Page 38: CHAPTER IX • MAMA IN AMERICA
Mother’s fervent desire to have the opportunity to spend some time with her sons in America, whom she had missed so much for so long, was fulfilled when I sponsored her permanent Visa. So, in 1951, first stopping in London to visit her remaining relatives there, Mama arrived by ship in New York. She lived in my house in Englewood, New Jersey.
After our daughter Minnie Rose married, Louise, with Bobby and Mama, moved to Hollywood, Florida, in August, 1957.
Tilde Parrella, Celeste’s daughter was getting married in September, 1959. So in May of that year Mama returned to Italy to attend the wedding. Again, she went and returned by way of London, about six months later. Mother was not too pleased with our Florida climate, and complained about missing the folks in Italy. She requested to return. She left in 1960, and lived with sister Celeste in Naples. Louise and I went over in 1965. Mama was starting to fail. In 1969 notices arrived of Mama’s poor health. Brother John flew over, and she died in his arms on September 30, 1969, just before her 89th birthday.
She was buried in the family mausoleum in Castelmezzano.
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Next: LOUISE AND MICHAEL’S SECOND EUROPEAN TRIP – IN 1965
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