Tell us about yourself (name, education, work experience, hobbies, etc.)
My name is Mary Lou Bove-Klenner. I’m a Brooklyn girl, born and raised. I attended St. Agnes Elementary School where I earned a scholarship to Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School. I met my husband Adolph at a parish dance. We got married in 1965, we have two wonderful daughters and four of the best grandchildren ever. . . and the rest is history! Adolph and I will be celebrating our 55th Wedding Anniversary on November 13th.
My first job was with NY Tel in Brooklyn. In 1977, we moved to Bloomfield and I took a convenient part-time and fun job at Friendly’s where I worked for 10 years. (Guess what???-Rob Ruffalo, my cousin, worked there at the same time!) In 1988, I started working at Bloomfield High School as the secretary in the Nurse’s Office – an amazing job working with wonderful people. I retired in 2013 with 25 years’ service doing a job that I loved.
Tell us about your Italian Ancestry.
My maternal grandparents are from Sambuca, Sicily. Maria nee Macaluso and Ignazio (Charlie) DiGiovanni. My paternal grandparents are from Naples, Italy. Louisa nee Langone and Antonio Bove. I am named after my two Nonna’s, Maria & Louisa – Mary Lou(ise).
How did you hear about / get involved with UNICO, how long have you been a member?
Post retirement I asked my cousin Rob Ruffalo how to go about joining Bloomfield UNICO and he referred me to Mike Sisco – and so it began, I am now a proud member since February 2017.
How do you participate in promoting Service above Self?
I try to participate in promoting “Service above Self” by volunteering wherever and whenever there is a need. Whether it’s being a committee member, sorting clothes for Mark’s Closet, helping to organize dinners and or fund raisers.
What do you like most about our chapter?
I love EVERYTHING about our chapter, the people, the organization and our purpose!
Tell us about your favorite memory since you’ve been a member of UNICO.
Scholarship Dinners and our 50’s Oldies Dance! I miss being together with everyone during this pandemic.
