Peacefully passed away on May 29, 2020 at age 92. Predeceased by her husband Francesco Vella, 2 brothers, 3 sisters; brothers sisters in law. Giovanna is survived by her children Giovanni (Grace) Vella, Mattea Wynn; grandchildren Charles Wynn, Joanna Vella Frank Vella; brother sister's in law in Italy, Nicolo (Rosaria) Vella, Lina Vella, Lidia Vella, many nieces, nephews cousins here and in Italy.

Giovanna's Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 9:30 AM, St. Theodores Church, 168 Spencerport Rd. 14606. All attendees are required to wear a mask and hand sanitize.

Donations may be directed to Alzheimers Foundation, 435 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14620, in her memory.

Giovanna and Francesco emigrated from Realmonte, Italy on December 1, 1973. Her passions were baking, gardening, her children and grandchildren. She also loved having friends and family visit her home. Giovanna loved everyone and she will be greatly missed.

Who was Giovanna Vella

On December 26, 1927, the day after celebrating Jesus birthday, God bestowed upon us an Angel. On that day in the small town of Realmonte, Sicily, Giovanna Vella was born to Alfonso and Carmela (Cottone) Vella.

She was one of seven children, three sisters: Gerlanda (Giovanni) Sciortino, Anna (Giuseppe) Fiannaca, Francesca who passed away in infancy, Salvatore (Giuseppina) Vella, Carmelo (Lina) Vella and Nicolo (Rosaria) Vella. The four sisters were all born before the boys; hence she would say to us that my grandparents had a house full of girls.

In January of 1962, she married our father, Francesco Vella. Her father and mother in-law which she respected tremendously Giovanni and Mattea (Sachelli); sister in law Carmela (Carmelo) Volpe; brothers in law, Carmelo (Angelina) Vella of Albion, Stefano (Marianna) Vella, Giuseppe (Lidia) Vella and Salvatore (Giovanna) Vella.

Giovanna and Francesco were married for 36 years before he passed away on January 28, 1998. She took great pride in taking care of our father during his illness, she did not show signs of weakness even though her own health was not good, it did not matter, he was her husband and she had to be strong.

She loved to talk to us about the old days, about her parents and her siblings. Every Story had a meaning or a lesson in life that we all cherished. She would tell us how her father had the kids look at the night sky at the Bonadonna (mountain top) farmland during the American disembarking on the shore of the Mediterranean (WW II) as the sky was lit up in a barrage of flares. There is the story of lighting striking the house at the farm, the bolt went through the wall and struck the sheep, and it could have easily stuck one of them. That memory left Mom at fear every time we had storms. The story of our grandmother as a little girl, working at the counter of the family store, she was too short to reach the counter and she would stand on the bench. When our grandfather was extremely ill, her mom and sisters took care of the farm and household chores (the house full of girls before the boys were born).

How everyone would gather at her grandmother Gerlanda on the farmland called the Turrazza. It was always cheerful there because they were all together. There was not much, but the happiness was plentiful.

We learned so much from these stories and other stories that she would share with us, a life journey of lessons: Respect, Honor, Hard Work, and most important Family.

Our Mom was a hard worker. In Italy she would take care of the household chores and work on the farm. When our Dad worked in Germany, we remember walking from Realmonte to the Cappedru azzaru or I Margi to take care of the farms. She would work on her brother's farms and in turn they would reciprocate. The family helped one anther even after they had their own families.

On December 1, 1973, Mom and Dad left their Moms, bothers and sister behind and immigrated to the United States. They both were in their late forties when they did this and approaching the end of their working life, but they wanted a better life for their children. They did this for us, without speaking a word of English, they wondered like many other immigrants into an unknown to make a better life. We thank you both for this. During their time in America, Mom worked at Bravo Macaroni, and later at General Circuit.

Mom loved to crochet, embroidering, knitting and loved to Bake. When she was young, she would make these beautiful patterns on cloths, Sheets, pillowcases, and other works she did. She would make a variety of cookies in Italy during the holidays, and in the United States family members remember her bones cookies and her diavoletti.

Mom loved her company, she loved to have people over and make visit to her family and friends. She was a person that you could confide in and many people would. Mom would have made a great phycologist.

Our Mom loved family both in America and Italy, and in turn she too was loved. Mom made sacrifices for her children. She wanted them to be in a better place. Once the grandkids came along, they became a very important and integral part of her life. Always telling them they were number one.

There is so much more that we want to say, and we can definitively write a book on our Moms life, this does not do justice.

We are not here to mourn, we are here to celebrate a life, a long life with many lessen that she thought us. Life is hard and thought but you always got us through it. Your smile tells it all.

God bless you Mom we love you, your physical presence will forever be missed, but we know that you are happy now that you are with Dad, and that both of you are watching down on all of us. You will always be with us, and your grandchildren will continue your legacy.