Mary Patch (birth name Maria Josephine Pace) was the youngest of 6 children born in Denver on April Fools Day, 1896 to Paul Pace & Josephine Vendegna. Both of them were from Basilicata, Potenza, Italy. Her brothers & sister were born on Bassett St. in the Bottoms area, but she was born by midwife on 32nd &Osage in Little Italy. She was baptized Apr 26, 1896 at the old Mt. Carmel Church before it burned in 1898. She was one of the 1st babies baptized there. She spent her 80 years in between this church after it was rebuilt in 1904 & St. Patricks.
In 1909 the family moved to 3608 Pecos St. after her father purchased a small house. She would spend the next 25 years there. She was always proud that her entire life she lived within the same zip code. She and her siblings attended Mt. Carmel Catholic school from grade 1-8 & that was all their education. She spoke English well & retained some of her Italian language from her immigrant parents throughout her life.
She was a very hard worker and kind lady. She attended Mass daily at Mt. Carmel Church.
When she was 25 she married Peter James Natale on April 24, 1921. She delivered a baby son by midwife in 1923. My Grandpa missed the birth as he went to see Pres. Harding come thru town! The small family lived with Grandma's father Paul until he died in 1934 when they moved to their own home.
Grandma was a wonderful homemaker--making the best Italian dishes from scratch in the world. In fact, because they lived close to the rr tracks, hobos would come to her porch & she's make them a huge "sangwich". She also could crochet better than anyone around, making so many things for me.
Besides her homemaking, Grandma was responsible for paying all the bills. They never had a checking account. Every payday she would walk downtown & pay the utility bills, etc.--with cash.
She was a great teacher of life's lessons. Grandma was sweet, gentle, & kind--the best Grandma in the world and I miss her every day
.
Her saying "idle hands are the devil's playground."
In 1909 the family moved to 3608 Pecos St. after her father purchased a small house. She would spend the next 25 years there. She was always proud that her entire life she lived within the same zip code. She and her siblings attended Mt. Carmel Catholic school from grade 1-8 & that was all their education. She spoke English well & retained some of her Italian language from her immigrant parents throughout her life.
She was a very hard worker and kind lady. She attended Mass daily at Mt. Carmel Church.
When she was 25 she married Peter James Natale on April 24, 1921. She delivered a baby son by midwife in 1923. My Grandpa missed the birth as he went to see Pres. Harding come thru town! The small family lived with Grandma's father Paul until he died in 1934 when they moved to their own home.
Grandma was a wonderful homemaker--making the best Italian dishes from scratch in the world. In fact, because they lived close to the rr tracks, hobos would come to her porch & she's make them a huge "sangwich". She also could crochet better than anyone around, making so many things for me.
Besides her homemaking, Grandma was responsible for paying all the bills. They never had a checking account. Every payday she would walk downtown & pay the utility bills, etc.--with cash.
She was a great teacher of life's lessons. Grandma was sweet, gentle, & kind--the best Grandma in the world and I miss her every day
.
Her saying "idle hands are the devil's playground."
Mary Patch (birth name Maria Josephine Pace) was the youngest of 6 children born in Denver on April Fools Day, 1896 to Paul Pace & Josephine Vendegna. Both of them were from Basilicata, Potenza, Italy. Her brothers & sister were born on Bassett St. in the Bottoms area, but she was born by midwife on 32nd &Osage in Little Italy. She was baptized Apr 26, 1896 at the old Mt. Carmel Church before it burned in 1898. She was one of the 1st babies baptized there. She spent her 80 years in between this church after it was rebuilt in 1904 & St. Patricks.
In 1909 the family moved to 3608 Pecos St. after her father purchased a small house. She would spend the next 25 years there. She was always proud that her entire life she lived within the same zip code. She and her siblings attended Mt. Carmel Catholic school from grade 1-8 & that was all their education. She spoke English well & retained some of her Italian language from her immigrant parents throughout her life.
She was a very hard worker and kind lady. She attended Mass daily at Mt. Carmel Church.
When she was 25 she married Peter James Natale on April 24, 1921. She delivered a baby son by midwife in 1923. My Grandpa missed the birth as he went to see Pres. Harding come thru town! The small family lived with Grandma's father Paul until he died in 1934 when they moved to their own home.
Grandma was a wonderful homemaker--making the best Italian dishes from scratch in the world. In fact, because they lived close to the rr tracks, hobos would come to her porch & she's make them a huge "sangwich". She also could crochet better than anyone around, making so many things for me.
Besides her homemaking, Grandma was responsible for paying all the bills. They never had a checking account. Every payday she would walk downtown & pay the utility bills, etc.--with cash.
She was a great teacher of life's lessons. Grandma was sweet, gentle, & kind--the best Grandma in the world and I miss her every day
.
Her saying "idle hands are the devil's playground."
In 1909 the family moved to 3608 Pecos St. after her father purchased a small house. She would spend the next 25 years there. She was always proud that her entire life she lived within the same zip code. She and her siblings attended Mt. Carmel Catholic school from grade 1-8 & that was all their education. She spoke English well & retained some of her Italian language from her immigrant parents throughout her life.
She was a very hard worker and kind lady. She attended Mass daily at Mt. Carmel Church.
When she was 25 she married Peter James Natale on April 24, 1921. She delivered a baby son by midwife in 1923. My Grandpa missed the birth as he went to see Pres. Harding come thru town! The small family lived with Grandma's father Paul until he died in 1934 when they moved to their own home.
Grandma was a wonderful homemaker--making the best Italian dishes from scratch in the world. In fact, because they lived close to the rr tracks, hobos would come to her porch & she's make them a huge "sangwich". She also could crochet better than anyone around, making so many things for me.
Besides her homemaking, Grandma was responsible for paying all the bills. They never had a checking account. Every payday she would walk downtown & pay the utility bills, etc.--with cash.
She was a great teacher of life's lessons. Grandma was sweet, gentle, & kind--the best Grandma in the world and I miss her every day
.
Her saying "idle hands are the devil's playground."
