Gina Augustina Samaha-Pastore

Gina was born in Clinton, Massachusetts on July 11, 1932, to John and Marcella Rota, who had both immigrated to the United States from Italy in the early 1900s. The family ran Rota Spring Farm in nearby Sterling Jct. Gina had two older brothers, Peter and Henry, who took over the family dairy farm. She grew up speaking only Italian until she started Kindergarten. Though she dearly loved all the farm animals, unfortunately, Gina developed asthma and allergies to everything on the farm and had to move to Somerville, Massachusetts. Gina’s father had died when she was 6 years old, and then her mother when she was 16 years old. While attending Somerville High School, Gina developed a close friendship with Dolores Maestri. The Maestris took her in and became a lifelong second family, in addition to the Rotas.

Upon high school graduation, Gina took the Civil Service Examination. Her first job was in the downtown Boston Custom House and then nearby Hanscom Air Force Base. After a few years of continued civil service work in southern California, Gina’s obvious talents led to promotions and transfers that took her to the ends of the earth and the breadth of the Air Force’s worldwide presence. She found that she could continue employing her talents in Germany, Italy, the Philippines, and eventually the Pentagon.

Her talents and natural beauty attracted the attention of an accomplished Air Force Colonel who was a periodontist, Francis (Frank) Samaha. He had four children: Jeffrey, Gary, Lisa, and Rick. Frank and Gina married in 1973, and she was thrilled to be a part of their lives and family. In 1978 their daughter Nina was born.

Frank practiced as a periodontist in McLean after retiring from the Air Force, and Gina provided support to that practice. They were active in the Northern Virginia Dental Society, attending meetings and conferences. They lived in Arlington, where she took up bowling and golf, one year winning the women’s championship at the Washington Golf & Country Club! She had also married into a large and robust Lebanese family and enjoyed learning the art of Lebanese cooking from Frank’s five sisters. She was active in their family church, Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church in McLean. Gina made it a priority to visit her family and roots in Massachusetts each summer. Also, she loved traveling to spend time with the children and grandchildren in Williamsburg, Newport News, and Atlanta, as well as Jeffrey at his various parish assignments throughout Maryland. One of her greatest joys was being a Nonna to her 11 grandchildren and a bis (great) Nonna to her 15 great-grandchildren. Her Italian minestrone, manicotti, meatballs, and sauce were everyone’s favorite treat when visiting Nonna and Granddaddy.

Frank fell ill in 2007, and both looked for a suitable place for retirement. They settled on Falcons Landing and waited for an opening. Francis died in early 2008, and Gina moved in shortly thereafter. Gina soaked in new friendships, the various exercise classes, social gatherings, and travel outings through Falcons. She volunteered for the Catholic masses in their Chapel and was a member of the Prayer Group.

Eleven years later, having denied all the advances that must have been made, Richard (Dick) Pastore, a retired Army Officer and federal executive, moved into Falcons Landing, and the two met via the auspices of Mary Reinhard who happened to live across the hall from Dick. It was love at first sight! Their first date was at Cooper's Hawk on August 28, 2019. He walked her home from dinner at night. They danced away the Gala of 2019. Despite falling and breaking her hip only a month prior, they married on her 88th birthday in 2020 in a ceremony at Mount Tabor Catholic Community in Vienna that was restricted to 19 people because of Covid-19.

They traveled as much as time and Gina’s conditions would allow: the Homestead, a New England train tour, a love-filled weekend in Savannah GA, a Bermuda cruise, Portugal, and Madeira Island. They visited Gina’s children and families in MD, VA, GA, and NY and relished getaways to Dick’s condo in Ocean City and visits with his children - Susan (Steven), Wendy (Tom), & Patric (Bean) - and family locally. And, they made many day trips that included a stop at Brusters for Gina’s favorite treat- ice cream.

Gina was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023. Her radiation treatment seemed effective, but it weakened her, and she was placed under hospice care. Although she surprised everyone by growing stronger during this time, Gina fell and broke her other hip in June 2024! She required another surgical intervention and never walked again. From Rehab at the Johnson Center, Gina moved to the Nursing Care Unit. She was loved and cared for by the entire wonderful staff and participated in the wide variety of activities conducted by the recreation staff. Dick visited every day, bringing her bananas, pineapple, and her favorite meal- his homemade eggplant parmigiana! She loved sitting on the patio when the weather was good. Dick took her to the Café, the Compass Club, and the Formal Dining Room several times weekly.

Gina passed peacefully in the early morning of March 31, 2025. She was 92 years old. Forever she will be remembered for her sense of peace, soft words, forgiveness, and joy, providing many heartwarming memories for all. Gina is survived and dearly beloved by her doting husband Richard (Dick), sons Fr. Jeffrey, Gary (Katy), and Rick (Christine) & daughters Lisa (Will) and Nina (Noah); her 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Claire Maestri, nieces and nephews, and many cherished family friends.

A visitation for Gina will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Mark's Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA 22181. Following the visitation will be a funeral mass from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA 22181.