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.