Happy Mother’s Day To Bridgida “Bessie” Federico

In celebration of Mother's Day on Sunday May 13, we asked Patch readers to write a letter to their mother and let us deliver it. This is Jason Castle's letter to his grandma:

I want to take this opportunity to tell you about my grandmother, Bridgida “Bessie” Federico. Bessie Federico was an amazing woman and taught by example. She owned Bessie’s Variety at the corner of Edgar Avenue and Jaques Street here in Somerville; this was a local hangout back in the day for teenagers. It was also the local store for the people in the neighborhood. If you needed something they sold and didn’t have the money right away, you weren’t turned away. Instead, you were added to the cardboard with your name and what you owed, and she’d see you end of the week or month, depending on your circumstances.

She even ensured that those who couldn’t get out got their items delivered. And when the blizzard of ’78 hit, my grandmother sent her kids to Star Market to get groceries for those who couldn’t get out and to stock up the store so those who were able to get out could get provisions. Bessie definitely taught her children to take care of others — especially those who have trouble taking care of themselves.

This was even more prevalent with the kids in the neighborhood who hung out on the corner. She made sure they were looked after and watched over to keep them out of trouble, even helping some of them who did get into trouble, before it was too late.

Then the Vietnam War hit. I was yet to be born, but from what I have learned it was a terrible war. Lots of veterans who should have come home to open arms were sadly forgotten because people were not a fan of the president’s decision to go to war. Some of these brave men or kids, rather, went to war because they signed up to defend our country, while others were drafted. When they came home, my grandmother looked after them, as they hung around the corner still. They weren’t the same, but it was a safe haven where they were welcomed without judgment. My grandmother cared about them and their well-being.

Through my Grandmother Bessie’s life, she had her share of challenges. In 1976 she lost her husband, my grandfather whom I never got to meet, to a massive heart attack on the job site as a bricklayer. Later that year, she lost her mother. In the ‘80s she had throat cancer, which she beat, She got word she was in the clear on my 10th birthday! Talk about a great gift. In the ‘90s she did what no mother should ever have to go through when her oldest son, Pat, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Through all that, my grandmother was there by his side right to the end. She held her oldest son when he was born and the day he took his last breath. She bounced back from all of these challenges.

Eventually, age caught up to her. She couldn’t make the stairs to the second floor, so she moved in with us on the first floor. Those were some of the best times with my grandmother, coming home, giving her a hug and a kiss and feeling her cold nose on my neck. The nights I was out late working, I would come home to find her still awake in bed with just her eyes and nose above the covers, waiting for a hug and kiss goodnight. She had to make sure I was OK before she could sleep.

In 2000, I joined the Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department. When I brought my gear home, she cried and asked my mother not to let me join. She was worrying about me. We had a few calls, but I could never go.

Then my grandmother got sick, and we had to rush her to the hospital. She was intubated for difficulty breathing. My mother stayed with her, and I’d go stay when I wasn’t at work, sleeping on the floor a few times. I’ll never forget, the last word she mouthed to anyone was my name, Jason. Shortly after she passed, I got to go to several calls with the Auxiliary Fire Department, probably because she could watch over me.

My grandmother was a strong woman who went through a lot in her life. She was a great woman and a wonderful grandmother, I learned a lot from her. I still hear stories to this day of new and great things my grandmother did.So Grandma, this is for you, a small tribute to the great woman that you were. I miss you and love you every day; I’d give anything to dance with you one more time to our song, Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind”!

You are my guardian angel, always watching over me. I love you, Grandma! Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven!

—Jason Castle

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See all Mother's Day Letters here.

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For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to help you give Dad the best Father's Day gift ever. Write him a heartfelt letter to tell him how much he means to you, email it to locallove@patch.com and we'll feature it in your town's newsfeed on Father's Day. Get more details here.

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