Nonno Cesare Stefanelli– my grandfather from Italy

He lived in Teora, Italy. I loved to drink water from a mountain spring that flowed directly into his home. We called it, “Nonno Cesare’s aqua.”

Family Portrait at Wedding

Wedding portrait of Nonna and Nonno Brisco taken in Trieste, Italy.

Nonna Amalia Stefanelli

My grandmother from Italy. Nonna Amalia was a gentle woman. When I was in Italy, she would tell me bedtime stories so I could fall asleep

Great grandparents Loncarica

My great grandparents on my Mom’s side of the family. They lived in Trieste. I have my great grandmothers coffee grinder in my home, and you can see some of the coffee she left in it.

Nonno at his speakeasy

My nonno Brisco owned his own speakeasy in the 20’s! Here he is proudly working behind the bar.

Nonna and Nonno Brisco

Nonna and Nonno Brisco sitting together in Italy.

My mother as a baby

Nonna Brisco with my mother when she was a baby.

Venice -- Mom and Zia Lola

My mom and Zia Lola, who was an opera singer in her youth.

Annamaria and Dad.

My Dad and me in our old home in Newark, NJ

Dad, Zia and Grandma

Dad, Zia (my Mom’s sister) and Nonna Brisco eating together in Newark, NJ.

Anna On Bike

That’s me on my bike with my Nonno Brisco looking on.

Nonna Brisco, Mom and Zia

laughing as they open their Christmas presents. Zia told me they used have such fun joking and sharing stories together on Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning Vignette, late 1950's

Dad got this as a Christmas present. As you can see, Renata Tebaldi is sharing the limelight with the Madonna!