The Imburgia Girls

Sisters. Five girls and they all have their own distinct personalities. One is a tell all she knows, one is an enforcer, one is quiet, one is quiet, but a go-getter, and one is a comedian. Born to Joe and Peg Imburgia, Mary, Cindy, Stephanie, Melissa, and Kristen, they all have their own unique way of making things interesting, and this interview was interesting to say the least.

Eighteen months separate each girl from the next one, with Mary being the oldest, and Kristen being the youngest, a 9-year difference in age. You can tell by talking with these women that they are very close. If anybody were to mess with them, you can be sure that Cindy would be in their face letting them know 'You don't mess with my sisters.' "I've always been protective of my sisters and have always been like that", Cindy says, and the others all agree. Joe Imburgia also agrees, saying "Cindy was the one you would go to if trouble came to the sisters, and she would take care of it. I didn't need to protect them, Cindy did." Not say that dad wouldn't have step in because I know he would have. He handled the bigger problems that may have occured with his daughters.

With their age difference, you would think that there would be some sort of rivalry between them, but there isn't. They are so supportive of one another, no competition except when it comes to the bathroom. Joe says, "I didn't bother in the mornings. I waited until the coast was clear." The love that they have for each other also shows on their faces. When one is in crisis, the sisters are there to lend a helping hand and show their support. One would say that they are more friends than sisters. All the love that they have for each other can be credited to their mom Peg. While Joe worked, Peg was home raising the girls from sun up to sun down, year after year. Joe agrees that Peg did most of the work, he couldn't have asked for a better wife and mother for the girls. Joe says, "She did a hell of a job." And another best part about being sister so close in age was that would get to wear each others clothes. Well not really, but we all know it happened at one time or another in that household.

One known fact about the Imburgia girls, is that they were all cheerleaders for Wellsville High School. Can you imagine that? From Jr. Tigers through High School, alot of guys saw atleast one Imburgia girl in a cheerleading uniform. There was only one other set of sisters in Wellsville who ever did that, and to the best of my knowledge, the Imburgia girls are the second. The other set of sisters was 5, and Imburgia's 5. I don't see that being matched for a good while.

Asking the girls if there was anything that they would change, Mary said she would live closer. It is hard for her to see her family, maybe once or twice a year, since she lives in Florida and doesn't get to travel as much as she would like to see them. The other sisters live really close with three living here in Wellsville and one other living in Lisbon. But that is one thing Mary would like to change in the future. Although she is single, and sort of looking, Cindy is happier now with her life because of her Independence. Kristen, Stephanie, and Melissa are happy with how things turned out in their lives.

All sisters agreed that their children are one of the best parts of their lives. They love being around their kids for fun, whether it is going to athletic events, school functions, they are there. That was something that was instilled into them by their parents, and it has carried on through the girls, and no doubt will be passed on to their children. The values that their parents gave them was probably one of the greatest attributes that they share as a family. What Cindy and Kristen also like to do for fun is walk. They like to walk the streets of Wellsville just to stay in shape and talk about current sisterly events or about their exs. But do not bother Cindy. If she has a pissed off look in her face it is not because she is pissed off. She is concentrating. So pleased, let her concentrate.

Joe and Peg also made sure the girls got a good, quality education. They thought that Wellsville has a good education system. They were right! All five graduated, and all five received some sort of higher education after high school. Mary was trained on the job at Dr. Rivelle's dential office, Cindy went on to school for Computer, Stephanie went on for Nursing, Melissa went on to school for Education, and Kristen went on to school for Medical.

"I never had any problems with the girls boyfriends, because I was never there," Joe says with a laugh. He once scared the paperboy that came to the house thinking it was someone there to see one of his daughters but wasn't intentional. "But when I did meet them, they were respectful. All well mannered, and treated my girls real nice. I liked that." But when the girls started leaving the house, it was kind of sad, because they were his babies. But also happy because he was now not only get into the bathroom but was able to put in another bathroom. He misses his girls. They miss him too. The girls miss each other as well. Through phone calls, e-mails, and texting, they stay in touch with one another constantly. They may not be there in physical form, but they are there emotionally. When they all were home, they enjoy the time they have with each other. It was fun in the house, because Kristen was the comedian and kept things going. They couldn't have asked for a better life than they had growing up, because of all the love and eventful times they have had. They wouldn't change a thing.

I asked what was the difference between then and now, and the answer was unanimous, stress and responsibility. No matter what they've gone through in life, it has been stressful, but moved on. As for responsibility, they all have children and families of their own, and that is responsibility in its own right. With the girls being so close in age, it helped with keeping their friendship so strong, because they all went through the same thing. They were all there to help each other out.

As for their personalities, I would say they are quite different. If mom wanted to know something, especially if she knew that something was going on, she went to Mary, mother-hen-tell all she knows. "Mary could never keep a secret," says Cindy. One would think since Mary was the oldest, she would be the one to look out for her younger siblings, not in this case. Cindy was the enforcer, and made sure that her sisters were taken care of and not harmed. You don't mess with Cindy when it comes to her sisters. Stephanie was the quiet one, didn't really say much, but on the track, that's where her light shone through ( but she was checking out my notes after the interview just to see if I left anything out). Melissa was also quiet, but when she was determined to get something, she got it. I know this for a fact. (Hi Mark!) Kristen was the funny girl, always putting a smile and a laugh on someones face. You would think that these five different personalities would not mesh very well, you are wrong. It is because of their personalities and how they was raised that allow them to have the kind of sisterly relationship that they have today.

Lord only knows what the future holds for these wonderful women. They each have a different path, but will remain strong in their relationship with each other. All hold their Christian faith close at heart and they remember who they are, and most importantly, where they came from. The halls of WHS always shone brightly when the Imburgia clan roamed them. Now their lives are shining ever bright where ever they are in the world, and it can only get brighter when they pass their values, and love that their parents gave them growing up, to their children. If you are ever walking down the street in Wellsville, and you see five beautiful women walking towards you, it just may be the Imburgia girls, but don't mess with them, because Cindy will get you.

Thank you and take care!

Editors note: Cindy and Kristen are single (hint hint).