Santino & Angelina

Some people leave behind more than just memories—they leave behind a legacy of love, strength, and sacrifice. My maternal grandparents, Santino and Angelina, were two of those people.

Though I never had the honor of meeting Santino, the stories passed down paint a picture of a man with a giving heart and an unwavering love for his family. He journeyed from Italy to America, finding work on the railroad and, ultimately, finding the love of his life. Angelina—Lena, as everyone called her—was the life of the party, full of warmth, laughter, and an energy that drew people in. I was fortunate to have a close relationship with her and to share so many years under the same roof.

Santino’s story could have been quite different. Back in Italy, his family had already chosen a bride for him in an arranged marriage. But fate—and perhaps a bit of boldness—led him to Angelina instead. They met at a small neighborhood store, the same neighborhood our family still calls home. Whatever was planned for his future changed in that moment, and the rest was history.

Not long after marrying, Santino and Lena took in her younger brother and sister. Their mother had passed, leaving an eight-year-old girl and a fourteen-year-old boy in need of a home. Without hesitation, they became parents before having children of their own. It was through these two—my great-aunt and great-uncle—that I heard some of the most treasured stories about Santino.

Together, Santino and Lena built a family, raising seven children. Heartbreak came with loss, as two of their children passed away at a very young age. Of the five who grew up together, my mother was the third in line, with Aunt Annie at the helm—a woman with the most amazing personality.

Their story is one of love, resilience, and selflessness. It’s a story that shaped generations, including mine. Though time moves forward, their legacy lives on in the family they nurtured, the lessons they passed down, and the love that still binds us all.