Flora A. Monteiro

Flora Alejandrina Monteiro (Duncan) was born on August 21, 1924 in Havana, Cuba to Florence Duncan. She went home with the Lord on November 19, 2023.

In 1933, Flora was sent to Kingston, Jamaica to live with her maternal Grandmother and Aunt. She lived in Kingston up until moving to the United States in 1950. She attended Catholic elementary and Alpha Academy for her Cambridge exams. Flora became a teacher, and taught at a branch of the Academy in Port Antonio, as well as at the Maypen Catholic Elementary School. During her time in Jamaica, Flora enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and cousins.

During her stay in Port Antonio during WWII, Flora corresponded with a pen pal, Rudolph Monteiro while he was serving in the Navy in the south pacific. This correspondence continued, and then she immigrated to Philadelphia in 1950, where she finally met her pen pal in person. Their friendship continued while she lived in Jamaica, Long Island, New York and resulted in their marrying on December 28, 1952 at St. Therese Catholic Church in Mt. Airy Philadelphia. They resided in Germantown where they raised a family of 7 children in St. Vincent de Paul Parish. All 7 children attended Catholic Parochial Elementary and High School (Cardinal Dougherty).

Although Flora has always said she was a stay at home Mom, she really wasn’t. Flora volunteered at St. Vincent’s Parish Elementary School, where she was a librarian, assisted in the classrooms as needed for many years, and started the pre-school CCD program. Flora also worked with Evelyn Rogers to start the GED Adult Education program at St. Vincent’s. She volunteered at Cardinal Dougherty High School as well. She loved St. Vincent’s Church and attended services faithfully while living in Philadelphia. Flora enjoyed gardening and created a beautiful garden in their backyard on Pulaski Avenue. She had corn, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. She also enjoyed sewing and crocheting in her “spare” time.

Flora also helped Rudolph with the bookkeeping for his automotive business. It wasn’t until the youngest was in high school, where she took a full-time paid position at an automotive parts store, but had to abruptly leave to take care of Rudolph’s mother, Etta until she was fully recovered. She then took a full-time paid position at Philadelphia National Bank in the MAC Division, and worked there until her retirement.

When Rudolph retired, they moved to Palm Coast, Florida. During their time in Palm Coast, they enjoyed the great weather, being back in touch with cousins, meeting new friends, their garden and venturing out to see different sites. Flora volunteered at the Public High School Library and the Parish Church’s CCD program, and received awards for her teaching efforts. Flora also volunteered in her community in the Federal Income Tax preparation program. Rudolph went home to the Lord in November 2006, and Flora continued to live in Palm Coast until moving back to Philadelphia in 2009. She lived with her son Anthony and his wife Jacklyn in Germantown and then Collegeville, PA from 2009 until March of 2023, when, due to her health issues, she went to live with her daughter Lurlene and husband Evan, until the Lord took her home. She was able to live out her last days surrounded by her children, grand-and great- grandchildren.

Flora is preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph and son Carlos.  Flora is survived by her daughters and sons Lurlene (Evan), Maria (John Jr.), Ricardo (Eloise), Anthony (Jacklyn), Joseph, and Peter (Joanne); Grandchildren- Rashida, Ricardo Jr. (Sheila), Tanisha (Amauro),  Anthony (Nova), Ramone, Rudolph, John III, Kyle, Kayla, Antonio, Jessie, Sean, Richard B., Richard P., Rasool (Tamica), Jasminda (Leroy), Solomon and Terry; Great grandchildren - Devon, Ashley, Ricardo III, Anthony Jr., Joshua, Taylor, Amauro Jr., Saige, Jalen, Jeyla, Jeyce, Infinity, Zariyah, Anwar, Armani, Julia, Ariana, Caeli and many cousins. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 109 E. Price Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation at the church from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. before the mass. Interment will be held on Monday, December 4^th at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the following charities would be appreciated: Inn Dwelling and St. Vincent Senior Food Cupboard c/o St. Vincent De Paul Church, 109 E. Price Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144, and for adoration chapel at St. Eleanor’s Church, Collegeville, PA.