Felma Josephine DiStefano was welcomed into the family on 11 January 1925 by her parents, Girolamo DiStefano and Katherine Luisi (Lewis) and five brothers. In Italy, tradition has it that the firstborn daughter is named after her maternal grandmother. Felma’s maternal grandmother was Maria Filomeno Zito Luisi. Her middle name, Josephine, came from her paternal grandmother, Giuseppa Megna DiStefano (Josephine).
Felma was called “Sis” by her brothers, family, and friends.
Denver, Adams, Colorado
Sis was born in Denver, Adams, Colorado. Her parents had traveled there by train to retrieve her paternal grandmother, Maria Filomeno, from jail. (That’s another story.) After a short stay in Denver, Sis and her parents returned home to Tabiona, Duchesne, Utah to welcoming brothers.
Birth
Tabiona, Duchesne, Utah
The town of Tabiona taken from Tabby Mountain
Tabiona is a small farming town, bordering the Duchesne river, nestled between two mountain ranges. Ten miles to the north, the Uintah mountains begin their steep ascent. The town was named for a Ute chief, Chief Tabby-To-Kwanah. There are presently 88 males and 83 females that reside within the city limits, but most of the valley’s population live in the rural areas within 5 or 6 miles of the town.
Childhood
Sis spent her childhood in Tabiona until her mom’s death in 1938. She was 13 years old when her mom died.
Tete & Felma – Abt. age 3
Education
Because of its small population, Tabiona houses all 12 grades in the same building. Sis was educated there during her early school years until after her mom’s death, then she was educated in Magna, Utah, Utah
Military Service
Marriage
She was married to William John Dulle who was born on 3 April 1926. Sis and Bill were married on 22 Jan 1946 and established their home in Nampa California.
Children
William John Jr. 1947, James Merl 1949, and Maryanne 1960.
Death
Sis passed away in Tampa, Florida on 21 October 2006.