An Italian family thrives despite tragedy

We are pleased to announce we are nearing publication on a project involving the story of the Andreacci family -- nine siblings who overcame the tragic death of their mother. When Mariantonia Andreacci was struck and killed by a wagon in the streets of Brooklyn, her youngest daughter Rita was only two months old. But her eldest sister Mary stated forthrightly "We're in this together." Mary Andreacci organized the family to take care of itself to weather the storm of their father's death just 12 years later. Now -- at age 93 -- Rita Spina is telling her story of faith and family with a sense of humor and toughness that has allowed her to see almost a century of American history.