This information is taken from the journal of James W. DiStefano, the third son of Girolamo (James) and Kathrine (Katie) DiStefano. He was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. He served in the Southern States Mission.
Dec. 19, 1939 – Tuesday, Anderson SC:
“One year ago tonight we took Mother to the hospital, not realizing what would happen. I can still see little Thomas running to and fro carrying towels to place on Mother and often he would make remarks, “Ain’t she cute” or “Ain’t she sweet.” At nine o’clock she was so ill that we decided to take her to Duchesne. I got Farl to take us. Ethel Clegg, Farl and myself went.
When we arrived in Duchesne, Dr. Murray said that she had to be operated on and we couldn’t wait until morning. We arrived in Heber at 3:00 a.m. and at 4:00 she was on the operating table. By 6:30 the operation was over. Four days and four night she suffered terribly before passing on.
Tonight we rehearsed our Christmas program. Elder Richards received a package from home. His mother sent me a stocking full of candy.
Dec. 24, 1939 – Sunday, Columbia SC:
One year ago today the sad news was brought to our home that Mother had died. I can still remember my brother Perry going to the door the first time when the news came that mother was worse. When the second knock came at the door they wanted me to answer but I told Perry he could. His first words were, “We’ve got to go James.” Then everyone in the house started to cry, except myself and little Thomas.
I had just come from Mother’s bedside where I had been with her for four days and four nights with very little sleep. I laid on the bed thinking of something, I don’t know what. I could hear sobs coming from the next room where Sis slept with Mother. I could picture little Thomas next to Sis with wide open eyes wondering what it was all about.
About 12:00 noon, the family (excluding Bill and Leonard), Ethel Clegg, and myself were on our way to Heber in Andrew Jones’s car (Principal of Tabiona School). We were met at the door of the Olpin Mortuary by Bill. He gave each of us a handkerchief, as he knew we would need it. Inside we met Uncle Tony, Aunt Annie, and Aunt Rose as well as some of my cousins.
We had to wait about an hour before we were permitted to see Mother’s body. When we were told we cold see her, I stayed in the room and cried. I was the last one to go into where her body was laying. I must say, when I saw her, a feeling of relief came over me. I don’t know what it was. I don’t know except that it might have been because the last time I had seen her alive, she was miserable and in torment.
While her body laid on the bed, she seemed so peaceful and at rest. She look so beautiful with her pretty black hair. She looked the youngest I ever remember seeing her. Her age was 43. Her birthday is June 24.
Dec. 27, 1939 – Wednesday – Anderson SC
One year ago today we had Mother’s funeral. It was held in the Tabiona Ward and conducted by Bishop Alden J. Turnbow.
Invocation: John H. Jones
Speaker: Elder Laverl Turnbow, who had labored in the Central States Mission.
Speaker: Elder Bernell Turnbow, who had labored in the Southern States Mission.
Speaker: President Heber Moon, Stake President.
Benediction: Foster Rhoades.
I might be wise to mention that two weeks previous to this date, after Mother had attended the funeral of Author Maxwell, she said that she wanted President Moon and Bernell Turnbow to preach at her funeral.
I remember seeing my mother walk from the chapel with tears in her eyes. It made me cry to look at her. I think of the soft warm love in her heart for people. Tears came into my eyes when I thought how terrible it would feel if it were my own dear mother’s body in the casket instead of a friend.
And to think that only two weeks later I was experiencing the same tragedy as many others have done. It’s hard. “You will never miss your mother until she is gone.”
The funeral was well attended by relatives from Magna. President Moon and Bernell took advantage of their opportunities and preached some Mormon doctrine to my kin, who are not members of the Church. However, I hope and pray that I will be an instrument in the Lord’s hands in bring many of them to the knowledge of the truth. It was a large funeral, as big as I have seen in the Tabiona ward, indicating Mother had many friends. She was the best mother in the world.”
Note: Before Katherine died, she told James where small gifts were hidden in the home for the younger children’s Christmas.
When the family saw Katherine after her death, her body was on a full size bed instead of a casket. Her long hair had been washed and was spread out over the pillow.
Katherine is buried in the Tabiona Cemetary, Tabiona, Utah, Utah
Contribution: Kathryn DiStefano Griffiths – Granddaughter
Informant: James W. DiStefano – Son