Person Page - 1

     Mona Jeanne Vella MA was born on 22 May 1947 in Hamrun/Santa Venera, Malta. She married Charles E. Nicholas, son of Charles John Nicholas and Lillian Mahoney, on 16 August 1970 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Mona Jeanne Vella MA emigrated on May 22, 1952 and arrived in Hoboken, NJ, on June 4, 1952, ending in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.
Mona Jeanne Vella MA Memories of Voyage: I remember eating in the dining room. There were always crackers and jam on the table when were seated, but my mother saide we couldn't have any crackers until we finished our main course. Being the youngest, I was also the slowest eater. By the time I finished the main course, my brother had already finished all the crackers and jam. I never tasted a cracker the whole trip!
Came with my mother, brother, sister, and grandmother. My father had come 6 months earlier. She was educated Augustinian sisters nursery school, Mosta, Malta; Kindergarten, Burnett School; St. Bonifacr School (1-6 grade); St. Paul of the Shipwreck (7-8 grade); Immaculate Conception Academy for high school.
Mona Jeanne Vella MA Did clerical jobs and teaching private piano lessons while I was in college. Taught French and English at high school level after graduating from college. She received an at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA, B.A. degree in French and an M.A. in Secondary Education; also Laval University summer program in Quebec, Canada. Her married name was Vella Nicholas.

Mona Jeanne Vella MA Mona on women being allowed to join the MASC: "As for women being allowed to join, my sister Lorna and I were the first women to attend. We went to meetings with my father. We also paid dues, so we were members. This was in the late 80s. I don't know if any other women paid dues, but we were the only females that showed up for meetings. I think Lorna's membership was under her husband's name because when it came time to vote, he had to come to the Club and cast her vote. I was separated from my husband at that time, so they couldn't ask him to vote for me. Therefore, I was the first woman to vote in my own name at the Club!
She was a Maltese Club Member Auditor, Head Librarian; She is also associated with the Maltese Cross Foundation of California. In 2010, she represented these two organizations at the Convention of Maltese Living Abroad in Malta.

Mona is a member of the Federation of Maltese Living Abroad. in 1990 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Research: During Joe C Grech's Presidency the Library was opened and Father Edwin Farrugia honored us with a blessing of this room that holds many books about Malta and Gozo, which have all been donated by members, sponsors and dignitaries that visit the club.
Mona Vella Nicholas accepted to be the Head Librarian, and for a while she even gave Maltese lessons. Unfortunately, they did not continue due to lack of attendance.² She contributed 4 genealogical sheets of her family's Vella surname genealogy to MHS on 29 October 2011. Research: President of Maltese Historical Society, 2015- in 2012. As of 2013, Mona Jeanne Vella MA lived at 2565 Trenton Dr, San Bruno, CA, USA; LeProfess@aol.com. She contributed her family genealogy and various other information to Maltese Immigration Project in June 2021. Research. Mona Jeanne Vella MA was also known as Mona Jeanne Emily Carmela Antoinette Vella. Research: Family nick name: Ta' Farka.

     Abraham Daniel Vella was born on 9 November 1910 in Mosta, Malta. He married Josephine Ann Ellul, daughter of Eligio Ellul and Martha Pullicino, on 27 August 1942 at Hamrun, Malta. Abraham Daniel Vella died on 10 September 1999 at Burlingame, CA, USA, at age 88. He was buried on 14 September 1999 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta on the Nea Hellas to New Jersey, then San Francisco: 1539 Kirkwood in October 1951 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was Secretary, 1960; Counsellor, 1992 in 1960 at San Bruno, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

A Short History of the Maltese-American Social Club of San Francisco -- By Abraham Vella and Mona Vella-Nicholas

Towards the end of November 1929, thirty-five Maltese residents of San Francisco met to discuss the establishment of a Colonial Club. A committee was given the task of finding suitable premises for a meeting place. In January 1930, they rented the ground floor of a house at 1648 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco. That same month, a committee selected the first officers of the club: F. Grech, President; C. Fenech, Vice-President; E. Micallef, Secretary; J. Azzopardi, Treasurer; C. Scicluna, Assistant Secretary; and R. Deguara, Assistant Teasurer. Hence, the “Maltese Club of San Francisco” was given birth.

Very soon after, the “Melita Soccer Football Team” decided to join the Maltese Club, doubling the Club’s membership. In 1932, the “Sons of Malta Soccer Team”, as the Club’s team was now called, won the Redmen Convention trophy in Santa Cruz.
Other Club members who were musically talented organized a jazz band which played at dances and picnics and even gave concerts. This “San Francisco Maltese Band” even played for the welcome of Archbishop Edward Hanna at his dedication of the St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church auditorium.
A dramatic company was also formed under Club auspices. This group put on plays in Maltese for the entertainment of the Club’s members and their families.

The Club’s activities encouraged many other Maltese to enroll, so bigger premises became an indispensable necessity. In June 1931, the committee rented the large building at 1789 Oakdale Avenue, a former church. The Club eventually bought the property, which remained its headquarters until 1995, when the Oakdale building was sold and the Club’s present premises at 924 El Camino Real in South San Francisco became the Club’s new home.

Although the soccer team and dramatic group no longer exist, the Club continues to be a source of entertainment and community to new generations of Maltese-Americans. Dinner-dances, casino trips, children’s Christmas parties, and other events draw members and guests from all over the Bay Area to the Club.
With the addition of women as full-fledged members in the 1990’s, mystery trips, bingo nights, pot-luck dinners, and knitting groups have been added to the list of the Club activities.
In addition, a Melitensia library has been added, providing books, music, and films on a variety of aspects of Maltese history and culture.

The Club celebrated its 50th anniversary at its Oakdale premises in San Francisco in May 1979. Joseph Grech, Jr. was president at the time. San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein was the guest of honor.
Twenty-five years later, led by President Joseph Tanti, the Club celebrated the biggest event it has ever had. This 75th anniversary celebration was held on October 2, 2004 at the South San Francisco Convention Center and featured the Nicolo Isouard Band of Mosta.
One can only guess how a new generation of Maltese-Americans will celebrate the Club’s 100th anniversary in 2029!
As of 1961, Abraham Daniel Vella lived at 53 Scotia Ave, San Francisco, CA, USA. He attended St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church and was listed as a parishoner in 1962. He was a Secondary School graduate; was assistant to a judge on Malta; A clerical rate setter for Link-Belt Co. in US.
One of his favorite sayings: "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise" (Shakespeare.) He witnessed the Newspaper of Maltese In the News and Maltese American Family Club (?) on 18 July 1973; Maltese-American Family Club's Activities in San Francisco By a Staff Reporter
Mr. Abraham D. Vella, vice-president and one of the founder members of the ‘‘Maltese- American Family Club" in San Francisco, California, is one of the hundreds of Maltese migrants at present holidaying in Malta. Last September a small group of Maltese-Americans met to discuss the possibility of forming a club in the "peninsula" — the area south of the city of San Francisco. A questionnaire had subsequently been sent to about 300 Maltese families half of whom replied to indicate their interest. The first general meeting was held last January at St. Robert’s Church Hall in the city of San Bruno. Thirty families became members after the first meeting.
A board of directors was formed under the leadership of Mr. Emidio Fenech and the Maltese-American Family Club started functioning. By the beginning of this month, four general meetings bad been held. In June the Club premises were established at 645/647 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno, 94066.
Mr. Vella yesterday said the future of the Club was promising and by the time he left the U.S.A. to fly to Malta the number of families registered for membership rose to 72. Mr. Vella stressed that one family membership comprised the husband, wife, sons and daughters over 18 years of age. Though the Club was basically a family social group, the committee members and families would do their best to help each other in different ways.
Maltese American Family Club (?) Abraham D. Vella, vice-president and one of the founder members of the ‘‘Maltese- American Family Club" in San Francisco, California, Last September a small group of Maltese-Americans met to discuss the possibility of forming a club in the "peninsula" — the area south of the city of San Francisco. A questionnaire had subsequently been sent to about 300 Maltese families half of whom replied to indicate their interest. The first general meeting was held last January at St. Robert’s Church Hall in the city of San Bruno. Thirty families became members after the first meeting.
A board of directors was formed under the leadership of Mr. Emidio Fenech and the Maltese-American Family Club started functioning. By the beginning of this month, four general meetings bad been held. In June the Club premises were established at 645/647 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno, 94066.
Mr. Vella yesterday said the future of the Club was promising and by the time he left the U.S.A. to fly to Malta the number of families registered for membership rose to 72. Mr. Vella stressed that one family membership comprised the husband, wife, sons and daughters over 18 years of age. Though the Club was basically a family social group, the committee members and families would do their best to help each other in different ways.
Obituary: on 12 September 1999: VELLA. Abraham Daniel Late of San Bruno and San Mateo County resident for 30 years, passed away in Burlingame on September 10. 1999. Beloved Husband of the late Josephine Vella for 51 years; loving Father of Eligio W. Vella of Germany, Mona J. Nicholas of San Bruno, and the late Lorna C. Dankwerth: dear brother-in-law of Gabrielle Vella of San Carlos. Also survived by eight grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews in Malta. A native of Mosta. Malta, age 88 years. An honorary member of the Maltese American Social Club.
Abraham Daniel Vella Mona Vella: My father collected stamps. My parents were married during WWII. Gasoline was severely rationed, but my father managed to get a motorcycle for the day. They left for their honeymoon in St. Paul's Bay with my father on the motorcycle and my mother riding in the sidecar!
Research: Grezio Sultana and Abraham Daniel Vella: Mona Vella: His children were my father's second cousins; a second cousin with Mary Sultana. (share Ggrandparent.)

     Josephine Ann Ellul was born on 11 June 1913 in Floriana, Malta. She married Abraham Daniel Vella, son of Clement Vella and Maria Carmela Azzopardi, on 27 August 1942 at Hamrun, Malta. Josephine Ann Ellul died on 9 December 1993 at Burlingame, CA, USA, at age 80. She was buried on 13 December 1993 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Vella. She emigrated from Malta on 4 June 1952 to NJ, USA. She was naturalized on 18 February 1958 at San Francisco, CA, USA. She was a Secondary school graduate; Housewife on Malta; teacher before marriage on Malta; Insurance company clerk in US.
Obituary: on 11 December 1993: VELLA, Josephine A.— Passed away in Burlingame. December 9, 1993. A San Bruno resident for 24 years. Beloved wife of Abraham Vella; loving mother of Eligio W. Vella of Sacramento. Mona J. Nicholas of San Bruno, and the late Lorna C. Dankwerth; also survived by 8 grandchildren; a native of Floriana, Malta; a member of A.A.R.P.

     Charles E. Nicholas was born on 16 July 1946 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He married Mona Jeanne Vella MA, daughter of Abraham Daniel Vella and Josephine Ann Ellul, on 16 August 1970 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Charles E. Nicholas died on 30 June 2014 at South San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 67.
     He was adopted.
Obituary: : Charles Nicholas July 16, 1946 ~ June 30, 2014
Passed away peacefully in South San Francisco. Beloved husband of Mona Nicholas. Loving father of Chad (Allison) Nicholas, Tiffany (Todd) Guerin and Shirley (Robert) Nicholas-Ionko. Cherished grandfather of Aiden, Kaitlin and Ashlyn Guerin and Hailey and Paige Ionko. Dear brother of Valerie (William) Stevenson. A native of Oakland, CA, age 67 years.
Burial at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma.

     Martha Pullicino was born on 31 July 1882 in Valletta, Malta. She married Eligio Ellul. Martha Pullicino died on 27 January 1975 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 92.
     She emigrated from Malta on 4 June 1952 to NJ, USA.
Martha Pullicino Granddaughter Mona Vella: I remember my mother's mother best as she came to the US with us and lived with us until she died. She took care of us children while my parents worked. She was always so good to me and having grown up in Gibraltar had a beautiful British accent weh she spoke. She used to call a hastily done job "a lick and a promise." She and Rosa Maria Azzopardi were related to 1st cousins per Mona Vella Nicholas: Rosa's maiden name was Azzopardi. Since there are no Azzopardis on my mother's side of the family, that means that Rosa is related to us through her mother, not her father. I now know that one of Nanna Mattha's parents had a sister who was Rosa's mother.¹

     Charles Thomas Nicholas was born on 26 July 1972 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He was educated in 1995 at San Jose State University Computer Science. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1996. He lived in 2009 at 4664 Mangrum Dr., Santa Clara, CA, USA. Charles Thomas Nicholas was also known as Chad Nicholas.

     Tiffany J. Nicholas was born on 1 August 1975 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. She married Todd Guerin.
     Her married name was Guerin. Tiffany J. Nicholas lived in 2009 at 2655 Edison St. Apt 105, San Mateo, CA, USA. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2009.

     Todd Guerin married Tiffany J. Nicholas, daughter of Charles E. Nicholas and Mona Jeanne Vella MA.

     Aiden Guerin was born on 13 August 2003 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Kaitlin Guerin was born on 16 May 2005 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Ashlyn Guerin was born on 3 April 2009 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Shirley A. Nicholas was born on 5 October 1976 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. She married Robert Ionko.
     Shirley A. Nicholas was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1996. Her married name was Ionko.

     Robert Ionko married Shirley A. Nicholas, daughter of Charles E. Nicholas and Mona Jeanne Vella MA.

     Hailey Ionko was born on 1 June 2012 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Lorna Catherine Vella was born on 29 June 1944 in Mosta, Malta. She married Richard E. Dankwerth on 27 August 1966 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Lorna Catherine Vella died on 23 June 1993 at Millbrae, CA, USA, at age 48. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA, USA.
     She emigrated from Malta on 4 June 1952 to NJ, USA. She emigrated from on 6 June 1952 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. Her married name was Dankwerth. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1990.
Obituary: on 25 June 1993: DANKWERTH, Lorna Catherine (Vella) In Burlingame. June 23, 1993: late of Millbrae and 27 year San Mateo County resident; beloved wife of Richard Dankwerth; loving mother of Janel, Jeffrey, and Jennifer Dankwerth all of Millbrae; devoted daughter of Abraham and Josephine Vella of San Bruno; dear sister of Eligio Vella of Sacramento and Mona (Vella) Nicholas of San Bruno; also survived by 2 nieces and 3 nephews; a native of Mosta Malta: age 48 years; Kindergarten Teacher at St. Dunstan's School in Millbrae.

     Eligio Walter Vella was born on 19 June 1943 in Mosta, Malta. He married Sandra Agnes Panigada on 25 January 1969 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Eligio Walter Vella emigrated from Malta on 4 June 1952 to NJ, USA. He emigrated from on 6 June 1952 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He began military service US Army Reserves, Vietnam War. He was educated MA degree.
Eligio Walter Vella Paternal haplogroup: in 2015. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2019. He was living in 2020 in Weaverville, CA, USA. He lived in 2022 at Carson City, NV, USA. Research.

     Sandra Agnes Panigada was born on 14 April 1945 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. She married Eligio Walter Vella, son of Abraham Daniel Vella and Josephine Ann Ellul, on 25 January 1969 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Her married name was Vella.

     Daniel Nathan Vella was born on 5 July 1974 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. He married Jenny L. (?)
     Daniel Nathan Vella was living in 2021 in Carmichael, CA, USA.

     Brooklynn Vella was born on 19 August 2013 in Roseville, Placer Co., CA, USA.

     Dominic Christopher Vella was born on 14 July 1976 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He was living in 2021 in Auburn, CA, USA.

     Dominic Vella Jr was born on 3 August 2008 in Roseville, Placer Co., CA, USA.

     Colten Vella was born on 17 March 2010 in Roseville, Placer Co., CA, USA.

     Lincoln Vella was born on 18 October 2013 in Roseville, Placer Co., CA, USA.

     Richard E. Dankwerth was born on 22 November 1941 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He married Lorna Catherine Vella, daughter of Abraham Daniel Vella and Josephine Ann Ellul, on 27 August 1966 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Richard E. Dankwerth married Rose Agius, daughter of John M. Agius and Margaret Chetcuti, in 2006.
     Richard E. Dankwerth was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1996 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He was living in 1996 in Millbrae, CA, USA. He was living in 2024.

     Janel C. Dankwerth was born on 27 January 1968 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. She married Martin Andrew Plack.
     Her married name was Plack.

     Martin Andrew Plack was born circa 1967. He married Janel C. Dankwerth, daughter of Richard E. Dankwerth and Lorna Catherine Vella.
     As of 4 January 2012, Martin Andrew Plack and Angelo Salvatore Dimech lived at 316 York Court, Walnut Creek, CA, USA; dimech7@aol.com
cell: 925-300-6570.¹

     Jacob Plack was born on 3 May 1997 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Moriah Plack was born on 25 January 2000 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Jordan Plack was born on 15 June 2001 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Jeffrey R. Dankwerth was born on 27 January 1968 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.