CONSIGLIA TRONCONE

Consiglia Troncone, 98, passed away on March 30, 2022, surrounded by family at her home in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Consiglia was born to Philomena and Giuseppe Iovinella on December 24, 1923, in Orta di Atella, Italy, a town outside of Naples.

 Consiglia had three children: Fred (Kathy), Alessandra, and Amelia (John) Hark, four grandchildren: Jeanette (Dennis) Maag, Freddy (Ginger) Troncone, Tony (Ashley) Hark, and Jessica (Matt) Florjancic, and six great-grandchildren: Jack and Nate Maag, Adeline, Eloise, and Franklyn Troncone, and Gia Hark.

 Consiglia was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, Mario, as well as her grandson, Freddy, parents and siblings (Domenico, Teresa, Girolama).

 Family was a central focus for Consiglia throughout her life, and she did what was necessary to provide a better life for those she loved. Consiglia left school to help support her family as a seamstress, a skill that was put to good use throughout her life. Consiglia was such a talented seamstress that she often sewed her children’s clothes, including wedding dresses for Kathy and Amelia.

 Without formal training, she would create her own patterns. Kathy loved Trisha Nixon’s wedding dress, and said “I want a dress like that.” Consiglia took on that challenge, made the gown, and it fit perfectly.

 In her early 20s, Consiglia was introduced to Mario Troncone by relatives who emigrated to America.  He became the love of her life. Mario saw a photo that Consiglia had sent to her Aunt Rose, and initially, they wrote letters to each other. Later, he went to Italy, and after a brief courtship,  they were married in her hometown on May 2, 1948. The newlyweds left Orta di Atella for the United States, arriving at the Port of New York on the Italian cruise liner MS Vulcania on July 29, 1948.

 Mario and Consiglia celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip back to Italy. In subsequent trips to Italy, they took their children, and later, expanded the travel party to include their grandchildren. During their life together, they built a loving family.

Fred met his wife, Kathy, in his formative years, and she immediately was welcomed into the family. Kathy paid Consiglia the ultimate compliment recently when she described her as more of a mother than simply a mother-in-law. There were no “in-laws” to Consiglia. If you were in her family, no matter if it was by birth or marriage, you were her family, and she loved you fiercely.

 Consiglia became a Nonna with the arrival of her first grandchild, Jeanette, who was born to Fred and Kathy in 1973, and a second time two years later, when Freddy entered the world. Ten years after Jeanette’s arrival, Amelia and John welcomed a son, Anthony (Tony). Then, in 1985, Consiglia’s final granddaughter, Jessica, was born.

 From football, basketball and softball games to concerts, birthdays, graduations and weddings, the four grandchildren always could count on one thing...they had the support of Consiglia and Mario. They were always there to celebrate in the victories, console after losses, and express their love.

 Sandy experienced success in the business world before retiring to help take care of Consiglia and Mario in their later years. For the better part of 30 years, Sandy faithfully took them to doctor appointments, helped prepare meals and served as their primary caregiver.

 Consiglia’s family grew further with the addition of six great-grandchildren. While Consiglia had the least amount of time with her great-grandchildren, they were a constant source of joy. She appreciated every hug, and loved celebrating each of their accomplishments.

 Consiglia was proud of her Italian roots, and made sure that upon entering her house, you were treated as family and always had food to eat. To this day, the running joke is if you leave a Troncone house hungry, it’s your own fault not theirs, and Consiglia was the perfect example of that.

 Consiglia learned to appreciate the finer things in life, and was on a mission to make sure her family always had better than she did. Every day, Consiglia would wake up in the early morning hours and immediately begin planning what she would cook and bake for the family. When Consiglia was cooking, she often did so in her Sunday best, including her fine Italian gold jewelry. Typically, that meant the new blouse she had gotten as a present would be splattered with pasta sauce or frying oil.

 When it came to her cooking and baking, Consiglia was generous with her talents. She always baked for other people, and was willing to share her recipes. That was evident at the many family weddings where she would bake desserts for weeks leading up to the couple’s big day. At each of her grandchildren’s weddings, she made an over abundance of desserts, the last one being Jessica’s, when Consiglia made enough desserts to fill three eight-foot-by-three-foot tables.

 Everybody went crazy for her Taralle con pepe (pepper pretzels), and she was known for making panettones (ring cakes). Every Easter, she would give out more than a dozen ring cakes to family and friends.

Consiglia loved to cook, and always made sure there was enough food for an army. However, she enjoyed sharing her meals even more than making them.

 Consiglia not only took pride in cooking and baking delicious food, but also, in making sure her beloved Mario was a well-dressed man. She ironed all of Mario’s clothes, including his boxer shorts. Mario went to work every day in a suit and tie, and was affectionately referred to as “The Senator” by his coworkers.

 She loved Mario deeply, but was not afraid to put him in line when necessary. There were more than a few times that she would tell him, “Sta Zitta, Mario,” which was a much more pleasant-sounding version of its American translation of, “Shut Up!”

 Consiglia always spoke her mind, but had a positive outlook on life. She often told Kathy, Sandy and Amelia, “You don’t know what life’s going to bring. Maybe your house is small now, but you don’t know. You’ll see. Good things will come.”

 More often than not, Consiglia was right.

 Consiglia always opened her home to family and friends. Aunt Rose lived with Consiglia and Mario, and when she suffered a stroke, Consiglia became her primary caregiver. Then, her sister, Gerri, came from Italy and lived with the family for more than a decade. Fred and Kathy, and later, Amelia and John came to live with them while their new homes were built. If you needed a place to stay, Consiglia would welcome you into her home.

 If Consiglia were here today, she would encourage you to be confident in your skills and not afraid to hit the “Max Bet” button when betting on yourself.

 Consiglia, may you find peace in Heaven with your loved ones, watch over those who mourn your passing, and look back with pride on the family you and Mario built together. Saluto, Consiglia, on a life well lived.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bartholomew Church, Wednesday April 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday 4 - 8 PM at THE A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130 (WEST of I-71)