Florence M. Leber passed away peacefully at home at the age of 92 on February 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was born as the baby of the family on December 16, 1932, in the family home on Elma Street in the Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri to her parents Antonio and Carmela (Simone) Mendolia who had immigrated from Sicily. After attending Garfield Elementary School, she graduated from Northeast High School in 1951 and was a proud graduate of business school prior to her successful career at The Merriman Mortgage Company as the first female loan closer in Kansas City at the time.

She married the love of her life, Frank "Sonny" (Cerra) Leber on April 12, 1955, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and together had two beautiful daughters who were the highlight of her life.

Florence was very glamorous, outgoing and sparkly, both literally and figuratively. Wherever she went her personality shined as bright as her diamonds.  She loved going to Vegas and traveling the world with her dear beloved husband.  She loved her Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs; however, her family was truly her greatest passion. Nothing brought her more joy than having her whole family together at the same place, regardless of the occasion.

As the last surviving member of her generation, she was preceded in death by her husband Frank "Sonny" John (Cerra) Leber; her parents Antonio and Carmela (Simone) Mendolia; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Mary (DiSalvo) and William "Lefty" Leber; siblings Melchoria Polito (Carl), Vito Mendolia (Josephine), Mary Salerno (Joseph), and Josephine Caloroso (Frank); and her niece Mary Jo (Polito) Cusumano.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Mary Camille (Leber) and Guy Tamburello, and Cara Ann (Leber) and Shane Danner; grandchildren Cara Nichole Baeres (Joseph Christopher, Sr.), Peter Joseph Tamburello (Korinne), Frank John Tamburello (fiancé Demi Fabelo), Francesca Gianna Leber (fiancé Marcus Bell), and Nicolas Shane Danner; her great-grandchildren Joseph Christopher Baeres, Jr., Leo Gaetano Baeres, Sofia Carmela Bell, and soon-to-be Frank Peter Baeres and Scarlett Camille Bell as her beautiful family continues to grow.  She is also survived by her dear friend and in-law Jean Tamburello.

In addition, Florence is survived by 13 nieces and nephews:  Anthony Mendolia (Connie), Anna Clair Cutrera (Joe), Sam Caloroso, Beth Ernst, Peter Vic Mendolia (Theresa), Joan Clair Morrissey, Susan Bruno, Marynel Collins (Hank), Tony Caloroso (Tammy), Tony Salerno (Mary), Ahnna Bruno (Denny), Frank Caloroso (Julie) and Cammy Monteleone (Sal); 35 great-nieces and nephews; and 35 great-great-nieces and nephews all who loved her dearly.

Her mother always reminded her that Florence in Italian was "Fortunata," meaning "fortunate"  and she never missed an opportunity to acknowledge how fortunate she was to live a life loved and surrounded by such a large group of family and friends as well as friends that were family.

Whether you knew her as Florence, Mom, Momma Flo, Nanie FloFlo, Aunt Flo, Floski or just Flo, you're invited to celebrate her life on Monday, February 24 at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. followed by Visitation 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Burial will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

All are welcome to reminisce and honor the very blessed, fortunate, life of Florence Leber.

Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers:  Peter Joseph Tamburello, Frank John Tamburello, Nicolas Shane Danner, Joseph Christopher Baeres Sr., Marcus Bell, Anthony Mendolia, Frank Caloroso, Sam Caloroso, Peter Vic Mendolia, Tony Caloroso and Tony Salerno.