My Grandma Ada lived for 100 years and five days. The most important lesson she taught me was the value of a goal and a purpose.
Technically speaking, Ada was my step-grandmother. My maternal grandmother (Nonna) passed away suddenly in her 70s, and my grandfather (Nonno) briefly courted and then married Ada.
Ada was a sweet woman, a widower who was never blessed with children. The wedding was a casual affair. It was heartwarming to see two people in their 70s rediscover new love.
Nonno died less than three weeks into their marriage. He decided to stop taking his heart medication because “he felt great.”