Stella Lanni

Stella Lanni, age 94 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Hunterdon Care Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

She came to America in 1955 at the age of 35 on a boat. She left her two sons age 3 and 5 and her husband behind. For three years she worked as a seamstress in a sweat shop in The Bronx to save enough money for their fare. Imagine a mother leaving her infant children for three years. Could you do it? She didn't do it for herself. She did it for her kids.

Once the family was reunited she set out on another impossible task. She was 38 now and knew not a word of English; with less than a first grade education she could barely read or write Italian, her native language. Yet she set out to memorize all the questions and answers to the US Citizenship exam--in English. She passed. And with that she made her children US Citizens and guaranteed them a much better and easier life than she had had. With her husband's help she gave them a home outside the slums, a college education, and a car, each.

She wasn't always easy to live with. No one with that determination and drive rarely is.

We love you mom and will never forget you. Never.

Carmine and Raffaele

She is survived by her two sons, Carmine of Pompano Beach, Fl. and Raffaele (Ralph) of North Wales, PA.; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 18, 2014, at 10:00 AM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY. Calling hours will be Friday 9:00-10:00 AM.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.