Antoinette Amore

BIOGRAPHY

Antoinette Amore was born in Pietracatella, Molise, Italy, on 17 February 1905. Her father immigrated to America when she was just two months old. About six years later, he sent for his wife and daughter to join him. The family settled in Bridgeport, where it grew with the births of her sister, Louise, and two brothers, Patrick and Michael.

Amore attended Barnum Elementary School in Bridgeport. From a young age, she had a deep desire to take music lessons. However, financial hardships arose when she reached the eighth grade, and she was forced to leave school to help support her family. At just 14 years old, she began doing bench work at a company in Bridgeport. Soon after, she fell seriously ill and was unable to work for nearly six months. Her mother prayed fervently for her recovery and, once Antoinette regained her health, took her to a piano store. There, she chose a new piano that cost $700. She began taking lessons for 50 cents each from a Sister at St. John Nepomucene Convent.

While studying music, she began to feel a calling to religious life. With her parents’ consent, she entered the convent and received the bonnet on 8 December 1924. As a candidate, she assisted at St. Ann’s in Baltimore and St. Patrick’s in Cumberland. On 17 August 1926, she was received as a novice and given the religious name Sister Mary Cecile.

After completing her novitiate, she was assigned to Holy Angels Academy in Fort Lee, New Jersey. She professed her vows in 1928 and remained at Holy Angels until 1935. Sister went on to teach at various missions, including those in Baltimore, St. Joseph in Washington, D.C., and Garden City, New York, among others. She served as a parish organist, taught music, and offered private lessons in piano, violin, and voice. She also directed choirs composed of both adults and older children. Her dedication to music led her to pursue further education, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1939 and a master’s degree in 1945, both from The Catholic University of America.

Antoinette Amore passed away in Wilton, Connecticut, USA, on 18 February 2016, one day after her 111th birthday.

RECOGNITION

On 25 February 2015, following the passing of Emily Tremonti, she became the oldest known living person in Connecticut, at the age of 110 years, 8 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Anna Holzl.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Sister Mary Cecile Amore celebrates 108 years” – Wilton Bulletin, 26 February 2013

* “Wilton’s Sister Cecile will turn 110 next month” – Norwalk Hour, 12 January 2015

* “Obituary: Sister Mary Cecile Amore, 111” – Wilton Bulletin, 2 March 2016

GALLERY

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