FAMILY BY ANNETTE ELENA PATERNO Charles and Annette

Charles and Annette

Charles & Annette

Charlie and Annette were married in July 1925. She was 26 and he was 22. They made a handsome couple – he was tall dark and handsome and she was perky, lovely and petite.

For the first decade of their marriage, they lived at 425 Riverside Drive, overlooking the Hudson River. (It was the building constructed and owned by Charlie’s Uncle, Joe Paterno.) There was a lovely little park nearby and was then one of the nicest sections of New York City. It was there that Minnie, Charlie’s mother, made her headquarters when she came to visit in 1934.

A year after they were married, they were blessed with a lovely daughter, Charlotte, on July 1, 1926 (missing Charlie’s birthday by one day). Lisa came along on September 30, 1928 and they were thrilled with their little girls. Six year later, on August 30, 1934, while they were in Dover, NJ on vacation, Annette was born. They were hoping for a boy this time, but the Lord wasn’t ready to give them one just yet.

Charlie and Annette decided to move out of the city and found a large home for rent in Riverdale. They owned a car, and Annette taught herself to drive. It was a lovely house with 4 bedrooms, large living room, formal dining room, enclosed porch, and 4 bathrooms. They hired a nurse, ‘Miss Marie’ to help with the children. Tommy was born on August 20, 1937 and Charlie was ecstatic! He passed out cigars to everyone he met and ran up a tremendous phone bill while proclaiming the wonderful news!

Charlie raised homing pigeons as a hobby and drove miles out into the country to release them. Although male chauvinism was in vogue in that time, he was known to help with the children, washed a few dishes, and even broiled or charred a steak or two. He was content with life, but Annette tried to motivate him to set his goals higher. They socialized with many of the prominent families of the time and enjoyed a brief period of prosperity. There were bridge parties and social events to attend and everything was done in a grand way.

(PATERNO family tree illustration)

Annette was a terrific cook and enjoyed entertaining. Her guests anxiously anticipated the delectable delights of her culinary art. Her table was set with the finest linen, silver and crystal and was a beautiful sight to behold. She was just as particular when planning meals for “just the family.” Vegetables were ‘fancied up,’ dishes were attractively arranged and the table was set property. I never knew that a radish could be served without making it into a rosette!

The children were governed carefully – Charlie was easy going and Annette ruled the roost. One time Charlie brought home a beautiful white rabbit for the girls and it was a lovely pet. They were heartbroken when it died, (Dad said a rate killed it) and I remember crying pitifully during our funeral for him. Shortly afterwards, at Easter time, he brought home several chicks. We had them in a small incubator on the enclosed front porch and tended them carefully. As I recall, they didn’t last very long though. Charlie adored his children and would carry us on his shoulders as we laughed with glee. He would entertain us with juggling and card tricks as well as some magic tricks. With the innocence of youth, we thought it as truly magic!

The children were dressed immaculately and always in fashion, as Annette was a good seamstress. She could look at an item of apparel and copy it without a pattern. The girls always looked beautiful; and beautiful children they were. Charlotte and Lisa modeled extensively for Conover Agencies, and Annette (Jr.) did some work as a young child. They modeled until Charlotte was about 13-14, when the photographers took notice of this budding young beauty and Annette decided it was not a safe place for her daughters. (Very often the girls were posing in different studios and she had to leave one to pick up another.)

The depression years were lean ones, but Charlie managed to find some work, usually with one of the relatives. He collected rents and was assigned assorted odd jobs. The family moved to an apartment, 270 Seaman Avenue (near 207th Street), in the mid-to-late 30’s as times were difficult and they could no longer afford the house in Riverdale. Annette proved very resourceful in managing the household finances. She sewed all the children’ clothing, cooked economic meals and made the most of the situation.

The depression in the US was felt throughout the world and Europe was in turmoil. War seemed eminent and would eventually pull the country out of the depression. At the age of 40, Annette became pregnant for the fifth time. One October 7, 1940, a second boy was born, Bobby. He was to be the light of her life, especially when Charlie disappeared six weeks later. There was no explanation for Charlie’s disappearance and although a search was instigated, he was never located.

Annette – Alone…and Making It

The United States was brought into the war in December 1940 and with the war effort, the country rose out of the depression. Annette also rose out of her depression and was determined to raise her children alone and do it well. Without anyone’s aid, Annette managed to keep her family together and raise the children to be upstanding citizens and God-fearing Christians. She worked on crafts at home, such as flower making and hats and sold them wherever she could. I remember the time (shortly after Dad left) that the utility company serviceman came to shut off the gas and electricity because she was overdue on her bill. She pleaded with the man and he was sympathetic to her case – the service remained on. (I was to learn later in life, that Mom could practically talk her way out of anything!)

Some of the relatives offered to adopt Tom and Bob to ‘give them a better life,’ but Annette would not hear of it. Her children would always belong to her and no one would take them away at any cost!

In the ensuing years, Annette worked at many jobs, I.e., at a bakery, as a sales clerk, etc. and eventually went into Practical Nursing, taking care of newborn babies. She loved the worked, was an excellent nurse, and had many referrals throughout the years. In fact, there were several second-generation babies that she cared for and she was so pleased that her patients had such a high regard for her. (Note: Although she alluded to it, she never did complete her degree in Practical Nursing. Fortunately, her patients did not force the issue for documentation.)

Annette rented a house and moved her family to Yonkers, at 85 Ridge Road, where she thought it would be better to raise young children. There were beautiful lilac bushes in front, climbing prim roses by the side door, and a large yard where the children could play. It was lovely there with little traffic on the street, and I even learned to ride a bicycle there, when I wouldn’t have had the opportunity if we lived in the city. When the owners of the house wanted to sell, she could not afford to buy the house so she moved her family back to the City. She found a 7-room apartment at 75 Fort Washington Avenue (at 163nd Street, NYC), a respectable neighborhood, mostly comprised of Jewish families. It was a great place for children to chase one another (although the tenants below didn’t appreciate it) as the dining room was at one end, all the other rooms extended from the long hallway. If you were being chased, you could run all the way down the hall, around into the dining room, through swinging door of the kitchen and back up the hallway to barricade yourself in the bathroom at the end of the hall. (Of course, children with our decorum and sense of proprietary didn’t do things like that!)

When Annette first went into practical nursing, Annette (Jr.), Tom and Bob were still youngsters. She felt that this type of work would be well paying thereby enabling her to support her family and meet her commitments. Procuring proper care for the children was a problem though, so Annette (Jr.) spent several years (on and off) with her grandmother (Angela Silverster). The boys lived with two or three foster families until Annette could bring them home to stay. Neither she nor the boys like being separated, but it was necessary temporary arrangement. How happy she was when everyone was back home again!

Through trials and tribulations, Annette never lost her sense of humor and laughter rang through the house frequently. She had a knack for making an occasion special, even though she could not afford material goods. On each of the children’s birthday, they could choose the menu for their ‘special day’ and there was a definite air of festivity. It didn’t matter that the gifts they received were items they needed anyway as each was wrapped carefully and topped with the pretty bow. Annette raised her children with loving care, was meticulous in teaching them proper behavior and tried to motivate them to work diligently and set their goals high.

To supplement her income during a difficult time, she took in tenants, renting two bedrooms. Later she felt she could get by with only renting one room. Her tenants were quiet, respectable gentlemen and one, Said (an Iranian) stayed on for several years. As the children grew older, she was able to give them a good education by making arrangements with private Catholic schools.

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Annette Paterno – Forever Young

At the young age of 68, Annette flew for the first time. It was to attend her granddaughter, Tony Lynn’s wedding in Florida. Since she had overcome that fear, she accepted Thom and Evelyn’s invitation to visit them the following year. Now it should be noted that she could never have more than one drink and that was usually “2 fingers” of Vermouth wine on the rocks. She was booked on the ‘champagne flight,’ and shortly after becoming airborne, the stewardesses served the bubbly beverage. She accepted a glass of champagne and downed it quickly as she was thirsty. When offered a second glass, she did not decline and that, too, was gone in a flash. Then she promptly fell asleep for the rest of the trip! Upon arrival at Tampa, she found she could not motivate properly, so a wheelchair was provided to take her into the terminal. f course, when Thom saw her, he thought the worst – a heart attack – or something other catastrophe! It was not until the attendant brought her closer and explained “She alright….just had one too many…” that he relaxed and recognized the humor of the situation. Needless to say, the rest of the family thought it was hilarious and didn’t let her forget it. She was teased and cautioned about it when she planned another trip, this time to Italy, for a three-month trip visiting relatives and sightseeing. She had a marvelous time with her sister’s (Lisa) children and grandchildren and was glad she had finally seen the country of her ancestry.

She resides in her Manhattan apartment, 690 Fort Washington Avenue, and finds city life exhilarating. She walks to stores, or rides the bus to do volunteer work at a home for the elderly, and plays bridge and canasta at the Senior Citizen’s Center. She still loves to cook and sew – every female in the family has an assortments of dusters, aprons and matching potholders!

She enjoys the City but loves her house in Carlisle, NY, and stays there most of the summer. Her “Cabrini Well,” as she calls it, is her source of good health while there. When possible she does her own maintenance, such as painting, patching, paneling, or making a shelf or two. She fell down the stairs in 1980 while trying to carry a piece of paneling upstairs, and then didn’t want anyone to know she had injured herself. On our second visit to the doctor (2 weeks later), he was amazed at her quick healing. He told her she was as tough as an old owl! Work she cannot do, is often performed on a barter system, or contracting negotiated with the veracity of a camel trader!

Her energy seems boundless and she is always making plans for the next project. At the time of this writing, Annette, at age 84, still drives a car, enjoys entertaining, can still ‘trip the light fantastic,’ loves to travel, and still can’t stay in one place for very long. Always abreast of current events, she shows an interest in politics and news events. She has the ability to make a new acquaintance feel comfortable with her warm interest in that individual’s well being. Annette enjoys watching soap operas, music and visiting friends. She works hard, plays hard; and falls into deep slumber at the drop of a hat. After her ‘cat nap’ she’s off again (she and Thomas Edison have that in common). It’s what keeps her young!

Annette is warm, suspicious, bright, calculating, private, inquisitive, talkative, and loving. Her family is and always will be foremost in her mind. She’s unique…and she’s my Mom!

Next: Family Member Notes/Charlotte Ann Paterno
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