LOUISE CAMILLI MAGNARELLI
Louise Camilli Magnarelli was born on June 26, 1924 in Garfield, New Jersey, the first of three daughters of Biagio and Antoinette Camilli. In 1947 Louise married Louis J. Magnarelli and moved to Syracuse. She gave birth to five children: William, Thomas, David, Elizabeth and Louise. She was a stay-at-home mom and later a grandmother of twelve.
Those closest to Louise knew her as a strong, unpretentious, vibrant lady with an infectious wit who enjoyed the company of others, from young to old. She easily related to both friends and strangers, and was sought out by many for advice. She loved traveling, especially to Europe, and made several trips to Italy to meet her aunts, uncles and cousins. Though she had little formal training, Louise was a skilled artist who enjoyed sketching and water colors.
Louise¡¯s battle with breast cancer began in late 1977 when she found a tiny pea-size lump under her left armpit. She made an appointment with her doctor who advised she undergo surgery to determine if the lump was malignant. If cancer was found a mastectomy would be performed before Louise woke up. The surgeons discovered that not only was the tiny growth malignant, it had already metastasized to her lymph nodes. The breast and numerous lymph nodes were removed. In addition, a two-year regimen of experimental chemotherapy was prescribed. Within weeks, Louise¡¯s world had been turned upside down.
For most of the following years Louise¡¯s treatment consisted of weekly shots in the neck and stomach area along with daily drugs. She suffered nausea and vomiting for days after her treatments and lost most of her hair within a few months. The magnitude of the diagnosis, severity of treatment and uncertainty of outcome were a trial for both her body and spirit. Breast cancer was not openly discussed at this time and there were few places to find comfort and support. At times, it seemed too much for Louise to handle. Yet, looking back on this period years later, Louise would remark that her faith in God and love of family provided the resolve she needed to continue the arduous course to wellness. During the second year, the frequency of the treatments diminished and, in 1980, Louise had fully completed the regimen.
Louise lived cancer-free for the next 16 years. She relished every moment she was given and immersed herself in the fullness of life. Yet she was always mindful of the ravages that breast cancer could inflict and spoke candidly to others of her experiences.
Louise was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1996 and died in 1997. Her physicians were skeptical of whether her cancers were related given the period of time between the two diagnoses.
Our mother would have been deeply honored to know that part of the continuing fight against breast cancer will be waged in her name.
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