Tia Maria

Tia Maria by Mira Hartford

Pic of the Day: this is the last photo I took of my elderly 'aunt' Maria Castelhano earlier in May. She passed away Sunday morning at the age of 92. She was one of the cornerstones of my family's immigration experience to the US and Hartford, and part of our American Dream. In Portuguese culture, your elders end up being your 'Tia' or 'Tio', your aunt or uncle, even if unrelated. Tia Maria was my greataunt's sister-in-law and therefor, my Tia. She lived downstairs from my great aunt and uncle (her brother) since the 1960's and created a very interesting community on their ever changing block in Hartford. She's been a part of my life since I was chaotic twinkle in my parents' eye in 1974. Despite her recent health issues and a life long problem with one of her legs, Tia Maria was as lively as always at 92, living on her own, laughing and smiling with us, and, as my mother told me, getting ready for a Portuguese Festa when she passed away.

Obrigado, Tia Maria, por ajuda durante a vida!