Obituary of Emilia Foschi

A proud and courageous Emilia Fabbri (April 30, 1933-February 26, 2024) ventured to America via Ellis Island at eighteen years old with promise and hope for a better future. The eldest of nine in her homeland of the Republic of San Marino, she cared for and lovingly raised her siblings while her family worked as farmers. This created necessary sacrifices such as leaving elementary school at a young age and increased responsibilities incongruent to her age.

Having lived during WW2 in Europe, Emilia had to flee her home when it was overtaken by soldiers as their post, and retreated with her siblings in tow, to survive months in a tunnel where disease was rampant and food scarce. Never having left her hometown, Emilia was torn to leave her siblings who also felt like her own children, but knew that America held promise.

Within a month of her arrival she married her promised fiancé, Marino Foschi and together they started a family that grew exponentially. A proud dual citizen, Emilia worked as a finishing seamstress for couture wear Christian Dior in Manhattan and later used these abilities to mend and embellish many children’s/grand/great grandchildren’s costumes, hems, holes.

Lovingly referred to as Mom, Nonna or Bisnonna, Emilia embraced her role as the great matriarch and was the highlight of these children’s lives. She was a master pizza maker in the neighborhood where every child was invited to eat and savor her freshly baked masterpieces. She loved balls and playing with her grand and great grandchildren was her great joy. They found Emilia to be a fun playmate, never recognizing an age difference.

She made the best soup broth (brodo) and homemade spinach lasagna, mastering the Bolognese gravy of her homeland. Emilia was proud and impatiently awaited your approval of her cooking after the first taste, like that of a Zagat critic.

She loved music, dance, and “extra-cise”; she instilled in all a passion to move and be healthy. Customs and traditions were her base yet, she embraced all that New York and America held as opportunities, and even involved herself in politics. Dancing With The Stars merchandise was collected with each passing season and she held her vote close to her chest until the end, never disclosing her picks in advance.

Never having learned to even ride a bike, Emilia was a proud driver, having reveled in the success and freedom that a driver’s license held. She soon became the courageous driver to take her children to swim lessons and her friends who did not drive, grocery shopping. Emilia lived independently and drove until her passing at nearly 91 years old.

Although she and Marino never had the advantage of a formal education, they highly valued and insisted on education for their children, celebrating with pride in all six children’s advanced degrees. They were proud Catholics and raised their children with all the sacraments that Catholics embrace. They elected to send all of their six children to St. Mel’s School from its inception until the last graduated in 1985. To that point, they enjoyed the benefits that a solid and loving Catholic education brought to their children’s foundation and the continuous desire to see St. Mel’s School flourish.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that, if you so choose, to grace St. Mels’ Catholic Academy with your contribution in honor of Emilia Foschi. A Foschi Family Scholarship Fund has been created where future families may reap the same benefits that her children enjoyed.  The address is: St. Mel’s Catholic Academy, 154-24 26th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11254.  Foschi Family Scholarship Fund

Emilia is predeceased by her parents Giovanna and Marino, as well as her siblings Baby Antonio, Luciana (Saverio), Maria (Primo),and Antonio (Liliana). Also mourning are her remaining siblings: Renato (Carla), Mariana (Luciano), Amadeo (Angela), and Pinella (Marino).

Emilia (and Marino) leave behind their children Robert (Margaret), Maria, Debra, Paul (Brenda), Sandra (Bill), and Amy (Adam). 13 grandchildren: Pamela (Daniel), Jessica (Mark), John Paul (Jackie), Christian (Jackie), Meredith, Isabella, Palma, Gianluca, Peter (Sarah), Paige, Erika, Michael (Heather), and William. 16 great-grandchildren: Riley, Caroline, Emilia, Declan, Victor, James, and new Baby Sister, Bobby, Michael, Georgia, Liliana, Jade, Hudson, Noah, Milo, and Emma. She will be forever missed, never forgotten, and always live on within us all.