Jennie "Giovanna" Seccurra LaRocco
Jennie "Giovanna" Seccurra LaRocco, 102, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 in St. Augustine, FL with her loving family by her side.
She was born on October 1,1913 in Rome the daughter of Salvatore and Rosa DeSiena Seccurra. She was married on October 1, 1938 to Dominick LaRocco in St. John the Baptist Church where she was a life long parishioner until she moved to Florida. Dominick passed away on July 30, 1976.
Jennie graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1932 with honors. She excelled at academics and was offered a college scholarship, which she ultimately declined to obtain work. As a teenager, Jennie worked as a nanny for the Stryker family homestead which was located on the site of Fort Stanwix. She went on to work a variety of jobs. In 1976, she retired after working 23 years at the U.S. Government at Griffiss Air Force Base where she won many commendations. She was a trailblazer working outside the home full time and managing the entire household in an era when women were largely home-based.
Jennie had many hobbies and interests. As a young girl, her sisters taught her to crochet, tat lace, and sew. Her creations were expert and are still being enjoyed by her family. She enjoyed attending parties and dances with her sister Josephine, her closet confidante. She was a voracious learner and reader. She enjoyed cooking and baking. Mostly, she enjoyed spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jennie enjoyed many happy moments with her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Bob with their family on their boat, picnics at the boat club and family reunions. She also enjoyed traveling and was adventurous traveling alone to visit her daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Tony, and their family in Peru, Brazil, Dominican Republic-never once turning away from an opportunity to try something new.
Jennie is survived by her beloved family, two daughters and a son-in-law, Angela and Anthony Sopranzi of St. Augustine, FL and Janice Rabbia of Utica; cherished grandchildren and their spouses, Lisa Sopranzi, Antonio and Cindy Sopranzi, Maria and Christopher Genovese, Mark and Lisa Rabbia and Natalie and Jim Gilchrist; great grandchildren, Daric Starcher, Dominic Sopranzi, Emilia Sopranzi, Elena Sopranzi, Vincent Genovese, Sofia Genovese, Gabriella Rabbia, Gianna Rabbia, Isabella Gilchrist, Anna Gilchrist and Matthew Gilchrist; a brother Armand Seccurra of Rome, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by a son-in-law, Robert Rabbia in February 2016; two brothers, Frank (Marion) Seccurra and John (Mary) Seccurra; six sisters, Angeline (Louis) Curcio, Catherine (Leonard) Grieco, Marie (Peter) Spoon, Elvira (Enrico) DeSantis, Anna Seccurra and Josephine (Joseph) Taverna.
Celebration of life is on Wednesday morning at 11:00 in St. John the Baptist Church for a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio as celebrant. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00 at the Church.
Please omit flowers.
