Ann Palilla Pasquale, born 100 years ago

My mother - in - law was born 100 years ago today. She was 99 when she left us. However, we are left with many happy memories and her love remains with us.

Grace Angelina 'Ann' Palilla Pasquale

23 February 1924 NY - 17 April 2023 OK

Daughter of Charles Palilli & Grace Brigandi

Wife of Thomas F. Pasquale

Mother of two children

Grandmother of Five children

Great Grandmother of Eight children

Happy Birthday, Ann!

Learn more by reading Ann's Obituary.

Merry Christmas, 2023

 

Merry Christmas!

Colleen

Forget Me Not: Ann Pasquale, 2023

 As a genealogist I have read many obituaries. This is the first one I have written. The family was gathered and everyone contributed items that should be included. Because of our emotions it was difficult to think objectively but I think this came out well. She was a loving lady and we are missing her. 

Grace Angelina 'Ann' Palilla Pasquale

23 February 1924 NY - 17 April 2023 OK

Daughter of Charles Palilla & Grace Brigandi

Wife of Thomas F. Pasquale

Ann Pasquale, a vibrant and loving lady, died on April 17, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma after enjoying 99 years of life. Born February 23, 1924, she was the daughter of Charles and Grace Palilla. It was the Roaring 20s; the age of jazz and prohibition with Calvin Coolidge  as US President. Ann’s sister, Carmella ‘Mallie’ Palilla Burns and her brother, Dominick Palilla, preceded her in death. Ann attended Hunter College in Brooklyn, NY.

 

As a young woman she enjoyed big band music and roller skating to ‘Paper Moon.’ She lived through World War II and watched her brother go off to serve in the US Navy and safely return.

 

One day, while riding on a New York Central train, Ann met Tom Pasquale from Somers, NY. Ann married Thomas F. Pasquale on November 30, 1946 in Croton Falls, NY. Tom worked for the New York Central Railroad and later for Dale Carnegie & Associates. They raised their two children in Katonah, NY.  Ann was a member and past president of the Bedford Hills Women’s Club. She was a dressmaker and stitched many lovely things including several fabulous wedding gowns. About 1996 Ann and Tom moved to North Fort Myers, Florida. Ann enjoyed the sunshine, playing Bingo and her many friends in the sunshine state. Ann and Tom liked having family and friends visit their little Florida home. Thomas Pasquale died in 2002 in Florida. 

 

In our family Ann was well known for cooking delicious Italian meatballs, apple pie, apple sauce cake and chicken cutlets. We may all love each other but we were willing to fight over her mouthwatering food! We all own brightly colored hats and mittens knitted for us by Ann. She enjoyed cross stitch, quilting and knitting. More than anything else, she enjoyed holidays, weddings and everyday gatherings of her family. 

 

In recent years Ann “Grandma” Pasquale had been living in Tulsa, Oklahoma to be near her daughter and son – in - law. Beverly took tender care of her mother as Ann aged.

 

Ann and Tom were the parents of two children. Daughter, Beverly A. Pasquale married James Card. They have two sons: Michael and Brian. Michael and Whitney Card have two sons. Brian and Kristy Card have two children. Son, Don Pasquale married Colleen Brown. They have three children: Alanna, Alyssa and Adam. Alanna and Dave Mensing have two sons. Adam and Stephanie Pasquale have two children. 

 

Don compares his mother’s travels through life to the Milton Bradley board game. She moved from girlhood to young woman; gathering a home and family; becoming rich with the experiences of her 99 years and eventually becoming a great grandmother to eight delightful children. Don says his mom won the Game of Life. 

 

Plans are being made for a celebration of Ann’s life. Family and close friends will be notified when those plans are complete.

 This can be viewed online.

 

 

 

New Branch on our Family Tree

We have a new branch on our family tree!

This week we welcomed our third grandson to our family!

He & his parents are doing well & happy.

My husband & I are counting the days till we can meet & hold him.

It won't be long till I am sharing family stories with him!

We are very blessed.

FAMILY PHOTO, Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

FAMILY PHOTO!

23 February is my mother in law's birthday. This year her family is flying in from several states to Oklahoma to see Ann & celebrate her 95th birthday. This photo came from her 90th birthday celebration in Florida. That birthday included mini golf, swimming, big meals & a crystal tierra for the birthday lady. I gave her a hand sewn quilt which everyone in the family had signed.

 In 2019 the family photo will include: her two children & spouses, her five grandchildren & spouses, and four adorable great grandsons, ages 2 months to 4 years old.  

It has been great to be a part of the Pasquale family. We've had many fun times together since I met them in 1974: enjoying big Italian meals, playing RISK, celebrating holidays & special days,... And the fun times continue!

The birthday lady wearing her Tierra! 

[I won't include any names here to respect everyone's privacy.]

Amy Johnson Crow challenges us to remember our ancestors and their families through this task: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. I completed ’52 Ancestors’ in 2014 & here I go again. This post is in response to that challenge. The topic for this week is FAMILY PHOTO.

Our 40th Anniversary

10 June 1978

Bride & Groom,

Donald T. & Colleen G. (Brown) Pasquale

Parents of the Bride (left),

Delbert K. & Alberta Joy (Gardner) Brown

Parents of the Groom (right),

Thomas F. & Angelina 'Ann' (Palilla) Pasquale

My husband & I are celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary. We have many happy memories from our years together: the years we spent as a young couple living in Buffalo, NY; welcoming each of our beautiful children into our family; holidays & travels; quiet moments with our little family. There were difficult times but we got through them together. And all along our loving family & loyal friends made the hard times easier & the happy times more joyful. Now we have two handsome grandsons who always add smiles to our lives. We have been blessed in many ways. It is a time for looking back at our memories and looking ahead for what comes next.

Here we are, cutting cake, 40 years later.

A Time Capsule

The Book of Me, Written By You – Prompt 8: Time Capsule. This prompt came from Anglers Rest and I could not resist the idea!

A time capsule is both a look into the future: What will someone in the future want to learn about me? And a look into the past: Look how this person once lived. This is an intriguing topic for a post. I have never opened or prepared a time capsule but will, on paper.

If I were to assemble a time capsule I would begin with a wooden box, shaped like a treasure chest with ornate hinges and a lock with a fancy key. The key to link the past & the future, like genealogy itself. In our house we have a small secret room, built by my cousin. I will not reveal its location but our three children all know because they played there once upon a time. You can always win at Hide and Seek if your friends don’t know you have a secret place. This is the perfect location for a time capsule, hidden yet dry and safe. 

The first item I’d put inside is a quilt. I’ve made lots of quilts over the years and I’d make one especially for the time capsule with blocks that show my favorite things: flowers, cats, the ocean, a castle, books, stars and my family. I’d use colorful borders around the edge and quilt it by hand. After gnetly folding the quil tinto the treasure box I’d add books, books that I loved at various times of my life: Sleeping Beauty with gold edged illustrations; Little Women, the copy my mother gave me; Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles with a small rocket ship to let the imagination soar; any book by Maeve Binchy or maybe two and, of course, any genealogies I have finished writing when I seal the box. Next I'dd add a delicate floral tea cup to sip from while reading. 

I’d like to include a photo album with photos of our family members, from our Irish roots to our family today, with every photo labeled. I’ll put in a well-worn map used by my father in his years as a truck driver and my mothers’ Rosary beads zipped in their soft pink case. I’d include things from my childhood: a set of paper dolls with a pair of stubby scissors; a large pad of paper and a big box of crayons all with sharp points; my favorite toy kitty and a velvet bag with marbles, sparkly stones and glitter. I’d carefully fold my wedding gown and veil in soft white tissue paper and lay it in the box with a love letter from my husband and the small jade pendant that was the first gift he gave to me.

I’d include things from my children: the program from one of our oldest daughter’s plays; the diploma of our second daughter when she got her PhD and the key to our son’s shiny new Mustang. I’d include souvenirs from my travels: seashells from the Atlantic, Pacific & Caribbean Seas, a soft sweater from Ireland, a pink ceramic house from Bermuda, Tiare perfume from Tahiti and hand dyed cloth from St Kitts.

The last item would go on top, a letter, handwritten by me with love. What will it say? You’ll have to wait for the future and read it yourself.

The time capsule in the treasure box will be for my future grandchild/children so they will know me as more than a faded photograph, name & dates.

Related Posts:

• The Book of Me

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Traditions - Games!

 Christmas = Games

We like to play board games on Christmas. Sounds like fun? Well, beware because games can be taken quite seriously, especially if the game is RISK. My husband has loved this game since he was a boy. He and his cousin played it when they got together. Sometimes the game lasted all weekend. They added tanks, planes & army men from other games. Each of them wanted to rule the world. Sometimes my mother in law had to take the board game away from Don & Phil to restore peace in the house and the friendship to the cousins.

RISK has infected the next generation. Our children, their cousins, and spouses play with my husband now. Wiping out the armies of the other player and gaining control of the world is very serious. There have been tears, disputes & allegations of secret deals. Strategies have become more complex as they got older. Mostly, however, there’s lots of laughter and many happy memories.

We play other games as well… Ticket to Ride, Clue, Life, Kismet,…  Of course, those are just for fun. Sometimes a game of Laser Tag or a trip to an ice rink but if you ever join us on Christmas and the RISK board comes out, just turn away and get a glass of eggnog. 

Related Posts:

• Christmas Gifts
• Cats & Christmas
• Who is Santa?

Alphabetical Ancestors Y & Z

This is the final post relating to my Alphabetical Ancestors. All year I have been posting surnames, both from the major trees in my family and from the minor branches. This has helped me to identify branches that need more light & fertilizer to grow.

Information on these final surnames is very limited but I don’t want to leave anyone out.

Y & Z is for these Surnames…

Yates

Thomas Yates married Ida Ritter, daughter of Israel Ritter [b 1851] and Lydia Steckel. Thomas & Ida had four children: Ethel, Ruth, Russell & Samuel. Unfortunately, I have no location for this family.

Yerger

William Yerger married Marylyn Bowman, daughter of Roy Bowman & Hazel Boreman [b c 1915 OH]. William & Marylyn had two children: William & Tammie.

Young

Florence Young married Emile Ottho Smith [b 1886 MS], son of Adolphus Scott Smith & Julia Jane Simmons. Emile Ottho Smith grew up in Mississippi.

Youngblood

Hannah Youngblood [b c 1807 GA] married Jesse Kelly Brumfield [1807 SC – 1884]. Jesse was the son of John Brumfield & Margaret Kelly. Hannah & Jesse had 11 children: Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Benjamin, Henry, Mary, Jesse, Joseph, James Monroe, Susan, John & Leah. In 1850 & 1860 Hannah & Jesse were in Pike Co, MS where Jesse was a farmer. In 1870 & 1880 they were in Amite Co., MS.

Yozza

Anges Yozza [b c 1883 Italy] married Sam Pascale/Pasquale [1884 Italy – c 1950 USA]. Sam was the son of Augustino Pascale/Pasquale & Maria Grazia Servello. Agnes & Sam had 8 children: grace, Antionette, Alvera, Augustine, Salvadore, Victor, Fred & Joseph. They are related to my husband’s family.

Zemrock

Herman Otto Zemrock [b 1922 OH] married Eva Grace Jolliff [1929 OH – 1982]. Eva was the daughter of Glenn Raymon Jolliff & Elma Grace Pletcher. Herman & Eva had five children.

Zengler

Urban Robert Zengler [1886 OH – 1975 OH] married Mildred Mae Wolf [1892 OH – 1972 OH]. Mildred was the daughter of Joseph Wolf & Anna Eliza Kohr. Urban & Mildred had three children: Dorothy, Donald & William.

Other ‘Y’ & ‘Z’ surnames in my tree: Yeager, Yoder, Younker, Zerkel & Zerrer

Sepia Saturday - Our Family's Actress

This week’s topic: For Sepia Saturday 199 we celebrate acting and theatre. And dressing up, and silly hats, and daft trousers, and fire escapes, and - anything else you fancy.

Alanna Mensing as Meg in Little Women

This is an easy topic for me. Our oldest daughter, Alanna Pasquale Mensing is an actress. When she was little she loved pulling clothes out of our old trunk and dressing up. She assigned roles to her younger sister and brother and directed their actions.

Alanna, on right, at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts

Alanna studied music at Norfolk State University, acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and graduated from the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, D.C.

Alanna, in blue,  as Bianca in the Taming of the Shrew

Alanna has performed in many productions, singing, dancing, doing choreography, playing the piano and acting.

Alanna in the Nutcracker

I often drive to Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D. C. for performances. I love watching her on stage. 

My husband & I with Alanna after a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Hope you enjoyed these family photos & thanks for letting me brag a little! Read more about our actress at Alanna Mensing.


 Be sure to go to the Sepia Saturday page and read this week's other posts.

Alphabetical Ancestors - P

P is for parents & partners and plenty of people!

P is for these Surnames…

Palilla

This is my husband’s maternal line. The Palilla family came from Italy. Calogero ‘Charles’ Palilla was born in Sicily in 1894, son of Dominick Palilla.  He married Grazia Brgandi who was born 1901 in Sicily. Both were here by 1920 when they were married in CT. Their four children were born in New York State.

Parker

Ralph Alvin Parker [1901 OH – 1979 OH] married Nellie Irene Joliff [1903 OH – 1994], daughter of Samuel Martin Joliff & Margaret Maude Mark. Ralph & Nellie were married 1923 in OH. They had three children.

Pascale/Pasquale

This is my husband’s paternal line. Stories vary concerning the name change. This family came from Italy. Dominic & Giovanna Pascale had two sons. Augustino [1855 Italy – 1929] married Maria Grazia Servello. They had six children. Thomas [1873 Italy – 1958 NY] married Camella Arena. They also had six children three born in Italy and three born in NY.

My husband’s paternal grandparents were Frank [1889 Italy – 1973 NY] son of Augustino & Giovanna [1898 Italy – 1988 NY] daughter of Thomas. Giovanna ‘Jennie’ was famous in the family for her delicious meatballs!

Patrick

Johnson Patrick [1812 – 1856]  b married Nancy P Brown [1815 MS – 1862]. Nancy was the daughter of Moses & Nancy Brown. They had nine children: Rees, Joseph, Amanda, Willis, Emily, David, Lucinda, Charles & Elizabeth.

Perkins

Nancy Perkins [1787 – 1870] married Moses Brown [1777 – 1838 MS]. Nancy was the daughter of James Perkins. Nancy & Moses had seven children: Amanda, Nancy, Margaret, Moses, Aaron, Rees & Samantha.

Other ‘P’ surnames in my tree: Pearson, Peddicord, Pendley, Perry, Peters, Purdy & Puzzo.

Guest Blogger

My Italian Family, Part II by Alyssa J Pasquale

My daughter, Alyssa J Pasquale, has been taking classes to learn Italian. These classes are just for fun. Alyssa is a Doctor of Electrical Engineering, doing a postdoc at a national laboratory. Besides her classes she and her classmates gather once a month for a dinner where they all speak Italian. Each person prepares something to tell the others in Italian.

Alyssa is taking some family stories, written by her Aunt Beverly, and is translating them into Italian.

The [notes] are from my research and are only in English.

In English:

My great-grandmother, Grace Brigandi [Grazia Brigandi Palilla 1901 Sicily – 1974 NY] worked in a factory with Charles Palilla 1894 Sicily – 1984 FL]. They married on 13 May 1920 in secret. Carmen, Grace’s father, did not like Charles and at one point had even run after Charles with a baseball bat.

After the marriage, Grace and Charles lived with Charles’s parents, even though they also did not approve of the marriage.

My great-grandparents had four children: Carmella (who died after a few months), another Carmella, Angie (my grandmother), and Dominick.

Charles and Grace had many jobs – Charles was a musician (he played both the bass and violin) and a salesman. Together, they had a clothing factory. However, for a while they had to pay protection money from the factory to the mafia.

My family lived in Baldwin Place, New York. In 1974, Grace died, and Charles died in 1984, 3 months after I was born.

[Note: Charles was Naturalized 19 June 1924. He was living at 223 East 10^th Street. He was 5’ 7” with brown hair & eyes. In 1940 Charles, Grace and three children lived on 13^th Street in Kings Co, NY. The census shows Charles & Grace were both operators on wholesale men’s robes. After WWII they moved to Westchester County, NY.]

In Italian:

La mia famiglia italiana (pt 2)

Mia bisnonna, Grace Brigandi, lavorò in una fabbrica con un uomo Charles Palilla. Si sposarono il 13 maggio 1920 in segreto. Carmen, il padre de Grace, non si era piacuto Charles, e, a una volta, Carmen aveva corso a Charles con una mazza da baseball.

Dopo il matrimonio, Grace e Charles abitarono con I genitori di Charles – nonostante che loro anche non approvarono il matromonio.

I miei bisnonni ebbero 4 figli, Carmella (chi morì dopo qualche mesi), un’altra Carmella, Angie (mia nonna) e Dominick.

Charles e Grace ebbero molti lavori – Charles era un musicista (suonò il basso e il violino), e un commesso. Insieme, ebbero una fabbrica di abiti. Però, per qualche anni, la Mafia prese soldi della fabbrica per “protezione.”

La famiglia abitarono a Baldwin Place, NY. In 1974, Grace morì e Charles morì in 1984, 3 mesi dopo la mia nascita.


Related Posts:
My Italian Family, Part I