SIAMO UNA FAMIGLIA
EMMA DI TULLIO (1946-2019)
The AMHS mourns the passing of Emma Di Tullio, an active member of the society since its founding nearly twenty years ago and the wife of co-founder Ennnio Di Tullio. Emma was a fervent supporter of the society and especially of Ennio’s tireless work on behalf of the organization. During his tenure as President, many of us suspected that his devoted wife was not only a silent partner, but a wise counselor to her husband’s ambitious goals for AMHS. Emma was born in Vasto, provincia di Chieti, Abruzzo, on January 8, 1946, to Sebastiano and Maria Del Borrello, whose family emigrated to the United States in stages, with Emma arriving at the age of 17 in 1963 with her brother Frank, to be reunited with their parents and brother Mike. Emma never forgot her roots and remained a proud Italian while embracing her new nation and all the opportunities it afforded her. She studied to become a beautician, working for many years at Vincent and Vincent Beauty Shop.
Coincidentally, and unbeknownst to either of them, Emma and Ennio left Abruzzo on the same day! The loves of one another’s lives, they met at Holy Rosary Church, the religious, social and cultural center for Italian immigrants and the Italian American community in Washington. Ennio played goalkeeper for the Italian Cadets and Emma attended his soccer games. Rumor has it that he occasionally allowed opposing goals because he was paying more attention to the lovely Emma than to the game. On January 5, 1969, they were married at Holy Rosary and subsequently their children were baptized and married there, and had their own darling children, lights of their grandmother’s life, baptized there, as well. The Di Tullios were able to celebrate the amazing milestone of 50 years of marriage in the company of their wonderful children, son Roberto and his wife, Bess, and daughter Daniela, and their beloved grandchildren, Sebastian, Sofia, Luca and Leonardo.
Over the years, Emma with Ennio and her family enjoyed frequent trips to Italy to renew ties to her native land. She especially found pleasure in visiting relatives in Vasto and in helping restore Ennio’s home in Rosello, his birthplace, where she was embraced by his family and paesani. Many of us appreciated the pleasure of her company on any number of AMHS excursions, including “cruising Italian style” to the Caribbean on the Costa Magica in 2007 when we shared a great time, enjoying music, dining, dancing, talking, and laughing. Emma left this earth on November 16, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.
On November 23, the family and countless friends honored Emma at a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Rosary Church. Simultaneously, three Masses, attended by extended family and friends, were celebrated in Italy in Vasto, Rome, and Rosello. The Di Tullio family is appreciative of the many expressions of sympathy, support, and admiration for Emma’s courageous spirit. Emma will always be remembered by her friends and loved ones for her love and devotion to her family, her radiant smile, and the mutual admiration she shared with all whose lives she touched. ❚