A slow engaging smile…quiet, unassuming, gifted with a perpetually happy outlook on life…greatly enjoys roller skating…possesses a good natured disposition…a genuine spirit of friendliness…takes everything in her stride.

 

         58 years ago my mother’s classmates used those exact words to describe a young woman named Marie Celeste Caruso, who graduated first in her class fromSt. VincentAcademyinNewark,NJ. And 58 years later, these words still accurately describe the woman we all know and love as Marie Brescia. She was a dedicated and loving wife, a kind & thoughtful sister, a devoted mother, a joyful grandmother, and a true and generous friend to all who knew her.

         How do I sum up my mother in just a few words? It’s impossible! I could start with her beautiful, sparkling blue eyes that captivated anyone who met her glance…Her warm, enchanting smile that lit up any room she entered….her contagious laughter that echo’s in my mind…but I am certain that it was her strength that left the greatest impression on me; a strength which she derived from her tremendous faith in God, that best describes her.

         My mother prayed for everyone! And let me tell you, God listened! As many of you know, my father became seriously ill last year, in fact we almost lost him. During that difficult time, when doctors and experts gave up on him, my mother not only believed that God would take care of him and that miracles were possible, but she inspired us and it was her faith that gave us hope and the strength to go on.

         My mother and father spent 54 years together and they lived their wedding vows. Thru good times and in bad, sickness and in health they always stuck by each other. At times, a visit with the two of them could appear to be a page right out a Neil Simon play –complete with ridiculous banter and hysterical irony but in the end, my mother and father always balanced each other.

        

         I know, during her life, my mother struggled at times and her mind sometimes worked against her. But the truth is; she had an inner-strength, which was fueled by her faith that was strong enough to combat and overcome each and every hurdle that she ever faced. When the world gave up on my Mom, God never did and she recognized that and she was grateful to Him.

         My mother loved her family and she adored her grandchildren, they could do no wrong in her eyes….

She taught my brother and I:

to accept people for who they are that God was the only judge and that if we didn’t like someone, we needed to pray for them.

 

         I would like to close with this poem that I found- which puts into words, all my feelings about the beautiful person that my brother & I were blessed to call, Mom.

 

         God sent an angel to this earth,

I called you Mother, who raised me from birth.

You listened to me through laughter and tears,

and were there for me, for so many years.

 

Now what can I do, what can I say?

For God has taken my angel away.

To spread your wings, far above,

to fill the sky, with your beautiful love.

 

The most giving woman I've ever known,

but now our Lord has called you home.

A life eternal, in His loving care,

by His grace one day, I'll see you there.

 

Goodbye for now Mom, til we meet again;

My angel, my mother, and my best friend.