Tuesday, April 29, 2025
My Aunt Annie was forever the life of the party, a boisterous woman, unafraid to speak her mind in a time when most woman leaned toward the timid side, and she was not afraid to take action when necessary.
I recall as a child when my mother said that Aunt Annie was coming over, I couldn't wait because it was always exciting and you never knew what was going to happen.
We hosted Easter brunches from the late 60's to the early 80's at our house, and no matter how many people were at the party, (we often had 30+ guests). When Annie entered the house the place always erupted, with greetings and laughter.
There was always good natured ribbing and joking between her and her siblings, Rae, Nicky, Gerry, Josey, Mary & Sammy. And it seemed like everyone wanted to get in on the good fun.
My favorite Aunt Annie story also included my Aunt Rose. In the mid 60's they were riding to church together, in Bernardsville NJ, when they struck and killed a deer that had jumped into the street.
Picture 2 women dressed in their Sunday best, pill hats and white gloves, hit a deer, smash in the front fender, break the head lite, crack the windshield. They of course stop and get out to assess the situation. Annie says well, husband Frank is a butcher so lets lift the deer and put it in the trunk, then after church we can bring it home and Frank can butcher it.
So my 2 aunts in their Sunday best load this heavy, bloody deer into the trunk and proceed onto church, as if nothing special happened. After mass on the ride home they hear a knocking sound from the trunk. Yes the deer was still alive and now very much kicking.
I never did hear how the deer was removed from the trunk. But I can assure you the telling and retelling of this story was always a riot within the Mazzocchi clan. (See you just never knew what was going to happen.)
Another time years later, at a family wedding, as guests were leaving the reception. Annie in her late 50's or 60's overhears an argument going on in the hallway of the reception hall. A couple from another event are arguing, and the the woman is screaming at the guy to "let go of me", he's drunk and its getting ugly fast. Aunt Annie sees this and jumps into action, in her sequined dress she tackles the guy and wrestles him to the ground, holding him down until a crowd gathers. Saving this poor girl from god know what.
I repeat, my 60 year old aunt, tackles a drunk guy to break up a fight. I guess all those years of running "Orphan Annie's" came in handy. (she was definitely not afraid to take action).
Aunt Annie, I'll always remember how much you enjoyed life. Thank you for those memories, and dozens of others.
Nick Natella
