Carolina Grascia

Carolina is survived by her daughters Anna Grascia, Teresa DiPaolo and son in law Leonard DiPaolo, sister Liliana Quadrini of Montreal, Canada, grandchildren Michele DiPaolo, Caroline DiPaolo and great grandchild Baby Green, Sister in law Laura Casinelli of Montreal, Canada and nieces and nephews, Fernado Quadrini  and son Matthew Quadrini, Giuseppe  Quadrini his wife Anna Quadrini and children Selena and Enrico Quadrini, Luigi Casinelli his wife Kim Casinelli, Steven Casinelli his wife RoseMarie Casinelli and children Olivia and Emily, David Casinelli, Gisella Casinelli, Adriano Casinelli and children Giuliano and Elena.

A celebration of life for Carolina will be held Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Kraeer Funeral Home @ Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolina's memory may be made to Italian-American Civic League of Ft. Lauderdale (Carolina Grascia Scholarship Fund), 2310 NE 7th Ave., Wilton Manors , Florida 33305 USA

EULOGY

We gather here today to celebrate the remarkable life of my mum, Carolina, a woman of remarkable strength, determination, and love. Her journey was one marked by tireless work, endless creativity, and an unwavering commitment to her family and friends.

Carolina’s story is one of relentless hard work and unstoppable will. She possessed a work ethic that could move mountains, and it did. Through sheer determination, she purchased several homes, providing stability and security for her family. After a long day at her job, mum would come home and start her second job as a tailor, a testament to her incredible will. Her love for clothes was more than a passion; it was a calling. Eventually, she realized her dream of opening her own tailoring shop, where her attention to detail and creativity shone brightly.

One story that captures mum’s determination is when she climbed onto the roof on a stormy day in her nightgown, only to have the ladder fall away. It was a precarious situation, but it perfectly illustrated her fearless nature and unwavering resolve. Who else but mum would tackle such a challenge without hesitation?

Mom’s dedication to her craft extended to every piece of clothing she touched. She carefully went through each item, ensuring it was perfect before sending it to the Palm Air Living complex. For any special occasion, she was the go-to person for finding that perfect dress. The famous blue sequined gown she made for Anna and gown for herself for the gala ball where she met Seiji Ozawa, the then-Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, stands as a testament to her talent and style. Mum was proud that she got a mention in a fashion column in a NYC magazine for those designs.

Her love for fashion extended to participating in fashion shows at the Italian club. She was always eager to attend any event related to clothes, ensuring she was present for every show at Lord and Terry’s boutique.

Her home was a testament to her love for fashion, with three closets filled to the brim with clothes. She often spoke about the compliments she received on her style and was always reworking her clothes with new ideas. It’s likely that many of us here have a piece of clothing that Carolina had touched, reworked, or designed with her loving hands.

Beyond her love for fashion, mum had a deep passion for cooking. She was a maestro in the kitchen, creating mouthwatering dishes like gnocchi, pizza, pasta e beans, fried dough, and, of course, the fabulous Ciamella, for which she was the undisputed queen. Remarkably, she cooked these delicious meals without ever measuring ingredients, relying instead on her intuition and experience.

Mum had a particular fondness for mangoes, often roaming the neighborhood in search of the ripest ones. Her freezer was always full of these sweet treasures, a treat she spoiled her family with. Despite her love for food, she was one of the pickiest Italians you could meet. No cheese, red wine with ice, no salt, limited spices and salad with no dressing but plenty of garlic. She found joy in the simple pleasures and frequented her favorite restaurants, enjoying dishes like the Mahi sandwich with fries at Oceans 101, shrimp scampi at Seaside Grill, pasta and meatballs at Zuccarelli’s and the famous banana boat sundae at Cabot’s Ice Cream. You knew it was good, when mum would say “I could go for another one.”

My mother’s home was always open to everyone. She loved hosting parties and ensuring that no one spent the holidays alone. Her gatherings were legendary. Mum took excessive care with the tablescape, always proud of the end result. She used real dishes and cloth napkins, regardless of whether they matched. No paper dishes ever. Mums famous words were “ Just put the plates in the outside sink, I’ll wash them tomorrow.” She believed in the importance of hospitality and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.

Dancing was another of mum’s passions. She was always the first on the dance floor, never needing an invitation. She would grab a friend and dance with infectious joy, especially when “Bella Ciao” played. Her love for socializing extended to the Italian club, where she was a member for 23 years. She was deeply involved in the club’s activities, from being on the board to cooking for pasta night and setting tables for special banquets. The club was a source of comfort and a second family for her.

My mother also cherished her time at the pool at Renaissance 2, where she enjoyed chatting with friends and using her pool weights. There might have been a little friendly competition about who had the longest workout, but it was all in good spirit. She also loved playing cards with friends, gathering on a weekly basis for some friendly competition. I would laugh when she said “ I lost 3 dollars, last night”.

Gardening was another of mum’s loves. She enjoyed planting flowers in her many POTS and tending to her gardenia plant. She even tried her hand at growing vegetables and a fig tree, despite the ongoing battle with the local iguanas.

Her home was adorned with pictures of her granddaughters, and she looked forward to her trips up North in the summer months to connect with family and friends. Some of her favorite gatherings were the Atina San Marco picnics and in her younger years, trips with the Wright family to local beaches and the Charles River Playground. You could be sure there was always plenty of food and drink, including a pan of lasagna.

As much as mum loved being at home, she also had a passion for travel. She enjoyed cruising. She cherished trips with friends and family to places like Alaska, Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, and, most importantly, Italy. Her visits to family in Montreal were very precious to her.

Mum loved Christmas, transforming her home into a festive wonderland with lights strung across the front and back of the house. It was a maze of extension cords and weatherproof tape, like in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The inside of the house would put the Christmas Tree shop to shame. She even convinced Anna to climb a ladder to string garland across the gutters, despite Anna’s vertigo, promising to hold the ladder steady.

Today I have shared a few moments in my mum’s life. The memories could go on.

Now, as my mother embarks on the next milestone in her journey, we celebrate the life of a woman who touched all our lives. She gathers with angels and souls who will guide and teach her. When you think of my mother, I hope all your memories will bring a smile to your face and set a happy tone to your day.

Mum, your spirit, determination, and love have left a mark on all of us. We celebrate your life and cherish the memories you created. May you rest in peace, surrounded by love and light.

Love you always, Mamma! Thank you for everything you gave me and that last hug. I am happy that I didn’t alway answer your phone calls because now I can hear your voice forever.

Love

Anna and Teresa