Author Mary Restivo’s mother, Rita DiTuri, was born in Bari, Italy; the youngest of eight children. After the DiTuris, Restivo’s parents, married, they came to the United States wi...ver másAuthor Mary Restivo’s mother, Rita DiTuri, was born in Bari, Italy; the youngest of eight children. After the DiTuris, Restivo’s parents, married, they came to the United States with the intention of returning to Italy in two years. Rita soon found herself in a foreign country where she did not speak or understand the language, dependent completely on her husband for everything. After five years in the United States, they were ready to depart when tragedy struck; their plans to return to Italy were postponed for the second time—and permanently.
While in the United States, Restivo’s mother spoke often of her family, telling stories of sadness, happiness, and beautiful love stories intended to be shared. With intimate detail, Restivo recounts the stories of her grandparents in Italy and of her parents’ life-changing journey to the United States. She talks about the love of her parents for each other and of the life that she has built for herself with her husband, Charles.
Through all of these heartwarming stories of heritage and tradition, the love of family proves to be the solid foundation for Restivo and all her family.
Mary Restivo is a licensed insurance broker and has a master’s degree in social work. She is retired and lives with her husband, Charles, in Queens, New York.ver menos