On many occasions I take time to thank the hardworking women in my life, and to honor those who came before me; their efforts and sacrifices have afforded me many choices and opportunities. Often the contributions of Italian American women are lesser known and recognized. This month’s community story features Antonia Smaldone DeNuzzi. May the memory of Antonia’s strength, struggles, love, and the contributions to her family and community, serve as a tribute to all Italian American women.
On May 8, 1883 Antonette “Antonia” Smaldone was born in Potenza. Located in southern Italy, Potenza is a city and comune in the Basilicata region (formerly Lucania). In 1899, Antonia married Domenico “Dominic” DeNuzzi (Di Nuzzo) and on July 12, 1900, the couple’s son Buonoventura “Andrew” DeNuzzi was born. A short time later, Dominic, age 25, left Italy for America, arriving in New York on April 11, 1901. According to the 1901 ship manifest, Dominic was traveling with others from Potenza, including his brother-in-law Gerardo Smaldone and Teresa and Vincenzo Marcheze (Marchese). The ship manifest also noted that Dominic was sponsored by the Arcieri (Archer) family (relatives of Gerardo Smaldone) of Denver.
In 1902, after finding work as a laborer in Denver, Dominic DeNuzzi moved into a house located in Denver’s Little Italy at 3536 Bell (later 3536 Osage). Tragically, Dominic was injured while working on a road crew in the mountains; he lost his eyesight and fingers on both hands as a result of the accident. Unable to work after the accident, yet eager to reunite with his wife and son, Dominic’s brother-in-law Gerardo Smaldone paid for Antonia and Andrew’s passage to America; in February of 1903, the family was reunited in Denver.
In Colorado three more children were born to Antonia and Dominic DeNuzzi: Filomena “Florence”, Lucille “Lucy” and Louisa “Jean”. The DeNuzzi family remained in the modest house at 3536 Osage Street. In addition to a family of six, the DeNuzzi home often served as a place to stay for others in need. This small house consisted of two bedrooms on the main floor and a kitchen, stove and pullout couch in the basement. There was no indoor bathroom, only an outhouse in the garage.
With her husband limited in his ability to work, Antonia and the DeNuzzi children worked hard to support the family. Antonia washed and ironed clothes (including for the Mount Carmel priests). She also provided food for the family from chickens she raised in the backyard, and a large family garden she tended to. At the end of each and every long day, Antonia would read to Dominic from the bible nightly. Out of love and respect, and because her husband could not see her wear bright colorful dresses, she always wore dark clothing. According to Antonia, if her husband could not see her wearing bright colors, no one else should.
The DeNuzzi children also helped support the family. Son Andrew worked various jobs including as a wagon boy for Daniels & Fisher, a laborer for the Denver Clay and Sewer Pipe Company and as a laborer for the railroad; he later worked as a Red Cap (baggage handler) at Union Station. Daughter Jean worked as a seamstress in a bedding factory and Lucille a cook.
Despite the hardship of their lives, Antonia, Dominic and their children were happy and willing to help those in need. Like so many other Italian American families, the DeNuzzi family believed in family first, followed by their faith and community. All sought opportunity as Americans and worked hard for a better life.
Dominic DeNuzzi died in Denver in May of 1962. The following year Antonia DeNuzzi died on August 31, 1963. Antonia and Dominic are both buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery. By: Alisa DiGiacomo
