Lois Bambino

It is with sad but peaceful hearts that we share the news of the passing of Lois L. Bambino, (Pampalone) age 98 of Davie, Florida.  She passed away on March 14, 2024, in St. Johns Nursing Home, Lauderhill, FL. Lois was predeceased by her husband, Adam Bambino, and her son, Joseph Adam Bambino, Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Bernice Hohne, grandchildren, Erik Hohne (DeeDee MacLean), Jospeh A. Bambino, Jr., (Jennifer Baez), Jonathan Bambino, 2 great-grandsons, Adam and Anthony Bambino, along with many nieces and nephews.

Lois lived a fulfilling and happy life and accomplished many things in her 98 years. She was born October 12, 1925, in Rochester, NY. Her father, Samual Pampalone of Italian descent met and fell in love with her mother, Irene Ebert who came from a German family in Rochester. She grew up with her older sister, Florence, in their family home on Trust Street, Rochester, NY. The family was part of the Zion Lutheran Church where Lois was baptized on December 27, 1925, and later confirmed on April 10, 1938. 

While growing up in Rochester when Lois was around 13, she met a young man named Amadeo “Adam” Bambino and instantly fell in love. When Lois turned 17 and while Adam was serving in the Army Airforce, they were married on June 30, 1943, in a small ceremony with Adam’s brother Frank as best man and Lois’s cousin Bernice Ling as her maid of honor.

Shortly after Lois and Adam were married, they moved to Sebring, FL, where Adam a Sgt., was stationed as head cook at the Airforce base in Sebring. Lois was fortunate enough to rent an apartment with a couple who lived near the base. She always spoke of her time in Sebring with fond memories.

After Adam was honorably discharged, they moved back to Rochester, NY. They lived in a lovely home on 522 Magee Ave., where they started a family. Joseph Bambino, named after his grandfather, was their first child born on June 15, 1947. Then seven years later, their daughter was born on February 3, 1954. Lois named her daughter Bernice to honor her cousin Bernice Ling who passed away shortly after Lois and Adam were married.

In the late 1940’s she worked at Loew’s Piccadilly’s Theater, now known as Paramount Theater on North Clinton Ave in Rochester, NY, as head usherette. It was there that she met her forever friend, Jean Gross. The two were inseparable especially when Jean’s husband Hank and Adam became best of friends as well. They remained friends their entire lives.

Lois was the type of woman who always worked hard to help provide for her family. She was one of the few women of her time to work rather than be a stay-at-home housewife and mother. She took a job at Eastman Kodak working in the darkroom developing film. After working there for several years, she grew tired of the dark room and wanted a change. On June 14, 1956, she began working at Bausch and Lomb. She started out working in the machine shop on mills, lathes, and drill presses. She was proud to be able to do the same job as a man. After many years, she transferred to the soft lens division, retiring as a supervisor.

In early March of 1959, after tiring of city living, she went for a drive and found 720 Wegman Road, in Gates, and purchased the home for her family. Later that day she took her husband, Adam, for a drive and stopped in front of the house. She said to Adam, “Do you see that house right there”, as she pointed at the house marked 720. He replied, “Yes”. She said, “We own it”. The house on Wegman Rd was her pride and joy and in her mind, it remained her home forever. They shared many fond and happy memories there with family, friends, and neighbors for 30 years. 

In the early 80’s, Adam and Lois bought a summer home in Rexmere Village Mobile Home Park, in Davie, Florida. Adam always wanted to retire and live in Florida near his younger brother, Rudy, and his wife Fran, and family. So, in the winter of February 1984, Adam was ready to retire and Lois at the age of 58, took early retirement and made Florida their permanent home. Shortly thereafter, Joseph and Bernice, along with their families, soon followed their parents to Florida.

Then on March 12, 1989, while Lois was in Rochester, tragedy struck when Adam had a heart attack in the kitchen of their home and suddenly passed away. Lois and the rest of the family were devastated. Adam was the love of her life and childhood sweetheart. She had never loved any other man but Adam. 

In the mid-1990s her Grandson, Joseph married Jenner Baez who gave her two great-grandsons, Adam and Anthony Bambino.  She was thrilled to be a great-grandmother and as she did with her 3 grandsons, she loved babysitting and having them stay with her as much as possible. She enjoyed having such a large family and watching her and Adam’s legacy continue to grow.

By the summer of 1997, Lois decided she no longer wanted to sit at home, so she went to a daycare center in a plaza near her home and got a job in the nursery taking care of infants. She loved working at Crayons Day Care Center. The children brought her so much joy. She especially loved to read aloud and sing to them. Lois continued working her way up through the age groups at Crayons till she reached the age group of VPK. Lois was thought so highly of that in March of 2000, she was promoted to teach VPK-level children. Lois was up for the challenge. So, at the age of 80, the school paid her tuition and sent her to Nova University where she received her certificate to teach the VPK class. She was so proud of that achievement. She considered her time teaching to be a privilege rather than a job.

In October of 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused deviation to many homes. The mobile homes of Lois, Bernice, and Joseph all had damage. Due to this new challenge that Lois faced; her children decided it was time for all of them to live together to help each other out. All of them sold their homes and bought one large home for all of them in Plantation, FL. It was now Lois, Bernice, her son Erik, Joe, and Joe’s twin sons Johnathan and Joseph Jr. all living together. 

In 2009 while working in the classroom, Lois had a stroke. She was 84 years old. She loved the children and teaching so much that she pushed herself to complete her job for the day before she sought medical attention. For she knew that this would be the end of her days in the classroom. 

Soon after her son, Joseph was diagnosed with diabetes. His health rapidly deteriorated. Through it all Lois stood by her son’s side and took care of him till his unfortunate passing on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2013, at the age of 65. Despite the heartache, Lois pushed on. She still had her daughter Bernice, and her grandchildren. 

As time went on and the family started to move on, the large house started to become redundant for just Lois and Bernice. They decided to sell their home and live in an apartment in Davie, FL. It was near Rexmere Village, so it felt more like home. It was a much cozier home for just the two of them. 

As Lois was approaching her 97th year, her health started to decline. Her memory wasn’t like it used to be. She wasn’t able to walk as well. By this time, Bernice was almost 70 years old, and it was hard for Bernice to care for her alone. Fortunately, she was able to get help with a home health aide and home nursing care. That is until February 28, 2024, when Lois had her third fall in a matter of two months that caused her to be bedridden.

On February 29, 2024, Lois was temporarily moved to the Holy Cross Hospital Hospice Unit. Six days later she was moved to St. Johns Nursing Center where on March 14, 2024, at 2:40 pm, she took her final breath and was reunited with her husband, family, and friends. 

This amazing woman will forever be remembered and loved by the lives that she has touched. We can only be so lucky to have the achievements and stamina that Lois had. She was a vibrant and humorous woman. May she rest in peace. 

Lois will be laid to rest, along with her son Joseph A. Bambino, Sr., on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at a graveside service beside her husband Adam at:

Whitehaven Memorial Park

210 Marsh Road

Pittsford, NY 14534