Concetta Migliore
December 21, 1919 - January 14, 2013
Obituary
Our beloved Concetta Migliore passed away January 14, 2013 in Seattle after a short illness at age 93 with her daughter and granddaughter by her side.
Concetta was born in Seattle at the end of 1919 to Italian immigrants Anna and Louie Anthony. She was an accomplished accordionist and pianist, and played with style and joy. She was a petite beauty of 17 when she met John Migliore of Bothell at an Italian Community dance. They married in 1941, a union that lasted until John’s death in 2011, just shy of their 70th anniversary.
John built a house for Concetta on Ross Road in Bothell. They became an important part of life in the little town. Daughter Dianne was born just before their first anniversary, followed by daughter JoAnne six years later. Concetta enjoyed being a part of John’s huge family, and she was often the instigator of parties and dances. John was like a strong oak, and Concetta balanced him perfectly with an enthusiastic love for life. She was unfailingly kind, and had unconditional love for everyone she met. Family members and friends looked forward to her wonderful cooking. In later years at their Bothell home, Concetta and John had a deal: she would cook, and he would build a fire. Their romance was a shining example of tender faithfulness, admired by all who knew them.
When her daughters were older she worked at Northshore Bank. Around that time, she met a young Italian man who was opening a restaurant in Bothell called Teo’s Mia Roma. Concetta played her accordion on the restaurant’s opening night. It was quite a success, and she and John could be found at Mia Roma every Friday and Saturday night for many years. She formed a trio called the Rigatones with her “boys” Tom Falcone and Lenny Luzzi, playing together for about 6 years at the restaurant. Mia Roma still operates in Kenmore, and bears a plaque inside the front door dedicated to Concetta and John.
Concetta was not just proud to be Italian, it was her very identity. She was known for what the Italians would call “bella figura” always looking her very best. She loved purple and leopard prints, and never went out without perfect hair, and beautiful earrings. Right to the end, her mind and memory were sharp, and she made everyone who met her feel important and loved.
Concetta was the executive producer of a weekly radio program on KXA-AM called “The Italian Hour,” which was devoted to the Italian language, culture, and music. With her accordion, she supplied the sound track for gatherings all across Seattle and the Eastside. She was involved with Sons of Italy, and entertained at meetings, parties, picnics, retirement homes, and dances. Later when her accordion became too heavy, she played the piano, and anyone who heard her was captivated by her precision, and her dramatic style. In 2000 she won First Place in the Talent Show Extravaganza at Benaroya Hall with her exceptional piano performance.
Concetta was preceded in death by her parents, dear brother John Anthony, and her beloved husband John Migliore. She is survived by daughters Dianne Russell and JoAnne (Tom) Porter; granddaughters Lianna (David) Cariker, Johanna (Jamie) Zyskowski, and Maria Porter; grandsons Christopher (Chasity) Porter, and Anthony Porter; great-grandchildren Christina, Cassandra, Lillian, Scarlet, Thomas, Juniper, Emma, Austin, and Bailey.
Una donna meravigliosa,io un amatore di fisarmonica,l`o abrcciata moltissime voltelultima volta alla festa last settembre.
Resta in paceConcetta,AMEN.
Oh Concetta,
How Blessed Heaven has become by your eternal entry.
We are sadden, but Concetta will live on with us forever! She was a special person and we will miss seeing her wonderful smile, warmth, and friendliness. Truly a “one of a kind person” that everyone loved. Our best to the Migliore family, and friends.
Joe and Judi Quilici
Concetta, You taught me how to entertain, how to perform, how to reach people with my music. You are the gift, the mentor, the guide that gave me the confidence to become what my parents hoped for, though they didn’t live long enough to see it happen. Grazie mille for your love, example and encouragement!
I worked with Concetta at Teo`s. She was such a sweet lady, and will be greatly missed. My thoughts, and prayers are with
her family, and many friends.
I grew up next to Concetta’s mom & dad, I came to love both her & Johnny, they were part of family & we were part of theirs. They will be missed & I will never forget them. T
Bobbi & Mike Boushey
To the Family of “Concetta Migliore”
My deepest Sympathy to the family of my Beloved Comari
Concetta:
I shall never forget how sweet my “Comari” was to me, Evey
year on my Birthday she would call and play “Happy Birthday”
to me on the piano. From now on, she’ll be playing it from
her heavenly home.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most
difficult time.
All My Love,
Your Cousin,
Beverly Demattea
:
Concetta, you are now at peace. I am sure there is a beautiful grand piano for you to play your beautiful melodies. We will miss your bright smile and warm personality. Prayers to your family.
Dianne and Joanne I was so sorryto hear of your Mothers passing. What a remarkable person she was! I was amazed by her. She worked at my dad’s law office just out of highschool and when I’d go to the office she would always have a treat for mein her desk drawyerwhich I thought was so wonderful.My parents and I would go to the Anthony house on Sundays and each time I wanted her to play the accordian for us which she always did. Quite a person! I really loved her.
Oh how I loved Concetta! She was always so full of life, most of all just the sweetest person to be around. I loved going over to her house with Lianna to eat her wonderful Itallian food, always smelled so good in her home. I have fond memories of going to Mia Roma with Lianna and listening to Concetta play her accordian.. As time passed I would often see her @ QFC in Bothell. She was always dressed to the hilt and her hair done perfectly. She always had kind words for me and always asked about the family. I sure did love seeing her, so sad to hear of her passing. Concetta is one of those few people that bring such sweet memories.
Auntie and Family,
How my heart hurts that I could not be with you all on
this day for Auntie and our Lord receiving her in his
arms. You all know how precious she was not only
as a wonderful aunt, second mom and musician.
She was my inspiration to play the accordian at a young
age. Oh how we loved music together. I still am so
familiar with the songs we heard on the player piano down
in the Bothell basement.. I loved playing my accordian but
especially loved listening to my Auntie play hers. You know not long ago I had her playing Happy Birthday to me
on my answering machine but had decided to take if off,
boy what a mistake, because on the 22nd of this month
I did not get my special call and birthday song played and
sung to me. Ciao Bella, God Be With you Always.
All my Love forever and prayers.. Your Niece Linda Mary
I was Cocetta’s and Johnnies hair dresser for many years, They were both wonderful people and I will never forget them.
Nonny,
No one is like you, no one can replace you, and no one will ever come close to being who you were to me. You filled my life with joy, food, music, and love. You gave me the best back rubs, the best hugs, and the best advice. If I could go back, I wish I spent every day with you because I never expected you to not be a part of my life. Although, it does bring me joy that Papa is no longer alone and you are no longer in pain, I can’t help but to be selfish and wish you were here with me, to see me go to Europe, to turn another year older, to get married, and have a family. My life will never be the same without you, Christmases, Birthdays, and Thanksgiving will be more dim. You were the light in all of our lives and the accordion playing in the background of all of our days. You are who inspires me to love life and everyone in it and to never live a day where I don’t smile. You are the reason I will smile from now on and I only hope to meet you and Papa again someday after I live my life to the fullest. Until then, I know you’ll be watching.
Love,
Christina
Ti amo sempre
we have many happy Memories of our times with Concetta, and were lucky to vist before leaving for Arizona in December. She was almost her old self, speding two wonderful hours with us and our dog Cuddles. Sadly, when we left Skyline, we realized that it might have been our last. She was laways so heartfelf grateful for any little kindness we did for her, and was so proud to buy our Starbucks coffee and visit. I know that when she arrived in Heaven, St. Peter most likely had to shout “Hey, Concetta, Father McGirl, Father Mike, all you Migilore’s, Anthony’s, Vitulli’s,and all you Bothell people, please move your party to the other side of Heaven and stop clogging the entrance so other’s can get i!n!.”
I had the honor and the pleasure of meeting Concetta shortly after her beloved John died. I journeyed with her in her grief. Every week or so, I would pick her up and we would spend a couple of hours at the local Starbucks where she shared her many joys, mostly of her family and her life. She was such an inspiration with her warm and positive personality. She helped me with my own grief, as I met her just after my own mother’s death; and coincidentally my mother and Concetta shared the same birthday. Concetta was such a blessing!
Concetta at Festa
Just once I was honored to sit by her side as she played the piano, flashing her ring and smiling at me. What a lovely woman. We were blessed to have her with us for 93 years.
It was such a pleasure to work with Concetta at Mia Roma for over 12 years. She was always gracious and took time with the many people who wanted to talk to her as she worked. She was a lovely proud woman.
I miss you Great Aunt concetta. I think of you so often. I miss your love for life. I am so glad I got to play a game with you and visit you your last month of life. You imprinted my memories with fun, laughter, excitement. You will always be a part of me. You and my grandmother were childhood best friends and both met Italian brothers that you both married. You are a part of my life always.
Love
Deanne
Concetta, you didn’t know us by name, but you knew us by face. My wife and I met Teo in ’67 at Elios joint, and met you at Mia Roma later. Each time we came in to Teo’s we made sure you were there before coming in. You played for us, and depending on whether we had our bambini or were being amorous, you always knew which song to play.
I look forward to having you play for us again, up there!
God bless your “familia”, all of us!