Benvenuto, Clorinda's Obituary
Clorinda “Gloria” Benvenuto was born August 27, 1931, to parents Francesco and Giovanna Petringa in Airola, Benevento Italy. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michele, and her father, mother, sisters and brothers.
Clorinda shared a wonderful life with Michele, and together they raised two daughters, Anna and Leonilda, and gained a son-in-law, Pasquale Autiero. Clorinda extends her legacy through her grandchildren: Luisa, Madeline (and her husband, David), Michelle (and her husband, Tim), and Christina (and her husband, Daniel). She was also a proud bisnonna (great-grandmother) to her three smallest yet greatest blessings: Amelia Slinko, Charlotte Slinko, and Jediah Darden.
Clorinda and Michele married on February 11, 1956. Though she lost him in 1990, her love and devotion to him remained unwavering until her last day. Above her bed hung two cherished photos: one of her husband and one of Jesus. Each morning, she would greet these images with a joyous “good morning,” expressing her love for both her savior and her husband. How wonderful it is to know she is now in Heaven with both of them–perhaps sitting at Jesus’s feet, delighting in his stories and teachings, just as she would while reciting her prayers in her recliner every afternoon. Surely, she and Michele have been dancing together since she arrived, to their marriage love song "Al di là,” which she would request to play weekly, even in her final months.
Clorinda’s hands were always busy, a true reflection of her heart of gold. Beyond being a devoted wife, mother and nonna, she was an entrepreneur, chef, seamstress, crocheter, skilled baker (she even baked her own wedding cake), dancer, bargain hunter, bocce ball and bowling champion, and world traveler. Deeply involved in her community, Clorinda generously shared her time and talents with the Happy Hearts Association at St. Theresa Church, Sons of Italy, and the Italian American Club. Her infectious smile and warmth made her the most popular person in any room, and she had a gift for making new friends wherever she went. Wherever she was, it felt like home. She made everyone feel loved and special, but above all, she showered this love on her family–whether it be through cooking her famous lasagna, baking her anginetti cookies, singing Italian songs, handmaking each piece of their Christmas decor, attending every milestone event, or always being ready for an adventure together.
A strong-willed trailblazer, Clorinda was never afraid to take risks. She and Michele made the bold decision to move their family from Italy to America in search of better opportunities. Clorinda passed a seamstress exam to make this dream a reality. Once settled in America, she worked tirelessly to ensure her children could attend private, Catholic school, paving the way for their full scholarships to Pace University; she was immensely proud of their accomplishments. Whether building a new life in a new country, caring for her family, competing in a bocce ball tournament, or tackling any obstacle in her path, Clorinda met every challenge head-on and never gave up.
Among all her talents, Clorinda was best known for her deep faith in Jesus, always eager to share his love through both words and actions. “All we have to do is pray and believe,” she would often say, leaving everyone in awe of the ways God worked in her life. She took God at his word, believing He could do the impossible. From being nicknamed “The Miracle Lady” after surviving a brain aneurysm, to finding her lost ring at a sandy beach after praying, God’s handprint was all over her life. In fact, her faith was so present in her home that her grandchildren dubbed one room “The Jesus Room” due to its large collection of figurines of Jesus and saints. They would argue over who got to sleep in that room whenever they visited. It felt like you were surrounded by God’s army whenever you walked in.
Clorinda’s memory will be treasured by all who knew her. Her words of wisdom, such as “all you need in life is happiness,” will forever echo in our hearts. Her legacy will continue to live on through the recipes she passed down. A cherished memory is the aroma of her chicken soup, filling the room with her warmth and love that she poured into every bowl. Her life was a testament to love, faith, and the joy of sharing life with others. As Clorinda wrote: She is gone from this life, but not from our lives. How can we believe she is dead, when she is so alive in our hearts?
May her spirit always live on in our hearts, and through the memories we will cherish forever. For as long as we live, she too will live, for she is an everlasting part of us. The family wishes to acknowledge the Topaz team from HPH Hospice for their exceptional care.
Viewing will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Spring Hill, FL, with a funeral mass following at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Hudson, FL. Flowers may be sent to St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1107 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
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