11 Things We Absolutely Loved About Big Ang

When the reality television show Mob Wives debuted, tons of people tuned in to see what it was all about. First of all, many regular people are a little bit fascinated with the intricate structure and scandalous history of the mob - after all, why would there be so many movies and shows centered on mob activity if people weren't interested? And, after the endless versions of the Real Housewives series in basically every major U.S. city, many people likely thought that a show centered on Mob Wives would have a bit more scandal, a bit more danger, rather than mere catfights. And, it definitely earned quite a few fans - it was funny, it was a little bit cringe-inducing, but most importantly, we couldn't look away.

And, of course, it was the show that gave us Big Ang. While most of the Mob Wives have a definite flair for drama, absolutely none of them hold a candle to Angela “Big Ang” Raiola. Unlike many of the cast members on this type of reality show, she didn't really try to compete with the other women. In fact, she didn't really try to compete with anyone - she was just 100% herself, and rocked being Big Ang 24/7, 365.

Sadly, this powerhouse of a woman passed away on February 18, 2016 from brain and lung cancer. She will definitely be missed, so while her friends, family and fans are mourning the loss of such an incredible woman, let's think back to 11 things we absolutely love about Big Ang.

11 She always kept the peace with friends

Okay, anyone who has seen an episode of the Real Housewives or Mob Wives or any reality show centering on 'wives' in some way, knows that there's pretty much 24/7 drama. Women shove each other, they flip tables, they throw wine at one another… it's pretty nuts. However, Big Ang was never one to get involved in catfights - in fact, she was generally the one to try to calm things down and keep the peace. Sure, there were times when some of the other wives did things or said things that she didn't agree with. However, at the end of the day, she always kind of played the mediator - a role that was desperately needed in the cast filled with hot tempers.

10 She wrote a hilarious book

It's become almost expected that any successful reality television star will eventually write some type of memoir about their lives. Most of them tend to blend together - but Big Ang's Bigger Is Better: Real Life Wisdom from the No-Drama Mama definitely stands apart from the pack. While most reality stars try to share every detail of their lives in their memoirs, Ang used her book as an opportunity to give hilarious advice to all her fans. She shared things that made them laugh (like the time a bat flew into her chest and died on impact), she kept it real, and she shared her family traditions - like the Sunday feast. And, of course, she dropped her own opinion on the dieting obsession that many reality stars just perpetuate. IN her words, “swearing off lasagna to lose weight? You might fit into smaller jeans. But you're still the same person - except hungrier and bitchier.” Truer words were never said, Big Ang.

9 She gave back to her community

It's not great to paint people with broad strokes, but let's face it - a lot of reality television stars tend to be, well, a bit self-absorbed. Not Big Ang, though - under those legendary assets, she had a heart of gold. After Hurricane Sandy, she didn't just focus on helping her own family - she helped the community, bringing food and supplies to displaced Staten Island residents. Another example of how she supported causes close to her community? When a young Staten Island boy became critically ill after trick-or-treating one Halloween, Big Ang decided to throw a fundraiser to help him and his single dad.

8 She adored her fans

Lady Gaga has her “little monsters,” Justin Bieber has his devoted “Beliebers,” and Big Ang had her “babies.” That's right - she valued her fans so much that they were basically extensions of her family. The best example of her strong connection to those who tuned in week after week happened when she was on an episode of Wife Swap. While strutting down the Walk of Fame in Hollywood with George Hamilton, a bus filled with her fans pulled up and started cheering Ang on like an A-List superstar, rather than a relatively humble reality television cast member. That kind of affection doesn't come from nowhere - you get back what you give, and Ang gave her fans a lot of love.

7 She knew how to rock it in the kitchen

Many wealthy women on reality television shows basically use their kitchens as a place to store wine. When they eat, it's always out at restaurants with all their girlfriends, and if food actually comes out of their home kitchen, it's generally prepared by someone else. Big Ang is an exception. Maybe it's the Italian blood, but she definitely knows her way around the kitchen - her family was constantly mentioning what a fantastic cook she was. I mean, the legendary meatball recipe alone was enough for her to earn her culinary stripes - after all, they did win her the People's Choice award at the 2014 Reality All-Star Meatball Challenge.

6 She gave Snooki some motherly advice

The whole world has watched Snooki's evolution from crazy, wild party girl on Jersey Shore to a more subdued, responsible mother. Despite how much she's grown since the public first met her, there's no doubt that Snooki is still young and in need of advice from time to time - and that's where Big Ang comes in. The duo shared the backseat of a car, driving around the city and talking about pumping breast milk, with Ang telling Snooki you can't drink while you're pumping. Then, they got fast food in the drive through and charmed us all.

5 She supported the LGBTQ community

For most reality stars, when they're in the tabloids for something related to a big issue, it's because they've said something horrendously offensive. Not Big Ang. She appeared in a production of her friend's off-Broadway play, entitled My Big Gay Italian Wedding, and she couldn't be more thrilled to support her pal. Then, she was even more adorable by helping a fan propose to his boyfriend and then throwing them an awesome engagement party in New York City! She came from a world steeped in tradition, but she had no problem making her voice heard about the big issues, stating that “I am a huge supporter of the gay community!”

4 She loved her friends and family

There are some things you can fake for the camera, and there are some things you just can't - and affection seems to be one of the things you can't. Whether it's two partners in a couple, or two women in a friendship, if there's drama, things will pretty much always seem off and strange on film. So, when you see the way Big Ang talks about and interacts with her family, you know that her love is legit. She had two children, and was the very, very proud grandmother of six grandchildren. The youngest grandchild, Anjolie Scotti, was born this January.

3 She was 100% real

Big Ang didn't try to impress anyone but herself. While many shun plastic surgery, particularly when it looks so obvious, Big Ang was outspoken about her love for going under the knife - or, as she said, getting her “boop, boop, boop” on. She talked about her procedures rather than denying she ever stepped foot inside a plastic surgeon's office. She talked about dealing with menopause. She talked about everything, and was never afraid to give her opinion - no matter how unpopular it might be. You have to admire that kind of attitude.

2 She loved animals

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals, and Big Ang's treatment of her pets definitely shows she has a heart of gold. While you might expect someone with such a larger-than-life personality to have a big dog, Big Ang's heart went to a teeny little Pomeranian named Little Louie. That's right - Big Ang and Little Louie. How cute is that? She loved the dog, and at one point even took him shopping. Hey, even puppies need to get pampered sometimes, right?

1 She was the life of the party

While many reality stars are too busy worrying about how they'll look on camera to truly cut loose, Big Ang was always the life of the party. She was totally unselfconscious, and was always more than happy to split a bottle of bubbly with anyone. I mean, just look at what many are reporting to be her dying wish. Allegedly, Big Ang didn't want her family and friends sniffling in a dark room, overcome by sadness. Instead, she wanted them to have a huge disco dance party to celebrate her over-the-top, fun-filled life. If that doesn't perfectly capture her personality, we don't know what does.