Concetta Greco passed away peacefully at her home in Grass Valley on the evening of April 13, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was just two months shy of her 103rd birthday. Her lifelong faith in God and her devotion to the Virgin Mary gave her strength and support during her final days.
Concetta was born in Locri, Italy, a small town in Calabria located in the “toe” of Italy. She lived there until the age of 34. As a child she was the mischievous one in her family of six siblings and was called “Tita” by her younger sister who could not pronounce Concetta; it was a nickname that stayed with her throughout her life. She spent her happy youth learning to cook and became an expert seamstress. She helped raise her older sister’s children, whom she dearly loved. Her devotion to the Virgin Mary started at an early age and she became a beloved catechism teacher in her local church.
During WWII she and some of her siblings and their children were sent into the hills of central Italy where they stayed safe in a mountain village to avoid the Allied bombings in Sicily. Her parents remained in the family home in Locri and for 18 months no news reached them of their children’s fate; fortunately, the entire family was reunited once the war was over.
In 1954 Concetta married Dominic Greco, a native of Locri who had emigrated to America after the war and was working there. She traveled to Pompeii for the wedding ceremony, carrying in her suitcase her wedding dress, designed and made by her. Dominic went back to the U.S. for work. Concetta followed several months later, traveling alone on an ocean liner to begin her great adventure in America. She was the only one in her family to emigrate.
The couple eventually settled in East Chicago, Indiana where Dominic worked for the Inland Steel Company. Concetta didn’t speak a word of English and was far from family and friends; nevertheless, she eagerly embraced her new life. Her only child, Anna Maria, to whom she was devoted, was born in 1958.
Dominic could never quite settle in one place and moved the family several times between Italy and the United States. When living in Italy, Concetta would spend time with extended family and friends in Locri. But she, too, was an adventurer. Packing up the family’s belongings she would make a home in each city where they settled. She had a true gift for friendship. Italian rituals and recipes were generously shared with visitors and friends wherever they lived. Eggplant parmigiana, gnocchi with tomato sauce and her Easter bread were only a few of her specialties.
After her husband passed away, Concetta settled in Grass Valley in 1992. Her new community here was centered around her friends from St. Canice Catholic Church in Nevada City and her life with her daughter and son-in-law.
She was still the life of the party at 100. At a dinner celebration with over sixty people in attendance Concetta commanded the room, greeting guests by name and raising a glass of sparkling wine during her daughter’s toast.
Concetta was pre-deceased by father Carmelo Libri, mother Giuseppina Gulli’, siblings Anna, Francesca, Elvira, Giuseppe and Giovanni and husband Dominic. She is survived by her daughter Anna Maria, her son-in-law Michael Pugh and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Rosary at 9:45 am at St. Canice Catholic Church, Nevada City Wednesday, May 15 with Mass to follow at 10:30am. Reception immediately following at St. Canice Center. Funeral arrangements by Hooper & Weaver Mortuary. Per Concetta’s wishes, no flowers please, consider a donation to St. Canice Church.
