My mother's actual birthplace was Abbazia, Italy located on the Istrian peninsula. This town's current name is Opatija, Croatia. My mother was a young woman during WWII, and she endured the German Occupation. She and her family and the other Italians endured harsh conditions under the Germans, had American and British bombs dropped on her, and she survived attacks by Jugoslav partisans. She saw people get shot for no reason, and she lost her friend to a bomb explosion. After WWII, the Allies ceded the Istrian peninsula to Jugoslavia as a victory prize. Mom and her family had to leave or choose to live in a communist country. She and her family fled to the refugee camps in Trieste, Italy. After living as a refugee, Mom settled in Trieste where she met my dad, who was in the U.S. Army, stationed in nearby Opicina guarding the border with Jugoslavia. Mama was one tough woman! She spoke four languages fluently, loved to cook for her husband and three sons, and never took anything for granted. Today, I am strong because of her. I miss her. I love her.
** A special "Thank You" to Caprice for sponsoring my mother's memorial.
** A special "Thank You" to Caprice for sponsoring my mother's memorial.
My mother's actual birthplace was Abbazia, Italy located on the Istrian peninsula. This town's current name is Opatija, Croatia. My mother was a young woman during WWII, and she endured the German Occupation. She and her family and the other Italians endured harsh conditions under the Germans, had American and British bombs dropped on her, and she survived attacks by Jugoslav partisans. She saw people get shot for no reason, and she lost her friend to a bomb explosion. After WWII, the Allies ceded the Istrian peninsula to Jugoslavia as a victory prize. Mom and her family had to leave or choose to live in a communist country. She and her family fled to the refugee camps in Trieste, Italy. After living as a refugee, Mom settled in Trieste where she met my dad, who was in the U.S. Army, stationed in nearby Opicina guarding the border with Jugoslavia. Mama was one tough woman! She spoke four languages fluently, loved to cook for her husband and three sons, and never took anything for granted. Today, I am strong because of her. I miss her. I love her.
** A special "Thank You" to Caprice for sponsoring my mother's memorial.
** A special "Thank You" to Caprice for sponsoring my mother's memorial.
Gravesite Details
Mom's remains are not interred at this site. The marker was placed by my Dad's remaining siblings. My brothers and I thank them for their thoughtfulness.
