Obituary of Phyllis Ann Salomone

Phyllis Ann Salomone September 28, 1932 ~ July 22, 2010 Monterey - Phyllis (Philippina) Buscemi Salomone, 77, passed away on July 22, 2010, surrounded by loved ones. During her valiant struggle with multiple chronic illnesses, she always had a smile and a joke for others. Tired of the snow, Phyllis moved to Monterey from Rockford, Illinois, with her mother and sister in 1952. There, she fell in love with her mother's best friend's son, Philip Salomone, and married him in 1954. Best known as "Phil-n-Phe," the twosome bought a home on Martin Street and lived there for over 47 years. They raised their adopted daughter, Diane in a loving home with the assistance of Phyllis' mother, Crucifissa. Phyllis enjoyed working at John Hancock and then at The Bachelor Shop in downtown Monterey as a bookkeeper, meeting all the Monterey locals. In 2001, they happily moved to sunny, serene Fishermen's Flats for more space so their daughter could assist them. Last week was Phil-n-Phe's 56th wedding anniversary. The newest love of her life was her pound puppy, Niccolo, bringing her warm snuggles with kisses and laughter. Phyllis was known for her delicious Sicilian cooking and always shared delicacies with family and friends. She began bowling with Phil later in life and joined him to work out at the Cardiopulmonary Wellness Gym. Phil-n-Phe were avid SF Giants fans with an occasional gambling trip with friends. She cherished her family in Rockford: sisters, Gerry (Salamone) Guarino and Angie (Salamone) Falkowski; brother-in-law, Sam; nephews, Jim, Joe (Charlene), and David (Gordana); niece, Cheryl (Scott) and great nieces, Samantha and Kirsten. With great sadness she was preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore and Crucifissa (Amelia) Buscemi; sister, Rose (Salamone) Sanner; brothers-in-law, Richard Sanner and Donald Falkowski; best friend, Rose Favalora; cherished friends, multiple Salomone family members and dogs, Teddy, Heebee and Shadow. We are grateful to the "Dream Team" for their superior supportive care over the years: Drs. N. Rubin, G. Heal, P. Feehan, M. Galloway, H. Jang, J. Chen, H. Bassiri, W. Verlenden, A. Marangioni, R. Hell, G. Satow, J. Rheim and L. Rosenblum. The staff at Monterey Bay Oncology, Cardio-Pulmonary Associates, Cardiopulmonary Wellness Gym, Rite-Aid Pharmacy at Del Monte Center and Community Hospital always made us feel like family. Thank you. We will miss her smiles, laughter and love. Please send donations to Monterey County Animal Services, 160 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, CA 93908-9450. There will be a memorial service in her honor on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 12 noon in the Santa Rosalia Chapel at San Carlos Cemetery with a celebration of her life following.