Gallo Lancas celebrates 100th birthday
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Angela Gallo Lancas is not one to gloat, but she has a lot to be proud of.
After celebrating her 100th birthday Wednesday, she was hesitant to talk about her accolades, but her family and friends knew she had many stories –– and accomplishments – to talk about.
In 100 years, there are few things she hasn’t experienced or hasn’t tried to learn.
She was born in Mangone, Cosenza, Italy, on Sept. 2, 1920, a daughter of the late Teresina Berardi and Francesco Gallo.
Her father had traveled between Italy and the United States, preparing a home for his family in Monessen.
Angela immigrated to the United States in 1927, crossing the ocean on a ship carrying walnuts from Italy to New York with her late sisters Marie and Amelia, and her mother.
During the voyage, other members of her family got seasick, which allowed Angela to get acquainted with other passengers — and taste the cargo (chocolates and walnuts).
Few passengers on the ship, except a companion, Louise Naccarato who traveled with the family, spoke Italian.
When she and her family arrived in New York, they expected to meet her father to drive to their new home in Monessen, but her older sister Marie, who was deaf and spoke very little Italian due to a childhood illness, was quarantined alone for nearly a week.
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