MAMAIE was born on November 30, 1931 in Bucarest, Romania. She was born into a middle-class family of three boys and a few years later arrived her baby sister, Mimitza. From the moment they met, her little sister would always be her best friend.
At an early age MAMAIE learned how to play chess; she played in tournaments all over Romania and was the Ladies Chess Champion. She loved sports, her family, chess, cooking, trap & skeet, helping others and she knew what she wanted… and how to get it! That’s why in 1947 at the young age of 15, she married TATAIE. The young lovebirds shared a passion for soccer and sports journalism, so they traveled the world with the National Romanian soccer team. Along the way, she learned culture, traditions and 5 languages… fluently! One of her favorite places to visit was Morocco, she would light up every time she told us about the fun they had there! They loved going on double dates with their siblings and spouses, which are accompanied by many great, funny stories as well. They explored the world, got to know each other and about 5 years later, in 1952, she gave birth to their only child, Gil Mircea Mardaresco. There is always a strong-bond between parents and their children, but the one between Isabella and Gil was as tight as they come. When there was a decision to be made, the two always consulted each other. When Gil needed help, he asked MAMAIE, when the tides turned and MAMAIE needed help, she asked Gil.
Growing up, MAMAIE and TATAIE poured their love, time and money into giving Gil only the best of everything. They raised him in Romania with a soccer ball by his side, from the moment he could walk. Evidently they never got mad when he broke something in the house because he was practicing for his soccer career.
Although Romania was under communism during her younger years, weekends were spent with the Calomfirescu side of the family --- and they made sure there was always something to celebrate! There was never a shortage of food, twica, dancing or music! Punctuality and hospitality were very important to MAMAIE. She never showed up late or without something to share. At her home, you never left feeling hungry… more like stuffed and happy. If she had, she gave. If she didn’t have, she still gave. These traits were instilled in her by her Mother and her Grandmother. She was very close with both of them and spent countless hours in the kitchen learning to cook and getting a grasp on way too many superstitions. MAMAIE was very superstitious and Gil gave her a run for her money about never opening umbrellas inside, walking with one shoe on and especially whistling in the house.
MAMAIE was not only beautiful on the inside, she was also gorgeous on the outside. There were several times that TATAIE got into fights defending her honor and like any good wife, she was proud of her man. He fought in WW2 as well as for his wife and son. Her face would absolutely light up when she told us those stories.
As the years went on, they raised Gil with the help of their families, especially Lali (her Mom.) I guess it didn’t take long to realize that soccer was much more Gils’ thing than school and when he was a teenager, they granted him his wish and let him play professional soccer for Romania’s National Team. MAMAIE would be the first to tell you that TATAIE was tougher and stricter on their son than he was on any other player on the team. But his plan worked out because shortly after Gil turned 17 they fled Romania and moved to America; New York to be exact. But they didn’t come alone. MAMAIE, Mimi and their brothers had a strong-family bond and made sure everyone was able to come together. Upon moving, TATAIE coached the New York United and New York Cosmo’s soccer teams while Gil was a star player with his buddies Pele and Fernando Clavijo. MAMAIE didn’t miss many games or the opportunity to tell a referee when he made a bad call. She was their #1 fan as well as a Mom to all the other players!
They lived in NY for about 10 years, traveling all over the world and also helping Gil and Kathy with Members; their Taxi and Limo business. That’s around the time MAMAIEs siblings began becoming grandparents – Roxana, Anthony, Alex, Antonia, and Arevica… It was the middle of 1979 when they welcomed their own, first grandchild… Me! The story goes that it was love at first sight and they did not want to be holiday-only grandparents, so they planted their roots more permanently. 21 months later, baby Adriana came along and they knew they had made the right decision. Helping raise us, teaching us Romanian traditions and figuring out English together are some of our first memories.
Mattie, her parents and baby Laura were the first to move to sunny California, which meant there would be another family trip; this time across the country, not the world. Being so tight-knit, MAMAIEs siblings, nieces and nephews helped us load up the limos and drove them cross-country. Adriana and I had the privilege of flying with our Mom who was pregnant with Mike… I mean Mircea! MAMAIE was not always a rule follower, she was more of a “get it done to help your family, no matter what” kind of gal, which leads me to the story of the white mink coat. MAMAIE had sown my Mom’s mink filled with stacks of cash – like $10,000. After all we were moving across the US and she didn’t want us starting on empty. Shortly after we settled in, my little brother, Mike was born and from that day forward, there would be nobody else that made her heart so unbelievably happy. The son of your only son could never do wrong in her eyes. I beg to differ…
We all lived together in Riverside for many years. Although always willing to help, MAMAIE and TATAIE were not the best drivers. Green sometimes meant stop and speed limits were for everybody else, not them. It didn’t matter because they picked us up and dropped us off at school, tennis practice and swim meets all the time. They were extremely involved in our everyday lives, as well as Gil’s cement and janitorial businesses. MAMAIE was always the go to person, whether it was to help with the businesses, cooking delicious meals, kid pick-ups and running errands. The lady loved to help, so everybody would ask her. She also loved nice cars, Mercedes Benz to be exact and every few years Gil bought her a knew one… I can’t blame him, it always made her smile! Another thing that made her smile was after she cooked a delicious plate of schnitzel and we fought over them… She would treat us to her cletite!! And we’d indulge some more! I remember her saying, not too much jelly… it will spoil the taste.
In 1993, MAMAIE and TATAIE upgraded and moved to Aliso Viejo – they would be closer to the family, especially Mimi, Ervant, Arev, Lisa, Arevica and Christina! MAMAIE never thought it was important to have too many friends, she spent her time strengthening her relationships with her family. Her and Mimitza were inseparable, no matter how far apart they lived. They talked several times a week and you would always hear both of them say “oh sora” about a hundred times. They are the greatest example of a bond between two sisters; one which my sister and I have always looked up to. Mimi may have been her favorite, but she adored her three brothers and their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids a ton. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t hold us to our word or give us tough love when necessary… She was well-rounded.
Several people in our Family were named after MAMAIE – big Antonia, little Antonia, Jackie Antonia and Roxana Isabella. You ladies are very lucky and have a legacy to carry out. Even if you weren’t named after MAMAIE she would help and care for you. Some of you may remember Heidi, a sweet, 90-year old Jewish lady who was part of our family for the years MAMAIE and Mimi cared for her. MAMAIE also took it upon herself to care for Domingo’s kids; she found them a loving home when their parents couldn’t take care of them… and shortly after, we found out they were all honor-roll students. There are tons of Family members as well as strangers that she lent a helping hand to. She would have done much more if she won the lotto too. She talked about the lotto all the time and played every week for as long as I can remember. She dreamt of buying us all homes, paying off everyone’s debt, saving a little for herself and helping those unable to help themselves. I wish she would have won the lotto because she was such a loyal ticket buyer!
I’m guessing she would have taken a small portion of it to the Casino too. She sure loved the sound of the machines and all the bright lights. Mike took her often, since they both shared that guilty pleasure… that and they adored each other! He would always ask her to tell him bancuri… the same ones over and over, but we still laughed… From time to time she would hear a new one from Tanti Pia in Canada and she would ask us if we’d heard the one with the man and his wife… Of course we hadn’t, so we listened carefully as she told it and re-told it… and sometimes translated it! She was quick and witty; she was a chess player, a math whiz and a loyal lady! She was not only loyal to her family, but also to the Romanian Church. She attended, donated, helped build it and reminded us of the parastases we should be attending.
MAMAIEs favorite color was RED, obviously. Her nail lady of 20 years polished her toes and nails with that bright, beautiful red/orange, which will never be forgotten. I found out, it’s called Red Fire. She’d tell you it was her red nails and matching lipstick that kept her young and dainty. And you couldn’t deny it when you would see her matching from head to toe. Shoes and purse must match, it was non-negotiable… the belt was a bonus! She didn’t like sloppy… and to her that meant you should coordinate your outfit! There’s a funny saying in Romanian, if you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful, even with a turd on your head! She would always remind us of this.
MAMAIE was trendy, fashionable and even tech savvy. It was constantly her goal to keep up with the times and the younger generations. She danced at family gatherings, learned to use a cell phone when they first came out (even an iPhone more recently), she was in tune with the latest diet fads, constantly read medical journals on new technology, explored new places, tried new foods… the sky was her limit.
In 1997 MAMAIE and TATAIE celebrated 50 years of marriage – wow that was quite the accomplishment and boy did they celebrate it! They had been through a ton, naturally but only knew how to push forward and had a beautiful love for each other. They were married a grand total of 56 years before he passed in 2003.
Over the last 10 years MAMAIE relaxed a bit more; she worked less (but still jumped to help Mike and Gil with their businesses.) She welcomed two more grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was forever proud of everyone’s accomplishments… big and small!
In 2008 she courageously went in for gastric bypass surgery and was recorded as one of the oldest to have the operation done. She was 77 years old and really wanted to experience it. She was extremely knowledgeable about medicine and often told doctors what needed to be done to help her, so no one stopped her and she loved the effects of it.
Her heart was full and her goals accomplished. MAMAIEs legacy must continue though!
I can’t say that this transition is going to be easy for any of us. I can only hope that we come together as her loved ones and remember the lessons she taught each of us. May you watch over us as you rest in peace MAMAIE. Te iubesc!!!!!
XOXO
Nicole
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