Floria Leet (nee Calugi)

Floria Maria Leet (nee Calugi) passed away at the age of 93 surrounded by her family. Floria
lived a long life filled with great love for all and she was profoundly loved by all who knew
her. Born outside of Florence, Italy, she survived childhood polio, a Nazi invasion of her
home, and the terrible privations of World War II. She became a translator for NATO and later
immigrated to America. She met the love of her life, John Leet, in San Francisco after the
War. William Luigi, the oldest of her seven children, was born there and they soon returned to
Florence, Italy where her next two children, Richard Henry (still-born) and Laura were born.
They moved around Europe while John built NATO bases including Germany (where Mark was
born) and Verona, Italy, where Elizabeth was born. In 1957 they returned to Cupertino,
California where Teresa, Richard and Paul were born in San Jose, Ca.
Floria was gifted with a gorgeous soprano voice, and she was proud to have studied with
Gaetano Merola, the founder of the San Francisco Opera. She was the first female Real Estate
Broker in the Santa Clara Valley, and after John's sad death in 1971, she became the sole
support of her large family with her hard work in real estate and later as a home loan agent.
While raising her family, she made room in her home for many other young teens who spent
months or years living with the Leets. After a hard day's work, she could put a bountiful
meal on the table for her family. Floria retired to Aptos in 1987 and greatly enjoyed her
daily walks on the beach. At the age of 80 she learned computer skills and wrote her
autobiography, "Floria." She was a grand lady, spoke four languages and endured many
tragedies and challenges throughout her long, rich life, all the while retaining an enviable
standard of class, elegance, generous love and a devout faith.
Floria was predeceased by her beloved husband John, her son William Luigi, her brother Piero
and many friends at Dominican Oaks. She is survived by Laura Leet (Tom Bunnell), Mark Leet,
(Leslie Campbell), Elizabeth Waterbury (Robert), Teresa Thomae, (Arturo), and Richard Leet
(Irais) and her grandchildren, Dashiell, Giancarlo, Julia and Isabella.
A funeral mass will be in celebration of Floria's life will be held at on Friday, March 4 at 10:00
a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church in 7600 Soquel Drive in Aptos, CA, 95003.
Floria's family would like to thank the loving staff of Dominican Oaks who gave her many
happy final years, and Hospice of Santa Cruz County for their loving care. During her final
illness, she was lovingly cared for by her granddaughter, Julia Thomae, who spent many days
at her grandmother's side.
Donations in Floria's memory may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County.