Forty years ago, housing was cheaper there. And her husband, Leon, had a job there. But the relocation came with a price. When she stopped driving after she had a few minor accidents, her sisters had to ferry their mother down to see her every week. The siblings have become a feature attraction when they rendezvous at Chapel Hill Mall in Akron or Summit Mall in Fairlawn.
Lunchtime talk ripples from a friend's health to vacations to the good old days.
They say they learned to get along the hard way. As they shared one bathroom, they had no choice. She is the family's self-proclaimed instigator, stirring up talk that leads to playful jabs from the others. Vivian Patrino said of the dessert. One time, with friends and children and such, they were 17 strong.