sister to work at a factory sewing coats. I met your father, Angelo and at age 21 we were married.

Then you, Lawrence were born in 1933 and Mary in 1935. Now I am blessed to have three granddaughters and two greatgranddaughters and two great-grandsons whom I love to see. I believe that raising children was the best time in my was born on March 21, 1910 in Ohio. My parents life, and I was rewarded because you were good children, were born in the Tirolo Province of Austria obedient and always interested in stories about our fami(which after WW I became part of Italy), before ly, our culture, language, songs. etc. moving to the United States in the late 1800s. While in Europe, my father, your nonno, worked as a Being 103 years old, there have been many new invenfarmer in the town of Cles, Val di Non, but upon mov- tions and changes that I have seen in my lifetime. I ing to America began working in the coal mines of remember when your nonno first saw a radio, and ran Ohio. My mother, your nonna, was at home caring for all around the house and outside looking for the perher 8 children. Your nonni (Gabos) raised us children son who was talking. I also remember when I was four strictly, teaching us to obey and to be sincere. The most or five in the Trentino, seeing a military airplane for the valuable lessons I learned from my parents were how to first time. But for me most notable of the worlds pray and the basics of the Catholic faith. When I was advancements was the medical surgery that saved me four our family moved back to Europe for my fathers from requiring a leg amputation. Looking back on my health . Due to working in the coal mines, nonno needed life, I am happy with it. I have a wonderful family, beauto purify himself from the harmful things he had been tiful children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I exposed to and resumed his farming in Cles. As I grew feel that life couldnt be any better, and wouldnt change up, my family and I enjoyed working on the farm togeth- anything. I only regret that I did not continue with my er and helping out around the house especially with my schooling. I want to tell young people to study, because younger sister Viola . I attended school for 8 years , but no one can take an education away from you. And I wish afterwards did not pursue further education . As a you all believe in yourselves, be proud of your roots, pray teenager, I loved to sing. I would run down the hills near and have faith. Written by Lawrence Valentini, Chicago, Illinois. our home singing, so as to hear my echo. Every time someone heard the me singing they knew that la Pia was coming. Like every person, I experienced some troubles in my life. Upon our familys return to Italy, World War I had started in 1914. The war had a huge effect on our family. Though they were American citizens, my eldest brother Joe and father Ferdinando were forced into the Austrian army. I did not see my brother Joe and Silvio and father Ferdinando for four years, until after the war when he turned up in Cles after many adventures through Asia as an American soldier! I remember at one point during the war, how my mother Maria saved the life of a soldier who had been tied to a tree in our yard to be executed. Because of this, I believe everyone should trust God and help their neighbors. My family raised me to be Catholic, and to this day I pray every day and trust in God. The following is a record of the life story of Eleonor Pia Valentini, as excerpted from her conversations with her son Lawrence and daughter Mary Moresco. Eleonor has been living in Chicago at the Resurrection Retirement Community since 2010.

Family Stories: Eleonor Pia Valentini

At age 18, I returned to the states with my family and began living with my parents and Viola in Brooklyn, New York. Deciding not to go back to school, I went with my

Back: Left to Right: Laura Fonseca (Daughter), Celeste Hagan, Susan Lewin Seated: Pia Valentini