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Giulia had celebrated her 99th birthday. A letter to Giulia
October 30, 2002 To the Family and Friends of Giulia Ferrante Zando War, West Virginia I received an email last evening from Joyce Wright Wood, living in Florida, Buck Wright's daughter. She told me she read in the Bluefield newspaper, the passing away of Giulia Ferrante Zando. She thanked me for capturing Giulia's life through an oral history for my educational website; www.appalachiacoal.com. She thanked me for capturing her father's life's story for the website as well. I am so sorry for the passing away of Giulia but her life is one of celebration. I do not need thanks for having the honor and pleasure of getting the story of Giulia's life. She is America. I can read her story over and over - how she came to America from Italy at the age of 9; her stay on Ellis Island, not being able to speak any English and the funny parts like when the rich New Yorkers were tossing the coins over the fence to the immigrants and she picked up a nickel, her older brother and sister became angry because they got a smaller coin which they didn't know was a dime. Finally, her exciting trip to Welch and later War. Meeting her father for the first time since she was 18 months old. Giulia exemplifies everything America stands for. Her life, based on her oral history, was filled with struggles, hard work and joy. It is apparent she was a big hit in the neighborhood by her involvement in civic activities. Her popularity was obvious because when I contacted Tom Hatcher for some ideas, her name was one of the first. She is representative of all we should strive to be; helping others, caring for our families and involvement in the church and the community. I learned a lot from Giulia. I fell in love with her immediately. She was so cute and spirited. It was funny when Mary and Josephine told me she didn't want her photo made until after her weekly trip to the beauty salon. I love the picture of Giulia and me. She is so beautiful. Her family made me feel welcome. They were warm, friendly and helpful. Apparently they recognized my need for help right off the bat, being a total novice at this big project of capturing the spirit of Appalachia, they showed me photos, they told me stories and Josephine even wrote a lot of the story down. Thank you Josephine. What a family, what a community. I am in constant awe of the natural beauty, the ole-time setting and the warm and friendly way I am treated when I come there. It is I who should be thanking Giulia's family as well as all the people of War; Rush and Mary Ann Justice and Tom Hatcher, just to name a few, for giving me the opportunity of becoming a part of that special American Spirit found in your town. I spoke with Josephine on the phone this morning and she told me of the funeral arrangements and how the funeral was being arranged around the homecoming game and Halloween's trick or treat night and the Catholic's Holy Day, but I wanted something in hard copy to convey my feelings toward Giulia, her family and the people of War. Josephine promised me a photo of 5 generations to add to Giulia's story. Although I will not be able to attend Giulia's funeral, she will be in my thoughts and always a part of my life. Love,
B. L. Dotson-Lewis
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