Italia Piera Vinnola

Matriarch, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Italia Piera Vinnola, of Aurora, Colorado, 72, joined her ancestors on the quiet morning of Wednesday, November 29, 2023. She passed peacefully in her sleep.

Born in Asmara, Ethiopia on January 12, 1951 to Lorenzo Marino and Gabriella Ghidei. She was the 4th of seven children. Italia’s journey from Asmara to Denver, Colorado was one filled with the promise of family, as she met and married Paul Raymond Vinnola (deceased), a naval officer stationed in Asmara. Italia was a devoted wife to her husband, a loving mother to her five children and a pillar of strength for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Italia’s life was filled with daily acts of love - she was always thinking of others and to know her meant to be showered with that love. She was known for her silly jokes, tender embraces, generous wisdom, ready friendship and delicious meals. Italia was a phenomenal cook whose lasagna and sausage sandwiches were the things of legend - Italia had so many creative ways to bring family together, and her food was certainly one of them.

Italia also enjoyed successes as a talented artist and craftsperson. She had art shows in Asuncion, Paraguay, and had the opportunity to share her work in the Air and Space museum in Denver, Colorado. Italia was also a talented cosmetologist and enjoyed many decades beautifying others. She would say her favorite clients were the elderly who shared that they so often felt discarded or forgotten, so she always made sure whoever sat in her salon chair was made to feel like the most special person. Whatever your age, if you were lucky enough to sit in her salon chair you were going to look beautiful and feel even more beautiful when Italia was done with you.

Italia had a gift with learning languages; her native tongues were Tigrinya and Italian, but she taught herself perfect English, Spanish and could understand French, German and Arabic.

She was always striving to improve her life so as to leave a legacy of beauty and service for her children. One of her greatest honors was in being of service to Pope John Paul II during World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado in August of 1993. In her later years, when her health was more fragile, she did her best work at home, around her coffee table with any lucky visitor who came to share the afternoon with her. Anyone who sat with Italia would be invited to share their burdens, sip on a coffee and laugh until their stomach hurt. Italia had the rare ability to know just what to say to bring a smile not only to your face, but into your heart.

Though her life was rich and varied, her absolute greatest joy was her family. Italia is survived by her siblings Franca Indelicato, Leonarda Uhlenhopp, Iolanda Innocenzi, Margherita Crescentini, and Salvatore Marino; her five children Albert Vinnola, Gabriella Cordova, Nicole Vinnola, Cristina Vinnola, Andrew Vinnola; nine grandchildren Justin Ruiz, Raven Ruiz, Matthew Vinnola, Italia Vinnola, Alyssa Garcia-Pena, Alexia Jaramillo, Sofia Jaramillo, Marcello Jaramillo, and Nico Devolder; four great grandchildren Penelope, Kehlani, Kamara and Stefano.

Family and friends will be celebrating the remarkably beautiful life of Italia on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Peace at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary.