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Angie

Person

Mary Lou Calicura Byer

Also named

  • Mary Lou Byer

In the records · 3

  • Named in · Plate 3

    Sam Rodia. "Rodia used New World artifacts of Los Angeles to bring his Old World images of southern Italy to life in his Watts Towers. Rodia left Los Angeles in 1954 to settle in Martinez, near Berkley, with his family. His niece (pictured at left), Virginia Sullivan, cared for him in his last years. (Virginia Sullivan and Angelina Calicura were sisters; Virginia was 8 years younger than Angelina, and she was the second to last sibling to pass away in 2023 at age 98, Mary Lou Calicura Byer, the last sibling, passed away on July 1, 2024, at age 97.)" Photo from the Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection.

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  • Named in · shown in the post's text

    Angelina Alexander, obituary, Tahoe Daily Tribune, January 2, 1987

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  • Named in · shown in the post's text

    Angelina Alexander, obituary, Martinez News-Gazette, December 30, 1986

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How this connects

Where the post names it · 1

  • Angelina "Angie" Calicura Alexander's legacy extends beyond hospitality. As the niece of Sam Rodia, she was connected to California's iconic Watts Towers. The 2006 documentary I Build the Tower highlights Rodia's vision, a creative spirit that echoed in Angelina's own life. Angie is given special thanks in the documentary by her nephew Brad Byer (Mary Lou Calicura Byer's son), and filmmaker Edward Landler.

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Identity

  • Also named

    Mary Lou Byer

    Both obituaries list a sister, Mary Lou Byer; plate 3's caption names Mary Lou Calicura Byer as the last of the siblings.

    Claude (draft, awaiting curator review), 2026-10-01Plate 3

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