Sister Florence Sliva

May 1, 1930-November 29, 2022

I wish that where I am, those you gave me may also be with me, that they may see the glory that you gave me, alleluia.

S.Florence Sliva grew up in the closely knit Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, attending Our Lady of Mercy School and St. Procop High School. She and her twin sister, Therese, spent their spare time at school, helping the Vincentian Sisters of Charity who taught at the parish school. It was that experience that led her to consider religious life; she chose to enter the Community in September 1945. Her twin entered at the same time, each being uniquely called.

A Sister of Charity for 77 years, S. Florence taught primary age children for more than 55 years, beginning at St. Mary, Bedford in 1950. At the time she was 19 years old teaching almost 80 children. She loved working with her ‘little ones’ and continued to do so in Catholic schools in the Greater Cleveland area, including St. Rita (Solon) and Sacred Heart (Wadsworth).

S. Florence returned to St. Mary, Bedford in 1984 where she remained until 1993 when she retired from the full-time teacher role. In retirement she volunteered as a kindergarten teacher assistant for the next 10 years while also serving at Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, on the adjoining Vincentian Sisters of Charity grounds. She and her sister moved there as well. They answered phones and doors and filled in for staff so that staff members could be home with their families over the holidays. The residents loved their presence and upbeat personalities. They would bring their kindergarten children to entertain the senior residents for major holidays which brought smiles to many faces.

Following the merger of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and the Vincentian Sisters of Charity in 2004, S. Florence saw it as a most welcome atmosphere in which to live out her later years; she adjusted well to the new community. The two sisters were warmly accepted at the Cincinnati Motherhouse.

In 2012 Sisters Florence and Therese moved to Mount St. Joseph and became well-known for their walks around the Motherhouse campus, regardless of the weather. They took care of posting elevator notices for the Hospitality Office and answered phones in Mother Margaret Hall on weekends. Both appreciated being closer to their family living in Kentucky.

S. Mary Ann Flannery recalled that Sisters Florence and Therese never wanted to teach beyond second grade because the children would be taller than they were! S. Florence would often attend community gatherings with her clipboard in hand, with her pupils’ papers needing her evaluation. “Florence was totally dedicated to her children and she saw the humor of working with the children,” S. Mary Ann commented. “The Sisters were blessings to us … so humble and so loving.”