Henrietta Carswell Smith Giannoni

Mrs. Henrietta (Henri) Carswell Smith Giannoni, of Hollywood, Florida, passed from this life to eternity on September 23, 2024. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Dawn Giannoni,  Diane Grosso (Vince Grosso), Denise Malave (Al Malave) and 2 sons, Richard Giannoni (Roslyn) and Danny Giannoni. Mom-Mom, as she was affectionately called, had 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Henrietta Smith, father, Richard T. Smith and her  husband of 60 years, Sergio Ovidio Giannoni.

She was born in Auburn, Indiana on April 8, 1926 and attended school in Highland Park, Illinois. She and Sergio lived in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin; Baltimore, Maryland; Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Greenfield, Wisconsin. In 1967 they moved their 5 children to Hollywood, Florida, where they remained. After raising 5 children, Henri worked as a teacher and advocate for special needs and displaced kids at Miramar Elementary for over 20 years, beginning in 1970.

Two things were the most important to Henrietta. Her family and her faith. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for either. Around 1977, Henri accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and everything in her life changed. She had the heart of a missionary and began to serve in that capacity for the rest of her life. She was active in local and international missions. She served in places as diverse as: Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. These were not tourism trips. She served the poorest of the poor in the garbage dumps of Mexico and helped deliver babies without power in the Philippines. She gave relief to missionaries in an orphanage in Guatemala and never complained or questioned the call. Locally, she helped put together numerous missions conferences for years at Cooper City Church of God. She worked in Broward County with the Homeless Center and when Hurricane Hugo struck the area in 1989 she was in the thick of coordinating relief. She was desperate for the most wounded, the down and out, and the poorest to know Christ and she impacted countless people for the Gospel. In her late 70’s and early 80’s she was a credentialed volunteer chaplain for the Broward Correctional Institution for women, a maximum security prison. She was providentially granted access to death row to minister and many of the women continued to write letters to her after her departure due to her age. 

She was a most loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was also so much fun! Be it at the beach, curled up on a couch eating a treat, playing a game of cards, or putting a puzzle together, she was always desired company of friends and family. She was a giver to each of us in so many ways and we are filled with gratitude and blessed to have had her demonstrate the hands and feet of Jesus to each of us. 

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home, Hollywood, Florida,  on Friday, October 4th, 4:30pm. 

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful people that cared for our Mom-Mom at Oasis at Margate Manor and Accent Hospice. They were always very loving and responsive to her needs and we are ever so grateful. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cooper City Church of God, Missions fund. Donations may be made at cccofgod.org, click give, online or text or mail to: 

Cooper City Church of God 

9191 Stirling Road 

Cooper City, FL 33328