September 9, 1922 - July 20, 2019

Miriam Esther Acquistapace, was born on September 9, 1922 in Ohio and entered into eternal rest on July 20, 2019 in Downey, California at the age of 96.

She was born Miriam Esther Martin on a farm in a province of Ohio called New Pittsburg, just East of Wooster. Miriam was the oldest of 10 children and it was essential that the children make what contributions (labor or funds) they could to the family’s wellbeing during the depression. Miriam and her mother would bake pumpkin pies and sell them door to door, just to keep money coming in. She also learned to make soap from animal fat, which she shared the recipe for, years later in The Downey Patriot back in the 1970s.

In her formative years she won a spelling bee which served her well for the rest of her life, even during last few years she could spell most any word from memory. She was employed at various jobs after school, one of them was Smith Dairy where she was a cashier and she held another position as a switchboard operator in Wooster. After graduating high school she attended Bob Jones University for 1 semester. In 1946 her brother Warren had invited her to join him on his move to California, where they both settled in Huntington Park.

She got a job at Bell Telephone as an operator and enjoyed her new surroundings. A friend of her’s decided to set he up on a blind date in Huntington Beach. She accepted and her date, Guido Acquistapace. The two were wed in 1956 and they moved to Downey to start a family. Miriam gave birth to 3 children: Theresa Marie, Thomas Michael and Timothy Mark. In the early 1970s she got a part time job at Sambo’s Restaurant down the street from their home. She enjoyed tatting, journaling, genealogy and occasionally helping out with Guido’s cycling club events in Whittier. Her two greatest passions were Bible study and classical music appreciation. Miriam was preceded in death by her daughter Theresa and her husband Guido.

With a caring heart, Miriam was a domestic multitasker, making her home a loving and nurturing environment for over 63 years.

Miriam leaves behind her loving family: Son, Tim Acquistapace (Kelly) of Fullerton, California, Son, Tom Acquistapace (Vicki) of Martinez, California, Grandchildren, Lilliana Acquistapace of Fullerton, California, Antonia Acquistapace of New York, Julia Acquistapace of Chicago, Brother, Gordon Martin of Ohio, Sister, Margaret Martin of Ohio, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as several other family members and friends who loved her and will miss her dearly.

Services for Miriam Esther Acquistapace will be held on August 9, 2019 at 12:00 PM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey, CA, followed by her graveside service, August 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. For more obituary information please visit www.RisherMortuary.com or call 1-562-861-3888