Thom and My Thoughts are with you Michele.
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.May you be content knowing you are a child of God.Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you. St. Theresa’s PrayerSt. Theresa’s was my Grandmothers Saint of choiceI started off thinking that I needed a title for this tribute I went from “ The Hippest 93 year old on this Earth” to ‘The Matriarch of The Family” to “ Buy and Return”My final decision was “Dashing Thru Life” Today we are here to honor Vittoria Petrillo and her life.Mother- Mother-in-law-Grandmother-Great Grandmother-Aunt-Great Aunt-Cousin and Friend.She would always get mad when you announced with Pride and Joy that she was 93 years old. We would explain: We are significantly younger then you and you get around better then us allShe enjoyedMusic from Ballads to SwingReadingOld MoviesCurrent EventsGood FoodTripsThe seashores of Coney Island and New JerseyAny MallAny Store- especially K-Mart where everybody knew her name.Just two years ago she rang in the New Year in Times SquareIn 1972 and having recently bought a home on Staten Island her husband Romeo passed away. For the next 30 years she shared a home with her sister Jay. (sidenote: The coolest person in the world”) This bond was like no other sisterly bond. I can hear them speaking again JAY- VEE- as they reunite and embrace each other into the next phase of their lives together.She always stated the importance of family cohesiveness and to enjoy life to the fullest. She loved visiting with cousins, nieces, friends.She always spoke about the escapades that she and her cousin Jo-Jo would get themselves into. It truly reminded me of Lucy and Ethel. Margaret –Roy- Margaret- Allison , Joe, Heather. Ronnie, Vicky , Myself, Vinny, Dawn and Vicky were very special to her. Our extended families were always considered by her as family. Megan, Daniel, Kevin, Nicole, Amber, Francesca, Micheal and Alexis . Her great grandchildren brought so much joy and vigour to life in her householdShe was the perfect template for values. She believed in being able to “ Let Go” Embrace Life - Do not run away from itStand Your GroundGetting what you want and getting it nowGod loves allOne Human FamilyBlack-WhiteRich-PoorGay or StraightWe are reminded in death everyone we love can’t be around all the time- forever. With this we take Vittoria’s stories, beliefs, words, encouragement and humor and weave them into our lives – to s hare with others- to honor her and all that she brought to the table. There is no greater honor then admiration. And admire her we all do. Yes – I do want to stop all the clocks- cut off the telephone- silence the pianos- put crepe bows around the necks of doves – have the traffic policemen wear black gloves- I want to pack up the moon and dismantle the sun.She was our North- South –East and West She was our working week and Sunday restOur noon – Our Midnight- Our Talk – Our SongI stepped away for a moment to get her a lozengeA minute later her last words were “ Where’s Michele”Well Gram- I am here – missing you very much- but carrying on and hoping that everyone here today like myself will continue on in your honor AND share with those whom we are surrounded by the values you have instilled in us. 1/14/1915 dash 5/30/2008Take note of that DashIt represents your lifeAs it is I only had a couple of minutes to pay tribute to Vittoria’s 93 years she had blessed us with. Her short dash holds the story of her journey called life. A tapestry of memories that blankets us all.
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