Join us in celebrating the life of
Diane Azznara
July 3, 2015
Dear Cecilia and your future siblings and cousins:
A very few people make a lasting impression. Your grandmother was one of them.
I only met Diane a handful of times while my son, Michael, was a constant fixture in the Azznara house from the time he was eight. Despite that, I remember her...
I remember your Grandma's laugh and her kindness. I remember her ever-positive attitude. She had the rare ability to make everyone around her feel good. That's a gift. She did it by taking an interest in what others had to say, by asking questions, and by offering assurances that everything would be alright.
Even when your Grandma was sick, she wanted to know how "you" were doing. While she was fighting for her life, her thoughts were with others. How someone could be so unselfish at such a time is hard to imagine, yet so characteristic of your grandmother. I prepared dinners for your father/Uncle Matt when your grandparents went to China in search of medical treatments that might save her life. Grandma and Grandpa Joe took time from their crucial mission to shop for a thank-you gift for me. They came home with the most gorgeous silk Chinese jacket you've ever seen. Even 10 years later, total strangers stop me every time I wear it to say how beautiful it is. I love this attention because I always get to tell them, "It's a special jacket given to me by a very special lady when she was very ill."
Although sadly, you never got to meet her, your grandmother's influences are all around you and will become part of you too. The best traits of your grandfather and parents come from her. Generosity, compassion, their caring and welcoming nature, sense of fun, love of food, music and life and the absolute importance of family. These are all her influences. These are her gifts to you. She's in you and she's with you.
Your grandmother once told me, "Never get between a mother and her cubs. " She was telling me that a mother - and a grandmother I suspect - will defend her children at all costs. She would have been fiercely protective of you. She would have loved you with all her heart. And you would have loved her with all of yours.
It's an honor and privilege to help preserve her memory.
Pat Iannucci
Remembering Diane Azznara - Pat Iannucci
First of all I just want to say thank you to Mr. A and all the Azz's for such an enjoyable day at the house to celebrate and remember Mrs A. I know I speak for everyone when although it's been 10 years her spirit and memories of her are alive and well. I want the Azznara family to know nobody knows Mrs A the way you did.. But I knew her (and all her friends knew her well enough) to know she would be so happy of how you pursued your life's with out her physically. She made you strong enough to know that what is important, and that is loving your family and being with your loved ones and friends and enjoying every minute b/c life is to short no matter what age we all live until. Her spirit is alive with you! A few memories about Mrs A that i remember. She loved the good life but not in a snobby way... In a good way that everyone should love life... Good food! Good laughs and stories with family, good wine, good music, good art, good ingredients! (She loved that I knew what Apple butter and zuchinni flowers were)! She loved different places of the world and vacations and talking about those experiences. She always made you feel comfortable when you our friends of Joey's and Matt's would come to West gate road! Starting line would always be "what's doin?!" A typical Italian Mom with extra sophistication is how I would be describe her. Ie Classy and someone everyone enjoyed being around! She is missed but not forgotten nor will ever be. I really enjoy getting together with everyone like old times and we should strive to continue it. The essence of her spirit was what defined getting together July 3rd.. Hope to see everyone soon! -Joe Labs Jr
Joe Labs Jr.
Yesterday was a great day, beautiful weather and good company, I had a great time. The pictures of Aunt Di and the family were probably my favorite part.
I'll See You There
Wherever the sound of hope roars
Where the eagles swoop and soar
The paths my family and friends walk
The place, where my heartbeat talks
The hardest part of the longest mile
A quick wink and a faster smile
Where love is always in the air
Wait for me, I'll see you there.
I'll See you There - Alex Guzzo
Matt Remembers Mom
Dear Cecilia and Future Azz’s
There are lots of ways to make the world a better place, but the simplest way – maybe the best way - is just to set a good example. Your grandma was an example to me and (I am sure) to many others. I was ever-present in the Azznara house throughout middle school and high school. Although this is not something my younger self would have admitted, a big part of the reason I spent so much time at 10 West Gate Road was that I liked hanging out with Diane. She was the first adult I can remember who treated me like an adult. This is a big deal when you’re young and unsure of yourself and still really into cartoons. She was unfailingly kind to people. She was curious about the world – she read and did crossword puzzles. She took college courses for no other purpose than to satisfy a love of learning. She loved her family and she made very, very good meatloaf. Seriously, it was the best meatloaf.
As I reflect on the qualities I remember best, it’s hard for me not to notice that I’ve been trying (with varying degrees of success) to embody them. She was a special person. I looked up to her twenty years ago, and I still do today. You will never get to know her as we did. But I don’t doubt that you will see and feel her best traits every day, in every smile and hug, in every meal and bedtime story you share with Matt, Stacey, Joey, Diana, and Grandpa Joe.
Love,
Uncle Mike
A message to Cecilia and Future Azz's - Michael Iannucci
We started out getting to know each other through the boys Joe, Joseph, Jack, David and Bryan.
We quickly became fast friends.
From this group developed into a birthday club, With Di, Shirley, Barb, Debbie, Grace and I.
And what a group we were! We rarely stopped laughing.. We enjoyed each other so much even though we were all so different .. We just clicked. I think Diane had the idea of starting to learn to play bridge and so we all joined a community class at Goose Hill. When I found out when you play bridge you don't talk except to your partner, well those rules weren't going to work for us. We laughed our way through most classes. We were notorious with our other classmates they often would be laughing with us or should I say at us..Di was so smart and really started to pick it up..but I was her distraction... I think we ended up taking the beginner class three times.. I miss Di's smile and laughter so much.. I feel so blessed having known her. She will forever be in my heart.
Here is a Flipagram Slideshow from July 3, 2015 that I put together.
Diane - Nancy McCarthy
On my wedding day in December 1999, Diane pulled me aside and told me the wedding was just perfect, she said I thought of everything and left no stone unturned! She took the time to point out all the details of the wedding, the menu, the food, my dresses (I changed and wore two), my sister, niece and my Mom's dresses too, our speeches and all the white crocheted snowflakes all over the room. Everyone told me the wedding was so nice but your Mom went into details and noticed all my efforts to make the day special. So that comment Diane made is very special to me because, she cared to tell me so!
The theme here is that she noticed, she listened intently when you were in a conversation with her. Diane would ask all about my life's happenings, my family, spend a minute or twenty, catching up. I always enjoyed spending time with Diane even if it was only a couple times a year. She was enjoyable! Always...
My love, cousin Janine xoxoxo
Memories with Diane - Janine Chakir