Bruna, you came into our lives at a time when we hadn’t fully recovered from my mother’s death. As a result, we weren’t always as loving and accepting as we should have been. I could never thank you enough for making my father’s life so happy for those years. I hadn’t seen him smile and laugh and tease that much for a long time. He once again became the strong, self assured man that I knew growing up. Even though some of us held back our acceptance for awhile, you never skimped on your demonstrations of love and caring for us. It didn’t take long for us to rely on you as a gentle, sweet addition to the Dilonardo family.
You protected and guided Bob as none of us could have. You filled the shoes of grandmother and great grandmother for the next generation of the Proietta/Horgan/O’Brien, Bell, and Gessner families. We didn’t have much experience on the Dilonardo/DiPrimeo side of the family with the role of grandparents; you taught me, especially, how gracefully a woman could get older and still retain a joy and excitement about life.
I remember how sad you were when you found out that you would not be able to have children of your own. I hope in some small way, we filled that place in your life. I will miss you.
With love
Alberta
