Mary T Avallone (1904-1989)  *84

Mary Teresa Avallone was my grandmother. She was a supremely decent human being -- deeply religious, devouted to her family and community, and kind, understanding, generous, personable, and popular.

She so loved her daughter, Rita, and her son, Anthony, and her many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Her family was like a great constellation of stars. She lived for all of us and each of us. She never missed a birthday. She remembered us all with cards, and calls, and small gifts of money, that came out of her Social Security check and which she could not afford.

She was also the most popular senior citizen in Mount Vernon, NY. Later in life when my grandmother was largely confined to her aparetment, and endless procession of her friends would visit, bearing everything from groceries to day-old newspapers.

But, dear reader, please know that my grandmother was also more than just my grandmother; she was my teacher, mentor, role model, playmate, and friend.

My grandmother taught me how to tie my shoes. She taught me how to pray the rosary; I still have her last rosary beads. She read books to me. I watched my grandmother and my Uncle Pasquale make wine in the basement of their old house. My grandmother played kickball with me when I was a kid. She built a snowman with me. She walked me to school -- Our Ladt of Mount Carmel Grammar School, in Mount Vernon. She held me when a rainstorm's thunder and lightning frightened me.

She would "pretend-play" with me; as a little kid, I would pretend to be a priest celebrating Mass, and my grandmother would pretend to be my only parishioner.

As an adult, my grandmother made dinner for me when I came home from my first job on Wall Street, and we would sit watching Yankee games on tv as I ate. Because I worked on the floor of the NYSE and my feet were sore from standing all day, she also made warm epsom salt baths for my feet when I came home from work.

In truth, my grandmother was Christ-like in many respects.

And my grandmother was a charismatic Catholic in many respects, too. She often spoke to her patron saint, St. Teresa of Avila, as if St. Teresa were standing right there next to my grandmother.

My grandmother spoke with many saints and angels. Really, she did. She was very passionate about her faith and not the least bit self-conscious about it.

My grandmother also spoke often with her husband, my deceased grandfather, Frank Avallone, who passsed away many years earlier in 1953. My grandmother never referred to him as "my husband"; she always referred to him as "my bridegroom".

I miss my grandmother, although I sometimes still feel her presence nearby. I can't explain it, and I won't. There is so much that is mystery, magic, and miracle.

It is my prayer for myself that when it will be my time to die, that my grandmother will be there to hold my hand and walk me into the light.

Please Grandma Avallone, hear this prayer that I pray for myself: Take me to Jesus Christ when I die. And because I am a sinner, please intercede for me. Intercede for me.

Also, please mitigate the suffering of all those I love here on earth, especially my children.

I love you, Mary Teresa Avallone. And I miss you. And I hope to see you again.