Who was Maria Donata?

Who was Maria Donata?

She was Stefania’s grandmother. She was born in 1886 in Nocciano in Abruzzo. She was the first with three brothers. Her mother died when she was 7 years old and her father was not too reliable so she was raised by relatives.

When quite young she was pressed into marriage by her father with a local boy from Cugnoli called Domenico whom she didn’t like very much. They soon had five children, Elisa, (Later to be Stefania's mother), Nina, Stefano, Donato and Antonio, (later to be Mary Ann's father). 

 Stefano and Donato died quite young, Donato of gangrene after a botched treatment for an injury and Stefano of pneumonia in Addis Ababa where he worked as a bailiff. 

 Antonio, of course, also went to America, married Mary and had three children, Robert, Stefanie and MaryAnn, Stefanie dying very young.

After WWl Domenico decided to go to the USA and left Maria Donata without money and support and communicating infrequently or not at all.

Maria Donata tended the farm and worked very hard while also supporting her neighbors.
Ultimately, Domenico returned from the US and Maria Donata took him back although he was unwell.

Eventually, Elisa married and gave birth to Stefania in May of 1944 and Angelo 4 years later.
This is the best photograph of Maria Donata that I can find at this time it also contains the reflection of MAC as it is a photo of a photo.
 

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