Viola Romano

Viola Romano, 94 PORTLAND -- Viola Romano, 94, died at the Barron Center in Portland following a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease on Sept. 20, 2008, surrounded by her family. Born in Lettomanopello, Italy in 1914, she came to America in 1920 where she was raised by her father Giacomo and her mothers, Rosario and Rosina (D'Emilio) DiBiase. A lifelong and proud resident of Munjoy Hill, she and her late husband Alfred Romano, raised their four children at their home on the Munjoy Hill where she resided until she moved to the Barron Center in 2007. Alfred and she were founding members of the Italian-American Community Center, now the Italian Heritage Center, where they enjoyed many happy times. Viola was a member of the Center's kitchen staff. Both Vi and Al performed in the minstrel shows along with many friends and family members. A superb Italian cook, she was known for her specialties, gnocchis and ciambellone, neither of which her children can make today as well as she did. Viola was a prolific knitter, her grandchildren were the best dressed kids in southern Maine. After Alfred's death in 1970 she became employed by Lady Grace, specializing in providing compassionate assistance to women who were living with and had survived breast cancer. She was a devout member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and was a member of the Sacred Heart Sodality. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred Romano; her brother, Dominic DiBiase; her son-in-law, Joseph Aube; a very special brother-in-law, Henry Romano and long time dear friend, Clare DeVane. Surviving are her sister, Anna Romano, her brothers, Frank (Rachel) DiBiase, James (Francesca) DiBiase, Viola Romano Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763 her sister, Joan (Albert) Lemelin; sisters-in-law, Anna DiBiase and Eva (Romano) DiRenzo; and her lifelong childhood friend, Orienda Profenno. Viola's surviving children include a daughter, Rosalie Aube of Westbrook, sons, Fred (Nancy) Romano of South Portland, James (Lucretia) Romano of Cape Elizabeth and John Romano of Portland; her grandchildren, Dorothy Aube, Mary (Thomas) Hopkins, Joseph (Heidi) Aube, and Christopher Aube, all of Westbrook, Paul (Michelle) Romano of Scarborough, and Beth (Steve) Arsenault of South Portland. Viola was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Allie and Tommy Hopkins; Anthony (AJ), Sophia, Abby and Joey Romano, Dominic and Katie Arsenault, and Alisha and Ethan Aube. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Mom's home companions, Claudette and Sharon as well as to the dedicated and compassionate staff of the Barron Center, especially the nurses, the two Anne Marie's and Pat, and CNA's Jessie, Bonnie and Mary Jo of the Deering Unit of the Alzheimer's wing. Visiting hours will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. Prayers will be recited at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal St., Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Gifts in Viola's memory may be made to: The Barron Center Alzheimer's Unit 1145 Brighton Ave. Portland, Maine 04102