NEWS Correspondent

BY SARA MARTINO

Two Saints named Valentine, maybe even a third Valentine? We do know now that everyone wants to honor St. Valentine on his special day. One of the saints of the second century was Valentine of Roma. The other is Valentine of Terni and third saint was martyred in Africa. History is not clear on the reason that Saint Valentine (I, II or the III), is the patron of love but the modern world celebrates his day, February 14, with tributes to the loves of their lives.

\”Valentine\’s Day is the busiest time of the year for a florist,\” said Sunshine Flowers & Gift\’s owner, Diane Fisher. \”We start work at 7 am open at 9 am and stay open to 8 pm on that day. Sometimes later if the customers still come in or telephone for orders,\” she said.

At the present time, the shop has two full time designers, Linda and Georgette. Diane\’s sister Pat waits on the customers and does computer work for the business. Diane is in the design room, behind the cash register when needed and busy with the arrangements. Jim, as the fastest and best florist delivery man, delivers all over New Jersey and surprises many recipients with the beautiful arrangements from the shop.

\”On Valentine\’s Day, we have an extra ten people and three trucks out on the road,\” Diane said. \’Easter, Mother\’s Day, Christmas are some of the other busy days, but on Valentine\’s Day, customers request delivery specifically on the \”Sweetheart\’s Day\”, not the day before or the day after,\” she said. Other holidays are spread out over a few days.

According to some rose experts, Red roses mean \”romantic love\” and are the most popular and the traditional choice. White, yellow, pink, peach, and hot pink roses and the reds are ordered from three different wholesalers in the tri-state area and sometimes from Florida, California and South America if needed. White roses signifying \”purity\” lend themselves to displays of reverence and humility. The meaning of yellow roses is joy and friendship. Peach roses can be used to signify sympathy or gratitude. Pink and light pink roses show feelings of admiration. When the flowers arrive at the shop, the flower arrangers remove all the thorns and lower foliage, and then they condition the flowers to keep them fresh and long lasting.

Sunshine adds different ferns, plumosa and baby breathe to the custom-made arrangements .Balloons, teddy bears and other additions to the bouquets are available. In addition to the beautiful flowers and plants on the main floor, customers can step upstairs to an \”upper room\”, where Yankee Candles are on display as well as many other delightful gift items for sale. Throughout the shop, exquisitely designed Enesco Angels seem to float on the shelves. Bearington Bears are ready and waiting for you to bring them home.

Diane and husband Bill grew up in Gloucester City attended Gloucester Catholic High School and are the proud owners of Sunshine for the last 18 years after buying the property at 2 N. Broadway from a Mr. Funk, the previous owner. They have been married almost 41 years, with two daughters and three grandchildren. Diane\’s parents, Don and Anna Reddy were also born and raised in Gloucester City.

When the Fishers visited Alaska, Diane said they were pleasantly surprised to see how big and gorgeous the flowers were that grew there. \”The colors were so vibrant because of the extra hours of sunlight during the summer solstice,\” Diane said.

\”We will positively take lots of photos of tropical flowers when we go through the Panama Canal and while visiting the Caribbean in the future,\” Diane said. Birds of Paradise, Anthurium, Ginger, Protea and lovely Orchids are some of the pleasantry that the Fishers are hoping to gaze upon and partake of their flowery aromas. They will come back with additional, exciting ideas for their shop.

Diane will be too busy to traditionally celebrate Valentine\’s Day with a romantic dinner. But, she certainly will be surrounded by more flowers than the rest of us. \”My present to my husband will be \”a loving pat on the back\”. We\’ll celebrate after all the orders have been filled and the customers are satisfied .I still make sure that the girls in our family are presented with their floral tokens of love,\” Diane said.

\”Unless requested, we do not call ahead to tell recipient of the delivery. We do not want to spoil the surprise,\” Diane said.

If the government comes through with rebate checks for the tax payers, use some of the extra cash and spend it right in your neighborhood. What could be nicer than \”saying it with flowers\”?

Call 456-0324 and order early for the best Valentine selections. Sunshine Flowers & Gifts is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays 9am to 2pm.

Related: Buy Local/UEZ

On February 9, 2008. Age 81. Of West Deptford. Formerly of Gloucester City. Loving and caring husband of 45 years to Anita Manion (nee Calvanese). Beloved father of Thomas (Donna) Perry, Bob (Debbie) Perry, Bill (Terri) Manion. Devoted grandfather of Jackie, Michele, Jamie, Alyssa, Christa, Kyle, Colleen, Micheal and Kevin. Dear Brother of Margaret Schnarr, Jeannie Smith, Michael Manion, Nona Russo and the late Joseph Manion, Marie Flynn, Nancy Ackley. Survived by many nieces and nephews.

William was born and raised in Gloucester City and was a devoted parishioner of Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City. He was currently a resident of West Deptford. William was a longtime member of the Bonsal Blues Military Band Post #133 in Woodbury. He worked as a Marine Machinist for the U.S. Navy Yard in Philadelphia, PA (NAVSSES). William enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a member of the Retreads Motorcycle Club of South Jersey.

William loved his children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with each and every one of them.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Thursday morning from 10 am to 12 Noon at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12 Noon in the church. Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no evening viewing and no viewing at the funeral home. Family requests memorial donations in William\’s memory to the American Cancer Society: 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill. NJ 08034. Please write in memo: William Manion.

Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of William M. Manion Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: Gloucester City

source www.nj.com

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Shawn D. Andrews, age 21, of Mullica Hill, N.J., died suddenly on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008.

He was a graduate of Clearview Regional High School, Class of 2004 and Wyo Tech in Blairsville, Pa. Shawn attended Faith Alliance Church of Sewell and was a mechanic who enjoyed working on his own car and truck. He liked to be outside and enjoyed dancing, going to the beach and riding his dirt bike.

He is the very beloved son of Mark and Charlotte (nee McLaughlin) Andrews and dear brother of Evan and Justin Andrews and is also survived by his soulmate, Lyndsey Orlando.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 15 at Faith Alliance Church, 423 Barnsboro Road, Sewell, N.J., where funeral services will be held at noon with a luncheon to follow. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shawn¹s memory may be made to South Philadelphia Prayer Ministry, 2117 S. 9th St. Philadelphia, PA 19148. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Mantua. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.

\”Christians are not perfect, just forgiven.\”
Published in the Gloucester County Times on 2/10/2008.

MONDILE, BARBARA A.
(nee Jetter), on February 7, 2008, of Bellmawr, formerly of Camden. Age 69.
Beloved wife of Leonard A. Devoted mother of 6 and loving grandmother of 11. Dear sister of William Jetter.
There will be a viewing from 9 to 11am Tuesday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, BELLMAWR. Service 11am at the funeral home. Interment Arlington Cemetery, Pennsauken.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 9 Tanner Street – East Entry, Haddonfield, NJ 08033. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences@ GardnerFuneralHome. com

SALVATORE, JOSEPHINE M.
(nee Livecchi) On February 7, 2008, age 74 of Mt. Ephraim, NJ.
Beloved wife of Dominick E. \’Chubby\’ for fifty-two years. Devoted mother Joanne M. (Steve) Siganuk of Westville, Francine M. (Phil), Anastasia of Mt. Ephraim, Dominick B. (Michele) Salvatore O\’Fallon, MO, and Linda M. Salvatore of Mt. Ephraim. Loving grandmother of Maria, Janine,Dana, Michele,Dominick, Blase, and Philip. Also loving great grandmother of Allena. Dear sister of Frances Fabrizi, and Vincent \’Jim\’ (Cheryl) Livecchi, the late Pat Livecchi, Tom Livecchi, Sal Livecchi and Rosalie DiLorenzo. Also many nieces and nephews.
Josephine was a graduate of Camden Catholic High School class of 1951.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing Tuesday from 8 am to 9:45 am at Sacred Heart Church 7 W. Kings Highway, Mt. Ephraim, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 10 am at the church. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr, NJ. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Lukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, South Jersey Shore Region Chapter, 216 Haddon Ave, Ste 328, Westmont, NJ 08108 in Josephine\’s memory. Arrangements by:
MAHAFFEY-MILANO FUNERAL HOME
11 East Kings Hwy
Mt. Ephraim, NJ 08059

STANSBURY, CLAIRE N.
(nee Nugent) on February 8, 2008 of Glendora formerly of Bellmawr. Age 87.
Beloved wife of the late Jack. Loving mother of Michael (Mary) of Washington Township, Jane Miller (Raymond) of Glendora, Hugh (Eileen) of Woodbury and the late Patrice Stansbury – Iovacchini. Loving Grandmother of Michael Iovacchini (Mary), Kathleen (nee Dunleavy) Tolomeo (Michael),Nicholas Stansbury, Raymond Miller, Jr.,Josephine Stansbury, Jill Stansbury, Kelly Hardymon (Mark), Dottie Hammill, and Paul Richman. Great Grandmother of Brigid and Michael Tolomeo and Chase and Ava Iovacchini. Dear sister of Jane Shirk. Also survived by 4 nephews.
Mrs. Stansbury was a longtime member of St. Maurice RC Church, and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She was a member of the travel club of VFW Post 1958, Haddon Heights.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 pm and Wednesday morning from 8:15 to 9:15 am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass Wednesday morning 10 am at St. Teresa\’s, RC Church, Runnemede. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to Condolences@Gardner FuneralHome.com