It was 11 a.m. on the day after Easter when in one Cranston home, a tradition continued.

Guest after guest arrived at the home of Lorna Ann Magliocco (Caruso). Some brought flowers and gifts, and all brought hugs for Lorna and for one another.

The occasion? Little Easter.

“As the story goes, the women in Italy in their villages the day after Easter would gather together on the mountainside with all the goodies they made for the holiday and have a picnic. Therefore, they called it Pasquarella [or Little Easter],” said Magliocco. “Years ago when I was a girl, my mom was speaking to her friend, my godmother, on the phone and asked her to come for coffee and pastry [rice pies], the Easter dessert. She did, and spent the day. The following year they decided to do the same and ask other friends to come, and so it was born.”

Pasquarella became a tradition in the Caruso home, where all these ladies would come and enjoy all the wonderful foods that her mother, Louise Caruso, used to make, such as antipasto, spinach turnovers, ham, stuffed peppers, rolled eggplant, omelet and more, and then many desserts and coffee.

Louise Caruso passed away in 2009 at the age of 84, yet the tradition continues in the same home where her daughter now lives.

“I promised my mother that her memory will continue, and with our Little Easter gathering, her traditions continue,” said Magliocco.

The guests range in age from their 60s to their 80s. The tradition has continued since the early 1960s.

“I love getting together on Little Easter,” said guest Marion Giannasi, 85, who has been attending for the past 12 years. “Some of these women I only see once a year, on this day.”

The conversations were light and focused on family updates and how Easter Sunday went for everyone, recent trips, as well as showing photos of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Easter Sunday is for family, and Little Easter Monday is for friends,” said Giannasi.

Magliocco served up delicious food for about a dozen women – some her parents’ friends and some her friends – with ease and style. The table was set for Easter, and no one could tell that she had hosted Easter Sunday at her house the previous day.

This year was the first time that Ann Marie Fiorillo, 63, attended the Little Easter celebration. She and Magliocco are friends.

“This was the perfect afternoon with friends getting together for a wonderful afternoon with tons of good food,” she said.

She made new friends that day and is already looking forward to next year’s Little Easter.

“Since my mother passed,” said Magliocco, “I hold this event not only to keep the family tradition alive, but also to remember her as I promised to always keep her memory alive, and what better way than to continue what she started many decades ago.

“Easter was her favorite holiday,” she continued. “Her family and friends meant the world to her, and I am sure she is proud that Little Easter has continued in the same festively decorated dining room as it had in the past.

“It is also a great way to get rid of leftovers,” laughed Magliocco, yet she spent time in the kitchen to serve up fresh cuisine for her friends and set a beautiful dining room table.

Next year she expects new faces at Little Easter, as she invites those she meets from time to time to join in the tradition at her home.