Sylvia "Sylvana" Giampaoli's Obituary
Sylvana Giampaoli, 90, died on July 8, 2014, finally reunited with her beloved “Johnny” who died in 1994, taking with him as she would say, “my oxygen.”
Sylvana and Gianni arrived from their native Italy in 1949 when they moved to Oakland where they lived their many happy years together, except for a brief professional assignment that took them back to Florence, Italy in the mid-1960’s. Sylvana never faltered in her love for this country and the freedoms enjoyed here. She often remembered her mother’s words, “Sylvana, you will find yourself at home in the United States with the democracy, the liberty to do this, to do that.”
Sylvana was famous for her generous spirit and strength of character, for her gifts of wine cake, and for her many friends from wide circles in both the United States and Italy. At 86, in 2010 — not one to “stay home to listen to the pains and aches,” — Sylvana spent several weeks visiting friends in Italy. While enjoying her home town of Riva del Garda, Sylvana suffered a massive stroke that left her unable to speak and paralyzed. This was a particularly devastating loss for a woman who described herself this way: “The more things to do, the more exhilarant I am,” and who often shared the motto: “Communication is the name of the game.” Despite spending nearly four years trapped in a broken body, Sylvana invited love and respect from all who knew her. Even on the day Sylvana died, a hospital nurse said of her, “She is very easy to love, isn’t she?”
Sylvana and Johnny were members of the Columbo Club, Trentini di Mondi, the Italian Catholic Federation, St. Theresa’s Parish, and Friends of St. Mary’s. She is survived by godchildren, Lenka Silvana Chladova-Fejt and Andrew Fejt, close friends Jan, Lenka, and Jan Jr. Fejt, Craig Compiano and Lori Noack, Alma Casale, Angie Raniero, Lorraine Ghilar-ducci, Sharon and Craig Fletcher, Bill and Anita Beltz, sister-in-law, Julie Kalafatich, nephews Steve Kalafatich Rick and Robert Giusti, plus many devoted friends in Italy. She is predeceased by her beloved Gianni, and her sister, Carla, brother, Sergio, and adored parents, Tullio and Maria Sztaronyi, all of Italy, and sister-in-law Joann Giusti
Services to celebrate Sylvana’s life and faith will be conducted by two of her close friends from Incarnation Monastery in Berkeley, Camaldolese monks, Fathers Arthur and Andrew.
Monday, 14 July:
• 6 pm: Visitation, Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611
• 7 pm: Rosary/Vigil at Chapel of the Chimes
Tuesday, 15 July, 10 am:
• Funeral Mass, St. Theresa Parish, 30 Mandalay Road, Oakland, CA 94618
Tuesday, 15 July 11:30 am:
• Committal Service, St. Mary Cemetery, 4529 Howe St, Oakland, CA 94611
For those who would like to acknowledge Sylvana’s life with a donation gift, please send them to Incarnation Monastery, 1369 La Loma, Berkeley, CA 94708.
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