OLGA CONZ BARNABO ~~
September 21, 1909 - March 9, 2010

OLGA TEUTERIA CONZ BARNABO was born on September 21, 1909 in Cesio Maggiore, Belluno, a small town in northeastern Italy. From an early age, perseverance and determination were always in her character.

Her sister, Amelia, often enjoyed recounting with glee an incident when Olga, at the age of five, defied the Austrian Army who, with no mercy, controlled Cesio Maggiore during World War I. The family was ordered to move from their large home into a small servant's quarters, their belongings stolen or destroyed. They suffered starvation and fear of reprisal for any misconduct. One day Olga was standing in the street when a contingent of Austrian soldiers came marching toward here. The commander ordered her to move, but Olga was determined to stand her ground and told the commander, "QUI STO!" (I'm not moving!). Needless to say the townspeople were terrified that something terrible would happen to her, but she didn't move. The commander, who probably had children her age, looked at her sternly for a minute, then smiled and directed the contingent to march around her. This strength of character and strong determination stayed with her throughout these many years of her life.

At the end of World War I, at the age of nine, Olga, along with her mother Angela Schittar Conz, sister, Amelia and brother Casimiro, traveled for weeks on a converted troop ship to the United States to join their husband and father, Renato Conz, who had opened a restaurant and grocery store near the Eastern Market. Olga and Amelia were immediately enrolled at San Francesco Catholic School on Rivard and Brewster, and in 1926 were confirmed at San Francesco Church. After grade school at San Francesco School, they enrolled and graduated from Northeastern High School.

On August 11, 1931, Olga and Elvio Agosto Barnabo were married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in River Rouge, and moved to Domegge, Belluno, Italy. When Elvio was called back to work at Cadillac Motor Car Company, Olga remained in Domegge with daughter, Gloria, until the imminent breakout of World War II. After Elvio's retirement many trips to Italy followed until Elvio died in 1985. Following their hearts and wonderful memories, Olga and Gloria traveled many times together enjoying precious time with relatives in Cesio Maggiore and Domegge, stopping along the way to visit other countries.

Olga joined her family in heaven on March 9, 2010, but the character she was born with, her determination and perseverance, continued to be strong; and she would probably, still, as at the age of five, stand in the street and defy the Austrian Army.

Deceased Husband: the late Elvio A. Barnabo, deceased 1985
Surviving Daughter: Gloria Tonelli (Giannino)
Grandson: Stephen Tonelli (Marianne)
Great-grandson: Johnathon Tonelli

Visitation: Friday, March 12, 2010, from 6-8 PM at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI 48084 (between Maple and Big Beaver Roads), with an evening Prayer Service at 7 PM

Funeral Mass: Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1440 Coolidge Hwy., River Rouge, Michigan, with Reverend James Wieging officiating. Visitation at church begins Saturday at 10:15 AM

Interment: Woodmere Cemetery, in Detroit, Michigan

Memorial Tributes may be made to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142