Mary Ellen Floreno

Mary Ellen Floreno
November 12, 1946 - January 25, 2022

Tacoma, Washington - Mary Ellen Floreno, age 75, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 in Tacoma, WA after a long battle with Parkinson's and other ailments. Mary was born on November 12, 1946 in Anaconda, MT and grew up in Poulsbo, WA. She graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1965 and went on to nursing school soon after. Mary lived in Tacoma, WA with her four children and was a single mom who lovingly raised her children on her own. She always said her kids were her life's purpose. She adored her parents, sisters, brother and of course her grandchildren. She was the most loving, supportive grandma "Nama" to them… they were her Joy.

Mary lived her life constantly in service to others - her nursing journey brought her to care for so many and with incredible impact. She specialized in caring for disabled children, brought faith and peace to families as a hospice nurse, and shared a compassion for the elderly - just like her mom Norma - on a level rarely seen to this day. As one of the founding members of the Legion of Mary at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tacoma, Mary was devout in her Catholic faith and to Mary Mother of Jesus.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Norma Byrd and brother Clyde Jr. (Bud) Byrd. She is survived by her son Anthony (Tony) Floreno; son Damian Floreno with wife Karla Bloomquist; daughters Louisa Floreno and Monica Floreno; siblings Ethel Otto (Byrd), Christine Byrd, Teresa Moon (Byrd) and Janice Schrader (Byrd); grandchildren Isabella Floreno, Talia Floreno, Liam Floreno and Kali Zee; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on April 22, 2022 at 11am. All friends and family are welcome to attend. Later, she will be laid to rest with family in a private burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Bremerton, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, Tacoma by donating at www.svdptacoma.org.

The family extends our sincere thanks to all those who loved our mom as we did through the years. A heartfelt thanks to the loving staff at Tacoma's Avamere Pacific Ridge and also Franciscan Hospice in University Place, WA. Our mom will always be cherished by so many... she was generous, compassionate, humble, and exemplified pure, selfless love. Her devotion to God and Our Lady will not be forgotten by all who knew her; and we all know she is with them now. She is our greatest love… our mom.