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View all reader comments
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Guestbook entries: |
| Marion Ribeirao Das Neves |
Thursday, July 31 2025, 03:18 pm |
devenezia.com
devenezia.com
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| Diane Aromando Morristown, NJ |
Tuesday, December 7 2010, 10:06 pm |
The Aromando Clan lost the last of the original immigrant sublings this week, we have cousins , we know one in NJ and blood relatives in Argentina.
We are the family of East Harlem, Our lady of Mt Carmel Church, in the neighborhood for 60 years.
Bartolomeo Aromando , Carmella Tutina both of Polla Itlay, came to stay with Aunt Francesca and Antonio Amenna here in NY
They would have 7 children and 20 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
There was the summer property in Lagrangeville near Sylvan lake. You would remember how beautiful it was if you had seen it, all the apple orchards.
Who/What do you know?
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| JOSEPH H AROMANDO MEDFORD NJ 08055 |
Monday, May 3 2010, 10:39 pm |
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Wonderful! My grandparents were Cona Arcenio Aromando Pasqualina Bocchino, my parents were Joseph & Dominica Aromando, my mothers parents were Vito Carmela Cavalcanter. My dad was the baby of 14 children, 3 died at birth. I have two brothers; William has 5 children 15 grandkids and Arnaldo has 2 kids; my sister Doresbalsamo, a widower, has 7 children 24 grandchidren. I married Concetta Mauriello and now reside in Medford, NJ. I was raised in Hillside, NJ. Both of us were born in Newark, NJ. I proudly served in the US Air Force for 4 years. We have 5 children 11 grandchildren are all greatly bless by our god. Ciao beni dictio tootua te amo. JHA 5/3/2010
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| Nancy Piraneo Summit, NJ |
Wednesday, April 28 2010, 06:30 am |
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Marie Ann Scala - my mother - Rose Scala my grandmother
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| JOSEPH H AROMANDO MEDFORD NJ 08055 |
Tuesday, January 5 2010, 08:47 pm |
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609-654-2397 I AM A COUSIN TO YOUR FATHER UNCLE TONY WAS A BROTHER TO MY FATHER I LOVE UNCLE TONY GREATLY HE WAS SO MUCH FUN IN LIFE CALL ME HON YOUR AUNT BARBAR KNOW A LOT ABOUT OF OUR FAMILY!!! TE AMO COUSIN JOE AROMANDO CIAO HON I CAN HELP YOU TOO!!!
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| diane New york |
Thursday, November 12 2009, 11:10 am |
My grandpa emigated from POLLA
was a AROMANDO went back and brougth his wife her TUTINO they had 7 children only two are still alive , lots of granchildren and great grandchildren in the area
First born son was Antonio which was the grandpa's name
they never kept in touch with distant relatives.
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| Lynne B Yorba Linda, CA |
Monday, May 26 2008, 12:26 am |
Thank you, Mrs. Lupardi for sharing your memories with the world wide web. I found your page through another called lileks.com. I enjoy the page because the author has so much history on things I would never know about - namely the midwest and East Coast. I hope you get a chance to take a look at the page - it might bring back some memories of what the world used to be like. I lost my father 4 years ago and seeing the world as he saw it when he was young makes me feel closer to him somehow. Mrs. Lupardi I hope your back is better and that you continue to be blessed.
All my best to you and yours,
Lynne
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| Patty Aromando Casale Hudson Ohio |
Wednesday, August 1 2007, 01:42 pm |
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My grandfather was Antonio Aromando, from Livingston and my father was Arty (Cona) Aromando. I would love to know about the origins of our family. Your stories are quite interesting. Hope to hear from you.
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| Carmela Giangola Closter, NJ |
Saturday, April 14 2007, 07:21 am |
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I haven't visited the site in many years, however, my
adopted Grandson, Steven Obusek, must do a project on
genealogy and I referred him to this site. Hope, he
enjoys reading about great grandparents that he never
met and who would have enjoyed him very much. Tony
was a very hard working father and Mary was a very smart, advanced Mother for the times. Five successful
children who produced 23 wonderful grandchildren and
they have brought forth 42 great grandchildren that
they can be proud of.
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| rv Sicilia www.italybyvip.co |
Thursday, April 12 2007, 07:55 am |
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Surfed in From Sicilia(ME) to say hello -Excellent web site. Wonderful to see Italians-Sicilians creating websites about their Italian heritage. Your welcome to visit us also. God bless!
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| Mary Indianapolis,Indiana |
Wednesday, October 25 2006, 01:03 pm |
Got here from Lileks.com. This was a lovely look at
an Amercan family. I enjoyed all the stories and
photos very much. Thank you for sharing it!
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| Karen Schenck Ezman Cincinnati |
Thursday, January 19 2006, 07:40 pm |
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My name is Karen Schenck Ezman. Philomena Lupardi was my Great Grandmother. She died many years before I was born, but I really enjoy all the stories about her posted on this website. My Grandmother was Louise Lupardi Amato, and my mother and greatest friend in the world was Eleanor Amato Schenck. My Mom was only five years old when Philomena died, so she didn't have as many stories to share about her Grandmother as I would have liked to have heard. But I clearly remember how much my Grandmother Louise loved her brother Tony and his wife Mary. This website is such a wonderful tribute to Mary and her family, and I'm happy to get to know some of my Mom's cousins through it. I called my Aunt(Anita Amato Beneduce) to tell her about this website in case she hasn't seen it yet. Ann's poems are beautiful. Have you read the tribute to her family written by my Mom's cousin Marie Denitzio? That was also beautiful. You all remind me how lucky we are to have our loved ones and how nothing can take away our memories of them. I LOVE the pictures! And I thank you so much for sharing!
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| Barbara Aromando-Lahm Livingston, NJ |
Tuesday, October 26 2004, 01:39 pm |
I shared this wonderful story with my sister, Josephine who remembers your family well. She is just a little older than I am (I was the baby) and can remember your family with love. It was delightful to share it with her. Thanks so much.
Barbara Aromando-Lahm
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| Paul Glynn PhD po box 6104 Brunswick ME 04011 |
Tuesday, September 3 2002, 09:36 am |
It was wonderfull to read about all the Lupardis some of whom my family and I have known. Best wishes to you all.
Paul Glynn
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| Marion Witte (Giangola) Dumont, New Jersey |
Tuesday, February 12 2002, 11:55 am |
Wow! Where to begin....this is such a great site and it really shows how special all of you are in my family. Especially after the horrific tragedies recently (for the country and for our family), it is really a source of strength for me to know that I am a part of this incredible lineage. I don't believe I will ever stop bragging about my childhood, and my very large, very loving extended family!
Roses have always meant so much to me because of who my grandfather was...and in fact that is truly the reason why my second daughter Madelyn's middle name is Rose. I hope it always connects her to the family in a very special way.
Thanks for all the memories!
Marion
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| JANE SWIM LAFAYETTE,CA |
Wednesday, September 5 2001, 09:20 pm |
I am the director of a Senior Center in Oakland Ca. A lovely woman by the name of Julie found this site as she was meandering the web. She teaches "Life History" at my center. We all shared your nana's site. It is so lovely. Thank you,
Jane Swim
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| Steven Lupardi Spotswood, NJ |
Saturday, August 18 2001, 12:31 am |
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You guys have done a great job with Nana's memoirs and photos. I remember going to the farm and riding on 'Beauty' the horse, and grandpa letting me drive his Oldsmobile car around the greenhouses when I was about 10 or 11. Keep up the great work!
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| Georgette Martin Harris Baton Rouge, La |
Wednesday, August 15 2001, 03:08 pm |
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I really enjoyed reading the memoirs. I grew up in Closter and went to St. Mary's. I especially loved the reference to Father George, as I was named after him. My uncle, Alton Lapp was very active in the church, on the school board, and K of C. Thanks for a trip back in time!
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| Janet Short Korsgen Closter |
Wednesday, May 9 2001, 09:03 am |
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This is truly a wonderful tribute to your family. I can remember the greenhouses very vividly, since I lived on West St. for a long time and would walk to the old airport back on Blanch Ave. to run our dogs with my father, Buck. In later years my husband, David Korsgen, worked for Mr. Lupardi. I came upon your memoirs while searching for the C.H.S Alumni page. I remember various members of the Lupardi family from town and school and it is a priviledge to share memories from days gone by. Sincerely, Janet Korsgen
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| Pasquale Grillo Newtown, Pa. |
Monday, March 19 2001, 04:49 pm |
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It brings back a lot memories when I was young boy.
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| Phyl Ippolito Tarrytown, NY |
Feb 20, 2001 |
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What a gift to our family! You have done a wonderful job of continuing our legacy. I tell everyone about these memoirs and guide them to read it. Keep up the good work!!
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| MARIE E. DENITZIO SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ |
Dec 19, 2000 |
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DELIGHTED TO FIND "Mary's MEMOIRS". Mary was my aunt through marriage, and I loved her and Uncle TONY ENDLESSLY. YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AND THE PICTURES MAKE THE MEMOIRS ALL THE MORE MEANINGFUL. I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE ONE OF MY GRANDFATHER "GIOVANNI LUPARDI" since I believe that is the only picture of him in existence. CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done.
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| Debby DeVenezia Jersey City, NJ |
Dec 7, 2000 |
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This is so beautifully done. Thanks for all the effort it is now a timeless treasure.
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| Marianne Vassallo La Grange, Illinois |
Oct 24, 2000 |
What a beautiful story. Reminds me of my own upbringing. Nana was a wonderful human being. God Bless her.
Marianne Vassallo |
| Marianna Martucci Zambroski Erie, Pa |
Oct 24, 2000 |
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Thank you for a wonderful story. Mary was my Mother's age and I was the children's age. It brought back many memories.
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| Brenda Chmiel Flanders, NJ |
Aug 6, 2000 |
Wow!
I received this document years ago as a hard copy, but Nana's writing is so much more accessible on line.
Thanks!!
Keep adding the pictures!! |
| Ann DeVenezia Mountain Lakes, NJ |
May 24, 2000 |
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Roses beautify this site and remind me of their significance in my life. I like the way you have divided the large document into small sections with pertinent titles. Great!
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| Richard A. DeVenezia Remsen, NY |
May 24, 2000 |
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Welcome to the Guestbook for Mary Lupardi's Memoirs. I hope you enjoy them.
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| Reader comments, Memoirs |
| pHqghUme San Francisco |
Tuesday, September 23 2025, 10:05 pm |
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555
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| Andres Osvaldo Munoz-Lamilla Adelaide, Australia |
Tuesday, November 25 2003, 06:32 pm |
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Thanks for offering your family history with me. I am using some of the extracts in my Masters of Education course work at The University of Adelaide. I believe that Mary would be very happy to know that she keeps on encouraging people with her work. Thanks.
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| DONNA LUPARDI Closter |
Friday, April 19 2002, 12:28 pm |
My daughter Katie, who is 9 and in third grade has a project on family history. After interviewing her grandparents, we still needed more information on previous generations. This was a great help. She has also shared some of the information with her older sister Jennifer, who now wants to read the memoirs.
Thanks. Donna
PS We also called Aunt Ann.
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| Reader comments, Early Years |
| Dorothy Varro-Steiger Cedar Knolls |
Thursday, November 25 2004, 01:05 pm |
We live in NJ. I am Sardi Varro's youngest daughter Dorothy Anne. Please email us if you can. We are planning a Varro reunion in NJ May 1st 2005. Let us know who else would be interested.
Great job on the web site. Please let us hear from you.
Reguards to all my family,
Dot & Bob
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| alissa san francisco |
Friday, February 20 2004, 04:29 pm |
Hi,
I was looking for old photos online and found your site. We have the same birthday, October 9.
I really love the idea of putting your history out there for others to share in.
Thanks.
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| Janet Knaus Glendale, Arizona |
Tuesday, March 18 2003, 10:47 am |
I wanted to thank you for putting this together. It was really great seeing my great-grandparents with Mary. I am Frank Zaccagnio's eldest daughter. I had also forgotten that dad apparently was named for his grandfather. Ann DeVenezia sent me this website and I appreciate it. It was great hearing from all of you during our time of sorrow.
Janet Knaus
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| Reader comments, Tony Lupardi |
| Ann DeVenezia Mountain Lakes |
Monday, October 21 2002, 12:18 am |
Anna's Legacy
On Confirmation Day
Anna the virgin
youngest of five
diabetic and blind
slightly retarded
stands solid in a plain white dress
heavy cotton stockings
thick soled shoes.
Eye scratched by a cat
she squints and frowns
through her crooked smile.
Before she collapses at nineteen
my father on visits
to Saint Joseph's School for the Blind
hands her up and down the subway stairs.
Her brother bands his sleeve with black
asks God
Why couldn't she live?
talks aloud at his father's grave
She was only four when you died.
Her mother and sisters wear black
shoes stockings slips and dresses
for a full year
plant red geraniums at her head.
When I appear
youngest of five
they give her chiseled name
to me.
- Ann DeVenezia
"Anna's Legacy" was published in Paterson Literary Review, Issue No. 31, on p. 32.
Copies of this multicultural literary journal can be ordered by writing to
Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Editor, Poetry Center, Passaic Community College, One College Boulevard, Paterson, NJ 97505-1179.
http://www.pccc.cc.nj.us/poetry
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| Ann DeVenezia |
Wednesday, February 21 2001, 04:18 pm |
Imagine a Man
Imagine a man who believes he was wronged
from the age of nine when his father died
A man whose stories can't warm his bones
or fill his hunger for more than beans
A man who says "no" to sickness and death
Imagine a man who is proud of himself
one who is faithful to family and God
whose loud, gruff laugh hides constant pain
who carries his past like a pack on his back
making him stronger as the load grows heavier
who calls himself "donkey" or "jackass"
Imagine a man who makes his own way
yet dictates to others their paths
Who loves with unspoken words
and wears a smile in his eyes
A man who sees God in nature
feeding rose bushes and producing bouquets
Who lives his days to the ticking clock
yet can train a pony to count to four
Imagine a man proud of his physique
who lifts weights, boxes and wrestles
who swims like a lifeguard in black wool trunks
but tips an umbrella to hide a kiss
A realist who hurts and never stops hurting
happily chewing on pipe or cigar
- Ann DeVenezia |
| Reader comments, Loss of My Mother |
| Ann DeVenezia |
Tuesday, February 20 2001, 01:49 pm |
Grandma Carmela Tortarella
She sweated in Salerno's groves
but at fifteen escaped
the padron's pleasure
hair braided in an immigrant coronet
She married first the gardener Varro
widowed with five children -- two girls three boys
then the bachelor Zaccagnio
who hoed the Twombly estate
Making beds for boarders
in their stucco duplex at 23 North
she bore three more -- a girl named Mary
two boys named Tony and Nick
The girl helped change the sheets
made mud pies hidden in her skirt
shaped bread and pizza at her mother's side
left high school at fifteen to work in a laundry
tried lipstick and powder beyond Papa's eyes
grew up to marry the boy from 6 East
My Grandma Carmela went through the gate
to stake the tomatoes
in her chicken-wired plot
She pricked her finger on the fence
and blood poisoned
scrubbed dirty overalls and shirts
- Ann DeVenezia |
| Reader comments, Birth: Carmela |
| Carmela Giangola Closter |
Sunday, February 2 2003, 01:15 pm |
Just reread my birth-it hasn't changed.
Still can smile and laugh when I see my mother's version of things. Just met with Mario's last living relative on his father's side. His father's youngest sister, Aunt Olga. She has a son named Mark making him Mario's first cousin. Aunt Olga, Mark, wife Karen,
daughter Linda and fiance Lance all arrived for a visit.
Terry and Marion took notes and check much information.
The Lupardi's side there has always been a wealth of information.
Keep up the good work--Someone has to do it or it will be lost forever.
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| Reader comments, Birth: Ann |
| nick devenezia san francisco |
Saturday, October 6 2007, 02:20 am |
hi josh, did you notice how big nana was as a baby...over 12 pounds. you weighed about 6 pounds when you were born. she was a big baby.
these two ladies in the picture and you and me make up the law of the thirties. my nana born in 1904, my mom in 1934, me in 1964 and you in 1994. we are kindred spirits. love, dad
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| Joshua DeVenezia Newcastle |
Monday, July 23 2007, 09:22 pm |
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Wow, it is very intriguing to see my very own Nana right before me ... but as a five-month-old baby!! I also find it extremely interesting that I am even capable of seeing my great grandmother, Mary Lupardi, much less read her entire book involving much of my ancestry online! Signed-Joshua Cole DeVenezia
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| Reader comments, Raising a Family |
| charles fitzgerald |
Saturday, July 14 2007, 04:08 pm |
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do you like chocalte ive got a secret to tell you im josh devs freind
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| Reader comments, Loss of Tony's Mother |
| Ann DeVenezia |
Tuesday, February 20 2001, 02:04 pm |
Filomena the Midwife
She held Rosina tightly by the hand
on the ship from Naples
steerage paid by her husband Giovanni
On the train from Boston to Madison
he smiled at the child he didn't know
hugged his wife as they walked
home to North Street
where they shared a stove
with those who came before
friends Carmela and Antonio
cooking by wood fire and flame
When her husband died at forty-two
Filomena kept her children
worked as a midwife
lived on one charity turkey a year
sacks of flour with pickled herring
money earned by her son in the greenhouses
and daughters in the factory
their dollars dumped in the bucket of her apron
Filomena bore seven
and delivered hundreds for immigrant wives
who would have no other cut the cord and do the chores
When the law forbade her work without a license
and her children locked the door
she climbed out the window at the sound of pebbles
flung by a frantic husband
sneaking back in the house at dawn
- Ann DeVenezia
"Filomena the Midwife" appears in Paterson Literary Review, Issue No. 31, 2002, on p. 31.
Copies of this multicultural literary journal can be ordered by writing to
Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Editor, Poetry Center, Passaic Community College, One College Boulevard, Paterson, NJ 97505-1179.
http://www.pccc.cc.nj.us/poetry
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| Reader comments, My Father |
| Ann DeVenezia |
Wednesday, March 14 2001, 06:48 pm |
Grandpa Zaccagnio
Limping along the peeling porch rail
his left leg dragging
from cutting off his cast with an axe
Grandpa Zaccagnio chanted
Life was, life is,life will be
At sixteen he had left Abruzzi
To make a better life
A bachelor when my widowed grandmother
walked past him on the street
he fell in love and wanted children of his own
daughters or sons
Just let the baby be healthy
Married at forty-two he sired
my mother and her two brothers
At Sunday Mass he crossed himself slowly
prayed the rosary daily
joined the Sons of Italy
Forum Club and Knights of Columbus
wept when his twenty-year wife died
On hot days he wore a white handkerchief
knots in each corner, an amazing hat
We liked to play cards with him
to hear the wall clock ticking
to watch him mend slacks and socks
in his solitary home
where the children brought him meals
and his son shaved his beard
When my sister tap danced to "Alexander's Ragtime Band"
chewing up linoleum in the dining room
near the wind up Victrola
he would hide the handle
Then my mother would plead
C'mon Pop give them a nickel
to buy an ice cream cone
and he dug in his pocket for coins
sending us off to Sandello's with warnings
Come right back home
- Ann DeVenezia
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| Reader comments, Wedding Dates |
| steve hitz cleveland, ga |
Saturday, September 8 2007, 09:16 am |
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my dad's uncle used to own the casa mana, in teaneck, n.j. his name was emil feld. i was just cruisin' goggle and found this site. best wishes to all.
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| Aunt Carm Closter, NJ 07624 |
Sunday, April 1 2001, 04:28 pm |
You finally got the picture. From Wedding Album to
scanner to you to the Internet, the picture turned
out quite well.
Keep up the good work!! Anything else you need let
us know.
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| Reader comments, Mario and Carm |
| Maria Luperdi Manchester UK |
Monday, January 28 2008, 07:20 am |
Please, do you know if some of your relatives left the USA to go to South America around 1800-1870?
Thank You !
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| Reader comments, Grandchildren |
| Lorraine Aromando Kennebunk, Maine |
Friday, August 31 2007, 05:59 pm |
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Are any of you related to the Aromandos formally of Iselin, NJ? Angelo or Vin Aromando?
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| Dan Aromando |
Monday, August 25 2003, 06:18 pm |
Hi:
My father is Angelo Aromando formally of Lyndhurst Nj. He is 75 and I am 40. I am the youngest of 5 children. His Father was Peter who was "Pete" the barber in Lyndhurst, N.J. My dad's mother was Genoveve Bucci.
Are we related?
Dan
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| Barbara Aromando-Lahm Livingston, NJ |
Tuesday, September 24 2002, 02:33 pm |
Your parents were very special to our family. I am the youngest child of Tony and Marie Aromando in Livingston, NJ. Tony and Mary were at my wedding. Mary sponsored my mother at her adult confirmation and the vast number of roses given to my mother on the day of my birth in 1938 always moved me to talk about them as I grew up. My intense love of roses were a direct reflection of Tony and his many sweet talks in the garden. You are a wonderful family and I am so proud to have found this web site. God Bless You All.
Barbara Aromando-Lahm
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| Reader comments, 40th Anniversary |
| Edward M Rose Milford, Pa. 18337 tel:570-296-7973 |
Thursday, September 3 2009, 03:37 pm |
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I am a former Teaneck New Jersey resident and loved to drive up through Closter in the spring. A great place to grow up in. I am very impressed by Mary and Tony and their family. There is a lot of love and I can feel it. One reason I moved up to the Poconos was it was a small community and people look out for one another. Things are changing here. More and more familys from New York and New Jersey are coming. More crimes. Enjoy what you have while you have it. God Bless you and your wonderful family. Ed Rose
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| Reader comments, Phyl and Dino |
| Joanne Lupardi Moldt Cresskill, NJ |
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 10:51 am |
Thanks Aunt Ann and Uncle Dick
I just got back from a trip to Ellis Island with my 10 year old daughter Sarah's Class Trip. Found John Lupardi Family on Panel Number 728 on the Immigrant Wall of Honor. Its great to read this history. I did not know that my great grandfather was Giovanni Lopardo. (I guess it became Lupardi when they got to America in 1896) Thanks again
Joanne Lupardi Moldt
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| Phyl Lupardi Ippolito Tarrytown, NY |
Thursday, January 8 2009, 06:58 pm |
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Thanks Ann and Richard. The picture looks terrific. We had no success sending the picture as an attachment to you. Also, thanks for the tremendous work you have done on Mom's Memoirs. Lasting memories for our whole family.
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| Reader comments, Loss of Rose |
| Ann DeVenezia Mountain Lakes |
Monday, October 21 2002, 08:47 pm |
Godmother Rose
Aunt Rosie was already old
when at thirteen pounds I was born at home
my pale mother bleeding and calling
I'm floating on the ceiling
Rosie pushed her out of bed with
You've got to get up and walk
They prayed to the Virgin and Saint Ann
framed in mahogany on the wall
vowed to name me Anna Mary
My father raced his Model-T Ford
for Doctor Coultas
to come quick to Florham
with medicine and baby scales
the other four waiting by the door
Rosie held me at the font
opened my dress for the holy oil
made the sign of the cross on my brow
thanking God the whole while
She knitted my blue wool hat and mittens
for grammar school
sewed satin pajamas for college
crocheted a white cloth for my wedding
surprised me with black lingerie
Her right pinky locked with arthritis
when she held her teac cup she was Lady Rose
Born in Italy, sailing at two, she clung to her mother
At sixteen she married an older man
Widowed young with five of her own
and six foster children from the state
though she lost one kidney at thirty-two
she taught me to knit and sew
On Christmas Day we clicked anisette
white liquid shining through tiny green glass
We sat side by side in her upstairs kitchen
yellow linen cloth spread smoothly between us
- Ann DeVenezia
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| Reader comments, Healing |
| Richard Hetzel Nyack, NY |
Friday, March 14 2003, 06:46 pm |
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I remember Ann Lupardi!! She was an English teacher and was faculty adviser to The Phenix, Westwood High School's student newspaper. I was editor-in-chief of The Phenix in the school year 1956-57, and worked closely with Miss Lupardi in producing the paper. I graduated that year, so my association with Miss Lupardi was short, but it must have made an impression, because I still remember her.
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| Reader comments, Senior Citizen |
| Robin Oakland, CA |
Friday, January 10 2003, 07:55 pm |
Dear Mary,
I want to start a program for seniors at the Melrose Library in Oakland California--learning to use the computer through the writing of memoirs. Any good start-up techniques? Your comment that people think seniors were always old is just the idea I want to toy with in encouraging our senior neighbors to write about their lives. Congratulations to you for being here on the WEB and telling us all about yourself and life. Gratefully,
Robin Rome
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| Reader comments, Final Family News |
| Karen S. Flemington, NJ |
Friday, August 3 2007, 02:17 pm |
I chanced upon this website doing a search on the Turkish neighborhood in Paterson, NJ!
Thank you for putting these stories on the web. Makes me wonder how much will change in the next 50 - 60 years.
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| Reader comments, 75th Birthday |
| Betty Charlotte, NC |
Thursday, October 23 2003, 03:53 pm |
Congratulations on your 75th birthday. I, too, became 75 as of yesterday. My family, one daughter and 3 sons are having a dinner party for me on Saturday night. Can't children do wonderful things? Also, I have 8 very special grandchildren and many wonderful friends.
I love life and God has been good to me, even through the difficult times. So God bless both of us.
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| Ann DeVenezia Mountain Lakes |
Monday, October 21 2002, 12:08 am |
Imagine a Woman
Imagine a woman who thinks she was wronged
at fifteen forced to factory work
who lost her best friend when her mother died young
yet sings La Paloma and Sunshine for her sons
who constantly prays for courage and strength
happy with her husband and five little ones
Imagine a woman whose rosaries rise
to the Holy Virgin and Saint Ann
a member of the Third Order of St. Francis
who speaks softly and cries in dark rooms
marks America's holidays with streamers and cupcakes
pleased with her washing machine and clothesline
Imagine a woman who rests her head on her man
who holds neighbors, nieces, and nephews close
feeds other women from her farm of eggplants and corn
the hose running cold in the sun
A woman who kneads bread and bakes pizza
spreading her gifts from Newark to the Bronx
Imagine a woman whose health is weak
who sits at the beach, hangs on ropes in the surf
who dreams of her diploma till her daughter gets one
who buys a spring hat, wears clean dresses at dinner
A woman who sets the table exactly at five
content when her family is fine
- Ann DeVenezia
"Imagine a Woman" was published in Italian Americana, Volume XIX, No. 2, Summer 2001, on p. 171.
A cultural and historical review devoted to the Italian experience in the New World,
this journal was published semi-annually at the University of Rhode Island,
Feinstein College of Continuing Education, 80 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903-1803.
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| Abigail London, England |
Monday, February 25 2002, 11:28 am |
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A lovely site. A lovely family. Memories are so precious.
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| Julie Oakland |
Wednesday, September 5 2001, 08:41 pm |
This is the most wonderful site. I am slowly reading
through it and savoring Mary's every word. I read one
of her journal entries to my senior's memoir classes to
inspire them. Your mother left you an exquisite legacy
which you so benevolently share with us. Thank you.
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| Reader comments, mem14b |
| Ann DeVenezia Mountain Lakes |
Saturday, March 31 2001, 10:17 am |
Facts on File:
Her daughter Rose was married to John Scala. Her son's name was Tony; with his wife Mary and five children, they lived on the premises of Totty's Greenhouses, Florham Park, where he worked as a foreman.
Philomena had 19 grandchildren.The names of her other sons-in-law were Ralph Iosso and Sam Amato.
No mention was made of her deceased children: Peter, Maria, and Anna.
One of her greatest joys was having her sister Rose here to greet her when she arrived from Italy with her own daughter Rose.
Philomena worked as a midwife; she delivered the babies of Italian immigrants, washed their clothes, baked their bread for one week, all for five dollars.
That's why "She was widely known among Italian-American residents of Madison."
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