April 1, 2006
(Joseph Rinaldi & T. Andrew Rinaldi)
Thank you everyone for joining us today.
We all know my Grandmother was a strong woman—strong in her heart, strong in her beliefs. She was so strong that many were surprised to hear she had moved on. But for those of us closest to her, we knew she battled longer and harder than any doctor thought she would be able to. But that’s the way she wanted it. My Grandmother was a very proud woman and she simply would not have it if everyone spent their time worrying about her. And as we all know, she much rather worry about all of us.
One thing she did do was make it so her grandchildren never had to worry about anything. We really had it made. When we wanted a getaway, we knew who to call and where to go. As kids we’d spend weekends at her house, up all night, eating ice cream, making a mess, and playing video games forbidden by our parents. Ironically, I think she may have been the first person ever to own a Nintendo. And when we needed to get away she’d pile us in the car and we’d take off for Cooperstown or Plymouth Rock or the Connecticut shore or wherever. It didn’t matter where we were going or why, we were excited just because we were going together. And while whatever we did was always ok in her eyes, she always carried that cane, just in case we got out of line.
As we’ve gotten older things haven’t changed at all. At any given moment we could jump on a plane and escape to her safe haven at sunny Hillsboro Beach—a place where any of us would be greeted by first name and with open arms—often times by people we hardly knew but who know and care about us because of everything my Grandmother has told them. She had so much pride in us as her grandchildren and spoke exhaustively of each one of us.
Grandma had such a passion for travel. Her maiden voyage was across the Atlantic in 1946 to join her new family. From then on her and my grandfather made their way from here to there and back again. This became her lifeline and something she instilled in all of us. Whether in Australia with Betty or cruising the Caribbean with Mr. D, She thoroughly enjoyed seeing the world. I can’t even begin to count how many t-shirts I have, some from places I never even knew existed. There was no stopping her. Bad hip? Bad lungs? It didn’t matter. And when she couldn’t go herself, she’d make sure we were always planning a trip ourselves. It truly made her happy to see her grandchildren out there doing what she used to do and enjoying it the same way she did. All the way up until the end she was going somewhere. As Mr. D says “now, she’s traveling with Betty again.”
Grandma lived life to the fullest, and made countless friends on the way. Morty & Cookie, Larry & Ellie, Bernie & Lynn, Warren & Judy, Pearl & Pete, the list goes on forever. But the one friend she met that was with her every step of the way was Mr. Davidson. Mr. D, you were a true companion to her. For so many years you were her partner in crime, her escort to the theatre and, in the end, her crutch to lean on. Most importantly, you were the flip side to her coin. Without that, I don’t know where she would have been. And, I know, you never once ended a day angry at each other. Thank you for everything you have done for my Grandmother and for my family, we truly appreciate it.
While she loved her friends dearly, she loved her family infinitely. We never had a chance to meet our grandfather but she did her best to enlighten us about the way Grandpa was. She would relate everything back to him and share his point of views with us—she loved him to the end and made sure that we always knew that. Sometimes we even thought she might be half Italian. She knew so much about our family—the Catania’s, the Scalia’s, the Nicotra’s—I can’t even begin to keep up. She even spoke the language and was always a great cook.
We were always interested to hear her stories about my Grandfather and the old family, especially when she would talk about our father’s growing up. What they didn’t want us to know, she was eager to tell us. Uncle Carl was always her baby and quite the ladies man—so she was convinced. Uncle Anthony was her one to keep an eye on, but she always knew where to find him, just look for the closest pool hall. And Dad, with you she knew she just didn’t have to worry about anything and that you’d take care of us all once she was gone.
Grandma, you were such an amazing person with so much to share. You were a fighter, a trooper, and a super hard worker. I know the next time I hear a loud horn honking in the driveway, it might not be you there to pick me up. But what I do know is that you’ll be in all of our hearts forever. You’ll be there snacking on your favorite sweets, telling your favorite stories and enlightening your friends about the family you cared so much about. From above we know you’ll be watching over us as we experience the world as you did. And please, do let us know if you run in to Romul up there, otherwise we’ll keep our eye out for him on Enfield Street. Grandma, thank you for everything. We love you, and we’ll miss you, all of us.