LISA JOAN PATERNO
Born: September 30, 1928
married
Harry Frank LaBarbera
November 24, 1946
St. Rose of Lima Church
New York, NY
Children:
Michael Christopher
Born: March 4, 1949
Married: September 9, 1978 to Martha Caldwell
Divorced: April 1980
Glenn Thomas
Born: July 19, 1950
Married: May 21, 1972 to Maria Griffo
Children:
Deborah Lee born June 21, 1973
Christopher John born September 21, 1974
Michael Glenn September 3, 1978
Dawn Marie born January 23, 1982
Divorced: 1983
Married October 27, 1984 to Barbara Carodenuto
Child:
Danielle born May 7, 1983
Ronald
Born: January 4, 1954
Married: June 26, 1976 to Kristina Van Houten
Child:
Ryan Matthew born March 3, 1985
LISA JOAN
A fair blue-eyed Lisa was the second child born to Annette & Charlie Paterno. She was a shy child with an angelic quality that endeared her to everyone who met her. She was especially shy and quiet with adults or new friends and we often heard about “how quiet Lisa was”….”you never hear a word….” We (children) found that hard to believe until we actually saw it for ourselves. As far as interactions with the rest of us, Lisa could ‘hold her own’ and stand up for what she wanted.
She was fun loving and unassuming and very often managed to soothe ruffled feathers when disagreements arose. When we were sure Mom would refuse one of our requests, we’d call on Lisa to interceded for our cause. Mom rarely said “no” to her!
(Photos of Frank & Lisa – 1978 and Ronald, Michael & Glenn – 1958)
In early 1942, it was determined that Lisa had curvature of the spine and surgery was recommended She had to wear a half body cast for six months prior to the operation. She says, “Being a teenager at that time (14) it was rather embarrassing for me, especially being in Junior High School, looking like a blimp and having to wear clothes twice my size!” On the humorous side, it was quite a shock when someone came up behind her and tapped her on the back to say “Hi”….if they were vigorous about it, they also got a sore hand! The final operation took place in mid-1942 and then Lisa was placed in a full body cast for sic months. It was an agonizing time for a young girl – flat on her back and with a cast so heavy she couldn’t move more than a few inches in the bed. She seemed to accept it with the patience of Job and I still marvel at her cheerful and positive attitude during this period. Lisa did a lot of reading, worked on puzzles and some crafts, and made a lovely area size rug. When she went back to the hospital to have the cast removed she was gone a few days or even perhaps a week. Although there is 6 years difference in our ages, we were very close. I missed her so much while she was gone and I used to go in to her room as soon when I came home from school. What a beautiful surprise I had the day she came home. I didn’t know she was to be released that day. I thought it odd that the door was locked, so I rang the bell, but it seemed like forever before I heard someone read for the door handle. I couldn’t believe my eyes (which were quickly filling). She’s home!
Lee recalls visiting Nanny quite often during the summer and “she would pay me 25 cents to fan her and read to her from the Bible. What a thrill for a young girl to make so much money!”
Lisa was petite, pretty, shy and ladylike, with a little undercurrent of mischief that made her interesting and fun to be with. She enjoyed her friends and many dates through her teen years. She says that “when Charl and I were at the dating stage, it used to drive me crazy when she would sneak one of my dresses and lengthen it; the return it to the closet without putting the hem up. At least when I borrowed hers (dresses) all I had to do was baste stitch and then just let it down.”
Lisa married at the age of 18. She and Frank moved out of New York City to Long Island where they raised three strong boys. Lee ran her household with amazing proficiency. She is organized, almost to an absolute point, should be appointed to the President’s committee to manage the US Budget, and is a warm and considerate friend.
