GIOVANNETTI, Lillian Mary (Wadden)

Port Morien

Lillian Mary (Wadden) Giovannetti, Port Morien, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Seaview Manor, Glace Bay, on July 21, 2018.

She was born on January 20, 1927, to Adrian and Ethel Wadden and entered this world weighing a mere 3 pounds. Kept alive in a shoebox on a coal-oven door, she thrived under the constant care of her mother and grandmother Moma Didi (Elizabeth). She had the good fortune to have three wonderful sisters, Florence Iacono (Markham), Marguerite Marangoni (Glace Bay) and Patricia Clements (deceased), and a gregarious brother, Lloyd (deceased), who was always the adventurer.

Although growing up during the war years made for challenging times, her wise parents were able to purchase Canada Savings Bonds to use as educational funds for their children. Lillian graduated from Normal College in Truro (1946) and Dalhousie University (1975) and taught primarily at Gowrie Memorial School in Port Morien but also in Sand Lake, Birch Grove, and Dartmouth. Although the teaching profession was very much seen as a female profession in the 1950s, it was the perfect career for her - she loved the interpersonal, organizational, and intellectual aspects of it. The many stories of her 36 years of teaching would make you laugh, leave you wideeyed, or have you shed a tear.

Lillian married Charles Brady Giovannetti (1927-2001) on August 8, 1952. During their courtship and well before the advent of instant messaging, she was notorious for sending notes via her younger siblings to the Giovannetti residence that confirmed date times, sought an apology, or offered forgiveness. Charles was her one and only love; she always said she knew he would be loyal, dependable, and trustworthy, and that he was! They had four children, Zilla (Ed Daigle), Port Morien, Mary (Robert Seward), Coquitlam, BC, Donald (Heather), Port Morien and Charlene (Darrell King), Coquitlam, BC.

Lillian cherished the company of her grandchildren, Adrianne and Jennifer Daigle, Matthew, Breanne and Patricia Seward, Mora Dawn and Alison Giovannetti, and Tara and Alysha King, and the joys that her great-grandchildren, Lily and Charlotte Gouthro, Eli and Myles Heuser-Seward, and Dominic and Jayden Jimenez, brought to her and our lives.

Since Mom’s life was dedicated to teaching and to her family, The Lillian Wadden Giovannetti Endowment Award was established at Capilano University, North Vancouver, in 2009 in recognition of her dedication to the field of education, her role as an educator for 36 years, and her mentorship of student teachers in the Cape Breton School District. She took up art classes at the tender age of 80, was a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association, a member of St. Mary’s Church, and a resident of the beautiful, picturesque village of Port Morien all her life, except for the last four years when she resided at Seaview Manor, Glace Bay.

Special thanks to Drs. Carol Boutlier, Mark Ellerker, and Clara MacNeil, the staff of Seaview Manor, and Rev. Norman MacPhee. A special thanks to Zilla, whose medical expertise, unwavering devotion, and unconditional love provided great comfort to mom and the family.

Please join us on Tuesday, July 24, from 4 – 8 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray’s Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay, for the visitation and Wednesday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Port Morien, for the Funeral Mass. Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. Interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery, Black Brook. Reception at Port Morien Legion.

Family flowers only. Donations may be made to St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery Fund, Port Morien, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.