4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
GIACONIA, VIRGINIA LUCY TAIBI
Virginia Lucy (Taibi) Giaconia, age 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 2, 2022. Her family and friends are saddened by her passing, but they find comfort in the knowledge that she is in the loving care of the Lord and is with those beloved family members who preceded her in death. In her 94 years, Virginia touched many lives.
Virginia is survived by five of her children, Jo Ann (David), Rose (David), Sal (Judy), Virginia (Paul), and Anna Marie (Carlo). Her beloved son Vincent (Dorothy) and precious grandson Franklin predeceased her. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Shannon (Jason), Santino, Dominique (Josh), Desirée, and Phillip; by one great-granddaughter, Mia; and by several nieces and nephews across the country.
Virginia was born Vincenzina Taibi in Rochester, New York, on August 9, 1927. Her parents, Salvatore and Rosina Taibi, were born in Sicily and emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. Virginia was the youngest of 6 children. She was predeceased by her 4 sisters, Giuseppina (Josephine), Alfonsina (Florence), Assuntina (Anne), and Rose, and by her brother Antonio (Anthony).
Virginia grew up in Rochester, where her father and mother owned a neighborhood market. She had fond memories of her adventures and misadventures working in the family store with her beloved sister Rose. Virginia also liked to entertain her family with stories about her other childhood companions, a 6-toed cat and a parrot that her father had taught to speak Italian.
Virginia met the love of her life, Santo Giaconia, through her sister Florence. Santo also came from a Sicilian family, and Virginia’s sister knew that they would be a good match. Because her father was so strict, Virginia and Santo initially corresponded by mail in secret, with some outside help. Their love grew, and they were married in Montebello, California, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church on June 24, 1950.
Santo and Virginia then moved to Arizona and started their family of 6 children. Santo ran his own bookkeeping and accounting business, and Virginia helped him with the business. Together they raised their children to follow their example of being caring and compassionate people who are always ready to help others. Virginia’s children fondly remember some of the wonderful Italian meals that their mom cooked. Her meatball recipe is still the gold standard for her family. Her chicken pot pies, turkey stuffing, meat pies, roasted potatoes, and homemade Christmas cookies were also family favorites for her children and grandchildren.
Virginia adored her grandchildren and great-granddaughter, and they dearly loved their grandma and great-grandma. They have happy memories of visiting and playing games with her—and receiving many “Grandma hugs.”
Virginia was devoutly religious, and her strong Catholic faith sustained her during very difficult times in her life—the death of her mother when Virginia was a teenager, the deaths of her father and her siblings (especially her sister Rose, with whom she had a lifelong, special bond) and the deaths of her beloved husband Santo, son Vincent, and grandson Franklin. Virginia attended Mass at St. Agnes regularly and with great devotion. She participated in rosary groups, prayed frequently, and carried her rosary with her everywhere.
In her later years, Virginia attended a senior center in Phoenix and made many new friends. Her favorite pastimes were playing bingo, word-search puzzles, and watching old TV shows like “Lawrence Welk” and “Andy Griffith.”
Virginia will be remembered as a very kind, compassionate, and sweet person who was always glad to help family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. She said “God bless you” to everyone she encountered, and it was heartfelt every single time.
A visitation and rosary for Virginia will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018. The visitation will begin at 5:15 p.m., and the rosary shall start at 6 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24th Street AZ, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Immediately after the Mass, a graveside service will be held at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Hospice of the Valley, hov.org.
Virginia and Santo were my father’s Godparents. He was also close friends and classmates with her son Vincent. I remember growing up with the Giaconia family as if they were more cousins to add to my own family. My grandparents bought their house down the street from the Giaconias back in the early 50’s, my father was raised there and I remember him taking us by to see Virginia on Halloween since both my grandparents had already passed. I was fortunate to stop by and speak with her a few years ago, and the house looked exactly as I remembered it. My love and sympathy to the family.
Our sincere condolences, Felicia and Goran
Our deepest sympathy to your family! We were fortunate to have spent an afternoon with Aunt Virginia back in 2016 when visiting Phoenix. I wish we had the opportunity to know our Giaconia side of the family better. However, the distance between Rochester-Phoenix made this difficult.
May she rest in peace with our Heavenly Father.
Joyce Giaconia and Robert Coughlin
Thinking of you as you celebrate Mrs. Giaconia’s beautiful life. She will live on in your hearts.
We are very saddened to hear of Aunt Jean’s passing. She was truly a wonderful and special aunt and we will miss her so much. Our deepest condolences go out to her family during this difficult time. My fondness memories of Aunt Jean were her kindness and her laughter. Her laugh was infectious and heartwarming.
I believe my mom and Aunt Jean are together again in Heaven holding hands. We love you Aunt Jean and we will miss you.
Richard and Mary Anne Goetz and family
So sorry to hear about the passing of Aunt Virginia. Each and every year it was so nice to receive a Christmas card from her. I remember writing letters to Grandma Giaconia and Aunt Virginia used to answer them. Such a sweet lady. Prayers for her and her family.
Married to Anna Maria, Virginia’s daughter, I was delighted to be welcomed into the family with open arms by Virginia who was always sweet and loving to us. Over the years she always sent us cards on special occasions, and always remembered to ask about me, she was indeed very thoughtful.
She also reminded me of my own mother, also Italian, and so it was with great pleasure that when I first met Virginia, sang for her the Italian song “Mamma”, a song about longing for one’s mother, and being happy to see her again.
Every time we got together, Virginia seemed to be very happy and satisfied among the family she had created, a fine accomplishment indeed! I will miss my second mom who so lovingly took me into her family.
My late husband, mom’s son, and I loved to go to Phoenix every Thanksgiving to see the family and take mom to Laughlin! She loved to go and play the slots! She was also happy and smiling! She was the best mother-in-law I could ever ask for. She is going to be forever missed! Love to my family on my husbands side. I am so sorry for our loss!
Love Dorothy
Virginia was such a dear, truly beautiful inside and out. I was one of her priests at St Agnes and I always enjoyed her smile and kind words. She would bless me too which I very badly needed. Virginia will be greatly missed. My sympathy to her family.
Rev. Patrick Gavin, O.Carm., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Fairfield, CA
I had the pleasure of meeting Virginia during my college years. I was in Arizona visiting friends and was invited to the house. I was a complete stranger to her but she welcomed me with love and kindness. A truly wonderful person. I know her family misses her very much but has wonderful memories to cherish.