Giovanna Nolletti, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, cherished family matriarch, passed away peacefully at the age of 101, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love that will remain with her family forever.
Giovanna was born in San Benedetto in Perillis, Abruzzo, Italy, where she spent her early years. She married Nunzio in 1946 and they had two children, Vince and Nick. The aftermath of World War II caused many European husbands to leave their countries and families in search of work so they could feed their families.
In Italy, while her husband was earning a living in Venezuela, she contributed to the family needs by raising two children, looking after her in-laws, running a butcher shop and a small farm, and raising livestock for food. This required strength, determination, and hard work.
Her Naturalized parents, Nicola and Adelaide, sponsored and facilitated her (and her children’s) immigration to the USA. And Nunzio’s brother Tony sponsored and facilitated his immigration.
In 1960, with her children at her side, she rejoined her husband Nunzio, her parents Nicola and Adelaide, her siblings Pete and Maddalena and many other family members, in Brooklyn, New York.
In New York, Giovanna worked as a seamstress and Nunzio as a butcher. She was the kind of woman who knew how to work with her hands and wasn't afraid of hard work. And they did this by working for minimum wages!
Giovanna spent her life nurturing and creating, and sometimes sternly—whether it was cooking, tending a garden, making something with her hands, building a home, or raising a family. She planted roots, cared for them, and watched generations grow. And one of the happiest days of her life was when she, her husband and children were Naturalized as citizens of the United States of America.
And now, after nearly 102 years, the family she nurtured is her greatest legacy!
Giovanna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nunzio, her daughter-in-law Marianne, her brother Pete, her sister Maddalena, and her beautiful grand-daughter Jennifer. Giovanna was especially heartbroken by the loss of her grand-daughter Jennifer who died in a car accident.
Giovanna is survived by her children, Vince and Nick, her daughters-in-law Terrie and Rosemary, her grandchildren, Katrina and Michael, her great grandchildren Dominick, Nicholas, Jonathan, Jordyn and Wyatt, along with many other family members and loved ones who will forever cherish her memory.
Giovanna's 101 years were a testament to a life filled with hard work, family, perseverance, and love. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
May she rest in eternal peace.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, US, on October 9, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
A Committal Service will take place at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 S Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706, US, on October 9, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
The Jennifer Nolletti Memorial Art Foundation
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Make My Donation to JENNIFER NOLLETTI MEMORIAL ART FOUNDATION | donate.makemydonation.org
