ForeverMissed
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Her Life
June 28, 2015

Imelda was born April 11, 1926 to George J. And Margharita (Camillieri) Gatt in Sliema, Malta. Her early years were spent in Gzira and Sliema and her school days were severely impacted by the WWII activities of the German and Italian Air Forces when they began the bombing of the Island beginning in 1939. The family was forced to evacuate their Sliema waterfront Villa and flee for a modicum of safety, first to St. Paul's Bay and later to Rabat for the next five years, returning to Sliema near the wars end. 

Her fathers clothing business, in Valletta and the Villa were severely damaged by the bombing of WWII and all had to be rebuilt and refurbished to continue forward with their lives. Fortunately none of the immediate family were killed by air raids, as happened to many of the Islands people; however one sister (Inez) was made quite ill with a lung disorder caused by long stays in damp air raid shelters.  Life began to improve in the late 1940's and early 1950's and then with the beginning of the Cold War, Americans once more came to Malta.

Imelda met Dick (a member of the U.S. Navy Air Force) during this period and they married at Stella Maris Catholic Chapel in Sliema on Sept 26, 1953. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1954 and became a naturalized U.S. Citizen in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 1959 while living with her husband in Inglewood, California.

Imelda resided in many states during her life in the United States; Nebraska, Florida, Indiana, California, Missouri, and Texas. Her favorite state was California - specifically Southern California as the climate reminded her of her home in Malta. She made friends in each of these places because of her outgoing and friendly nature. Her disposition was characterized, always by a happy, smiling face for those she encountered as well as for those who knew her. She always looked at the positive side of life. She traveled extensively in the U.S. (All 50 States) as well as Europe and Australia.

Imelda was married to her husband Dick for 61 years and celebrated their last anniversary on Sept 26, 2015. They resided in the active living senior community at Heritage Palms Country Club in Indio, California.

Imelda was preceded in death by her parents Margharita and George, brothers Anthony, and Edwin, and sisters Inez and Evelyn along with her husband Dick. She is survived by her son Kraig,  daughter in law Gina, grandchildren and her brothers Leslie and George ( along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins residing in the U.S. , Britain and Australia.

After her husbands passing in January of 2015, Imelda moved to Vancouver WA to reside near her son and family.  Imelda passed away on June 16th, 2015  in Vancouver, WA.

Imelda's remains will be interned with her husband Dick on July 16th, 2015 in Eternal Valley Mortuary in Santa Clarita, CA