Aldesia Wanda Gaudio has joined her husband Solo, her mother Rafaela, her father Salvatore, and many others she loved in heaven. She was 102.

Her age wasn’t her only special attribute. Wanda, as many people called her, was a strong, independent, and joyful woman who lived by two truths that she would often recite to those lucky enough to spend time with her.

“Ordina al tuo destino di essere bello, e tale sará,” she would say in her native Italian tongue at just the right moments, which means, “Command your destiny to be beautiful, and it will be.”

And if you told her about something you loved doing, she would invariably reply, “Tutto é bello cio che piace,” which means, “Everything you like is beautiful.”

 She embodied those words by living life on her own terms and generously spreading her love, wisdom, and playfulness to everyone she met—she traveled often, both far and near; she made plate-lickingly delicious sauce, pasta, and meatballs from scratch for family and friends alike; she loved unconditionally; she encouraged frequently; she laughed freely.

Wanda *lived*.

When she was 19, she left her hometown of San Lucido in Italy with her mother, brothers, and sisters to join her father in New York City. She settled in Brooklyn, where she worked as a dressmaker, got married, and had two sons, Dennis and Ron.

Eventually, Wanda and Solo moved down the street from Dennis, their daughter-in-law Esther, and their three grandsons, Michael, Dennis Jr., and Chris in Long Island. And whenever Ron, their daughter-in-law Lucy, and their grandsons Richard and Thomas would visit, one of Wanda’s tasty dishes would be waiting for them on the stove.

At 91, still sharp and full of life, she moved in with Ron and Lucy in Staten Island. She spent much of her nineties doing what she did best: travelling, cooking, loving, and laughing. She wasn’t going to let a little thing like advanced age slow her down.

 Above all else, she valued family and was happiest when they were around and well fed.

Wanda *lived*.

 Nature caught up to her at some point, though. During her last two years, she needed more help. And help she received, from both family and aides who treated her like their own mothers. Thanks to the extraordinary care of her aides, Merlyn and Sylvia, Wanda was able to stay at home until the very end.

 She died in her bed surrounded by loved ones.

 But her death was only a moment.

 For countless moments before then, Wanda *lived*.

  She is survived by her brother Dante, her sister-in-law Terry, her sons Dennis and Ron, her daughters-in-law Esther and Lucy, her five grandchildren Michael, Dennis Jr. Chris, Richard, and Thomas, and her 10 great grandchildren Krista, Jessica, Erica, Andrew, Matthew, Julia, Allyson, Corrine, Samantha, and Clark.