Maria Giovannina DiPaolo, 97, of Ossining, NY passed away on July 22, 2023.

Giovannina was born on July 13, 1926, to Nicola and Maria (DeSantis) Ciro in Cansano, Italy.

As a young teenager, she met the love of her life, the late Lorenzo DiPaolo. He would soon be shipped out to war during WWII. Before leaving he asked for her hand in marriage and the promise to wait for his return.

During the war, her town suffered a bombardment for which she survived, but tragically lost her beloved younger sister, Palmina, who died beside her. Shortly after, their elder brother, Giuseppe, left home for Australia.

Giovannina waited for Lorenzo for 7 years. On his return, they married in 1947 and had 2 children, Vincent and Mary.  With the two young children, they courageously left Italy and moved to Venezuela, then Montreal, Canada before coming to the U.S. where they settled in Brooklyn, NY. After years in NYC, she and Lorenzo moved to Ossining to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.

Giovannina spent her young adult life as a dressmaker. She loved to sew, crochet, cook, garden and spend time with her family. She was an amazing cook who took great pleasure in preparing family meals. Always kind and generous, she took joy in giving gifts to her grandchildren every chance she had. She loved to laugh and cherished time with family and friends.

Giovannina is survived by her two children, Vincent DiPaolo of Virginia and Mary Mule of Ossining, her 5 grandchildren, Angela, Joanne, Alexandra, Nadia, and David, and 4 great-grandchildren, Rocco, Matteo, Liliana, and Leo.

Guests are invited for viewing at Waterbury and Kelly Funeral Home on Thursday, July 27, from 3-8 PM. Funeral Mass, St. Augustine Church, Ossining, NY on Friday 10 AM. Entombment at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Putnam Valley, NY to follow.

WATERBURY & KELLY FUNERAL HOME

1300 Pleasantville Road

Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510

914-941-0838