SIAMO UNA FAMIGLIA
Maria D’Andrea-Yothers Joins CISC Board of Directors
Our AMHS Past President Maria D’Andrea-Yothers is the newest member of the board of directors of the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center, Inc. (CISC). She will be joining a talented group of AMHS members already on the board — Francesco Isgrò (president and CEO), Joe Lupo (emeritus), Jim Cocco (treasurer), Liz DiGregorio, Willy Meaux and Tom Sweeney AMHS Vice President Nancy DeSanti is the CISC’s executive administrative assistant. In addition, AMHS member Roberto Severino (chairman emeritus of Georgetown University’s Department of Italian Studies) is on the board of directors of the Casa Italiana Language School (CILS), of which Joe Lupo was formerly the director.
Maria joins others AMHS members who contribute their talents and energy to the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center.
When CISC Chairman Father Ezio Marchetto had the dream of a museum at Casa Italiana, it was AMHS members Liz DiGregorio and Anna Isgrò who worked tirelessly to make the Italian-American Museum of Washington, D.C. (IAMDC) a reality. And now their two years of hard work is about to pay off with the opening of this beautiful museum. Meanwhile, Tom Sweeney and Willy Meaux (assisted by Nancy DeSanti and Lourdes Tinajero) have been responsible for the Marconi Project of oral histories of members of our Italian-American and Italian community in the Washington, D.C. area. Eventually these histories will be available in the new museum. Among those interviewed for the project are AMHS Past Presidents Omero Sabatini, Lucio D’Andrea and Ennio DiTullio. Congratulations to Maria, and a big thank you to all of our hard-working members who contribute so much to our wider community. ❚
Anna Arista Sabatini Dies in Italy
By Nancy DeSanti
AMHS Past President Omero Sabatini has informed us of the sad news regarding the passing of a close family member in Italy. He said: “Anna Arista Sabatini, sister-in-law of Past President Omero Sabatini, died at L’Aquila on November 30. She held a law degree, but after she married chose to devote all her time to her family and charity work. She was predeceased by her husband Bruno, and is survived in Italy by her daughter Beatrice, her son-in-law, and three grandchildren. May God receive her in His vast Paradise.” Anna’s husband Bruno, Omero’s older (and only) brother, passed away in Italy in January 2020 at the age of 92. He was a well-known medical doctor and poet. Bruno was born in Secinaro in the province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo. He passed away in the San Salvatore hospital in L’Aquila where he was an esteemed doctor for many years until his retirement in 1993. The AMHS extends our deepest condolences to the Sabatini family. ❚
Anna Arista Sabatini Dies in Italy
By Nancy DeSanti
AMHS Past President Omero Sabatini has informed us of the sad news regarding the passing of a close family member in Italy. He said: “Anna Arista Sabatini, sister-in-law of Past President Omero Sabatini, died at L’Aquila on November 30. She held a law degree, but after she married chose to devote all her time to her family and charity work. She was predeceased by her husband Bruno, and is survived in Italy by her daughter Beatrice, her son-in-law, and three grandchildren. May God receive her in His vast Paradise.” Anna’s husband Bruno, Omero’s older (and only) brother, passed away in Italy in January 2020 at the age of 92. He was a well-known medical doctor and poet. Bruno was born in Secinaro in the province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo. He passed away in the San Salvatore hospital in L’Aquila where he was an esteemed doctor for many years until his retirement in 1993. The AMHS extends our deepest condolences to the Sabatini family. ❚
Condolences to The Demeo Family
By Maria D’Andrea-Yothers
Palmer Demeo, Sr.
The Society wishes to extend its condolences to the family of AMHS member Palmer Demeo Sr., who passed away on September 1, 2020 as a result of heart disease complications. Palmer’s parents were from Castellonorato and Penitro in Formia, Italy. He enjoyed many fun large Italian gatherings with his family here in the United States as well as in Canada. Palmer, his wife Emilia and his children (Palmer Demeo Jr., Marisa Demeo, and Priscilla Demeo) were frequent participants of the Society’s general membership meetings and the Ferragosto picnic.
Palmer and his family were frequent participants in AMHS events.
Even with the pandemic, the family was able to celebrate a beautiful Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church in Dale City and a religious and Army military service at the burial site. ❚