Carolina Falanga, née Barba, and to most people known simply as “Lina” or “nonna”, died peacefully and surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday February 5, 2014 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, St. Raphael Campus, after a brief illness. Aged 92, she was born in Italy on July 3, 1921. Lina was always very giving, kind, and loyal to her family and her many friends. She would always invite friends and family to join her for a cup of her famous espresso coffee. She also greatly enjoyed her trips to New Smyrna Beach, Florida and to Italy. Lina had immense moral and physical stamina and strength, with a life punctuated by both severe adversities and great joys. In her difficult youth she witnessed both the rise of fascism and the horrors of World Word II. Daily bombardments and bellicose actions by both the German Army and Allied Forces brought her face to face with destruction and the death of family members and friends. Her own family business suffered as a result of the war, but at one time her father-related family (Giordano) was the greatest exporter of many agricultural products in Europe. She moved to New Haven in 1967 and lived in North Haven since 1971. Lina continued to follow current events in Italy through her reading of beloved Italian magazines. She was preceded in death by her loving husband (Pat) of 48 years, who died in 1992. Education was of the upmost importance to her and she was proud of her three daughters and one son. She is survived by her two sisters, Josephine (Pina) Pragano of North Haven and Carmela Amendola (Bart) also of North Haven, and daughters Connie of North Haven (Nicholas Manzi), Maria of North Haven (John A. Gilchrist) and Rosanna of Cape Cod (Lou Preziosi), son Vincent, MD, of Boston, MA and daughter-in-law Anne (Thompson) Falanga of Boston, MA. She leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. Without any doubt, Lina and her uncanny ability to provide advice will be missed by many.
Private funeral services will be held at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven, Saturday morning, February 15th with commital services immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations can be made to the long-established “Falanga Family Scholarship” at the North Haven High School, 221 Elm Street, North Haven, CT 06473.
I was her only son. It would be an understatement to say that she was an extremely special person. Her official obituary is only an attempt at reminding us of her wonderful nature, outstanding moral character, and the salient features of her interesting and long life. A common way to describe somebody like her would be to say that they simply don't make them like that anymore. That's right. We just don't see people like that anymore in our increasingly selfish and even hostile world. I feel, and will continue to feel for the rest of my life, that I was extremely priviliged to be her son. I like to believe that I inherited, at least in small part, some of her many outstanding qualities. She was a very good human being, humble, and always ready to help. She was strong but gentle, unassuming but also proud, realistic but always hopeful. She loved me immensely. For the past 40 years or so, she actually called me every single evening, always at the same time, and only asked for about 30 seconds of my time. She was succinct in a beautiful way. She simply wanted to complete her day by making sure that I was well, and she would end our brief conversations by telling me how much she loved me. I shall miss those calls. As she became older, though still living independently up to the very end, I began to realize that I needed to really treasure those calls; some day, they would come to an end. They are no more now, and an infinite sadness fills my soul. She was very proud of me, but never overstated this aspect of our relationship. To her I was simply her son, and she would love me no matter what I had or not achieved, done or not done. I was fortunate to have two children, Jane and Paul, who loved her dearly and showed always immense respect for her. I shall always miss her. I don't know what exactly is waiting for us at the end of this often turbulent and perplexing journey, but I wish her the best one can possibly obtain. I do know she will continue to live through us, our children and grandchildren, and through the many memories and special moments of love and caring she gave us. Goodbye, mom.
It was a true pleasure to have met you at the Whitney Manor Rehab. Center. You were so kind and such a lovely lady. May you rest in peace. Our condolences go out to your entire family, especially Maria, John, Rosanna and Lou. May God Bless.
Love,
Jo-Ann and Vin
Mom, words cannot possibly express the sadness I am feeling.
I miss you so much!
But I know that the immense love you gave will sustain me for the rest of my life.
Forever grateful to you.
Ti voglio tanto bene!
Rosanna
Lina, Mi chiamo luigi.
Thank you for your kindness and showing me the kind of love of only a mother would show her own son. I was so lucky to have been a part of yor life for so many years.
I will miss you each and every day.
Your espresso will always be the best!
Rest well and in peace.
Love you!
Lou
I
Love,
Lou
She was my little buddy. I hope I never forget all the great things about her: the way she used to "secretly" follow me and Mark as we walked to school (I can still see her little figure, negotiating the icy sidewalk); the way she never used the dishwasher except as a magazine rack; that laugh of hers; her spaghetti and squid sauce; her dialect as well as her broken English. I picture her sweeping the leaves or snow from her door. Even if it was a mess outside, her doorstep would be tidy. I remember how she would feed the birds and squirrels not bread but whole bowls of pasta. It's hard to sum up a person you love. You could not ask for a better grandmother. Ciao, Nonna. Ti voglio molto bene! I miss you.
She was always so sweet and accepting of me whenever I saw her, even once giving me the bracelet from right off her wrist. I know she was very loved by her family and friends, and will be missed. My sincerest condolences.
Mr & Mrs Preziosi,
I offer my sincerest sympathies.
Wish I could do more for you
What is a mother; You painted no Madonna's on chapel walls in Rome; But with a touch devine you lived one in your home. You wrote no lofty poems that critics counted as art; but with a nobler vision you lived them in your heart. You carved no shapeless marble into some high soul design; But with a finer sculpture you shaped the souls of your children. You built no great Cathedrals that centuries applaud; but with a grace exquisite your life cathedraied. Yet you had the gift of Raphael or that of Michelangelo; What a rare Madonna your life did show.
As a rare and wonderful Mother, you personified the the perfect description set forth by St. Paul in Corinthians 13.1.13 "Cantical of Love" "If I speak in human and Angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing Cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. The love of a mother is patient, it is kind. It is not rude, it is not jealous, it is not pompus, it is not inflated, it does not brood over injury, it does not seek its own self interests, it is not quick tempered, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things. So faith, hope, love remain, these three, but greatest of these is love." You have made the lives of your children and allyou have reached out to and touched beautiful. Your son-in-law Nick.
As a very close friend of Nick Manzi for 61 years, I extend my deepest sympathy & understanding to the family. Being retired in the Philippines I am not able to attend; but I am with all of you in spirit. Peace be with you.
I was her only daughter-in-law for 26 years, but I've known Mamma for 40 years. When I first met Mamma in 1975, Vince brought me to his home to meet his wonderful family. Mamma, along with her sister Carmella, greeted Vince and I at the door. As Vince and I entered their home, I was welcomed with open arms. The family was happy to meet me, as I was them. I used to take Mamma shopping to Macy's at the mall – she loved shopping. When our daughter Jane was born in Miami in 1986, Mamma and Papa came to our home for two months to help us take care of Jane. They also did the same for my son Paul when he was born in 1989. She had a good heart and she was a wonderful cook (I learned many recipes from her). I miss her dearly!!! She will always be in my heart. Ti voglio bene. Rest in Peace, Mamma. Your loving daughter-in-law, Anne. Baci baci baci
I'll miss you Nonna. You cared for me and watched out for me when I needed you to. You were the best grandmother. I don't know who I would be without your loving influence in my life. I will pray to you as you prayed for all of us throughout your life. I will always treasure my memories of you. I will always love you!
Dear Family ~ I am one of Philip Manzi's daughters (Nick Manzi's brother). I never had the privilege of knowing this wonderful woman, but I have come to know her through your beautiful messages of love. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn this great loss. I like to think that my mother Valerie who is in Heaven now, was one of those who welcomed her to her new home! God bless you all, love Denise
My condolences to Nick, my cousin, Connie and their entire loving family. I did not have the honor of knowing Carolina ( Mamma, Nona ) But I feel her presence through the beautiful words written in these messages of love. As a Mamma and Nona myself,I can only hope to aspire to the high level of character described here. I am sure Carolina is watching over her precious family and bursting with pride at the wonderful job she did as Mamma and Nona!
Rosanna and Lou,
Although I did not have the opportunity to meet your mom, I feel as though I know her through our conversations……what an inspirational woman. My thoughts and sorrow go out to you at this difficult time. Hugs, Susan
Dear Aunt Lina,
I would like to thank you and Pina for being my moms best friend. You were always there for her. The three of you set a perfect example of how siblings should be. You were always kind to me and I will miss you.
May the living God bless you and may you enjoy his presence.
To my cousins,
My deepest sympathy. Your mom was a great lady and you guys made her proud.
Your mother's strenghth and courage was remarkable. Her spirit, kindness and fotitude live on in you and her family. Take heart for she is still in your heart. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of loss and sadness.
Nonna, I am so sad you are gone. Never again will I hear you call me Lis-u-chelle, your special name for me. As your eldest granddaughter, my memories of you are fond and immense. My mother, at a very young age, was the first of your children to come to this country from Italy where she met my father and helped pave the way for you and the family to join her. It would be here where your life would blossom and grow into the special family you leave behind today, filled with grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many special friends. In my youth I cannot recall one occasion that did not take place around a table filled with family, food, wine, and laughter. I have a memory chest filled with film and photographs of each of those occasions but the most special memories remain within my heart and could never be forgotten. I will forever miss your daily phone calls to our home checking to make sure everything is okay. I would do anything to hear that phone ring just one more time. But where you are now you no longer need a phone, and you no longer need to wonder or worry. You are in a lovely place that could never compare to this sometimes very cruel world. You can now watch over your family like an angel and finally be at peace. It is never goodbye as I know I will see you again someday. And I know you will be there waiting for me. Love you so much, your Lisuchelle