𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑜 * 03-28-28 † 02-02-21

Memories are very essential in our lives because they allow us to grow and learn to be a better person❣

The world lost a very special person February 2nd.  (Auntie) Mae Caputo.
What a wonderful woman and what a life lived. So many beautiful examples of her big heart, honesty and humor I carry with me. I will never forget that she and her beloved husband Uncle All went by car in de dead of winter, snow... frost... both in their eighties delivering food around Christmas time to those less fortunate than they were. They practiced what they preached and this was a result of their strong believe in God. She was devastated when her husband passed away 05/18/2016. Having to go on alone after so many years of marriage was hard on her but she kept putting one foot in front of the other.
In the weeks after we had phone calls and she was worried what her family would think about the fact she had to cry so much and felt so sad.

One of the most funny memories I have is when she was still living in her house in 2016 and Lucille stayed with her because she wasn't feeling well. I offered to clean her kitchen since that is not an easy undertaking when you are way in your eighties. So, one morning I went over and got to work. They didn't have a stepping stool so I used a kitchen chair to stand on to reach the top of the cabinets. (not very safe, I know)
LU!!! COME HERE auntie Mae yelled and here came Lucille. WHAT WHAT??? You have to come see this, Missy climbs on kitchen chairs without holding on to anything, giving me the feeling I was part of Cirque du Soleil😂. 

When it became clear that Jeffrey was going to be my husband and I would move my world to the United States, she made me sit next to her and said I have to ask you a question. What is it I asked? Auntie Mae looked me in the eyes and said: does he treat you with respect? My honest answer was: with the upmost!

In 2017 her beloved sister fell terminally ill and I went to MA to help care for Lucille. Being together in the house, we had a lot of conversations and I got to know her even better and experienced first hand the bond the sisters shared.
It was extremely painful for her to loose her husband and sister within 9 months. 

In 2019 when we celebrated our special day with International friends and family, a part of the Franco family drove all the way from MA up to OH. It was SO good to see them and I was happy that I proudly could introduce my husband to her. When they left early, she was not feeling very well,  Jeff walked her to the car and let her know that he was happy they finally met.
Unfortunately, she was longer in OH then she bargained for because she ended up in the local hospital later that night.
When I rushed over the next morning  she kept telling me what a gentleman I married, he walked me all the way to the car and we talked... he is such a nice man Missy. Missy winked and whispered: I know 😉.

And now.... she exchanged the temporary for eternity and we may believe she is reunited again with those who went before her like this poem states.
 

I send you to the restless sun
Awaiting your sweet shine,
And in between this world and next
I'll hold your hand in mine.

For it is there between the sky
And boundless clouds of blue
That those who've passed this way before
Are waiting there for you.

Life is made of many things,
Of love, of grief, of strife.
Women pulled by many strings,
A child, mother, wife.

And now those strings will bind no more.
You're free to chase the wind.
This is where your troubles end
And where your peace begins.

I am honored to have known her, thankful for the memories we made and sure that this is not a goodbye.
She never said goodbye, so.....

SO LONG auntie Mae, until we meet again!