Thank you so much to everyone visiting this page. We will miss Vilma tremendously and ask that everyone help us celebrate her life in some way. Vilma was born on May 29, 1928, and would have celebrated her 93rd birthday this month. She had a long life and many happy memories of growing up in Boston's North End and roller-skating around the streets of Boston as a girl. And no memory would be complete, without remembering a precious pet along the way. She was a passionate animal lover who contributed to many charities in their honor. Vilma grew up in a generation of girls who were widely enthusiastic about Frank Sinatra and because of her love for his music proudly became a "bobbysoxer." When I was young Vilma became a Clint Eastwood fan and as a child, she dragged me to every spaghetti western he was ever in. Vilma was also fluent in Italian (since it was her first language), played the piano, and was an avid reader. After my dad died, Vilma became a big part of our lives and lived with us. When her beloved Shih Tzu "Buttons" passed away at fifteen, Vilma took over as babysitter for our Greyhounds. Our Greyhounds become the love of her life and she adored being in our home and being with the dogs. She would also love to drive around with me while I was out shopping or doing errands and just sit in the car and wait with the dogs. She and the dogs loved observing people but more importantly, she enjoyed every minute of our time together. In addition to being an animal lover, Vilma had many other endearing qualities. My mom could whistle an entire song, had a "green thumb" (she could bring any plant back to life), was truly a good listener, and was a great storyteller. I feel strongly that my own passion for stories and reading was inspired by her and the stories she would tell and read to me as a child. She also had a great sense of humor and mom and I spent many hours laughing to the point of tears. I was with my mom the entire day before she died. I hope she heard my retelling of the stories she shared with me and my recalling of all the special moments we shared together. She was not quite conscious at that point but she would smile now and then and mumble that she loved me. My Greyhounds were also there by her side licking and kissing her and telling her how much they would miss her. I hope that is the last memory she had---my dogs kissing her.