Barbara Carol Bellagamba Bradley

My beautiful grandma (Nonna) passed away on Easter Sunday.  In January 2011 she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Had surgery, went through chemo and radiation and was cancer free by the fall.  About a year later the cancer came back.  She went through more chemo, but this time the chemo wasn't so bad that she lost her hair again.  The beginning of this year they found that the cancer spread to her liver and her bones.  Unfortunately, they had tried every single chemo pill out there and nothing was working anymore.

My grandparents just celebrated 50 years together this past October and I feel so lucky to have lived near them for the last 11 years.  It was fun getting together with them and I'm grateful that my kids were able to get to know their Nonna.  Morgan will probably be the only one who remembers her, but I know Ethan and Blake will remember her at least by the pictures we have.

Me and Nonna and Grandpop on my wedding day (Jan. 2006)

Nonna's 80th birthday party (July 2013)

Here are some pictures from the funeral which was this past Saturday.  This was the first time I had been to a Catholic funeral and one of the things they do after lowering the casket is everyone puts a flower and dirt on the casket.  I'm not entirely sure as to the significance and I should have asked one of my family members who are catholic, but didn't..  Morgan did start to cry at the cemetery when she asked why Nonna wasn't coming back and I told her Nonna was in heaven so we wouldn't see her again until we went to Heaven.  It took her a little while to understand, but she seemed to get it before we left.

After the cemetery we went back to the church (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) for a luncheon that some of the ladies from the church provided for us.

 Morgan and her cousin Tehya

I absolutely love this Picture with Morgan and my Grandpop (or Grandpa Coach which is what my kids call him) because this is just like my Grandpop.  He was always giving me hugs and kisses and would tell me "I love the stuffings out of you."  I love my Grandpop.

 After the luncheon we all went back to my aunt's house to play card games and swim (for those who were daring enough).

Blake found a new buddy, my cousin Dylan.  He loved playing with Dylan!  Dylan seemed to enjoy it as well.

It was good to see so much family (4 of my siblings were able to make it down) and remember the wonderful person Nonna is.  I'm so grateful for the knowledge that families can be together forever and that I will see Nonna again.