Giovanna (Simmarano) Morrissey

Giovanna (Simmarano) Morrissey, 72, of Worcester, MA, passed away on Monday, November 13, with her family gathered at her side, after a long courageous battle with MDS and Breast Cancer.  Giovanna was born in Montescaglioso, Italy.  The second daughter of Emanuele and Rosalia (Santeramo) Simmarano.  In 1958, at the age of 13, Giovanna immigrated to the United States with her mother and siblings to join her father who had immigrated 3 years prior and settled in Worcester.  She graduated from Worcester’s Commerce High School and was an avid learner; though she never completed college Giovanna took classes throughout her life in subjects ranging from Ceramics and Calligraphy to Business and Literature.  In June of 1983, Giovanna married the Love of her Life, Carlo Morrissey, in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, and they began their life together in the Lake View neighborhood of Worcester.   Giovanna worked for the Worcester Telegram and Evening Gazette for almost 40 years, she retired in 2001 from the classified advertising department as Supervisor.     Giovanna is survived by her husband and partner, Carlo; their daughter Maria Sophia Morrissey and Maria’s husband, Brian DuBay, of Lowell; a brother, Enzo Simmarano and his wife Elizabeth of Worcester; two sisters, Maria Puntillo of West Boylston and Vincenza Gelardi of Worcester; an Aunt Francesca D’Ercole in Matera, Italy; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and of course friends, both here and in Italy.  Giovanna was predeceased by a son, Giancarlo Morrissey, who passed away as an infant; and a brother in law, Vincenzo Puntillo, who passed away on October 19 of this year. A proud woman of Italian heritage and Catholic faith; her husband, daughter and family always came first.  Giovanna truly believed that faith, family and friends were the most important parts of life and she had room in her heart for everyone she met.  A woman very generous with her love, time and resources, Giovanna helped every one she could.  Not a single person would ever leave her home hungry or without a dish of cookies for the road.   Christmas and other holidays, birthdays and special occasions were especially enjoyable for Giovanna.  Somehow, as she was becoming increasingly ill, she found the strength to fight her illness so she could see her daughter get married and attend the reception just one month ago.   Giovanna poured her heart in to cooking and baking, and she loved to entertain.  Giovanna also loved to travel, throughout the US and Europe, but she especially enjoyed spending time on the Cape and longer vacations back to Italy.  She was a member of St. Anne’s Church and an active member of the Worcester Lodge #168, Sons of Italy.   Giovanna and her family would like to thank Dr. Jan Cerny and his staff of angels at the Hematology/Oncology Unit at Worcester’s UMass Medical Center, the caring kind nurses and aides on 6 West and in the Bone Marrow unit at the University Campus.  Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday, November 16th 2017, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.   Her funeral will be celebrated Friday, November 17th from the funeral home with a procession to the Church of St. Anne, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd, Shrewsbury where her funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am.  Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery.  Members of the Worcester Lodge #168, Sons of Italy in America will meet Thursday night at 6:30 pm in the funeral home to conduct their ritual.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Hematology/Oncology Unit at UMass Memorial – University Campus, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA 01655.