Paula Citeno

Paula Citeno, (AKA Ganny, Ganna, or Pagi), 91, of Greenville, SC and Ft. Myers, FL, went to be with the Lord, Jesus Christ in Heaven on March 22, 2024, Glory to God! Paula shared 62 years of marriage with her late husband, James Citeno. She was the youngest daughter of the late Fidel Rodriguez and Juana Lopez, and the last living of 13 siblings born in Moca, Puerto Rico.  Paula immigrated from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn New York at age 18 where she met her husband James and started a family of her own.

In addition to her husband and parents, Paula was preceded in death by siblings, Zenona, Filipe Balois, Julia, Zenon, Rosario, Maria, Dominga, Maria Elia, Basalisa “Chila”, Miguel, Pedro and Sanita; her son-in-law, James Galante; her friends from garment industry, Minnie, Elaine and Connie; and great-grandson Leeam Citeno.

Paula is survived by her daughter, Nancy Galante; son, Joseph Citeno and his wife Christy Citeno; grandchildren, James Galante, Katie York and her husband Chase York, Atley Sassano and her husband Victor Sassano, Tim Citeno and his wife Ashlyn Citeno, and Elodie Citeno; her great-grandchildren, Madelyn York, Max York, Macy York, Oliver Citeno, Skylyn Citeno, Seylah Citeno, Judah Citeno and Eleanora Sassano; and best friend and caregiver, Jordan Douglas.

Paula loved sewing, doing alterations, and making costumes for recitals and plays, singing in her church choir, water aerobics with friends, cooking for and entertaining family, friends and neighbors, baking “Ganna’s Christmas Cookies” and writing inspired poetry about God and nature.

Paula will be remembered for brightening the room with her smile, stories of growing up in Puerto Rico, joking, and genuine love for people. She was outgoing and showed extravagant love and kindness toward her family, neighbors and friends. She will always be remembered as “Ganny” or “Ganna”, names given by her grandkids. Paula was a hard-working, loving, generous, encouraging and resilient Puerto Rican woman, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was a dream builder for others with a heart to help and serve others in love.  Her love reflects Jesus Christ’s love for us.

A celebration of life in Florida will be held on April 14th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Summit Church located at 12941 Express Court, Ft Myers, FL 33913.  Freinds and family are all welcome!  The celebration will include worship, a slide show, stories from family members and a dinner reception with some of the favorite foods of Paula Citeno. Please join us in celebrating her amazing life and her gift of loving kindness to so many people!  Contact her son, Joe Citeno at 864-230-1006 for more information.  Subsequently, the committal of Paula Citeno will be on Tuesday April 16th at 12:30 pm at the Sarasota National Cemetary is 9810 SR-72 Sarasota Florida 34241.  A small service will be held in the pavilion. Afterwards, Paula’s body will be laid to rest alongside the body of her late husband James Citeno.

Flowers can be sent to Joe Citeno 204 Stoney Creek Drive, Greenville, SC 29607 or Nancy Galante 11767 Solano Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33966
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund in honor of Paula Citeno.

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