Obituary of Giannina Altadonna

"Joann", Giannina Giovanna (Piccialli) Altadonna, age 97, formerly of Pennsauken, New Jersey and more recently of Westlake Woods in Erie, PA, died peacefully on August 6th, 2015, at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was born on October 28th, 1917, in Naples, Italy. She was the daughter of the late Luigi and Assunta Piccialli. During World War II, she met her future husband Rosario Altadonna, a member of the U.S. Army 34th division in Naples, Italy. After the war, Rosario returned to Italy and married the young Giannina on June 12th, 1946. They honeymooned on the beautiful Isle of Capri in the Mediterranean Sea and then settled in Pennsauken, New Jersey to begin their life together. Anxious to become an American citizen, Giannina studied English and attended night school to prepare. She proudly became a U.S. Citizen and she and Rosario traveled to Washington, D.C. to celebrate, where they visited the Capitol Building and their State Senator. As a wife, mother, and homemaker her gentle mannerisms touched all those around her. An avid reader, she always took great interest in current events, her church, and Erie weather reports. Caring for her family was always uppermost in her life. Another favorite time in her life included annual family vacations to the Jersey shore and occasional trips to Italy to visit family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Rosario, brothers Alphonso, Edwardo, Vincenzo, Mario, and sister Immacolatina. Surviving are her sons Frank L. Altadonna (Christine) of Erie, PA, John M. Altadonna (Karen) of Thorofare, New Jersey, sister Rita Camerlingo of San Paulo, Brazil, granddaughter Laura Altadonna Oblich (Christopher), grandson Robert Altadonna, and great grandsons Michael, Daniel, and Matthew Oblich and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to call at St. Cecilia's Church, 4824 Camden Ave. Pennsauken, NJ, on Monday, August 10th at 10 am. The funeral mass will immediately follow at 11am. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements by Falco Caruso & Leonard Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Cecilia's Church (Mary Queen of All Saints), 4824 Camden Ave, Pennsauken, NJ.