Provenzano.

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Phyllis Anne Provenzano

March 10, 1922 - May 30, 2015