Teresa Perrella was born on May 13, 1885 at Boiano, Campobassa, Italy.  She was the daughter of Ferdinando Perrella & Santa Nardella.  Orphaned, Teresa and her sister lived with an aunt until September 29, 1906 when she married Carmine Pitosica, son of Saverio Pitoscia and Maria Teresa Malatesta.  Carmine immigrated on October 26, 1912 at the age of 29.  Two years later, Maria Teresa, age 29, appeared on the passenger list of S.S. San Guglielmo, traveling from Napoli. She, along with her son Domenico, was joining husband Carmine Pitoscia.

 

 

They settled in Camden, New Jersey, where Carmine worked for the NJ Atlantic MW&S (Railroad) and where two more sons, Alfredo and Pasquale, and a daughter, Maria, were born.  Sadly, Maria died soon after her birth.  On September 26, 1918, Carmine & Teresa received their Naturalization Certificate together with their three sons.  On March 29, 1919, another daughter, Maria, was born and then on December 15, 1920, they welcomed daughter, Carmella.

 

 

After saving enough money to start a new life, the family returned to Italy.  However, their stay was short lived as they soon missed the modern conveniences of the New World.  Living above a barn where you could sweep the floor to the room below which housed the farm animals, was far from the life Teresa had became accustomed in America with electricity and running water.  So they returned to the United States on May 22, 1922 with their five children and expecting another.  This time they settled in Waterford, New Jersey, where on November 7, 1922, their fourth son, Samuel “Armond” Pitoscia, was born.  It was their wish to name this son Armond, however, the local German priest explained that Armond was not the name of a Saint, so they would have to choose another name.  So they picked Saverio, after their father, and the German priest interpreted it to be Samuel.  Armond was not aware that his name was Samuel until he graduated high school and found his baptismal certificate, which stated his name, was Samuel.

 

 

The family again moved to Camden, New Jersey, where Mario Pitoscia was born on August 16, 1925.  The Pitoscia’s lived a modest life.  While not wealthy, their needs were provided, with a nice home and enough food to feed the large family.  Teresa knew how to stretch a budget.  Weekly menus consisted of most of the same items.  Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday were pasta nights.  On Monday there was soup.  Wednesdays & Saturdays were for some meat or chicken.  And Fridays were days of fasting – beans, escarole and such – never any meat.  Teresa kept a small garden with herbs and tomatoes.  All her recipes were from memory and never include any measuring device.  A mound of flour, eggs and water would turn into fresh pasta for Sunday dinners, usually served at noon.  Holidays brought wonderful foods like homemade ravioli, sausage and veal as well as whole prosciutto’s.  She made wonderful cookies including pizzelles and Easter breads with colored eggs baked into them.  Teresa also found a knack for making liquors like anisette, crème de menthe and strega with alcohol purchased from a local salesman.  Carmine would take a teaspoon of the alcohol and light it to be sure he wasn’t purchasing water.

 

 

Like her husband, Teresa was a devout Catholic and very active in their Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Though she could not read or write, she joined many church groups with her friends.  Her strong faith helped her during many hardships as her husband and all but two of her children predeceased her.  Teresa especially enjoyed sitting outside during the summer nights, gathering with neighbors to discuss the latest news and sometimes sending the children to buy everyone ice cream cones.

 

 

Teresa was blessed with eleven grandchildren and she loved their visits.  She lovingly helped her son, Armond, raise his two children after the untimely death of his wife, Lucy, in 1959.  On November 11, 1973 Teresa died of heart disease at the age of 88.

(P. Ettore)