88-year-old Romanian immigrant to become U.S. citizen after 19 years

Sitting politely with a small smile on her face, Maria Grigore, an 88-year-old Romanian immigrant, looked on as her daughter, Gabriela, translated and shared her life story as a soon-to-be American citizen.

In Cilibia, a small village in Romania, Maria was born on a family farm surrounded by chickens, grains and plenty of land in 1936. Her neighbors were close and her family helped support those in need with the supplies they had. 

Her life was soon turned upside down at only 9 when German, and later Soviet, troops came to her village at the start of World War II. 

“They were trying to survive and they were stealing from each other,” Gabriela said as her mother looked on. “It was a really hard life when she was very young.” 

A few years later, Maria met her husband, Petre, and they moved to Brasov, Romania, in their 20s and had Gabriela and her brother, George. Together, they experienced life while at war with the Soviet Union and under Communist rule. 

Maria was the youngest in her family of nine siblings and was pushed to marry, so she didn’t attend school past seventh grade. Despite a life of little opportunity, she instilled hard work, respect and the importance of “doing good things” in her children. 

Gabriela recalled seeing her mother wake up at 3 a.m. to stand in line for groceries for the family. Maria stayed home to care for the children while her husband worked in a factory. 

“It was a hard life, but she was always very positive and optimistic,” Gabriela said. “She raised me and my brother very well to always be optimistic, to be positive, to have good values and just try our best in life.” 

Gabriela married an American Air Force officer and moved to the United States in the 90s, away from her Romanian family, where she soon had two children of her own, Dimitri and Sophia. 

Maria traveled to the U.S. to help her daughter through the birth of her grandchildren in 1999 and 2004. During these years, the grandmother spent a few months every year with her growing family until the death of Petre in 2005. 

“When I lost my father in 2005, I decided I wanted to take care of her,” Gabriela said, and looked fondly down at her mother. 

She recalled the healthcare system in Romania at the time and her worries over her aging mother’s health. This worry pushed Gabriela to help her mother obtain a green card in 2005. 

Maria has spent the majority of the years since supporting her grandchildren, the house, and her daughter through her divorce and eventual remarriage.

This past fall, 19 years after receiving her green card, Maria decided to try for citizenship, despite her elderly age. The grandmother was worried it was impossible, as she speaks no English, but Gabriela was sure she could do it. 

Maria woke up every morning, drank a cup of coffee and studied all day until her daughter came home from work. She was determined to pass, and her family tested her, made flashcards and assured her it was possible. 

“She was pretty nervous,” Gabriela shared. “I said, ‘Just be confident,’ because I was working with her the week before the exam.” 

Maria passed the exam and was very excited, according to Gabriela. She answered seven out of 10 correctly but wanted to continue answering more. 

“I told her, you can do it if you put your mind to it—you can at any age,” Gabriela said. “And she did it. I’m very proud of her.” 

The Grigores live in Richmond’s West End and have found a community of fellow Romanians. 

“Everybody looks up to her,” Gabriela said. “Some of my friends say, ‘She’s a legend, she’s a role model for us,' always positive, always smiling and just doing great things.” 

Maria continues to spend time in Romania, returning for the summer to visit her son, who still lives there. Her grandchildren care for her and call every day. 

Gabriela noted her mother is extremely excited to become a citizen, vote and get medical insurance. 

“She deserves to, even if she didn’t work here; she raised her grandchildren here, and that’s something great for society,” Gabriela said with pride. Her mother looked on with a smile on her face. “It’s been a long time coming.” 

Her oath of citizenship ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday at the Richmond Federal Courthouse.