Luisa Zappitelli, known as "grandmother Lisa", considered an icon of women's rights and the values of the homeland, died at the age of 109 in her home in Città di Castello: from 2 June 1946, when together with her family and a group of friends walked for miles to exercise their right to vote in favor of the Republic, participated uninterruptedly in all the consultations of democratic Italy.
A commitment recognized and underlined also by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Last June 2nd
she was honored with a "tricolor" serenade by the clarinetist Fabio Battistelli
, who had performed under the window of his grandmother of Italy and in her honor he had interpreted the Mameli Hymn and other soundtrack pieces of national history.
"We want to remember her smiling and happy next to the Italian flag as on that occasion", said the mayor of Tifernate, Luciano Bacchetta.
"A great woman - he added - who has seen history, epochal events and with simplicity and determination transmitted true values and ideals to everyone and to young people in particular".
Second of six brothers, then widowed at a young age, Luisa Zappitelli had repeatedly reiterated that her "secret recipe" against disease was "pray to the Lord" and respect the rules. Three years ago Sergio Mattarella mentioned it in an official speech from the Quirinale on the occasion of International Women's Day, especially for the younger generations.
Godmother of the local vespa club, she was also the national testimonial of road safety and was the longest-running canary breeder in Italy.