Wantagh resident stands out for motherhood

Lorraine Sangemino received her Mother of the Year award in the cramped dining room of a historic Quaker settlement house in Jericho last week.

It seemed appropriate, somehow, that Sangemino be recognized as a mother among mothers in a humble room where countless other matriarchs likely herded their own together.

But the room would have been too small for Sangemino's modern family. So far, she's raised nine children, six of them adopted, and had a hand in raising more than 20 others as a foster mother.

A few years ago, two of those children, after a search, traveled from Florida to Long Island to meet the foster mother they'd last seen when they were preschoolers.

"They said they remembered and that they had to find her," said Michelle Sangemino, her daughter-in-law, who first met the extraordinary family when she and Sangemino's son Robert began dating as teenagers.

These days, Sangemino, 68, has it easy. She lives in Wantagh with four of her adopted children -- the youngest, 18 -- and baby-sits all four of her grandchildren.

But there was a time when Sangemino, who lost her husband 15 years ago, had to corral a total of nine young children living under one roof.

She did the job of getting every one up, dressed, fed, out of the house and on time for school -- in a house that had just one bathroom.

"It was like a well-oiled machine," said Robert, now 36. "It was older kids helping younger kids and she was our leader."

For breakfast, Sangemino served pancakes or cereal. For lunch during the week, it was sandwiches. For dinner, out came the pasta and, often, her famous meatballs, the children remembered.

And on Sunday, every child was required to accompany Sangemino to church. Family, food, faith and fun, the children agreed, were Sangemino's tools of choice, all blending together to create mega-mighty mothering.

It's recognition that Sangemino, a petite, shy woman with a gentle face and knowing smile, finds difficult to accept.

"It was no big deal, I just did what I had to do," Sangemino said more than once after accepting a bouquet of flowers and gift basket that came with the honor.

"She lives for children, loves being around children," said daughter Grace, 39. "If we're off someplace, she's off looking for cousins."

"Just look at her skin, look at her skin and there's no wrinkles," added daughter Valentina, 24, "All of the children keep her young!"

Sangemino took top honors in the first-ever Mother of the Year contest held by Momma's House, a group of residences for young mothers and children in four Long Island communities.

Some 85 nominations came in from around the country, including Hawaii. Many of the nominations told of women who overcame tremendous odds to support and raise their children.

"They are role models and an inspiration to the young women here," said executive director Pat Shea.

Sangemino was nominated by Michelle, who found the contest online while searching for the most special Mother's Day gift she could find. (Which included a request to have Oprah -- Sangemino's favorite talk show host -- give her a call.)

"Some might view Lorraine as a person who took on more than she can handle . . . however, I would beg to differ," her daughter-in-law wrote. "Lorraine is an incredible human being that should be admired for her unconditional love and selflessness for her children."

Sangemino's secrets? Give children love, she said. Give them the support they need to grow up and be their best. Give them faith. "Give them meatballs," she said, glancing with pride at the gaggle of children and grandchildren nearby.