Nonno’s mother was Maria Ursula Digoncelli. She was born in Piantedo on January 30, 1865. We know nothing of her childhood. She married Domenico Scalcini in June of 1888 but was widowed at age 23 during  the first year of marriage. She gave birth to her only son, Domenico shortly after her husband’s death. From this point on she signed all her correspondence: “Digoncelli, Maria Ursula, the widow Scalcini.” She never remarried and continued to live the remainder of her life in Piantedo. Among her interests were weaving and letter writing. She wrote many letters to her family in America. She sent Lena Edelwiess flowers from the Italy high country. In February of 1953 Nonno visited his mother,his only trip to Italy after coming to America. After Nonno’s departure, Maria’s health began to deteriorate rapidly. It is rumored that she willed herself to live long enough to see  her son “one last time.” She died July 22, 1953. She was buried in the Digoncelli family plot in Piantedo.

Photos 1905, 1925, 1946