PLYMOUTH — Laura and Peter Brigida were living the American dream in 1962, raising five children in their hometown of Plymouth when Peter, just 42 years old, suffered a heart attack and died.

At 38, Laura was left alone to care for her young family, ranging in age from 14 to a tender 20 months.  She didn’t buckle from the pressure. She took a job in the local post office to cover the bills and raised her children to be independent and resourceful. Most of all, she taught them the importance of family.