Eugenia Castagnozzi Castellano was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 11, 1925 to Antonio and Giusepina Castagnozzi. Eugenia was the 6th child out of 8.....and the only surviving one until her death on 5/13/18.
Jeanette as she was known to everyone had a very difficult childhood growing up without money and wearing shoes two sizes too small she and her siblings were determined to earn their own way to contribute to their home. At the age of 13 Jeanette forged her papers so she could work and contribute to the home. They were poor in money but their strength was in their love for one another. Even with nothing, they had everything. My entire life I thought my mom hated the color Red because she bought a Red coat after saving her money only to have her dad die, so back then she had the coat died black. I It was probably 3 months ago when she told me her favorite color was Red until her dad died. I never bought Red because of that story.
Jeanette, her sisters and friend Pauline went on vacations together, to the beach, movies and apparently Jeanette was the one who got everyone the dates.
She had tons of stories and one in particular stands out...she dated a sailor named Pete who sang to her "You are always in my heart" she always made us laugh telling us the story and he sent her an 8x10 photo of himself. He was not her Pete. She will always be in my heart!
When she was in her mid 20's and she worked at Paper Novelty as did everyone from Park Slope Brooklyn. Her sister Yolanda worked there and had a friend Virginia who later became her sister in law. Virginia had a single brother named Pete and would invite my mom over to curl her hair but I think really to meet her brother Pete. That friendship was the beginning of the Pete and Jeanette story and on September 19, 1953 they were married. They had 53 wonderful years together and she missed him every day since he passed in 2006. Now they are together again where I believe she wanted to be.
Although I didn't give her any grandchildren she had three granddaughters thru my cousin Michelle...…...they called her grandma which made her light up and she told everyone about them. She also has many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces,nephews and my friends and their children were loved by her.
I had a wonderful loving childhood with two wonderful loving parents who were determined to give me what they didn't have and for that I am forever grateful! I'm sorry I couldn't do this in church because she was so deserving of everyone knowing about her and her selflessness.....she thought of others before she thought of herself. She was a tough cookie but a heart of gold and was hurt by a word or look.
Fly with the Angels mama and watch over me always. Don't drive daddy crazy just tell him I love him and kiss him for me. You are both Always in my Heart!!! I will love you and miss you forever! You will always be my Mommy!!
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