Margherita Intravaia Intravaia

March 1912 would mark their arrival in Madison. There was much activity in the two-story house at 819 Milton St. where Margherita served as a mediator to calm matters that arose during the course of the day. Mealtimes were massive celebrations with enough food prepared "just in case" someone, or two or more, stopped by to visit. The Intravaia kitchen, large by today's standards, was the gathering room for the family. During the early morning hours, coffee with milk, pastries and homemade bread were made plentiful for breakfast. Family celebrations took place in the dining room where men would play cards after dishes were removed. This was a talented household where music often reigned. Italian songs were sung while cleaning, washing, ironing or during any mode of relaxation. As a deeply religious person, Margherita attended Mass often at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, directly across the street from their market and home at 27 S. Park St., where they had moved in 1920.

"I remember seeing her only once. I was four years old, but still recall her standing at the store and smiling down at me as she stirred a big kettle. I was a little frightened of the language, especially when they talked loudly. My father assured me that no one was angry ... it was just the way Italians talked."
Leah Intravaia Younker, granddaughter
(daughter of Tom)

"She had an apron that seemed to have magical bottomless pockets. It seemed that anytime we asked her for something, she'd pull it from the depths of her pockets ... like everything we needed was always there."
Thomas Intravaia, son

Source Author: Catherine Tripalin Murray
Source Copyright: 1996