Giustina A. Havens

Born on a small island off the coast of Southern Italy near Naples in 1936, she grew up during a tumultuous time, World War II. She had many stories to tell about those days, but suffice it to say, most weren't pretty.

She met her first husband during the 1950s, a Navy man at the time who brought her to the United States. Together, they would have four children, JoAnn, Michael, Charles and Paul. Only one of them would provide her with grandchildren, Christian and Alex. All of them survive her.

Eventually, that marriage would end in divorce, which was a good thing because it allowed her to meet the man of her dreams, Earl J. Havens Jr., an Army man whom she would spend the next three decades with traveling and doing things she loved.

She temporarily lived in Colorado Springs where her first two children were born in the late 1950s, later returning in the late 1970s, settling in her first owned home in the southern part of the city. Giustina worked as a homemaker and a cook in a nearby elementary school.

In the 1980s, not long after marrying Earl, the two would join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3917, a place the two would spend many happy hours. Years later, she would serve numerous times as president of the post's ladies auxiliary, and grand president of the Colorado Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary. Basically, she had little red bugs and buddy poppies everywhere.

During her time working with the VFW, she enjoyed visiting nursing homes and area hospitals helping veterans and active duty personnel returning from various war zones. She saw that as the least she could do for an adopted country that she cherished and loved. She often would say that while she wasn't officially active duty, as a military wife to two veterans, she believed she served her country. That was tremendously important to her.

She asks that people make memorable contributions to the American Cancer Society, the VFW Cancer Research Committee or any other cancer charity.

Friends of Giustina and Earl are invited to a life celebration at the post at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2016.

Arrangements under the direction of Dove-Witt Family Mortuary, Fountain, CO.