Anna Maria Giacomini

"A eulogy for Mrs Anna Maria Giacomini" spoken on Tuesday, August 23 2022 at St. Fidelis Church.

- by her children, Laura, Tiziana and Raoul, grandson's Nathan and Riley and granddaughter's Madeleine and Dominique.

Our Mum

My name is Laura, I am Anna's youngest child. Tiz, Raoul and I would like to thank you for coming today and celebrating the life of our beautiful mother Annamaria Giacomini. Although I grew up in Glenroy, this church is where my mother and father first attended when they had their children- Tiz & Raoul went to St Fidelis Primary school. It has meaning to our family.

A lot of great women died in the last week, and our mother was one of them. Our mum was our Superstar, she was our Saint, sometimes a stubborn red head, but a very giving and selfless woman. She was always helping others- Even in the Aged Care home where she spent her last months, she would be helping the babbe vecchie (the old people) get off their chairs, mind you she was half crippled herself! That was her, compassionate, loving and giving till the very end.

An emotionally intelligent woman, as a child she showered us with hugs, love, and awesome food. Even her ham sandwiches were the best. She taught us to be grateful for all we have, and always wanted to give us more.

She tried to be a modern and open minded mother for her time, but it was hard for her in the 1970s-early 1980s as Tiz (her eldest daughter) was seen as the rebel because she was going to Chases nightclub & getting back home at 1am, mind you she was 24 years old at the time! Nevertheless, mum was always accepting and loving of all people and by the time I grew up into the 1990s, she believed in equal opportunity for all. Although our brother (her only son) was always fondly named her BC- that is, her Best child.

Mum was a devoted wife, who loved and respected our father. He treated her like gold, and together they shared nearly 60 years. Being their surprise child, our dad would say, I am the beach house they never owned & mum would tell him off, always reminding us kids how much we were loved.

She underestimated her intelligence; she was an amazing dressmaker she sewed almost all of our clothes during our childhood years for all 3 of her children. And mum had sacrificed having a lucrative career to raise us 3 kids, she was so devoted that if it existed she would have been granted a PHD for motherhood.

She was always there at every parent teacher interview, every performance, every event, every ceremony, every birthday and this continued as the grandchildren were born. They got the best Nonna ever she could not have been prouder of her grandchildren and a part of her lives in them all from Redmond's smile, Riley's wisdom, to Nathan's humor, Madeleine's generosity, Analise's compassion, and of course Dominique's red hair. Her legacy lives on…..

And it was her great granddaughter Lily who continued to put a smile on her face right till the end of her life.

So now, it gives me great pleasure to allow her grandchildren to tell her story.

From her grandson Riley

As I look amongst a crowd of family and friends gathered today. I can feel Nonna's pride. I can imagine her sitting here turning to a friend and saying, "look how beautiful is my family, look at my handsome grandsons, look at my great granddaughter Lily."

Nonna Anna grew up in the city of Umago in Italy, now known as Umag. Nonna grew up in a Mediterranean paradise along the sea, but after the war her family endured hardships. Tragically was the istrian-dalmation exodus, where along with 100s of thousand of others almost the entire Istrian-Italian population, were exiled from their homes, in part due to economic exclusion and fears of violence. The Italian government promised assistance but they were not really welcomed by the people of Trieste who were also struggling. Nonna never talked about the hardships she endured although she must have carried them in her heart.

In Trieste, Nonna was swept off her feet by a man on a motorbike, she dated this mysterious handsome police man - our nonno Nino, with whom she shared sense of adventure and desire for a better life, she took a leap of faith and married him by proxy after he moved to Australia, leaving her family behind.

Nonna told the story of the cramped boat, seasick women, and the nervous excitement of seeing her now husband. After the arduous six week journey, she fondly recalls seeing nonno at the docks, after a brief moment of panic when thinking he didn't turn up.

Her immigration story speaks to her courage and resilience. In part it defined her life, and it changed the course of our family's history. It was no wonder that she was so proud of what she'd accomplished, and she was proud to be forever honoured on the plaques at the immigration museum.

As children we spent a lot of time with our Nonna and Nonno, and enjoyed being spoilt rotten with love and the most amazing chicken cotoletta, lasagna and who could forget the bisi. Nonna's cooking was always the talking point at family dinners, in small because she would not-so-subtly draw out compliments with the "ohhh it's no good this time"… but it was always perfect

Nonna shared her love of food with me. At the age of 11 I had told her that her gnocchi di gries was my favourite meal. She didn't waste any time, she quickly came over to teach me how to cook it. I still have that recipe and tried to make the gnocchis the other day. Suffice to say it wasn't as good as nonna's.

Nonna was an incredibly sweet person. Perhaps stemming from her immense pride in her family, she would always remind us how lucky we are to have each other, that she loved us. That our Nonno was proud of us. And Every Christmas and every birthday without fail she would handwrite a card and let you know exactly that.

Today we say goodbye to our dear nonna, and we celebrate her amazing life. I'd like to thank you Nonna, for the life you created here, for being the kindest sweetest woman, for the memories I'll always cherish.

From her grandson Nathan

Nonna lived a life full of love, and dedication.

She was proud of her heritage, and the life she had in Italy. She had an older brother Mario and a younger sister Gianna who was 14 years her junior.

Although she left them behind to build a new life, her family in Italy remained in her heart and mind every day.

While we gather here today, to remember, we think of our family in Italy, and in particular her sister who like us are dealing with her loss.

Beautiful friendships

Nonna cared so deeply for those around her.

Her children, grandchildren and friends were the foundation of her life.

Her beautiful lifelong friendship with Liana here today, and Franca who has sadly passed, stand as a testament to all of us of the joys that are found in the companionship of others. Their friendship spanned over 60 years, and like all of the friends in her life was filled with laughter, joy and love.

She loved all her children so very much. Including the ones she collected along the way, including David, Rosanna and Ivan. Each of them provided her friendship, laughter and support. And she opened her heart completely to them all.

Nonna has defined so much of who we all are.

As an adult I cherished our time spent just the two of us, two friends, talking about world. She had so many strong beliefs that she didn't often vocalise. She honoured me in our deep conversations, where I saw a glimpse of the world through her eyes. She always spoke to me without judgement, with compassion and most of all - with deep trust.

Pride in who she was

In every action she took, she has shaped the lives of those around her.

She taught me about commitment, and the importance of a strong work ethic.

Nonna worked in dressmaking as a cutter, firstly in Coburg in the 1960's and then in the mid to late 70's she began working as a supervisor at a factory in Fawkner called Colombo. She was well respected by the owner that was very happy to have her as an employee, and when she had to make decision to leave to care for her family, he begged her to stay.

But the pride in her work never faded. And she continued to have a love of dressmaking.

She was, in essence, a perfectionist. Seen through everything, from her cooking to her clothes, her house, and composure.

A legacy she would proud of

When reflecting on her life, I started to reflect on what she has left behind in all of us her family and friends.

Her smile, so radiant it would light up a room.

Her kindness to others, seen in all of us, but in the hearts of the friends she leaves behind.

Her humour, and the silliness, will be heard every time our family gets together for an event.

When we dance we will dance freely, because she loved it, and it reminds us of her.

We will sing because, even though we aren't good at it, she saw the beauty in it, and taught us not to be afraid.

And while we shall grieve, we should not be afraid that she isn't here anymore. Because she lives on through everyone here today. And we build, in her name, a legacy she would be proud of.

A legacy, that at its core, is built of love.

From her granddaughter Madeleine

Nonna

It's a word that means so many different things. To me, there is only one.

From the beginning of my life right through to her last breath; she took care of me. Even in the end, she was taking care of me, giving me comfort.

Something I have reflected on, as a family unit we are so lucky to be so close. Spending every birthday, Easter, Christmas and anything else you could think of together. It's something I treasure. Even now as our generation are starting our own families, the thought of not having the Giacomini clan there for all the momentous occasions doesn't make sense. That was something that nonna created. Nonna and Nonno were immigrants that had no one but each other. So the sense of family and togetherness was really important. Nonna and Nonno loved seeing their whole family together. It brought them so much joy. Especially nonna. It's a legacy she left that I will endeavor to continue and embrace and teach my kids; the importance and love of family

When we were at Nonnas the other day, I said how on earth did we all used to fit on this table. The room felt so small but yet so empty without Nonna. That dining room table has filled each and every one of us with pure happiness as we can remember and reflect on so many fun get togethers and nonna yelling out, okay everyone be quiet, I want to say something.

There was no one like Nonna.

She was my best friend.

One of the last things Nonna said to me was "I love you forever", as I begged her not to leave me.

Every single one of us felt her love, and will continue to feel it every day until it's our time to meet her again. In the meantime, she'll be in paradise reunited with the love of her life.

So Nonna, this is not goodbye but just I love you forever.

From her granddaughter Dominique

Anna - Maria Giacomini.

My Nonna, my best-friend, my twin flame.

All the laughs, the cries and the in betweens were always the best with you. You gifted me more than i could've ever asked for. My beautiful mother, aunty and uncle and all the grandkids that follow. Domenico (my grandfather) whom I got my name from and Anna Maria (my grandmother) from whom I got my hair colour from were the most amazing grandparents you could ever imagine. I vividly remember each and every Tuesday and Thursday my mum leaving me for work and having to stay at their house. It started with my going up to the window bawling my eyes out but slowly it always got so much better. Nonna would cook up some amazing minestrone and Nonno being the jokester he was, always knew how to make me laugh. And so week in week out we would have competitions into who could finish their minestrone first (Although he always let me win). Nonna would watch from the other side of the table just laughing thinking what are these two up to. If this didn't work Nonno would have a secret weapon Johnny. Johnny was a doll that almost had human like qualities which always seemed to put a smile on my face. Knowing that I was happy always seemed to make her happy.

Each year Nonna would always be the first to make something for us as a family and always knew how to somehow please everyone. It was in her nature. This woman was the kindest, most loving and giving person I have ever and will ever meet. Everywhere she went she brought a smile on someone's face whether it was to the North St deli or simply a friends house. She knew how to have a great time and just live out her life. No matter how slim the achievement she always managed to make a huge fuss and tell everyone. My hair which never really stood out to me always stood out for her. She was so utterly proud that she had passed this gene onto me and always told me that if anyone made fun of me it was because they were jealous. This gave us a bond only we had and I am so beyond grateful I got to share this with her.

Nonna was not only an exceptional grandmother but an exceptional mother, sister, daughter and friend. She was a light in any dark room, the backbone of our whole family and all round just the strongest woman I know. The main life lesson that I have learnt and value from her is to put others first even if you think you have it hard there is someone else out there who has it harder. I am forever going to be the proudest granddaughter. So this isn't a goodbye more of a see you again. We all love you more than we can put into words and hope you are resting up there with your husband, parents and friends.