Angelina F. Geno

Angelina (Angie) Frances Geno

Passed away with her rosary beads in her hands and Santa Maria on her lips. She was born in Monroe Michigan on March 11, 1924 to Rosario and Antonina (Terrasi) Pollzzie who hailed from the Altofonte Region of the province of Palermo, Sicily. She married James Edward Geno I in Chicago Illinois, who was enlisted in the army.  The two soon became three when a son James Edward entered the world, followed by brother Michael Charles (Christina), and baby brother Charles William (Nancy) Geno. They enjoyed traveling the United States and Europe, as guest of the US Army. During the 1960s the family lived on an army base in Stuttgart Germany. While there, they visited the German countryside, where she began her passion for collecting Hummel figurines. She had an extensive collection, which are now heirlooms to her 6 grandkids and 4 great- grandchildren. Elliot (Amanda), Matthew (Julia), Joshua, Nicholas (Nicole), Evan (Megan), Jennifer, Ava, Tyler, Zoe, and Hunter Geno.

Most of our life lessons were nurtured at the dinner table - with a wooden spoon for added spice, and a portion of never-ending guilt. Her motto was “La dolce vita!” (live the sweet life!) Take each moment of the day and savor it. Her devotion to the sweet life became manifest in her baking of Nonna’s Italian cookies. Holidays were filled with the smells of Almond Biscotti, and Anise Pizzellas. As boys, returning home from school we were greeted with a “Ciao!”, and steaming bowls of pasta and homemade meatballs. Meal grace was always followed by a “Mangia” eat hearty!

Our mother had a passion for family and friends. Family reunions were a loud and joyous occasion, as Aunt Ange used a megaphone to speak over her sisters. No disrespect intended, it was a family tradition!  She is joyfully reunited with her brothers and sisters who proceeded her. “Salude” to her brothers Frank (Marion), Benjamin (Josephine) Pollzzie, sisters Lena (John) Balk, Kathryn (Jerry) Babin, Josephine (John) Vadun, Mary (Bernard) Ochs, and surviving sister Jenny (William) Bacarella. The family takes comfort in knowing that they are all together singing Italian songs in “fortissimo”!    Her favorite Dean Martin song was “Cara Mia” (My Dear) holding a special meaning for our father and her husband of 55 years.

She taught us, that life is a celebration, meant to be lived with passion, and the adoration of our Lord.  Many a Catholic novena passed her lips for the salvation or her boys souls. Her day began and ended in prayer and thanksgiving. “Soli deo Gloria” (God alone be thy glory).  We shall miss her gestures of love – cheek pinching - the redder the bedder! But will always hold dear her life lessons from the table… “Mangia”, “La dolce vita” and  above all “Soli deo Gloria”!

“Arrivederci, Caro mia, mamma!”

The Rite of Christian Burial will be private at a later date. Mass Memorials, may be made to… The Sorrowful Mother Shrine 4106 State Route 269 North, Bellevue, Ohio 44811.  and Vancrest of Holgate.Angelina F. Geno died Thursday night at Vancrest of Holgate.