Luisa DeSalvo

Luisa DeSalvo, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on March 18, 2024, in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 86. She was born on December 30, 1937, in Mexico. Luisa was a talented dressmaker from Caroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and an artist known for her intricate Japanese Doll creations.

Luisa is survived by her three children: Antonino DeSalvo and his wife Amelia, Luisa Riera and her husband Frank Riera, and Salvatore DeSalvo and his wife Kathleen. She was a cherished grandmother to Jared DeSalvo (Nicole), Adrea Taormina (Ciro), Bradley DeSalvo (Michelle), Nicholas DeSalvo, Brittany Riera, Stephen DeSalvo, Andrew DeSalvo, and Cabrinna DeSalvo. Luisa was also a loving great-grandmother to Salvatore DeSalvo, Stella DeSalvo, and Ljiljana Taormina.

She was preceded in death by her spouse Salvatore DeSalvo, with whom she shared 43 years of marriage.

Luisa's passion for dressmaking and artistry brought joy to all who knew her. Her legacy will live on through her family and the beautiful creations she shared with the world.

A woman of many talents, Luisa held a Bachelor's degree and also received a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

"My Brooklyn" by Luisa DeSalvo

Our Brooklyn, your Brooklyn, his or her Brooklyn; it's everybody's Brooklyn! And that's why I love to say, it's "My Brooklyn"!

I've been living in Brooklyn for the past forty-four years. Upon my arrival from Mexico City, at the age of twenty, I lived in Park Slope, at 70 Seventh Avenue for two years; then moved to downtown Brooklyn at 80 Bond Street for four years; after which, as currently residing, at Carroll Gardens on Union Street.

Each of these locations always gave me a comfortable feeling; that warm-hearted acceptance into the community where neighbors cared, and exchanged their recipes after the routine daily shopping trips to the wonderful local food and variety stores, a delightful experience knowing I was a "catered-to" customer. I became confident that Brooklyn would be my new home.

In Park Slope, Brooklyn, my first apartment in America, miles from my Mexico City "homeland," I received that special welcome from the marvelous neighborhood environment surrounded by the most beautiful display of nature, Prospect Park. The area presented the city elegance and country charm. Meandering the tree-lined streets, enjoying their shade from the hot summer sun, gave me the same pleasure as strolling through the park to the concert areas for summer evening get-togethers. For me, it was an awesome "walkathon." There was no monetary prize in my walks through the borough, but it certainly raised my spirits to see the many opportunities for me to develop my creative talents, eventually leading me to win a few prizes resulting from my various hobby efforts.

It eased the "homesick" feeling and gradually it shed the "blues," and I became a proud Brooklynite.

Since I spoke very little English, I had decided to enroll in an Adult Continuing Education English Course, at Sarah J. Hale School, near Fourth Avenue and Pacific Street. It was the beginning of my new life, learning and understanding the many cultures, and meeting very interesting and helpful people, who gave me the encouragement I needed. They were people from various countries (Italy, Spain, South America) trying to do the same thing I was doing, which was to grow in the cultures of this magnificent city—referred to many times as the melting pot. As a result, I became increasingly comfortable speaking English as the months flew by, and soon after, I was hired as a seamstress, while continuing my education at night. It wasn't long before I received my diploma in fashion designing from the Institute. I wanted to absorb everything and eager to tackle other projects one after the other. My motivation was the city, and I went full steam ahead. No detours.

The Botanical Gardens in Prospect Park, featuring the artistic, beautiful Japanese Gardens caught my twinkling eye. I ventured into this project vigorously. Making inquiries about the Japanese Exhibits and Events, I enrolled in the meticulous MATARO JAPANESE DOLL MAKING ANNUAL EVENT, usually scheduled during the Cherry Blossom Festival. The white tents are pitched in the Gardens and the origami items, along with the beautifully-created designer Mataro Dolls, are introduced to the public. I've been a participant for eight years and have learned this special art with much appreciation for the patience and detail you require for each creation. It makes me happy that I had an interest in this art craft. It widened the circle of new people in doing this great work. This festival started in Brooklyn twenty-one years ago, and is growing strong because more and more people see the beauty of the culture "bloom" at our very convenient Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

Among all the Festivals we have, my favorite is "WELCOME BACK TO BROOKLYN," which started in 1983. The designation of a Homecoming King or Queen, or both, is an exciting June Annual Event. I can't wait for the following year to see which celebrity will be honored. As part of the festival, the celebrities are inducted into the "CELEBRITY PATH," located in the heart of the Botanical Gardens. This honored path was established in 1985. Each step of the way is a gracious remembrance of the many top entertainers, writers, historians, educators, etc., who were born in Brooklyn and gave so much of their talents and expertise to our borough and in general to all citizens. It's a joyous occasion. The Coronation Ceremony is followed at Grand Army Plaza, proclaiming the official King or Queen. One of my favorite "Kings of Brooklyn" was to Neil Sedaka, who was honored in 1994. I've enclosed a color photo which I snapped of his official coronation. It was exciting for me to witness this event. It was the second time that I saw Mr. Sedaka; the first being at the Fox Theatre, where he performed in the late 1950's, along with the other "golden boys" singers. This was during my first years in Brooklyn, and attending the 1994 celebration to him brough: back warm and pleasant memories of all the exciting talents of the young teenage Brooklynites of which I was just beginning to know. The newspapers, billboards, and radio stations coordinated heavy awareness weeks before this multi-talented show. One of the girls I met, a new-found friend, at the school, came with me to see this exciting show in the '50's. So Brooklyn opened up a whole new world of entertainment for me. I was on my way to attending many shows; mixing in photography, painting, piano playing. This girl is my present sister-in-law. Through her I met her brother, who is my husband of forty-two years.

Sometimes I wonder why did they leave Brooklyn anyway. Of course, I know career opportunities warrant the so-called departure. But, after their captured success, it's no wonder that they are proud

to say their roots are in Brooklyn, and I am proud along with them.

When I'm asked, I like to participate in music and dancing events. Although I am not a professional photographer, I know what I like to see and angle it on film for the most meaningful pictures, using two cameras at the ready, so as not to miss a second of any event or a view of some awesome scenic splendor.

I am a happy person from Mexican roots, who, so to speak, "grew up" in Brooklyn, and I have instilled the same motivation of adventure and curiosity of learning in my three children and eight grandchildren.

Brooklyn is comprised of what we, its citizens, put into it. Its breath, strength, and growth is BECAUSE of us and IN us. We, as a whole, nurture it; it nurtures us. As a Mexican immigrant, I learned how to make a new life in Brooklyn, working part time, so I could be with my children to help them with their homework. I also learned with my children what they were learning in school. While they were in High School, I went to evening school to improve myself. I am proud of my family. I thank my husband for his support. He helped nurture our children with love for each other, and we praise all three of them for the achievements reached in their careers and for how wonderful they are as parents themselves and citizens of their communities. One son is a Paramedic, our younger son is a Police Sergeant, and our daughter is a Legal Secretary.

It's a continuing "nurturization" from prior generations, present ones, and what we can do to inspire the future ones. The museums, Academy of Music, Historical Society, sightseeing. Put them altogether and it makes for a better Brooklyn. It has beer and continues to be, an experience for me, full of personal growth in my education and talents, at any age.