Port Norris Legends

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Angelina (Dagastine) Hanby
b.1921
d. February 15, 2012

Father: Pasquale Dagastine
Mother: Mary Dagastine

Siblings: Louis Dagastine, Leslie Dagastine, Samuel Dagastine, John Dagastine, Joseph Dagastine

Angelina "Lena" Hanby was the daughter of Italian immigrants who settled in the farming community of Port Norris known as "Little Italy". She was raised on Strawberry Avenue, in the same house where she would raise her own family.

The youngest of sixteen children, Lena worked for the family trucking and busing business Dagastine's Transfer for fifty years. This business was the first to transport local oysters by truck to destinations in the Midwest, creating new markets for the then thriving oyster industry in Bivalve and Shellpile. Dagastine's Transfer also provided bus service for generations of school children in Commercial Township.

Lena was a lifelong member of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Port Norris.

With her crystal clear memory, Lena was able to recall with great detail what life was like in Port Norris' "Little Italy". Her memories went back to the 1920's, providing invaluable information on a part of town that no longer exist as such. Her stories were as personal as they were unique.

Lena died February 15, 2012

On November 22, 2009, Lena Hanby was recognized as a Living Legend of Port Norris.

Lena's famous Saint Nicholas Cookie Recipe

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Source: Lena Hanby