If Roses Grow in Heaven
If Roses Grow in Heaven
Gangsta' Siblings and doll in 'preambulator'. Even then, she hoped for a baby girl.
Gangsta' Siblings and doll in 'preambulator'. Even then, she hoped for a baby girl.
Thanksgiving 2006 016
Thanksgiving 2006 016
Siblings. Frozen pond, no skates. Still fun. 1938
Siblings. Frozen pond, no skates. Still fun. 1938
More sibling fun '37
More sibling fun '37
With her Aunt Grace, her Godmother. She loved this photo.
With her Aunt Grace, her Godmother. She loved this photo.
The family in 1936.
The family in 1936.
With her mom and brother John. Back of photo says 1937 but I don't recognize the bridge. Anyone?
With her mom and brother John. Back of photo says 1937 but I don't recognize the bridge. Anyone?
I believe the photo on left was her first day of school, getting a kiss from mom (rare?) and a loving look from dad, circa 1939-40, I'm guessing.
I believe the photo on left was her first day of school, getting a kiss from mom (rare?) and a loving look from dad, circa 1939-40, I'm guessing.
Some of mom's grammar school report cards. Always a good student.
Some of mom's grammar school report cards. Always a good student.
1st Holy Communion Circa, what, 1940?
1st Holy Communion Circa, what, 1940?
Mom's high school report cards
Mom's high school report cards
More HS report cards - don't know what happened to 7th grade card-missing.
More HS report cards - don't know what happened to 7th grade card-missing.
Mom's sister Diana's Confirmation party, basement 82nd Street. Circa 1952. Mom is on the far left. Counter clockwise from Mom: Joe Azzaro, Mom's mom, Josie, grandma's sister Nancy Prochilo, Jesse Prochilo. Back row from left: Cousin Lena (my Godmother! an
Mom's sister Diana's Confirmation party, basement 82nd Street. Circa 1952. Mom is on the far left. Counter clockwise from Mom: Joe Azzaro, Mom's mom, Josie, grandma's sister Nancy Prochilo, Jesse Prochilo. Back row from left: Cousin Lena (my Godmother! an
Mom, brother John (right), cousins at Jones Beach. Circa 1950's. Thanks goes to her cousin, Jesse, for providing this wonderful photo. Help with cousin names, please? Faust in front?
Mom, brother John (right), cousins at Jones Beach. Circa 1950's. Thanks goes to her cousin, Jesse, for providing this wonderful photo. Help with cousin names, please? Faust in front?
Mom (center) with her best friend Barbara Licata with their dates for that evening. No, that is not my dad. Circa 1950
Mom (center) with her best friend Barbara Licata with their dates for that evening. No, that is not my dad. Circa 1950
At her sister's First Holy Communion with brother John, too. Circa 1947
At her sister's First Holy Communion with brother John, too. Circa 1947
Mom with her two siblings and parents. Circa late 40's, I'm guessing.
Mom with her two siblings and parents. Circa late 40's, I'm guessing.
Mom's H.S. graduation 1950?
Mom's H.S. graduation 1950?
Mom & her Bestie, Fran. July 15, 1951
Mom & her Bestie, Fran. July 15, 1951
I don't know what occasion this was, but I'm guessing someone's wedding. Anyway, I think she looks very pretty. Circa 1950
I don't know what occasion this was, but I'm guessing someone's wedding. Anyway, I think she looks very pretty. Circa 1950
Bride 1954. Of course, I'm only posting her as a bride to my dad. Wouldn't post one of her second husband - sorry, I couldn't and still can't stand the sight of him.
Bride 1954. Of course, I'm only posting her as a bride to my dad. Wouldn't post one of her second husband - sorry, I couldn't and still can't stand the sight of him.
Happy mom. First baby. Steven was born Oct 1956 so this must be about a year later, '57 or early '58.
Happy mom. First baby. Steven was born Oct 1956 so this must be about a year later, '57 or early '58.
Pregnant with me, 1959
Pregnant with me, 1959
With Steven and her second baby, me! 1959 Just look at that loving look by Steven. The last, I think. ;)
With Steven and her second baby, me! 1959 Just look at that loving look by Steven. The last, I think. ;)
First Bday Party 1960. One of many parties in the basement of our home on 78th Street in Brooklyn. Steven was 4 - see his fingers? LOL. At left were our upstairs tenants, Gracie & Eddie.
First Bday Party 1960. One of many parties in the basement of our home on 78th Street in Brooklyn. Steven was 4 - see his fingers? LOL. At left were our upstairs tenants, Gracie & Eddie.
I believe this was Easter Sunday, circa 1964. Easter was the most exciting holiday for me because mom would take me shopping on 86th Street for a whole, new outfit. I couldn't wait for the Easter Bunny to bring candy that morning and especially couldn't
I believe this was Easter Sunday, circa 1964. Easter was the most exciting holiday for me because mom would take me shopping on 86th Street for a whole, new outfit. I couldn't wait for the Easter Bunny to bring candy that morning and especially couldn't
There was a time, when she worked at Russ Berrie & Co., that she had lots of fun. She was a single adult and Steven & I were adults, too, so she was finally free to party! Here she is, bowling with her friends from 'Russ' Circa 1980
There was a time, when she worked at Russ Berrie & Co., that she had lots of fun. She was a single adult and Steven & I were adults, too, so she was finally free to party! Here she is, bowling with her friends from 'Russ' Circa 1980
With Mac, one of the men she dated (& who asked her hand in marriage)
With Mac, one of the men she dated (& who asked her hand in marriage)
Mom at a friend's home after a night of girly girl pampering. circa 1980
Mom at a friend's home after a night of girly girl pampering. circa 1980
w her cousin Ida (& my Aunt!), me, my first husband Gregg and Steven ~1987
w her cousin Ida (& my Aunt!), me, my first husband Gregg and Steven ~1987
With her sister, Diana, & pups. Loved to see her laugh like this!
With her sister, Diana, & pups. Loved to see her laugh like this!
Mom with her two siblings, John & Diana and their mom. Circa 1985
Mom with her two siblings, John & Diana and their mom. Circa 1985
Oct 1, 1989 for mine & Steven's birthdays
Oct 1, 1989 for mine & Steven's birthdays
w Aunt Stella & Sal at Kay Yetto's wedding 1989
w Aunt Stella & Sal at Kay Yetto's wedding 1989
Kay's wedding Sept '89 w brother John
Kay's wedding Sept '89 w brother John
A beautiful photo of three beautiful women and her two closest female cousins, Ida (left) and Lena, on a visit by my mom back to NY/NJ. The happiest of reunions. 1995
A beautiful photo of three beautiful women and her two closest female cousins, Ida (left) and Lena, on a visit by my mom back to NY/NJ. The happiest of reunions. 1995
Mom and me. Never too old to sit on momm's lap.
Mom and me. Never too old to sit on momm's lap.
Mom & cousins. Same visit to NY. 1995 Cousins Ida, Rusty, Marie, Santo & Tony. All except Ida & Rusty (thank goodness!), RIP.
Mom & cousins. Same visit to NY. 1995 Cousins Ida, Rusty, Marie, Santo & Tony. All except Ida & Rusty (thank goodness!), RIP.
Mom finally fulfilled her dream of going to Greece-on a cruise, no less! She was ecstatic. Said she felt she lived a prior life in Greece. She went with her dear friend, Liz Ragle. Year: 2000
Mom finally fulfilled her dream of going to Greece-on a cruise, no less! She was ecstatic. Said she felt she lived a prior life in Greece. She went with her dear friend, Liz Ragle. Year: 2000
This is a Thanksgiving cactus of hers that DeWayne took care of after she passed. When it bloomed, he and I both shed tears, knowing that it was a sign from her.
This is a Thanksgiving cactus of hers that DeWayne took care of after she passed. When it bloomed, he and I both shed tears, knowing that it was a sign from her.
Like most mothers and daughters, there was a time we didn't get along. In 2006, my mom sent me this article. We did mend our relationship after that but, I have to admit, it was tough on me seeing her smoke and drink and ruin her life.
Like most mothers and daughters, there was a time we didn't get along. In 2006, my mom sent me this article. We did mend our relationship after that but, I have to admit, it was tough on me seeing her smoke and drink and ruin her life.
In 2008, she sent me this article. My mom knew that I didn't feel fulfilled working for someone else. I never became a mom myself, at least not to human children, but she knew that my destiny was to be an entrepreneur and work from home nonetheless.
In 2008, she sent me this article. My mom knew that I didn't feel fulfilled working for someone else. I never became a mom myself, at least not to human children, but she knew that my destiny was to be an entrepreneur and work from home nonetheless.
I did a few collages of my mom about a year after she passed. They really helped me through my grieving process. This one I call 'Mom's Eternal Garden' The bird, to me, symbolizes Freedom, which she now has.
I did a few collages of my mom about a year after she passed. They really helped me through my grieving process. This one I call 'Mom's Eternal Garden' The bird, to me, symbolizes Freedom, which she now has.
This is another collage I did of her in 2012. I call it 'Happy Mom'. I just love that she has a big grin in these photos.
This is another collage I did of her in 2012. I call it 'Happy Mom'. I just love that she has a big grin in these photos.
Another cathartic collage I did with mom in mind. I call this one 'Essence of Mom'. Most who knew her would agree, yes? She's eating hot and sour soup, up top (in black/white jacket), her favorite. On the right (you can't see it) is Pesto, another food f
Another cathartic collage I did with mom in mind. I call this one 'Essence of Mom'. Most who knew her would agree, yes? She's eating hot and sour soup, up top (in black/white jacket), her favorite. On the right (you can't see it) is Pesto, another food f
Over the years, I sent my mom many cards. She kept most of them. This is one I thought to share with all of you.
Over the years, I sent my mom many cards. She kept most of them. This is one I thought to share with all of you.
She never stopped loving words or doing crossword puzzles. This is how I found one of the many crossword books she had, still with the erasable pen holding the page. I believe the one on the left is the last one she ever completed.
She never stopped loving words or doing crossword puzzles. This is how I found one of the many crossword books she had, still with the erasable pen holding the page. I believe the one on the left is the last one she ever completed.