Iris “Fi” Iacono 89 of Palm Harbor, Fla., formerly of Lewis, Del., and Farmingdale, N.Y., died peacefully in her home on April 10 with her good friend Marilyn Manovill at her side. Born in 1920, she was planning a 90th Birthday Party on May 13. Aunt Fi was very patriotic and helped the WWII effort by working at Liberty Aviation on Long Island, N.Y. For many years after, she worked at Rodale Electronics. She was very dedicated to her family on the Vineyard and visited often. Before every holiday and sometimes for no particular reason she would send large packages filled with gifts, decorations, and special treats. Especially at Christmas. She had a passion for fast cars, especially Pontiacs, and owned one for many years until she switched to a Buick. She loved to travel and spoke often of the two cruises she took during her later years. She enjoyed trips to Sanibel Island with friends every September during hurricane season.
Her favorite trips, though, were those to the Vineyard to visit family. She loved dining on fish and chips at Dora’s Restaurant in V.H. and the Aquinnah Shop in Gay Head, and, especially, lobster dinners with her family and friends. She often stayed with her mom and Dadd at Mr. and Mrs. Win Rheno’s Guest House on Main Street, Vineyard Haven. She loved the American flag and would fly one wherever she happened to be. She always enjoyed Mrs. Rheno’s large flag flying from her front porch.
She was pre-deceased by her brother, Vincent Iacono (father of Wayne and Wendy), who died in 1953 of a wound suffered during WWII, and brother Alfonse Iacono who died in 1992, also a veteran of WWII. She is survived by her nephew Wayne V. Iacono of Chilmark and niece Wendy N. Iacono Marzbanian of West Tisbury. Also great nephews Vinny Iacono of Chilmark, and Trevor Marzbanian of West Tisbury and great niece Kirsten Marzbanian of West Tisbury. Also sister-in-law Shirley Tilton of Vineyard Haven, mother of Kathleen Clancy of West Tisbury, Tania Stobie of Vineyard Haven, Stephanie Rossi of Chilmark, James Tilton of Vineyard Haven, and Wayne and Wendy. Also her best and most dedicated friend, Marilyn Mannovill of Palm Harbor, Fla. She was a kind and generous person who will be greatly missed . A memorial service will be held at the former U.S. Coast Guard Light Station, Gay Head, at a later date.
