‘The Queen of Geraniums’ - Nonna Pia Celebrates 90 Years Surrounded By Five Generations

Nonna Pia with her daughters and granddaughter Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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Five generations of family came together at Lee's hotel in Ingham on Sunday to celebrate a very special milestone, the 90th birthday of much-loved matriarch, Nonna Pia

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Her extended family travelled from far and wide gathering to celebrate their Nonna Pia's life, and the many memories shared across the generations.

“I can’t believe it,” Nonna Pia said when asked what it meant to see so many of her family together.

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“I can’t believe that so many have come. There are a few here who have come from Italy and from France. Truly, it’s truly wonderful.”

For her daughters, seeing five generations together was a particularly meaningful moment.

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“She’s the matriarch of all of them,” they said.

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Nonna Pia came to Australia from Italy in 1955 at the age of 17, leaving her parents behind and beginning a new life in Australia. She initially settled in Blackrock with her family. Her eldest daughter Rosa was two years old when they arrived, while her other five children were born in Australia.

Her husband, Batista, worked at Victoria Mill on the railways, while Pia worked at the cane barracks cooking for workers and raising her family. She later worked in babysitting, ironing and cleaning, but family remained at the heart of her life.

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Her daughters name her as the “fun grandma”, always ready for a game, a laugh or an adventure with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Family meals were an important part of their childhood, including days spent making ravioli together.

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“There used to be that production line,” the family laughed, remembering flour spread throughout the house as everyone worked together.

Nonna Pia was also known for her gnocchi, polenta, beautifully painted nails, love of Italian music and her collection of colourful geraniums.

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After the death of her husband, Pia became increasingly involved with the Italian community and seniors groups in Ingham, travelling extensively with friends.

She visited Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania, Western Australia, Papua New Guinea, Norfolk Island and France, where she was able to reconnect with family.

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In her 70s, she also returned to study, attending the local Ingham TAFE with friends to improve her English.

Fondly called the 'Queen of Geraniums' for her masterful skill in horticulture, the family has also worked to preserve that most-loved tradition by propagating her geraniums and sharing them among the grandchildren.

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“We take the geraniums, strike some new ones and give them to the grandchildren, so they’ve got a little piece of her,” her daughters said fondly.

Now living in a nursing home, Pia’s family said her circumstances may have changed, but her personality has not.

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“She’s very spirited, very loving,” they said, “90 years old and young at heart is really who she still is.”

At the celebration, Pia’s son John raised a toast to his mother, recognising those who had travelled from near and far to be there.

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“Friends, for a moment in celebration, people that have travelled from far, especially Serge and Liliane from Grenoble, France,” John said before inviting everyone to raise their glasses.

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“In all that, we’re just here. We’ll toast to Mum, Nonna, Pia. Everybody here, raise your glass.”

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For Nonna Pia, having five generations of her family gathered around her now at 90, her family say that while her body may not let her do everything she once could, her spirit remains as strong as ever.  

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