Gilda Matarazzo

It has been said that “the entire world’s a stage.” This particularly held true for Gilda Matarazzo. Indeed, she was one of the actors. A truly wonderful, strong, kind, and caring individual, she was a perpetual performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and was always willing to share that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Gilda, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark, or the twinkle of an eye. Gilda truly mastered the art of living and had great fun throughout her journey.

To everyone around her Gilda was a quiet, shy, and steadfast person loyal to her friends and family. She was devoted to her husband, her children and grandchildren, and never turned her back on anyone in need. She was always sacrificing her needs for those of others, always trying to make everyone happy.

Gilda first stepped onto the stage of life on January 1, 1920. She first greeted the world in Bronx, New York, welcomed to the world by two brothers, one sister, her father and mother Daniel and Nicoletta Gagliardi. Gilda had 6 siblings in all. The oldest was her sister Agnese (Agnes) born November 20, 1913, next came Giagonda (Jack) September 24, 1915, Joseph was the next child born October 6, 1917, then Gilda was born January 1, 1920. Her next sibling was her brother, Anthony (Tony) born May 13, 1922, after that her sister Annunziata (Nancy) March 25, 1924 and the baby of the family, Michael, was born April 5, 1927. Gilda’s grandparents born in Italy were Gilda D' Amato and Daniel Gagliardi. She grew up in Bronx and Brooklyn, New York. Even as a child, it seemed as though she had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring, and friendly. She couldn't help but capture everyone’s attention with her kind loving nature. She was always an obedient child and never a show off.

All of Gilda's playful good nature carried through her childhood. Although she was a quiet person, she had a lively imagination, and a rather laid back, go-with-the-flow approach to life. She was constantly on the go. She enjoyed games children played back in those days, but wasn’t really into like baseball and soccer. Girls didn’t play them back then. Gilda really wanted to be a singer. In addition to singing, she also had a number of favorite pastimes as a child, including sewing. knitting and crocheting Playing games was always a favorite way to spend time, in particular jacks, jump rope, hopscotch and pickup sticks. She only completed the 5th grade in school. She quit and went to work as a seamstress in a sweat shop in New York to help her family financially.

One story that was always told about Gilda as a child, when the family would gather, was of the time her brother Jack, then about 6 years old, wanted a nickel from his mother, which she refused to give him and instead told him to watch Gilda for a few minutes while she went to a neighbors. Because he was angry with his mother, Jack decided to take Gilda, just about 1 year old, down to the basement of the building and throw her in the furnace to get even with her. Luckily the buildings coal burning furnace was not on that day and the door was too heavy for Jack to open. Jack was caught and punished, but from that day on her family would refer to her as “Chickie” because Jack was planning to roast her like a chicken.

Always a good playmate, Gilda was easygoing and fun-loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even in the middle of family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and easing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, she managed to find satisfying solutions to basic problems. She could see all sides of a dispute and managed to bring in her sense of humor whenever it was needed. She was like a mother to her sisters Agnes and Nancy. They called her "Mamadell” because she was always the peacemaker between them. Gilda was her dad's favorite because anything he would say to her, she would just say “Ok Dad," without ever any argument.

The family was very musical. Everyone sang and all the sisters were good at sewing and would sew the majority of their own clothes. They used to love to go to Coney Island to sun and swim, and walk along the boardwalk. She and her sisters would go to Frank Sinatra concerts and act as crazy as the other girls their age. She never drove because you could go anywhere on the subway in New York so she never needed to drive. She finally learned to drive when she was about 40 years old. She was afraid of flying and was only on a plane 4 times in her entire life.

Gilda was drawn to both individuals and crowds. Gilda made friends easily. Rosie, her next door neighbor became her best friend and Rosie eventually married her brother, Joseph and became her sister in law.

Gilda met Harry in 1939. His given name was Rosario Joseph Matarazzo, but everyone called him “Harry”. She, her mother and her sister were attending the wedding reception of Gilda's mother's iceman (refrigerators did not make ice back then, they actually had to have it delivered to keep the food cold), when several, young, unannounced & uninvited young guys crashed the wedding reception. Harry was one of those party crashers. Harry saw Gilda and her sister Nancy from across the room and worked up the nerve to go over and introduce himself. After talking to them for a while Harry decided Nancy was too high maintenance and decided to concentrate on Gilda. She wasn't impressed. She already had a boyfriend, but Harry was persistent and wasn't going to give up so easily. He talked her into giving him a chance and dating him as well.

Harry continued to pursue Gilda even though she was still dating her other boyfriend. Then one night, a few weeks later, he decided he'd had enough. He went to Gilda's house where he planned to profess his love for her. Unfortunately, she wasn't home, she was out on a date with the other boyfriend she had continually told Harry about. Still refusing to give up, Harry parked himself on the steps (or "stoop" as they called it in New York) outside of Gilda's house and waited for her to get home. When she arrived home, and said goodnight to her boyfriend, Harry took the matter into his own hands. He went to Gilda, got down on his knee, and while crying like baby he told Gilda that she should not be with anyone else because he loved her and wanted to marry her. (Harry was always the emotional one and later, when he became too emotional, Gilda would smack him upside the head and tell him to "knock it off!")

Daniel, Gilda’s father didn't approve of Harry as her choice of husbands, so to win her father over, Harry went out drinking with him. Both of them proceeded to get drunk, and wound up in a fist fight which they resolved and then came home arm and arm, just like in an old John Wayne movie, and the wedding was on. The rest is history,

Gilda and Harry were married on October 26, 1940 in a Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York. They were married 59 ½ years when Harry passed away on March 26, 2000. Gilda exchanged wedding vows with Harry in front of eight bridesmaids and groomsmen. Her Maid of honor was Rose Gagliardi, her best friend and brother’s wife, and her flower girl was her niece, Cookie. There were over a hundred and fifty guests. They had a huge Italian, Catholic wedding at the Holy Ghost Church in Brooklyn. Both Harry and Gilda were of Italian heritage, and they had a typical "Godfather" type wedding.

Like most young couples, they lived rather modestly. Their first residence was an apartment on 44th St. in Borough Park, Brooklyn New York next to her sister Agnes. As a young married couple Harry and Gilda visited her brothers and sisters regularly and attended family gatherings constantly.

Gilda was close to her family and extended family. She was always babysitting her sister Agnes’s daughter, Cookie and her sister in law Grace’s daughter. Amelia even when she and Harry moved to Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, the girls would come and stay with her. That carried through to her grandchildren. She was always babysitting for her grandchildren and practically raised her grandson, Doug.

After her first two children, Jo Ann and Loretta, were born, Gilda's mother in law, Josephine Ciao, who was divorced, needed some help, so the family moved to Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. Josephine owned a parking lot on a hill above the huge Westinghouse plant and Harry and Gilda would help park the cars for the workers. Gilda was only 4’11” tall and when Cookie and Amelia would come to visit, they loved to watch her trying to park the cars. She was a tough little lady and never let her small size stop her.

Harry’s sister, Theresa, lived a block away from the lot with her husband Tom, and their children, Dolly, Danny, and Harry. Gilda and Harry stayed with them when in Turtle Creek. They traveled back to New York whenever possible, but when Loretta was about 5 years old the doctor’s said that because of her severe asthma they had to move to a warm, dry climate to keep her alive, so the family moved to California. The family tried moving back to New York a few times, but Loretta’s health and job opportunities kept pulling them back to California.

They lived in the Glendale/Burbank and Highland Park areas while the girls were in grammar school, and in 1954 their third daughter, Mary Ann was born. While living in Highland Park, California they met John and Loretta San Angelo who became Mary Ann’s godparents. A year later, in 1955, the family moved to San Fernando and bought their first home. But due to Harry’s employment, in 1957 they sold their home and moved back to Glendale, where they stayed until 1964. They then traveled back to New York one last time. They were there about a year and again moved back to Glendale, California, where they remained for many years.

Even with all of the moving, Harry and Gilda were able to make many lifelong friends. Some of the couple’s friends during this time included John and Loretta San Angelo, Teresa and Louie Tella, (Harry’s brother-in-laws brother and his wife), and Bill and Marie Shermer. Every weekend in the summer, all the families would get together for picnics, BBQ'S and boating at Lake Isabella.

The household also included some pets; Jo Ann and Loretta were always bringing home strays. They had a Collie named "Lady" a black mutt which was named "Blackie". Gilda always pretended she didn't like dogs, but would then secretly sneak them food and treats when she thought no one was looking.

Gilda seemed to have an endless appetite for new activities. A generous person, she often found herself involved in activities that she felt were important. She was charitable, kind, and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. She also was a member of several community groups. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Gilda's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. Harry and Gilda became lifetime members of the Moose Lodge in Glendale, California. She would volunteer to cook and waitress on Fridays. Harry became Governor and Gilda became Sr. Regent. Their life revolved around the Glendale Moose lodge for many years.

Gilda was always a kid at heart. This quality helped her in raising her own family. It was as if she remembered the way it felt to play and have fun as a child and so she tried to keep that feeling alive in her own family. Gilda thought girls should be graceful and that tap and ballet made a difference in that respect, so she made sure all the girls took lessons. When Jo Ann was about 5 years old, she appeared on The Webster Webfoot TV show and performed in her first dance recital. The children would always fill her with pride..

Gilda always tried to raise her children in a safe and nurturing environment, filled with fun and wonder. Harry and Gilda were gypsies, they moved from New York to California several times but California was now home. Wherever they lived it was roomy, cozy, clean and filled with love.

Gilda was raised Catholic and made sure all of her children were baptized. Jo Ann and Loretta went to Catholic school while they lived in Pennsylvania and Mary Ann attended Catholic school for about three years in Glendale, California.

Gilda had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with her children, that is where all of her attention was directed. She could spend hours engaging them with fun and creative play. In fact, Gilda had a knack for turning some of those nasty old household chores into fun and playful games. She tried her best to be a good parent. Every Easter when the girls were small, she would give them live baby chicks, or rabbits to raise. Gilda also carried over the fun into family trips and vacations. During all those trips back and forth across the country to New York and back again she kept the girls busy playing games and singing songs to make the trip a little easier.

In addition to her three (3) daughters, Gilda was also blessed with seven (7) grandchildren (Jo Ann had three (3) Dawn, Price, and McLane. Mary Ann had three (3), Doug, Jeff, and Justin, and Loretta had one (1), Samantha), ten (10) Great grandchildren (Jeremy, Mathew, and Joshua, are Dawn’s three (3)), Taylor, Taryn, and Blake are Price’s three (3), Audra and Jordan are Doug’s, and Xander and Parker, the two youngest, are McLane’s’).

For most of her working career, Gilda was a seamstress. In California, Gilda made bathing suits for "Cole of California" and was also an Apartment Manager. . She later made Wedding Cakes and Cakes for Special Occasions. She was very creative, was great with all type of crafts, a fantastic cook, and was always busy. She had more energy than her three children put together. They used to comment on how hard it was to keep up with everything she was doing. She couldn't even sit still while watching television. She was always knitting or crocheting at the same time.

Gilda was happiest when she was taking care of her family, cooking & baking. Gilda’s favorite color was blue. She loved to cook and feed her family or anyone that came to visit and making spaghetti sauce was a ritual every Sunday. When it came to food, Gilda particularly liked Pasta, Italian Rum Cake, Coffee, Napoleon’s and Éclairs.

For Gilda, sitting down and watching a movie or television show was always something she enjoyed. Gilda's favorite movies included Musicals with Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, and Jane Powell. She watched Jeanette McDonald & Nelson Eddy movies like, The Naughty Marietta, Springtime, and Bitter Sweet, every time they played on television. The Honeymooners, All in the Family, and The Dean Martin Variety Show were some of her favorite television shows. She loved Operetta’s and all types of music from the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s.

Gilda was more of a home body than an athlete, but she enjoyed Baseball and was a Dodgers fan even before they left Brooklyn and moved to California. She and Harry loved to go to Santa Anita race track to watch thoroughbred racing on Sundays and as many Dodger games as they could.

She and Harry moved to Simi Valley in 1967, then in1970, back to Glendale, California, where she retired in 1977. In 1995, the family made their final move to Las Vegas. With her boundless energy, she remained busy with family, friends and craft projects.

Gilda Matarazzo left us on April 3, 2011. She passed away at St. Rose Hospital in Henderson, Nevada at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rosario J. Matarazzo. She is survived by one brother, Michael; three (3) children, Jo Ann, Loretta and Mary Ann; seven (7) grandchildren, Dawn , Price, McLane, Doug, Jeff, Justin and Samantha; and ten (10) great grandchildren, Jeremy, Matthew, Joshua, Taylor, Taryn, Blake, Audra, Jordan, Xander and Parker. Memorial Services were handled by Palm Mortuary, where she was interred in the Matarazzo Family Private Garden.

Gilda Matarazzo lived life to its fullest and made everyone happier just for knowing her. She will be greatly missed, but always remembered with a smile.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.