On March 28th, 1929, on the eve of the Great Depression, Luisa Filaseta was born to Italian immigrant parents. Not long after and for reasons uncertain, her father disappeared from her life never to be seen or heard from again. And while Luisa hardly ever spoke of the hardships she endured during those despairing years, it was most likely those years which shaped the essence of her tenacious personality, her enduring will to survive, and her eternal love for family. As she blossomed into a beautiful young woman, she met a dashing young man, fell in love and reared five children. When she gave birth to her 5th child in 1957, however, uncontrollable bleeding befell Luisa leading to multiple blood transfusions and the summoning of a priest to administer her last rites. As she lay at deaths footsteps, God appeared in a beautiful white light offering his hand to Luisa. And although Luisa was captivated by Gods presence and the serenity of the indescribable light, she thought of her new born child and 4 other children and pleaded with God not to take her now. Hearing Luisas plea and realizing her undying love for her family he gently nodded his head, breathed new life into Luisa, and disappeared into the light. Over the next decades, Luisa was both a dedicated mother and wife. She steadfastly stood by her childrens side while encouraging them to pursue their dreams through education and social agendas. Unfortunately, her marriage did not stand the test of time and Luisas divorce was officiated in 1971. Soon thereafter, with her children now grown, she became independent and pursued her love for travel, dancing, socializing, and sharing life with her extended family; never to miss a family affair regardless of how far she had to travel. Unfortunately, Dementia soon reared its ugly head and in April 2005 she had a tragic accident which forever altered the trajectory of her life. She torpedoed down a flight of stairs and into the floor shattering bones and irreversibly damaging the temporal lobe in her brain. And as she lay in a pool of blood with her sons desperately trying to comfort her, God once again appeared to her in a brilliant light and offered his hand. But despite being critically injured she still longed for her ever growing family which now included grandchildren and great grandchildren so she implored God to let her spend her remaining years among them. And although God hesitated, he once again breathed new life into Luisa, and disappeared into the light. Over the next 14 years Luisas life was wrought with seizures, pneumonia, broken bones, unstable vitals, surgeries, clots, rashes, and perhaps worst of all, the inability to communicate and articulate her thoughts. Nevertheless, she would always long for her family often waiting and gazing in eye shot of where we would enter. About 3 weeks ago, however, Luisa was rushed to the hospital with severe dehydration, misfiring vital signs, and in a state of lethargy. Soon thereafter she was placed in a Palliative Unit to receive end of life care. Inexplicably, she continued to survive without any sustenance for 3 weeks and one could only surmise that she was reminiscing about her family as she lay in this semi-comatose state. Then on May 10, 2019 as she gazed enigmatically into space, God appeared for the 3rd time in a magnificent light, however, this time he did not offer his hand. Instead, he gently placed Luisas hand in his and said onto her. Luisa, I have stood by your side for 90 years. I have rejoiced in your revelries and guided you through your hardships. I have witnessed your empathy and compassion for your neighbors, your respect and love of life, and most of all your undying love for your family. But worry not for your family any longer for the essence of who you are now lives in them. The morals and values you instilled now course through their bodies like a mighty river flowing into its tributaries. The love and respect for life you exhibited is now etched in their DNA and the eternal love for family you espoused reverberates in their hearts. They are who they are because of you and be assured your legacy will eternally guide them. But for now your place is no longer in this realm but rather by my side in the Kingdom of Heaven. And as her sons gently caressed her hands and prayed by her side, Luisa softly breathed her last breath wherein her soul, with God by her side, disappeared into the light. Mom, On behalf of your 5 children 18 grandchildren and 11 great grand children. And on behalf of my wife Cookie, who stood by nursing, aiding, and loving you like a daughter during your last years. I stand here before you and God to proclaim our eternal love for you and I want you to know that we will never, never, ever forget you for we are your legacy. I love you and until we meet again you will forever be in my heart. Your son Dominick