Giovanna Curmi: from Baghdad to Britain

Giovanna Curmi: from Baghdad to Britain

The life of Antonia's mum, Gio, deserves a far more detailed write-up than the brief synopsis below. I've been avoiding it in the hope that others, far more qualified than me, take on the task. But for now, here's a brief version:

Giovanna Curmi was born on December 27, 1930, in Baghdad, Iraq to Asma Kanawaty, age 27, and Emile Joseph Curmi, age 36. The family lived at 69 Abu Nawass Street in the Bataween district of Baghdad when Gio's birth was registered at the British Consul on 21st February 1936. Gio was the eldest of Emile and Asma's 5 children. Eileen was born on 16th October 1932, Mafalda on 16th February 1939, Donald on 16th January 1943 and finally Alex on 24th September 1945.


Gio attended the Convent Presentation School and passed exams in both Arabic and English. The photo below shows Gio bottom right and her sister Eileen above

Photo courtesy of John Auld

The family were Anglican and regularly attended St George's Church in Baghdad. The minister, Reverend Roberts would often be a guest in the family home. The photo below was taken outside the church and shows (from the left), Mary Kanawaty, Gio, Donald (front child), Lady in Middle not identified, Asma and Mafalda, Eileen and Emile Curmi.

Photo courtesy of John Auld

As a young woman in Baghdad, life had its limitations. Gio met an older man, Harold Stonham, who helped her to escape Iraq. Leaving her family behind her, she boarded a plane bound for London which stopped in Rome en-route to refuel. Inevitably, Gio's sudden departure led to a family rift which took some years to heal.

1950s London must have been an exciting place for Gio. While she was making a new life for herself she stayed at the YWCA Hostel 79 Onslow Gardens in London's Kensington.

Photo courtesy of John Auld

Meanwhile, back in Iraq, the puppet monarchy installed by the British was overthrown in a military coup on 14th July 1958. Gio's parents and younger siblings were forced to leave the country.

Gio eventually married Harry at Pamber Priory in Hampshire on 31st December 1960 following the death of his wife.

 
Gio and Harry moved to Peacehaven near Brighton and remained together until Harry passed away from Parkinson's disease in 1969. 

With Harry's passing, Gio embarked upon a new chapter of her life and whilst on holiday in Spain she met and fell in love with a handsome young waiter called Esteban. Even though initially neither could speak the other's language, the romance blossomed. Esteban traveled to the UK and the couple married in Luton on 18th March 1972. 

With Esteban finding it difficult to settle in England, the couple moved back to Spain. They initially lived in Esteban's home town of Villacarrillo in southern Spain but lack of work forced them to move elsewhere. They eventually found a flat in Churriana close to Malaga. Gio became pregnant but sadly the child, a baby girl, was stillborn. The baby was taken away by the medical staff and she was unable to grieve properly.

Gio became pregnant again but this time, with painful memories of the previous pregnancy still fresh in her mind, she insisted that the baby be born in England. Accompanied by her husband, the heavily pregnant Gio flew back to the UK and the couple stayed with friends in London. A beautiful baby girl, Antonia, was born on 27th February 1975 at Central Middlesex Hospital. 

Gio put their names down on the emergency housing list and the family were eventually allocated a council flat on the Isle of Dogs in East London. The flat was on the 18th floor and lifts frequently broke down which meant she had to lug baby and shopping up countless flights of stairs. They were eventually moved to a nearby low-rise block in Seysell Street but there were still problems. Gio's strong Arabic accent led her being called "German" by some racist locals. In the early 1980's the family moved to Smithy Street in Stepney but unfortunately there were problems with her marriage to Esteban and the couple divorced.

By this time, Gio and her siblings had reconciled completely. Albeit, Mafalda was in the United States and both Donald and Alex were in Canada. Unfortunately, her sister Eileen died from cancer in 1983 leaving behind her own children Emile and John. 

Through the 1980s and 1990s Gio saw her daughter, Antonia, to grow up to be a strong independent woman. She traveled to visit her sister in the US and had a number of holidays both in the UK and in Southern Europe. Her youngest brother Alex returned from Canada with his family and they had some fun times together.

Sadly, Gio, like her 1st husband, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. She carried the burden with great courage but it was sad to see such a dynamic woman slowly deteriorate. She passed away on 4th June 2010 and is missed by all of us.