Amelia T. Clemente

CLEMENTE

AMELIA T. CLEMENTE (96)

After a long and beautiful life, AMELIA T. CLEMENTE died peacefully on November 22, 2006 in Arlington, Virginia. She is survived by her son C. Daniel (Juliann) Clemente, and daughters Jacqueline C. Merz and Carolyn C. (Mark) Olshaker, 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her beloved husband Louis James Clemente, M.D., died in 1969.

A vibrant woman, devoted to her family, Molly lived her life with grace and dignity, ever optimistic and thankful of her blessings. Her early years were shaped by World War I, the 1920s and the Great Depression, giving her a keen sense of the world around her and the importance of being able to enjoy life, even in the face of adversity.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of real estate developer Vincent James

Giffuni and was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree from New York University in the early 1930s.

She raised two young children alone for almost three years while her husband was serving his country during World War II as a combat surgeon in the South Pacific. After he returned, they welcomed their third child and lived in Brooklyn, New York. Together, they were the guiding force in their children's lives. In those years, she was known for the beautiful sweaters she knitted, and was particularly happy to serve as PTA president at her daughters' school, Packer Collegiate Institute.

Molly moved to Arlington, Virginia after her husband died, and became the first purchaser in the first high-rise condominium in Virginia, Tower Villas, which she was always proud to say was built by her son, Dan. For more than thirty years, Molly was the building's "good will ambassador." She was also happy to know that an Arlington condominium building planned by Dittmar Construction will be named "The Amelia" in her honor and memory.

Molly was a good friend, a thoughtful advisor and mentor to many. She was an avid reader, always up on the news of the day, a great cook, an enthusiastic world traveler. But always, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. She will be truly missed and long remembered.

Now, she rests in peace with her devoted husband in Arlington National Cemetery.

Contributions in her memory may be sent to Franciscan Friars of the Atonement - Graymoor, Box 301, Garrison, New York 10524-0301.

"Thank you, Mom, for everything you did for us, for all the love you gave us, for all the lessons you taught us. We love you, now and always."