Elizabeth Thurston Filigenzi

She was known as Betty her whole life. She was our rock and strength and loved life. She went to Punchard High School in Andover, Massachusetts and graduated at 17. She was a nursing graduate from Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, Mass. She became an Army nurse in 1942. She trained at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. This is where she met her Johnny, our Dad, John James Filigenzi. He was also in the Medical Corps. They both headed overseas to serve in England. Six weeks after D-Day, they headed to France and landed on Omaha Beach. Mom took care of American troops and German prisoners. They were then stationed in Cherbourg, France where they were married on September 2, 1944. They were told they were the first Americans to be married on recaptured French soil.

After the war, Mom and Dad settled into family life. Mom continued being a nurse in a hospital and then a doctor’s office. Then she decided to change careers later on and worked in a department store office. Four children were born over the years and started the Filigenzi clan. Now there are 10 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Mom loved family activities and was ready to celebrate any occasion and go on every trip. She enjoyed games and we had many laughs together. She loved Mahjongg and taught many people to play over the years. She was active in her church, Grace Lutheran in Bowie, MD. She loved the Lord and is now a new star in heaven. We will miss her terribly but our love for her will continue to be as strong as ever.

Our Mom, our Grandma, our Great-Grandma…

In lieu of flowers donations can be forwarded to Grace Lutheran Church, 2503 Belair Drive, Bowie MD 20715.