Maternal mortality in South Philadelphia.

“My maternal grandmother and her baby died in the Influenza Pandemic on October 9^th, 1918.
Her name is Angelina Benna Terlizzi, and the baby Elizabeth Terlizzi. Angelina’s maiden name was “Benna” or possibly “Bene-“ my mother would pronounce it “Benna,” but she spoke English only, not Italian, and she was only 5 or 6 when her mother died. 

Angelina was born in Italy about 1886, and lived at 609 Washington Ave. in Philadelphia. Her Death certificate incorrectly lists her as Angelina “Terlizzi,” but the death notice by the US Order of the Sons of Italy in America list her name correctly as Angelina Benna, wife of Guiseppe Terlizzi. They had two children before Elizabeth- my mother, Filomena, born February 20^th 1913, and Joseph Jr., born 1915. Angelina was 25 years old when she died. 

Both Angelina and Guiseppe are buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery at Diamond Street between 22^nd and 25^th streets in Philadelphia. Angelina’s burial took place on October 10^th, the day after her death. The cemetery was moved in 1951, and my mother had told me their remains were relocated to Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge on Huntingdon Pike. 

My grandfather, Guiseppe “Joseph” Terlizzi, lived until 1931- we know for certain that he outlived Angelina as he remarried a woman named Florence and had another daughter Emma in or around 1927.” 

Contributed by Mary Ellen Christ, Granddaughter of Angelina.