Emma Z. Baker

Our angel on earth took her place in heaven when Emma Antonia Nicelli Zamoscinski Baker passed away on July 12, 2016, at the age of 88 due to complications from a fall. Born March 4, 1928, in Milan, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Gino and Ines Nicelli and the eldest of 3 children. She endured the hardships of World War II including air raids, bombings, and rationing. In 1948 after a short courtship, she married Edward Zamoscinski who had escaped his native country of Poland and had settled in Italy. One year later their 1st child Sam was born. Given the opportunity to start a new life in America, in 1951 they left Europe and for 2 weeks were on a transport ship making its way to New Orleans and from there, they traveled to Atlanta which became their home.

Over the next few years, 4 more children were born including twins - son, John and daughter, Anna, and son, Gino and daughter, Bruna. Life with 5 children and helping Edward run his grocery store made for a hectic life especially since Edward worked 6 ½ days a week but to Mom, family first was always her mantra. While Dad worked to put the food on the table, she provided all the other 'nourishment' and love needed by 5 kids. We never heard her raise her voice. Disappointing her was punishment enough. She loved animals so we had a variety of pets including dogs, cats, hamsters, and birds, plus the "wild" variety that would come into the yard because they knew she would feed them. There were the squirrels, the birds, the possums, and the raccoons – some of who used to shake the screen door to let her know they were ready for her to feed them. Very few animals or people left her house without being fed!

Edward died of cancer in 1971 and Emma stayed a widow for several years and even dated 2 men at the same time. Both asked her to marry them but it was Curtis Baker who she fell in love with. She was his Princess and he her Prince. Curtis wrote her a love note almost every day of their marriage which lasted for 35 years before his death in 2013.

And then there were the grandchildren. First it was Steven and then Brittany a few weeks later the same year. Almost 5 years later, history repeated itself as another grandson Eric was born followed 7 weeks later by another granddaughter Jessica. Heather and Robert joined the group in 1995 and in 2000, Emma and Gil were born. Nonna (grandmother in Italian) loved those grandchildren and did her best to spoil them. As she had for all her children, there was non-conditional and supportive love.

How do we sum up a life that affected so many. It was a universal sentiment expressed to every person that spent a little time with Mom – "She makes you feel special – like you are the most important person to her at that time." Her smile, her accent, the twinkle in her eye and the love in her heart for family and friends was evident in most everything she did. There will never be another like her and while she will be missed more than words can express, the memory of her will remain in our hearts forever.

Ciao Amore Grande, Bella Mia. Dormi bene.

She is survived by her children: Sam (Sally) Zamoscinski, John Zamoscinski, Anna (David – who she considered her 6th child), Gino (Debi) Zamoscinski and Bruna (Don) Boudreaux; grandsons: Steven (Lynne) Green, Eric (Karla) Green, Gil Zamoscinski, and Robert Boudreaux; granddaughters: Brittany Zamoscinski (Beau Berton), Jessica Zamoscinski, Emma Zamoscinski, and Heather Boudreaux; great granddaughter, Madeleine Zamoscinski; brother, Eligio Nicelli; sister, Anna Curti; Cory Chauncey, beloved in-laws, Alex & Jaffa Granot and their son, Dan (Wendy) Granot; Tina Lee (Ray), Bradon Baker, Daniel Baker (Vickie), and Evans Lee (Shannon), and many more loving family and friends.

The family would like to send a special "Thank You" to the staff at Grady especially Carter, Angela, & Sheila and to Dick Valentino for his help with so much through the past few years. Online condolences may be made at www.ASTurner.com.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033