Floria Bolling was born on May 18, 1939, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to the late Bianca and Leon Monsanto, Sr. On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 she departed this life and was called home to rest by our Heavenly Father.
Floria was raised in the Virgin Islands until the age of 12, when her family made the decision to move to the United States, and settle in Harlem, New York. While growing up, her family and friends affectionately referred to her as “Flo.”
Flo was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, located in New York, NY. While growing up in Harlem, she met and married Raymond Bolling (also known as “Ray”). Flo and Ray had two daughters and they moved to Queens, NY to create a wonderful life for their family. Flo worked at an Elementary School Cafeteria in Queens, NY for the New York City Board of Education, for over 20 years until she retired in 1995.
Flo was known for her cooking, as it was one of her loves, and her signature dish was Heinz 57 sauce with chicken over rice. Family and friends still replicate this dish today. She also loved to travel, and Nassau, Bahamas was one of her favorite locations.
Flo truly enjoyed her life to the fullest. She loved listening music and would do her famous “shake it up” dance. Flo loved her weekly Bid Whist card games with her friends who affectionately referred to themselves as the “Queens Ladies.”
Flo’s number one love was her family and friends. She was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need. She opened her home to family and friends in need and gave many a place to stay when they fell on hard times.
She was predeceased by her mother Bianca Monsanto, her father Leon Monsanto, Sr, her grandmother Frances Nesbitt, sister Dolores Burton, and brother Lawrence Monsanto Sr.
She leaves to mourn her Daughters Shelly Bolling (Delroy Fisher), Charise Sharpe (Justin), Granddaughters: Sheneal Smith and Sole Sharpe, Grandson: D’Andre Chapman, Son-in-Law Dion Chapman, Aunt: Doris Pack, Brothers: Valdemar Monsanto, Sr (Emelda), Leon “Boy Blue” Monsanto (Donna), Gilbert Monsanto, Leon “Junior” Monsanto (Elsie), Keith Monsanto (Janet), Marvin Monsanto, Halva, VanHeyningen (Janice), Sisters: Agnes Monsanto, Beverly Monsanto, and Lois Monsanto-Felix, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Aunt Flo as she was known to me all my life, as she was one of my mothers best and closest friends for a great part of their lives which led to our families being family. She represented calm cool and love. She will surely be remembered and missed.