In Loving Memory of Antonia Galea Mercieca (1799 – 1883)
Our Guardian Angel and Matriarch of Legacy
See: My Ancestors - House of Calleja - House of Caruana - House of Mercieca - Pacifico Calleja - Antonia Galea Mercieca - HMS Glorious - SS Ashbury - Victor B. Caruana - Pietru Caxaro - Theophilactus I - Arnulf of Metz - Words of My Mother and Father - Family Photo Gallery
Born in 1799 in the historic city of Cospicua, located in Malta's Southern Harbour District, Antonia Galea was the daughter of Gregorio Galea and Teresa Mizzi. She grew up at 49 Strada Aquila, immersed in the vibrant maritime culture of the Grand Harbour. Her life was steeped in tradition, resilience, and close family bonds.
On October 20, 1819, Antonia married Angelo Mercieca, a skilled and respected fisherman, in the parish church of Nadur on the island of Gozo. The newlyweds established their home in this coastal town, where the rhythm of daily life was closely tied to the tides and the fortunes of the sea. Angelo was deeply connected to the waters that provided for his family and passed on his wisdom to their children: Francesco, Salvatore, Vincenzo, Domenico, Giovanni, Emmanuele, and their daughter, Antonia. The youngest, Gregorio, remained especially close to his mother during these early years.
One winter morning, as a storm began to stir on the horizon, Antonia felt a deep sense of unease; her heart warned her of impending danger. However, Angelo, driven by duty and the need to provide, chose to face the sea. Trusting her maternal instinct, Antonia kept young Gregorio by her side. That fateful day would become the defining moment in our family’s history.
The sea, unforgiving and wild, claimed the lives of Angelo and their seven older children. They never returned home, leaving a profound grief that was too deep for words. Yet, amid this heartbreak, Antonia’s quiet act of courage ensured the continuation of our lineage. By keeping Gregorio safe on shore, she protected the future of our family.
Antonia never remarried. In her later years, she returned to Cospicua, where she had first drawn breath. Surrounded by memories and the enduring love of her surviving son, she lived out her life with grace and fortitude. She passed away on December 5, 1883, at the age of 83 or 84, and was laid to rest in Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery in Paola, Malta, in Plot West BA-A-189, among the common graves—but she was never forgotten by her descendants.
Let us always remember Antonia Galea Mercieca—not just for the lives she bore, but for the life she saved. Her love, sacrifice, and instinct shaped the course of generations to come. She is more than our great-great-great-grandmother; she is our family's guardian angel, a symbol of strength and the heart of our heritage.
Antonia Galea Mercieca's Family Tree
Made In America