State Sen. Tina Tartaglione presented a citation to Mary Theresa Bressi-Giorno (Di Giacomo), a resident of the Philadelphia Protestant Home who turned 100. Mary was born on March 22, 1922, at 22nd and Allegheny. She attended St. Mary of the Eternal School. Mary was known as one of the Rosie the Riveters because of her employment, like many other women, during WWII. She also worked in a curtain factory and as a cashier. Mary married her first husband, Pasquale Bressi, on April 26, 1942, at St. Mary of the Eternal. Sadly, Pasquale passed away in October 1979. Mary met her second husband, Angelo Giorno, through a common friendship. They were married on Nov. 9, 1990, at Maternity BVM church. Angelo passed away on Sept. 1, 2010.
Although Mary had no children of her own, she was blessed with wonderful stepchildren, nieces, nephews and grandchildren whom she loves dearly. Mary enjoys doing crosswords, reading, shopping and attending her senior group at Maternity BVM.
Mary joined the PPH family in 2017 and appreciates the staff. She enjoys having her nails and hair done. Mary always wants to look nice. Her stepdaughter, Denise, and her husband Steve visit weekly. Steve changes the battery in Mary’s hearing aid. To confirm that the hearing aid is working, Denise says, “Can you hear me now?” Mary laughs and says, “I can hear you.” ••
