1997.131.001

A book based on the life and 40 year teaching career of the author, Josephine G. Delva, who claimed to be the first Sicilian girl from Lawrence to become a teacher. The author refers to Lawrence and her Sicilian upbringing throughout the book. This book is hard to find and is not to be de-accessioned or removed from the LHC collection.

Delva died in September 2011 at the age of 103. From her obituary:

Josephine was born in Trecastagni, Sicily, and emigrated to this country at the age of 4 with her parents and brother. She quickly acclimated to the culture and acted as an interpreter for the other school children and their parents.
Josephine graduated from Lowell Normal School in 1927. She began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse with students in grades 1-8. She wrote of her unusual and sometimes very humorous experiences in her book, All for Love of Teaching.
In the following years, she pursued her education ending with a Master's Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Tuft's University. She was a teacher and guidance counselor in the Haverhill Public School System for 40 years.
After her retirement, she continued to be a tireless advocate for better public education in Haverhill as well as a staunch supporter for the senior citizens. She was the chairwoman of the committee that worked to establish Life Long Learning, an enrichment program at Northern Essex Community College.
Josephine was director for the Council on Aging for twelve years as well as a board member with Elder Services. She also worked hard to establish a program that provides discounted taxi fares for senior citizens and handicapped individuals.
Josephine was the wife of the late Thomas V. Delva and is survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers, Alfred and Frank Di Mauro.