It makes me sad to know you are the last of your generation from all your siblings.  I will truly miss you, but at least I have the fond memory of having you in attendance at my birthday party.  May you Rest in Peac Aunt Dora

It is very sad to see the last one of your generation to pass away who had many siblings.  I will miss you terribly Aunt Dora, at least I have the fond memory of seeing you in attendance at my birthday party.  Rest in Peace.

I had the privilege growing up to visit Mema about every few weeks, which I attribute to my father's commitment to family.  As a younger boy, I had mixed feelings about the visits due to the lack of general toys or video games, the concern about knocking over a lamp or table or the glass mirror wall, and no large backyard to run around in.  Maybe I could try to play with their dog Midnight, but probably not.  Maybe just watch some TV or play cards.  It wasn't exactly a paradise for boys.  

However what lacked in the play department was more than made up in the caring and love Mema had provided, not just to me, but the entire family.  It was the kind of glue that kept the family together and is definitely something that I appreciate much more as I grow older, and as a father of two.  

I could always guarantee a few good things from Mema on our visits:  
-a pinched cheek and several, loud kisses on the cheek as I walked in or said goodbye; 
-a general enthusiasm to see me and my siblings
-a comment , “how much you grew!”
-a comment, “you are too thin, you need to eat”
-some of the world's best Italian grandmother cooking and bread. “mangia!”
-if I was lucky, she would sneak me a dollar or two on the way out for me to spend freely
-and the words, “I love you”

Most of my memory of her was in the kitchen- sitting in the kitchen; talking in the kitchen (which sounded like yelling to any outsider to the family); yelling in the kitchen; smoking in the kitchen; laughing in the kitchen; listening to Frank Sinatra in the kitchen; and of course eating and cooking.   For all I knew, she could have slept in the kitchen as well.  Her kitchen was always busy and almost always filled with family and friends who stopped by for visits.  People genuinely loved her.  

Mema loved to laugh and found great pleasure in her family and their lives.  Also, she was not afraid to speak her opinion, whether good or not so good, like when she told my brother and I “we looked like girls” when we each had an ear pierced as a teen, or said how proud she was when we accomplished something, like graduating from high school.  She was generally accepting.  I learned a lot from her.

Mema, I love you.  May God bless you and lift you into heaven.

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Marie Cosentino

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Marie Cosentino

July 30, 1925 – August 12, 2012

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