Obituary
Obituary for Laura E. Grill/ June 8, 2023
Laura Elisabetta (Martirani) Grill was born on December 28th, 1924 in Florence Italy, the 3rd daughter and 6th child, (11 in all!), of Ettore and Lucia Martirani. Christmas 1924 was an interesting year in Florence and the snowy weather was so inclement that the proud father (Ettore) was not able to bring the announcement to the City Hall to register little Laura’s birth until January of the following year. Of course, as is want to happen sometimes in Italy, the birth record actually recorded Laura’s birth as being in 1925. (Much later this issue was rectified.)
As Laura was coming of age, she especially loved physical education and was a star in track and field and tennis. She dreamed of becoming a physical education teacher. Alas, this was not to happen as Italy entered World War 2 and Laura bravely joined the workforce to provide whatever money she could to sustain the ever-growing family.
Laura met the love of her life, Robert B. Grill working for the Allied Forces as an interpreter as Italy was undergoing Reconstruction. After Laura and “Bob” married, the couple spent a brief time in Italy before moving to the metropolitan Washington D.C. area where they both settled down and had four children: Robert, Marisa, James and John. Laura was known for her beauty, fitness and sense of fun and became an energetic mother and homemaker. Laura dressed in style, whether for a picnic or more formal occasion, and later became a saleswoman at Saks Fifth Avenue. During these days, the family were members of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and were commonly seen at functions surrounding this heritage.
In 1976, Laura, Bob and John moved to Naples, Florida and enjoyed the many advantages warmer weather brings. Laura developed into an expert seashell sleuth and continued her penchants for cooking Italian food and dressing like the Fashionista she always was! At this time, Laura and the family continued their Catholic traditions and were frequently at church for Mass or other functions. They developed firm friendships and could often be seen strolling through their neighborhood or exercising at the gym as they continued their fitness routines.
Laura passed into New Life in the early morning of February 23rd, 2023. The night before, she was surrounded by her beloved son, John, her grandson, Aaron and her daughter-in-law Damaris. She was predeceased by her husband of 76 years, her sons, Robert and Jim and many brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brother, Antonio Martirani and his children, her son, John, and his family, her daughter, Marisa Hamilton and her family, her daughter-in-law Helen Grill and her many nieces and nephews on both sides of the Atlantic.
Her sense of fun, fashion, faith and her stunning smile will be missed.
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