Carmela Millie Scafide Romano

      To Carmela Millie Romano, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Carmela, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Carmela really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

       Her parents were Constantino and Marie Scafide. Carmela was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Even as a child, Carmela 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.

      Always a good playmate, Carmela was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Carmela managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Carmela was raised with four siblings. She had two older brothers, Frank and Tony, a younger brother, Albert, and sister, Sadie.

     Carmela graduated from Lakewood High School in 1968. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Cornet. Carmela did not finish high school until after having four children and graduated with her daughter.

      Carmela never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Carmela to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Carmela delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Carmela was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Carmela utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Clara and a Jewish friend Yetta. Later in life, she became friends with Ann Sudakow, Lillian Coleman, and Elaora Gable. Carmela loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Carmela very easy to approach. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people's feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

      Perhaps the reason Carmela related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. Carmela was blessed with four children, three sons, Felix, Tino, Frank, and one daughter, Rosemarie. They were also blessed with ten grandchildren, Richie. Francis, Laura, Jennifer, Nicholas, Sarah, Erin Jo, Vinnie, Nico, and Kasandra. Carmela had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that's where all of her attention was directed. Carmela's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Carmela had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

      At work, as in life, Carmela was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Carmela was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Carmela's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Carmela as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was as a mother. She was employed by AMP Marker as a butcher, and book keeper for a speech clinic, but she was mostly a mother.

      Carmela enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Carmela liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were crocheting and crafts. Carmela was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Carmela recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a member of Life Center Church for 25 years. During that time, she was involved with the senior citizens group.

       It is no surprise that Carmela loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Israel, Rome, and Hawaii.

            Carmela passed away on July 7, 2008 at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, California. Carmela passed away from a sudden stroke. She is survived by her four children Felix, Tino, Rosemarie, and Frank; brothers Frank, Anthony, Albert, and sister Sadie; grandchildren Francis, Laura, Richie, Jenny, Nicholas, Sarah, Erin Jo, Vinnie, Nico, Kasandra; great-grandchildren Madeline, Malinda, Timmy, Seth, Justin, Kaleb, and Mariah. Services were held at Life Center Church, July 11, 2008. Carmela was laid to rest in All Souls Cemetery and Mausoleum, Long Beach, California.

      Carmela brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Carmela Millie Romano lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.