Feb. 18, 1922-Sept. 10, 2013
Resident of Santa Cruz
Virginia M. Giovannoni passed away on September 10, 2013 at her home in Santa Cruz, with her loving family by her side. She was 91.
Virginia was born on February 18, 1922 in Davenport, the daughter of Pietro Brovia and Maria (Grotesi) Brovia. She grew up in Davenport where she attended Davenport School and later moved to Santa Cruz where she has been a lifelong resident. Virginia did custodial wOork at UC Santa Cruz for many years before her retirement.
Virginia was described by her family as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, cooking Sunday dinners, daily visits with her sister, Lena and especially loved her grandchildren. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.
She is survived by her daughters, Nadine Murphy and her husband Jim of Santa Cruz and Edie Dahlberg and her husband Mark of Santa Cruz; her sister, Lena Castiglioni of Santa Cruz; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Guido Giovannoni in 1961.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz, CA on Monday September 16, 2013 at 10:00 am. A private interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Santa Cruz, CA. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle or express your condolences to Virginia's family.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Florence Kuo Home Health Care and her staff for the loving care they provided Virginia. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to your favorite charity .
(The above Remembrance first appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. www.santacruzsentinel.com )
This photo of Virginia Brovia and my father "Bronco" Comelli, was taken circa 1936 in Newtown north of Davenport. It adorns the back cover of my book "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast). Virginia was the twin sister of Joe "Pino" Brovia, known during his baseball playing career as the 'Davenport Destroyer'. Virginia was also the sister of Lena Brovia Castiglioni, who was my babysitter when my family lived in Davenport (1937). As I write in my book the Brovia and Comelli families were very close.
ADDIO VIRGINIA. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS "IL ULTIMO PONTE" (THE LAST BRIDGE).
