A Tribute to Our Mother

Patricia M. Giugliano

July 25, 1961- May 6, 2020

The past few months have given our family the gift of time to reflect on our Mom's extraordinary life, and there are three words that seem to capture her best. Three words that she held dear to her heart, three words that guided her life as she experienced both joyful and sorrowful times, three words that have brought us together as we honor and celebrate her life. Three words--faith, family, and friends.

Our Mom was the youngest of four children, to Rose and Jack. She was so very proud of her Irish-Catholic heritage and understood from a very early age the importance and value of family.  She often shared with us her early memories as the youngest sibling. While the older kids were out and about, she stayed back by her mom and dad's sides, often attending Saturday and Sunday afternoon socials, truly experiencing a special time with them and their dearest friends. Our Mom was an astute student as she observed how they lived life. Rose and Jack were her role models. She truly loved how they loved each other and their family.

Our Mom cherished her dearest relationships with her siblings. Their bond is a unique one and one that we, along with our cousins, strive to emulate.  Distance could never come between them. They have brought our families together throughout the years to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, showers, and weddings. They regularly shared emails and pictures and told stories of their treasured childhoods, reminiscing about growing up in Brooklyn and the summers spent in the grass-filled backyards of Connecticut. Days were filled with the simple joys of beloved childhood friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law and our grandmother and grandfather.

In high school, our Mom began a part-time job at a bakery in Bensonhurst. She often told us how she, at this young age, came to first understand the value of good work and earnings. And, she also shared the fun of being a teenager and socializing. While she worked in the front of the store, a young, fit and good-looking guy named Anthony Giugliano was working with the bakers in the back. And as fate would have it, Patty and Anthony met and fell in love. They grew up together — celebrating our Mom's 16th birthday and attending the junior and senior proms.  Our Mom and Dad were married for almost 40 years; they were true soulmates. She became part of another family whose values matched hers. Another family who she always said she was so lucky to have.

Soon to follow were three very loved and blessed kids. Our Mom and Dad worked hard to create a beautiful home where we as a family flourished. Today, we can fondly look back and be eternally grateful for all she imparted to us: to surround yourself with people you love; to find the right balance between working hard and treating yourself well; to enjoy the serenity and find the peace in a walk on the beach, a sunset, or even a sunrise; to be organized, whether it was in your kitchen cabinets or your photo albums; and to show your loved ones how much you care. There are times when a friend or colleague might pay us "kids" a compliment, and in our heart of hearts, we know we have our Mom to thank.

Her love and affection extended way beyond her own kids to her nieces and nephews whom she treated as her own. There were countless days at the park, beach, backyard barbeques, sleepovers, and bonfires where memories were made, and laughter was shared. More recently, we enjoyed watching our Mom and Dad in their roles as Grandma and Grandpa.  Our Mother's grandchildren brought so much light into her life, and being such a loving and fundamental part of their lives brought her incredible joy.

Our Mom always knew the importance of building strong and valuable relationships, and it seemed to come naturally to her. Time spent with friends was always time well spent, and we all learned that from her at an early age.  She had many cherished, lifelong friends from grammar school, high school, Saint Ephrem's parish, and Montauk – all were just as important to her as they were on the day they met. Whether it was a night out for dinner, afternoon tea, an early morning walk to the docks or traveling the world, each moment was beautiful because of the people she was with. She enjoyed going to the office each day and cared deeply about her work and everyone with whom she worked – who were more than just colleagues and clients but were family and friends.

Saint Ephrem's parish was where our Mom centered most of her life and worshipped. She always prayed, and we prayed with her and for her. In recent months, our Mom would send out text up-dates about her health. Many of her notes concluded with, "remaining hopeful, grateful and ever-faithful." Our Mom was so keenly and beautifully aware that her time, our time, here on this earth is all so temporary.  It was her unshakeable faith that assured us that we will one day all be together again.

On behalf of our Dad and our family, we want to extend our love and deep gratitude for your support and kindness that you have shown all of us.

To make a donation in Patricia Giugliano's name, you could donate to the following organizations:

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/patriciagiugliano
• Calvary Hospital at https://www.calvaryhospital.org/ways-to-give/