Sylvia Gloria Grandinetti

Sylvia Gloria (Cantu) Grandinetti passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the age of 87. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Antonio (Tony) Grandinetti; her children, Michael, Richard, Anthony, Kristina, and Katrina; her daughters-in-law, Teresa, Susie, and Michelle; her sons-in-law, Scott Johnson and Clement Bartel; her grandchildren, Tony, Christy, Trevor, Isaiah, Nicolas, Stephano, Isabellina and her husband, Mason Ponton, Salvatore, and Scout; her great-grandchildren, Alaina, Valencia, Midna, Nicolas Jr., and Lucas; her sister-in-law Michelle Grandinetti; her brother José Cantu, and a wealth of other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Narciso Cantu; her mother, Martina (Lopez) Cantu; and her son, Joseph James (JJ) Grandinetti.

Sylvia was born in June 1938 to Narciso and Martina Cantu in Beeville, TX. After graduating from A.C. Jones High School, where she excelled academically, she went on to study Biology at Texas Woman’s University in Denton on a full scholarship. It was there she met her future husband, Tony, who was a student at North Texas State University.

They married in 1961 and, together, went on to own and run multiple businesses in Dallas, most notably The Godfather Italian Restaurant. Following the restaurant years, Sylvia went on to work at Bishop Lynch High School, where she became an invaluable member of the Friar community until her retirement just several years ago.

Countless things made Sylvia extraordinary. Kind and generous, she was loved by all who knew her. She was exceptionally intelligent and had a sublimely no-nonsense approach to life with a wicked sense of humor. She enjoyed being with her family, traveling, the arts, tasty food, playing games, and watching her favorite cooking shows & British comedies.

The center of her family, Sylvia was an endlessly protective source of guidance, strength, comfort, humor, truth, and unconditional love. To her beloved grandchildren, she was the “Mema-iest Mema to ever Mema”. She was fierce. She was amazing. And though she left a hole in our lives that will never be filled, we will continue to feel her loving presence as she enters into the Kingdom of Heaven.

We invite you to visit to share a remembrance. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Sylvia’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.