Our mother, Antonia, came to this country from Italy in 1951 in search of a better life for herself and her children. She was born to Pasqualina and Carmine in Naples, Italy. After 25 years, she became a US citizen. She loved this country.

Our mother was a hard working woman who endured many hardships. She was called Antoinette in this country, but her baptismal name was Antonia Maria. She was strong, tough, and no nonsense but had a heart of gold. She had no family here except for the one she created with her husband, his sisters and their families. They were all very close.

God blessed Antonia with exceptional health and long life. She did not suffer much physically, but endured mentally and emotionally. She did not believe in giving up. She could do everything. She loved to sew and once in a while you would hear her sing and hum "Un Mazzolin di Fiori" as she toiled away on her sewing machine. She lived in the Bronx her entire life. She did not drive, so she walked everywhere. She loved to walk. She was a great cook and made the best pizza with a rolling pin.

She never asked for anything and never sought anything because material things did not impress her. She led a simple life. She tried to see the good in all the people and was there to help if someone needed it. She was not one for many words. She would rather listen and observe. The gates of heaven have welcomed an angel.

Antonia was a good wife and mother. She accepted and dealt with whatever came her way, saying "what are you gonna do" and basically embraced an "it is what it is" philosophy; God's serenity prayer. She was very pragmatic.

Her husband was a difficult man but despite his many faults she loved him dearly. They were married for 50 years until his death. They are survived by three children, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. They also had a son that passed away in Italy at 9 months of age.

There is no avoiding death, but the critical test of mankind is how you live your life and how you endure the suffering and pain that is inflicted upon you. Life is a journey. At the end of every worldly journey, death awaits. That is a certainty. The ending will be the same for everyone that walks this earth. What matters most is the course you chose on your voyage through life. Some choices are gifts to be treasured and some are problems to be defeated.

If you are lucky enough to find a treasure, you must fight until the death to retain it; if you are unlucky and find hardship, you must fight it bravely and nobly until the end. In either case, it is the voyage that is all-important and facing life with grace under pressure.

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