Aunt Angie....may you Rest In Peace....one of my most favorite Aunts while growing up....What my brother Vito wrote, I feel, appiles to all of us Dipinto kids....She will be missed   XXXXX

Dear Tom, Michael, and Linda
I hope this letter gets to you. My mom does not have a snail mail or email address for any of you. My prayers are with you at this time of mourning the passing of your mother. The last time we saw one another was at Grandma Nettie's funeral. And quite frankly we were never that close growing up. However, your mom, my aunt and godmother, was very important in my early life. I thought I would share a few stories of how she nurtured many of the qualities that make me the person I am today.
When I was 7 years old, we are at a family gathering (I think it was probably at your house). In any event, all of the kids were playing outside. I had had a terrible week in school. I had come into the house and was curled up in corner whimpering a bit. Your mom walked into room, saw me and instantly came over, She wrapped her arms around me and hummed a tune that I am sure she did for each of you. It made me feel so loved and safe. She finally asked what was the matter. I replied that we said the Lord's Prayer in school. This is when prayers were mandated in public schools in Ohio. She said that was good prayer to say. But I replied they make say a version that has extra words (I later found out this is called the doxology). The nuns tell me that if I say those words I am committing a sin. My teacher stands by me during the prayer and if I don't say the words I can't go out for recess. If I say the word then I have to go to confession. She got one of those impish smiles she got when she thought no one was looking. She said, “Vito, all God cares about is what is in your heart. The words really don't matter as long as your heart is sincere. I am sure God would want you to got out to recess and make sure you have a strong and healthy body.” Here was your mother nurturing my ethical, moral and spiritual self.
In the summer 1956 we were again over at your house for some kind of family celebration. I remember it being a huge feast with all kinds of food. Tom, “Monie” and I being the oldest three cousins got a glass of very watered down wine but it made us feel important. After the food, the men retired to another room for a smoke and a drink; the kids were sent outside to play; and the women did all the cleaning up. Even back then I thought this seemed to be an unfair division of labor. However, I was only outside for while before I came back into the house. In 1956 we were treated for the first time using this new medium called television to a round the clock experience of “being” at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. I was mesmerized by the goings on. I would wake up in the morning turn the TV on and usually fell asleep in front of the TV watching the coverage. I had found a piece of paper and a pencil and I was writing down a list. Your mother came into the room. It was a hot day and even with the air conditioning she was bit sweaty, wearing an apron, and had disheveled hair. I remember looking up and seeing this beautiful woman standing by the door and realized just how beautiful your mother was. She came and sat by me. She asked what I was doing. I said I was trying to decide whom to vote for in upcoming election. Again that impish smile crossed her face as she told I was too young to vote. I told her that I would be   21 and able to vote in three elections from now. I had to practice now in order to make  a “good” vote the future. She asked what I was writing. I said that I am making a list. Under President Eisenhower I had written: he was a great general and won the war for us; had brought the troops home from Korea, and  reminded me of Papa Vito. I then asked her why a President was required to payy golf so much. For Senator Stevenson I had written: people call him an egghead. I said that kids called me that and they don't mean it as something nice. Then I said that he was saying things that to me would make life better for every American citizen. She stared at me for a while and then said: "Vito, God has given you a gift of a special mind. It is important that you use that gift to try to make the world a better place”. Now you mom was not only nurturing my political self but also validating by intellectual endeavors and gave me an important goal in life. To this day I am still trying to make the world a better place every time I teach a child, a teach or an adult. I would hope that your mother would still be proud of me.
When I was 12, my father hadn't been heard from for over a year. My mother was working really hard but barely made enough money to pay the rent and feed us. When Christmas Eve day arrived, my mother was in tears. She couldn't  afford to put even one gift for each of us under the tree. Just around dinnertime, there was a knock on the door. There was your mom and Aunt Kay with bags full of wrapped presents and boxes of food. They transformed a day of sadness into one that I will always remember. Later on, I saw my mom, Aunt Kay and your mom all hugging each other. My mother was crying tears of joy. She said that she didn't know how she could thank them. Your mother said that was not necessary; what she did is what you do for your sisters.  Again your mom was teaching me a valuable life lesson. She was teaching me about compassion and kindness. To this day these are the qualities within me that I value even more than any intellectual accomplishments.
Unfortunately, I was unable to find a substitute for the classes I am teaching Wednesday and Thursday. It is the first week of classes and the University frowns on faculty (even senior tenured faculty) from cancelling the first class. I am very disappointed not being able to come to the wake or the funeral. In some cultures it is believed that no one is truly dead as long as she is remembered. I will always remember your mom and pass on these and other stories to my granddaughter. In Cherokee, we say “Sty-ute” which means be strong.
With affection
Peace
vito

Dear Linda, please know in this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

OBITUARY

Angela M. Napoli

January 19, 1927 – September 9, 2013

DiCicco & Sons Funeral Homes

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