Beloved Nonnie

It is an end of an era. My beautiful grandmother,Matilda Cafiero, passed away Sunday at the age of 88. She immigrated to the United States from Italy in the late 1930s or early 1940 on an arranged marriage to my Crampa. They met only days before their marriage and spent their first hours alone on their wedding night. The grew to love each other dearly and had a life-long marriage of love, laughter, music and family. They had seven children, 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. My grandfather worked initially in his father's pizzeria in New York. He became an aircraft mechanic and took great pride in his work. She worked to raise not only her children but she also worked to care for other children. They moved to Las Vegas where my grandfather performed playing his mandolin and Nonnie sang and played the tambourine. Then on to Phoenix Arizona where they continued to raise their family and perform together.

My fondest memories in childhood were the visits to Nonnie and Crampa's house in Phoenix. There was always a lot of people around and delicious Italian cooking...and of course, music. Each night the family would gather together around two tables, the adult table and the kid's table and enjoy a fabulous meal that Nonnie worked all day to prepare. I always remember it being very loud...a good loud. After our meal we would settle into the living room where my grandfather would pull out his mandolin and start playing. My Uncle Sal would join in with the drums, my father with his guitar, and Nonnie would sing. All the cousins would dance around with our tambourines and maracas. Laughter would fill this small house on East Geneva St.

Click below to enjoy an audio clipping of my Crampa and Nonnie together with some friends and family playing a jam session. I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face. (This is an old taping so be sure to listen past the loud screeching noise).

Nonnie Sings from Mark Cafiero on Vimeo.

Today, their legacy lives on in the family "Get-Rich-Quick" game and the Great Saldini show. We still enjoy the music of my uncle and dad at our family reunions and talent shows performed by the great-grandchildren. And although, I am sad that Nonnie is no longer with us I am happy knowing she is in Heaven now singing and smiling with Crampa.