In Loving Memory of Joan Pezzeca
1933-2006

I am adding this page because this is my way of remembering and honoring my nonna, my grandmom. Such a wonderful and sweet woman. Her life ended entirely too soon. Born August 5, 1933, she died unexpectedly on May 12, 2006.

It has been eight miserable years without the best grandmom I could have ever asked for. I remember her very well. Everyone called her Gram. Sometimes even her own kids called her Gram. Even to people who were not her family, she made them feel as if they were and they even called her Gram. She was loved by many.

When she died, my family fell apart. She was the glue that held us together. Eight years later, we still have not recovered from her death.

I remember staying with her in her house in Westville, New Jersey for weeks at a time in the summer. Going to Gram's was a special treat. Swimming and having fun. Every weekend, she would take me to the movies. She didn't have a lot of money, so we would go shopping for snacks and sneak them into the theater with us. She spoiled all of grandkids. She loved us all so much, and we loved her.

Two of her children died before her, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Delilah. They were her only son and her second youngest daughter. Gram also lost her husband before her own death. My grandmom died of a heart attack. She died in her youngest child's arms, Aunt Diane.

For a few years after Gram's death, my family tried to remain close. But we have all since drifted apart. I haven't even heard from Aunt Diane in a year now.

But this is to honor my nonna. I love you, Gram. You are the best grandmom I could have ever asked for, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I thank you for all of your love. What breaks my heart the most is that my daughter will not have ever known the great-grandmother that she had. You never abandoned me, no matter how bad I messed up. You treated us all so good. You touched so many lives.

Gram is survived by her three daughters: Cindy Murphy, Beverly Brown, and Diane Horn. Her grandchildren are Drew Murphy, Joshua Horn, Maura Horn, Jeremy Pezzeca Sr., Dawn Pezzeca, Robert Pezzeca, Justin Pezzeca, and Renee Pezzeca. She has more great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren that I can count. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Jeanne, Jack, Billy, and Robert.

My grandmomo was a proud member of Westville Baptist Church for many years. She is buried in Gloucester City, New Jersey, and I was unable to go to her funeral.

I am attaching a photo of my grandmom and my Justine. This was from Easter 1999. They are deeply loved and forever missed.

Don't forget to honor and remember your loved ones. Thanks for listening. God Bless. Ciao.

[colored photo of Gram and Justine smiling with their cheeks pressed together in a one-armed hug.]

La morte non e la fine
e un nuovo inizio

Death is not the end
It is a new beginning