Celeste T. Giannini

Celeste Troncho Giannini passed away peacefully on November 3, 2016 at the age of 82. Celeste was born March 11, 1934 in Redwood City to Arthur C. deFigueiredo and Maria T. deFigueiredo. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her cherished husband of 53 years, Roland E. Giannini (2011). She was a loving mother to Daniel , Laura and Michael and daughter-in-law Kelly ; and a devoted grandmother to Meagan and Kevin ; sister-in-law to Margie deFigueiredo, and Shirley Giannini. She was also preceded in death by her loving brother Joaquim (Jack) deFigueiredo, sister in law Valerie deFigueiredo, brother in law Thomas Giannini, Jr., sister in law Jennie Giannini, brother in law Bill Riviello and sister in law Josephine Riviello. She will be missed very much by all.

Celeste grew up in Redwood City and attended Central Elementary School, McKinley Jr. High School, and graduated from Sequoia High School in 1951. Celeste was working as an Administrator at Stanford University when Roland Giannini offered his hand in marriage, and the couple were married at St. Pius Church in Redwood City in 1958.

Celeste loved and cared for her family immensely, being a devoted, loving, and incredible wife and mother. She was involved with her children’s many activities in sports, school, and the local community. Celeste loved to cook traditional Portuguese and Mediterranean meals, was an avid seamstress, and developed a talent for painting. She and her husband enjoyed a rich social life as active members of both the Peninsula Italian American Social Club of San Mateo and the Luso American Fraternal Society.

Celeste was very proud of her Portuguese heritage and was active in the local Portuguese community. As a young girl, Celeste was a “little queen" of the Chamarita Festival in Half Moon Bay. Later in life, Celeste was on the Board of Directors of the San Mateo County Historical Association. During her term on the board, she contributed to the expansion of the Historical Museum located in the former courthouse in downtown Redwood City and was instrumental in setting up the display of Portuguese history and culture in Northern California.

Celeste and Roland shared a wonderful marriage and loved to travel, taking their children on vacations throughout the United States, Portugal and Italy. They enjoyed their anniversaries in Mexico and traveled throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. Celeste and Roland had a second home in Arnold where they enjoyed fishing, wine tasting, and exploring the Sierra gold country together.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, November 22nd , at 5:00pm, with Rosary Services beginning at 7:00pm, at Redwood Chapel, 847 Woodside Road, Redwood City. A funeral mass will be held in her honor on Wednesday, November 23rd , at 10:00am at St. Pius Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City. A lunch reception will follow at the Redwood City Elks Lodge, 938 Wilmington Way, Redwood City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Mateo County Historical Association, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 c/o Celeste Giannini Memorial Gifts, or to a charity of your choice.ts under the direction of Redwood Chapel, Redwood City, CA.