Our lovely friend Tina Birri has died. She was a huge part of our lives in Ponte a Serraglio. She was one of the first people I met when we arrived to set up our apartment 20 years ago.
She helped us navigate our new lives in Italy and we would have been lost without her advice. She guided us through official things which are still a mystery all these years later.
She also helped me to learn Italian. I used to have dinner with her and her (now my) friend Rina each night at Marco’s restaurant. I used what little Italian I had as Rina doesn’t speak English. When I got stuck Tina finished my sentences for me.
Tina spoke English with a Bronx accent. She was born in New York. Her father died when she was young and her mother brought her to the family home in Ponte a Serraglio when she was 12. She told me many wonderful stories of her early life in Ponte.
A favourite story is of a relative who lived next door to her. He bought the first car in Ponte a Serraglio, a Fiat bambino. He used to drive it down to the bar in the piazza, a distance of about 50 metres. He had to show off his new vehicle.
She had lots of stories of the hard times after the war and how Bagni di Lucca became prosperous slowly. She told me of the businesses that flourished in the 60s and 70s and of the later decline. I am happy to have spent lots of time with her to learn about this lovely village and the people in it.
Tina liked to sit at Bar Italia and enjoy a limoncello or two. She had lots of friends there and was always ready for a chat.
She worked until very recently in an office that helped people sort out official difficulties, it is not only foreigners who struggle. She loved her job and it gave her a good reason to get out and about.
She died after a fairly short illness and I am happy that she was able to get home briefly between hospital stays. I was able to visit her every day and continue our chats. I was looking forward to seeing her when I return in October. Sadly, it is not to be.
Ponte a Serraglio won’t be the same without Tina. Bar Italia won’t be the same without her. It is the end of an era.
Below is a photo taken many years ago when Tina’s hair was still red. We are at Marco’s restaurant.
If I was in Ponte a Serraglio right now I would raise a glass of limoncello to my friend Tina.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
Sad news indeed. She was always entertaining with her stories about Ponte.
Deb, I’ll have a glass there for you.
And one for me in her honour too..
Thank you for letting me join in. Ponte without Tina doesn’t seem right.
So sorry to hear that Tina has passed away. She was a lovely lady and helped us when we had a house in Bagni di Lucca . She was a font of knowledge! RIP.
She helped a lot of people. I am happy to have known her since we first went to Bagni di Lucca.
She was a wise woman. She will be missed.. sorry for your loss Deb🌸💕
Very sad to hear of Tina’s passing Deb. What a loss to her friends and Ponte a Serraglio.
Tina was a huge part of life in Ponte a Serraglio. I am just happy to be able to spend so much time with her over the years.
So sad to hear the passing of Tina Birri, I only met her a few times but what a nice person, an amazing little lady with that Brooklyn lilt.
I’ve not realised my dream of moving to BdL yet but I know Tina would have helped me feel at home. Sleep peacefully.
She helped lots of people in Bagni di Lucca. We could not have managed without her excellent advice. She was also a lot of fun and I loved her stories about Bagni di Lucca.
My condolences on the loss of your friend Tina. I have also had the privilege of knowing many elderly Italian friends and acquaintances over the years. They really taught me so much of Italian life and history that I doubt I would ever have known if not for them.
I love that generation of Italians. Tina was a special lady.
Very nice Deb. Thank you
We will all miss Tina in Ponte a Serraglio.
Debra, what a lovely tribute, thank you for sharing.. Tina was a wonderful lady, she will be missed..💜
She was a special friend.
Deb so sorry to hear Tina has passed away she was quite the character and will be sorely missed by a lot of people Rest in Peace Tina
She was a huge part of our lives in Ponte a Serraglio. I am very happy that I met her all those years ago.
When I was at Ponte a Serraglio a year ago I was able to catch up with Tina a couple of times. I told her I was learning about Italian history and she leant me a biography of Michelina Di Cesare. She was bright and funny as I’d always known her to be. Goodbye Tina, you will be sorely missed.
She will be missed. She was a treasure to be sure.
Dear Debra, I’m so sorry to hear of the passes of your dear dear friend, Tina. I send you my sincerest condolences. All best wishes.
Colleen
Tina was special to many people. We will miss her in Ponte a Serraglio.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. Ponte will not be the same without her.
It won’t! I think we need a photo of her at the bar.
I was very sorry to hear the sad news about Tina. She taught me Italian at her kitchen table, and the unwritten agreement was that I got her a limoncello whenever I saw her in Bar Italia. She was truly ” a force of nature”, and will be sadly missed by everybody. RIP Tina
That is exactly what she was, a force of nature! Coming back to a Ponte without her is going to be difficult, particularly as I look across from my house to hers, now empty.