Savina Louise (Gandolfi) Bleggi

Dear Ma,

I am thinking of you as I sit at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee. We always laughed when you would speak of the place you were born, Stump Creek, PA on July 24, 1933. Your parents were Giovanni and Zorrida (Santini) Gandolfi. You were the youngest of six children, Caroline, Eugene, Josephina, Christina, and Benjamin (all deceased).

You graduated from Shannock Valley High School and married your high school sweetheart, Louis Bleggi on June 21, 1952. And you were together for sixty-four years until his passing on July 12, 2016.

As a mom you were second to none: teaching Albert and me to tie our shoelaces, playing jacks, jumping rope, and playing cards. Let us not forget driving a car, cooking, and baking, maintaining a household and ALWAYS homework and studying.

You strived to be the best in everything you did, whether it be culinary skills (homemade gnocchi or polenta) or baking (clothespin cookies, pizzelles or cream puffs).

Mom, your achievements were not monumental, but they were effective to many people: The Central Kitchen for Youngstown Board of Education and West Elementary School Cafeteria and then Northside Hospital Cafeteria. But your calling was to care for people, and you followed by becoming a SNLNP. You were so proud of the 100% you scored on your exam. You then worked as an aide at Southside and Northside Hospitals. Many RN’s have said you were the best and should have become an RN yourself. 

You were a wonderful example of how children should be reared: values, helping your neighbors, whether it be administering first aid or sharing food or proving a shoulder to cry on. Mom, in the 1950’s you were the first women’s libber I knew, teaching the women of N Dunlap on Youngstown’s West Side how to drive, starting the St. Brendan’s annual church festival along Mrs. Grein or even cutting the grass or detailing your car!

Your son, Dr. Albert (Dr. Leah Neville) Bleggi, will miss you. Your grandchildren will have the best memories of you: Ryan (Kari) Bleggi, Gena (Gabe) Bailey, Adam (Danielle) Bleggi, Dana (Keith Moore) Miklos, Alec (Ashley) Bleggi, Brittany (Stefan Cuibataru) Bleggi along with your twelve great-grandchildren. (Deceased grandson Emmanuel Miklos).

How lucky Albert and I were to have you as our mom.

Love you, 

Your Daughter “et”

Loretta (Steve Fedorisin) Bleggi

Many thanks go out to Ed and Diane Reese, the staff of The Inn at Poland Way and to Patriot Hospice Care. 

Material tributes may be sent to: Alzheimer's Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 408 9th Street SW, Suite 3400, Canton, OH 44707

Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S Silvat Inc. Share memories and send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com. 

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