Spark is a memory project based off my four grandparents. The goal of this project was to “Spark the Memory” of my loved ones through various conversations, interviews, research, and more. I also wanted to encourage viewers to begin these conversations for their loved ones, too.
I sought to highlight the importance of sharing memories, as I learned within the past few years the importance of stories. With my Grammy in particular, I began retelling her stories from her own life with hopes to rekindle her memory through her battle with dementia. I only ever knew these stories because of what she had shared with me in the past - THIS was the importance of memories.
Penny “Grammy” Mangan
A devoted mother to two daughters, a cherished grandmother of five, and a loving wife to her husband, Chuck. Penny valued honesty, loved laughter, and savored memories shared with her grandchildren playing games. Her battle with dementia is what sparked the passion for Emma to preserve the memory of those she loved, after witnessing how fleeting it can be.
Chuck “Papa” Mangan
A faithful father of two daughters, grandfather of five, and husband to his late wife Penny. Papa is a family man who serves when others aren’t watching. He has a great wit that greets people off the bat, but his passion for justice and empathy for the less-fortunate is quick to soften his sarcastic spirit.
Mickie “Nana” Ferrante
A proud mother to four sons, grandmother to eleven, and great-grandmother to five, she also cherishes the memory of her late husband, Bob, with whom she shared 36 years of love and marriage. Nana is a role model whose joy and light uplifts everyone around her. She has a remarkable gift for sending people away better than she met them. Throughout her life, Nana has served the less fortunate, victims of abuse, and those in hospitals and hospice, all while sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those who haven’t encountered Him.
Bob “Pop Pop” Ferrante
As a husband to Mickie, father of four sons, grandfather to eleven, and great-grandfather to four, Bob cherished his family deeply. Bob was a devoted family man who embraced life with warmth and humor. Though he faced personal challenges, including addiction, he broke the cycle of abuse from his childhood, showing genuine pride and affection for his family, leaving behind a legacy of strength and love.
