Louise Duckworth

Louise Duckworth was born on August 9, 1922 in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Her maiden name was Louise Nocella.

Louise joined her proud parents Paul and Mary Nocella. Louise had seven siblings; Josie, Annie, Frank, Mary, Pauline, Pearl and Laura.

As you can see Mom came from a large family. Of great interest was the fact that my Mother and all of her siblings were first generation Italian to be born here in the United States. Both of my Grandparents Paul and Mary were born in Sicily, Italy and came through Ellis Island, New York.

As my Mother grew up my grandparents owned a small corner store. It was there I am told that Grandpa made the best homemade Ice cream and also sold delicious candies. My Mother always joked that she “ate all their profits” as she loved and ate so much of the store candies.

Louise graduated from Beauty school in March 1948 in West Wyoming, Pennsylvania and styled her way through life for a time. Through the years I was always told that my Mother had a flair for fashion and was a clothes and shoe hound! This may be where I got my love of shoes from…..

In the mid to late 1940’s most of the siblings along with my Mother and Grandparents relocated to Phoenix, Arizona.

My Mother eventually became employed with the original AJ Bayless Grocery store that was once on Central Avenue. It was here that she met my charming Father John. They were married August 28, 1961. A few years later the real fairytale began (or so I would like to think). I was born September 13, 1963 and I am her daughter Lorraine.

Growing up I had the most wonderful, loving memories. I spent years watching my Mother in the kitchen skillfully making the best lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs and countless other dishes from scratch. She learned her Italian mastery in the kitchen from my Grandma. These fine ladies never measured a single ingredient! I think I should also mention my Moms homemade biscotti and Sicilian chocolate cookies! Just divine.

Mom was also gifted at needlepoint and embroidery. A skill she did her best to pass on to me. I still have hand sewn pieces that my Mother created. Mom also spent countless hours sitting on the side benches while I practiced with my dance team or perfected my technique dancing on the ice for competitions. She also sewed many of my costumes whenever needed for these events too. I still have a few of them today.

I grew up with a Mother and Father who brought me to Church, taught me how important my word was, even if my situation changed and to always love your family. I was also raised with a love of the White Mountains where our beautiful solid log cabin stands among the proud Ponderosa pines. I will always feel their presence there every time the wind touches my face.

My Mother traveled many times to Germany when Jack and I lived there. Both of her grandsons, Daniel and Justin were born there. Her wish and that of my Father since I came later in life was to be able to see them grow up. God gave them this tender mercy as their wishes came true. Both of my parents were able to support my children, ever present and loving. We have all been blessed in this family with the addition of Tiffany, Daniels wife and high school sweetheart. My

Mother loved her from the start. It has been 10 years since we first met her. You see blessings come in many different ways.

Mom, I can’t believe that your Grandson Daniel will be 26 this November. We miss him right now while he is serving in Afghanistan but he is with us in spirit. Justin will be 24 on the 19th of this month. Justin was just talking about you today Mom and of course it involved you and a kitchen………… Time always pushes forward.

My Father’s wishes are now being honored as well. He left our side October 25, 2008 and his ashes have been so patiently waiting to be buried with you. You are both together again. It brings me comfort to know you are both watching over our family from above.

Thank you God for blessing me with two of the most special parents I could have ever dreamed of.

Thank you Mom and Dad for being who you were. Thank you also for the love in which you raised me.

I can continue on – My family and I moving forward as God intended knowing I’ll see you again someday.

Until that time, I carry your heart in my heart.

Your loving Daughter,

Lorraine

I CARRY YOUR HEART WITH ME

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)

I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear;

and whatever is done by only me is your doing my darling)

I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)

I want no world

(for beautiful you are my world, my true)

And it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;

which grows higher than a soul can hope or mind can hide)

And this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

From your daughter Lorraine

(A poem by E. E. Cummings)