Obituary of Florence A. Brilliante

Florence A. Brilliante, 92 of Colts Neck passed away on Saturday, December 29^th at her home.  She was pre-deceased by her husband Armand Brilliante who died in 1999.

Surviving her are her daughters, Amanda Brilliante and her husband Carsten Breuer of St. Croix, USVI and Karoline Brilliante of Freehold and her two much-loved grandsons, Aidan and Brian.

Florence, the youngest of five sisters, was raised in East Granby, Connecticut on a working tobacco farm.   After graduation Simsbury High School she attended business school and gained employment with Otis Elevator Company.   

She loved to travel, and met her Husband, Armand, on the last day of his vacation in Miami, Florida.  He was so smitten by her that he extended his vacation an additional week to be with her.    Affectionately known by many as “Flo” and “Mrs. B,” Florence has called Colts Neck home since 1967.  She was a homemaker and spent many years volunteering as a classroom aide in the local school district.  Despite the many decades building relationships in town, she always considered herself a “Connecticut Farm Girl” at heart.

Florence warmly welcomed all that came to her door with a smile and a home-cooked meal. Even if it was just “pickups” from the fridge, she always had something to offer.  She loved to cook and entertain, and her home was a gathering place for friends, neighbors and family for over 50 years.  Florence was well known for her knack of taking whatever might be in her cupboards and creating delicious dishes.

Florence loved to be out in her yard, and you were sure to find her out weeding, planting, raking leaves or shoveling snow well into her 80’s.  True to her nature, she always maintained a large vegetable garden, sharing whatever bounty - especially tomatoes - with friends and neighbors.

For the last 10 years, Florence was a regular spectator at the local Little League fields to watch her grandsons’ play ball.   She was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and often remarked her grandsons would one day play for the team.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 19^th at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold, at 10:00 AM. To share a favorite memory or send a message of condolence please visit Florence’s page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.