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Camille Riccio Johnson, 92

Nickname: Sandy
Added: 12-05-2025
Died: Apr 16th, 2008

Hometown: West Haven, CT
Occupation: Nurse's Aide

About Camille: Camille was my mother. My father died very young, 45, and my mother was left with 5 young children. They just bought a small home 5 years before with a 30 yr. mortgage which she was not responsible for. She kept that roof over our heads, got us fed, educated in our Catholic faith and our education. She struggled all her life financially. She never got involved with any other man, and had the weight of the world on her shoulders with no help from others. She would never seek out welfare nor were we allowed to ask anyone for anything. We instilled good values in us and kept us independent, educated, and hard working. We had many good times as well. Her life was not easy. more... less...

Camille's Memories

I remember her telling me that I should go to college so I would be able to get a good job incase things didn't work out, I would be able to care for myself without great struggle. We were close to poor, although we never truly realized that because we were never hungry or homeless. When I asked how that could happen without money, she told me: "make it happen." "You are who you want to be." I did make it happen going to school part time and working. We were expected to believe and be more.