Carmella "Carmen"Abern

Carmella "Carmen" (Stramaglio) Abern, 98, of Glasgow, Mont., passed away peacefully at her home of natural causes, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in the company of her daughter.

As per Carmella's request, cremation has taken place and no services are scheduled at this time. Inurnment will take place at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, Ill.

Carmella "Carmen" was born Sept. 5, 1920, at the family home in Chicago, Ill. She was the third of 16, the daughter of Vito and Lucy (Aquino) Stramaglio.

She attended Otis Grammer School in Chicago through the eighth-grade when she had to quit school to go work to help out at home. She attended Beauty Culturist School in Chicago and graduated May 26, 1948.

She married Frank Pierini on Aug. 17, 1940. They had two children, Ralph A. Pierini and Carol Ann "Dolly" Pierini. Carmen and Frank later divorced.

On Oct. 2, 1948, she married Paul Abern and they made the move to Glasgow in 1949, against her parents' wishes. Together Paul and Carmen built the house that she has lived in for 68 years.

Carmen started work for Mountain "Ma" Bell in 1951 and retired in December 1980. She was a telephone operator for 29 years and loved working the night shift. She made many friends while working there.

Mom and Dad's favorite past time was rock hunting and digging for sapphires. Paul taught her how to facet the many gems they found. Mom also polished many agates making ashtrays and tabletops. They were both avid hunters and enjoyed fishing. Mom's family from Chicago often came for the hunting season.

In her later years, Carmen joined a quilting club and enjoyed her time with the ladies she met and quilted with. Her quilting hobby became her passion.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; one son, Ralph Pierini; one son-in-law, Donald Hopstad; two grandsons, Frank V. Hosted and Frank Palmer; and nine siblings, Ralph, Pasquele, Patrick, Louie, Carol, Teresa, Isabella, Rosie and Jennie.

She is survived by one daughter, Carol Ann "Dolly" Hopstad of Kennewick, Wash.; three grandsons, Donald and James Hopstad of Kennewick, Wash., and Johnny Pierini of Chicago; five great-grandchildren, Tyrone, Joshua, Vanessa, Carly and Andrew; six great-great-grandchildren, Zion, Trinity, Azhra, Sarah, Gracie and Layla, all of Kennewick; three brothers, Richie (Gracie) Stramaglio, Victor (Carmen) Stramaglio, and George Stramaglio; three sisters, Mary Cartina, Georgeann Cartina and Patricia Schumacher, all of Chicago; and many nieces and nephews.

Bell Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be left at bellmortuaryglasgow.com.