This is Anna, Dom’s mom and my mother-in-law for almost 20 years. Anna passed away last week at the age of 96 and was laid to rest yesterday on a beautiful day, surrounded by family and friends.
Anna was a true character – incredibly gracious yet she always told it like it was. She could roll her eyes with the best of ‘em! Impeccably dressed, nails and hair always in place, she wasn’t above a little whimsy – last Easter she showed off a hot pink hair extension. Lady Gaga had nothin’ on her! She loved going out to eat and we’ll probably never be able to eat again at her favorite local restaurants without raising a glass to her. Sharp as a tack, she read the paper cover to cover and knew pretty much everything (more than me, for sure) on current and local events. She had opinions and wasn’t afraid to share them. Loved her Boston Red Sox and would freely and often offer her thoughts on the latest game or play – she asked about them every night until the day she left us (we’re hoping that she has some pull where she is and may be able to at least influence the Cy Young for Buchholz this year). A quick wit, she kept us on our toes – she played an awesome April Fools Day joke on Dom 2 years ago that involved more than a little acting on her part and she pulled it off beautifully. We’ll chuckle about it forever. Anna was the very foundation of the Morello family and we’ll never be quite the same without her. We always knew one day that she would leave us but it still doesn’t seem quite possible.
At Anna’s memorial my sister-in-law Anne read a poem that spoke to all of us. This is from “There is No Death” by Bishop Brent –
“I stand upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and moves softly out to the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and look at her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with one another. Then someone at my side exclaims – “Look, she’s gone”! Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull as she ever was. Her diminished size lies in me, not her. And at the very moment when someone at my side exclaims, “Look, she’s gone”, there are other eyes eagerly watching her approach, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Look, she’s coming”!”
To Anna – to say that you will be missed is just not saying nearly enough. Yes, you are gone but only from our sight. Godspeed, Anna!
“Anna’s Life”
I created this artbook in honor of Anna’s 90th birthday and her remarkable life.
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