Is it ever detailed in any of the books how Vito met his wife? Also,what is her full name? I've often wondered about their courtship and eventual marriage in the early immigration era NYC. Were they introduced by the Abbandandos?

It is never discussed as far as I know. There's a clue at the beginning of th film when Bonasera ruefuly tells Vito he raised his daughter in "the American" fashion. This is telling because it means a more than a full generation after Vito Married Mama, it was still an issue among the Italian-American community whether or not to raise daughters in the American fashion. Being Sicilian, it is more likely than not that Vito was introduced to his wife by the Abbondando family who were friends with her family, and that the ensuing courtship was closely supervised by her family.

While there has been discussion on the boards about what she knew and why she stayed out of Vito's enterprises, I do not recall anything about the fact that Vito and his wife were truly a love match. As a young man Vito would not even acknowledge the beauty of the actress young Genco so admired, telling him the only woman for him was his wife. In another touching scene when the then down and out Vito places a pear
on the table for her and she shows her affection and gratitude to Vito for this gesture. It was, no doubt a sign from him which she understood that they might be looking forward to hard times, and this small extravagence was a token of their mutual affection. This rock solid marriage is also one reason Vito was so concerned about marital fidelity, telling Johnny (while looking at Sonny) that a man who doesn't spend time with his family cannot be a real man. In both cases he was referring to the infidelities of Johnny and Sonny of which he did not approve. Late in the movie in his intimate conversation with Michael the first thing he asks is whether Michael is happy with his wife.

Insightful and informative response,DT. Thanks.

The novel states that at 18 he married his wife of 16 who had just arrived from Sicily and that she was a good homemaker.