DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – The Sammy’s Pizza family has announced the death of Louise Perrella, also known as Grandma Nunu.
Perrella was born in August 1922 to Italian immigrants and worked at their restaurant in Michigan.
In 1948, she married Sam Perrella.
After opening a small coffee shop on the Iron Range, the two heard stories from World War II veterans about a food called pizza that they ate while served in Italy.
The couple decided to recreate these traditional flavors and moved their café to Hibbing in 1954, which became the first Sammy’s Pizzeria.
According to Sammy, all recipes served at any Sammy’s location have been created, tested and perfected by Grandma Nunu herself.
The family says that in her 101 years of life, Grandma Nunu left a legacy of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
The family says they never expected Sammy’s Pizza to grow into what it is today, but it was thanks to their dear Grandma’s determination, encouragement and heart.
The funeral will be held on Monday, May 20 to honor Grandma Nunu’s life and legacy.
The family is asking anyone with stories or memories about Grandma Nunu to contact them. To share a story, visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/sammyspizza.
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