Mum was born Cristina Abate in San Martino, Avellino, Italy on the 15th January 1925.
She met my father Giuseppe Formato at a water hole and married in May 1948.
They had their first child named Agostino, also known as Gus.
As times were tough in Italy, my father left in 1952 by ship to start a new life in Perth, Australia.
In 1953 my mother and Gus left Italy to join my father in Australia.
My parents had 3 more children: Mario, Maria (dec) and I. You could say they saved the best for last.
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Mum had one of the most important jobs in the world which was to be a mother. Spending her days sculpturing our mind, body and soul.
Mum loved her family. Always ensuring we were fed and warm.
All children eventually got married, so she was mother-in-law to Bruna, Maria, Zed and Carmel. From that came 13 grand-children and 10 great-grandchildren.
After my father passed away in 1986 (31 years ago), she was the one who supported my sister and I. I wouldn’t have graduated university if it wasn’t for her and I am forever grateful.
She lived at home alone, independently, in Northbridge for about 20 years. During that time the area became a bit like Kings Cross in Sydney with the rebels, drug addicts and prostitutes. Luckily the area has been cleaned up since.
I heard that one summers day when my brother Gus was old enough to go to the shop by himself my mother gave him some money to go buy bread and milk for the family (and especially his starving little baby brother) and what happened next shocked my mother and the whole neighbourhood. Gus decided to buy himself an ice-cream and walked home happily licking the ice-cream. When he got home my mother took the ice-cream and his hand and walked him to the chicken pen and threw the ice-ream in there. The chickens were happy and Gus was sad. He will never forget that day and the lesson. My mother told him to never do that again.
Another time, my dad drove us home and parked the car in the garage. When Mario got out of the car he forgot to take his finger with him and I remember him yelling his head off after my mother accidentally shut the door on his finger.
My sister Maria did a painting once and run up to the back of house to show my parents. When she came running back down she couldn’t stop before hitting the wall and splitting her head. My mum had to carry her to the doctors for some stitches.
In my case, I can remember when I was naughty (rarely) and mum would take me by the hand up to the back shed where she would have some dry vine cuttings that she introduced to my skinny legs. Gee they would sting. Not sure if that is allowed these days. But as she was swinging and I was crying, I would say mum mum mum it’s me your son Martino (only joking!).
I remember in 1972 when I was 6 years old; mum took me to visit her family in Italy. I will always cherish that time and the memories.
Another time I took my mother shopping and because it started to rain we both rushed into the car. She got in the passenger’s seat and when we got home I noticed she had a black eye. She must have hit her eye on the corner of the car door on entry; she never said anything, never complained. That’s the type of person my mum was.
Mum was the quiet type, looked soft on the outside but she was very tough on the inside. She worked very hard.
Mum used to walk up and down the front stairs of her home with her walking stick and later her frame just to go visit her friend Barbara up the road.
I remember mum writing on our birthday cards the words “I wish you whatever your heart desires.”
Mum later got dementia and the way she handled it was an inspiration to say the least. She had a fighting spirit. I never heard her complain once.
I want to thank Mercy Care for taking care of mum. It wasn’t smooth sailing but I think they did their best.
Mum passed away peacefully on 7th March 2019 at the ripe old age of 94 and is now with her parents (Maria and Nicola), husband (Giuseppe), brothers (Giuseppe and Antonio), daughter (Maria) and grandson (Steven).
I can just imagine the party they’re having especially if Steven organised it.
Mum lived a full life.
We all know life is uncertain but one thing is for certain and that’s our love for mum. It’s going to last forever.
Her unconditional love, strength and inspiration will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
Now that she has left, we feel the pain which is a sign that she did good in this world.
We are so grateful that Cristina was our mum because she was the best.
May she rest in peace.
