Obituary of Giovanna Augustine

GENEVA- Giovanna "Norma" Rossi Augustine, 84 has been peacefully lifted up into the Lord's arms on Friday May 3, 2024; in the comfort of her own home surrounded by her children. In honoring her wishes there will be no calling hours. A Christian Burial Mass will be on Friday, (May 10), at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Francis DeSales Church in Geneva N.Y., followed by an Entombment service in St. Mary's Mausoleum. Giovanna was born December 3, 1939 to Biagio and Rena Rossi of Jenkins, Pennsylvania. She was the sixth of ten siblings. Norma "Noni" leaves behind an amazing legacy of faith and love within her two beautiful daughters, Kathleen (Scott) Farnett, Baldwinsville N.Y. and Paula (John) Abraham, Geneva N.Y. Five wonderful grandchildren, Johnny (Anna) Abraham, Phelps N.Y.; Joseph (Kirstie) Abraham, Waterloo N.Y.; Nicole (Joseph) Hayes, Phelps N.Y.; Anthony Farnett, Gonyang South Korea and Natalie Farnett, Cleveland Ohio. Two great grandchildren, Leo and Wyatt Abraham (Johnny and Anna) and Baby Hayes (Nicole and Joseph) soon to arrive guided by her spirit. Norma is reunited and dancing again with her beloved husband Vincent Augustine. As well as her parents; brothers Louis, Giovanni "John", Elmer "Al" and Abraham "Abe" Rossi. She is survived by her sisters; Annamarie Giardano, Geneva N.Y., Joanne (Carman) Serrett, Geneva N.Y., Virginia "Gina" (Gary) Kouch, Milwaukee WI, Regina "Tina" (Peter) Brunschweiger, Ontario N.Y., Yvonne "Cookie" (Gene) Sherman, Newark N.Y. and countless numbers of cousins, nieces and nephews. A life lived to the fullest and always with a positive radiant smile is how she fashioned her christian life. She grew up with her parents and siblings on the Skuse Road farm. Growing up on a multi acre farm was not an easy carefree life and there was always work and responsibilities to be tended to at a young age. She always rose above the hardships and strife and carried her positivity, faith and love of God and family steeped within her roots throughout her entire life. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1958 and worked many jobs from Margo's Ice cream, Howell Diner, Montgomery ward, WT Grants and waitressed at the Pumpernickel, Chalet Diner, Chanticleer Restaurant and managed Lungo's Restaurant; just to name a few. Her dedicated hard working work ethic, love of family and responsible nature was embedded in the fabric of her soul. She met the love of her life Vincent Anthony Augustine and married on November 4, 1961. Had two beautiful daughters and while raising her family, put herself through beauty school and started her own business, opening Norma's Beauty shop June 12, 1978. There was nothing she could not do once she put her mind to it. The love of her family and faith carried her through everything she lived for. Her thriftiness and ability to stretch a dollar to go a mile was incredible. There were yearly family vacations, family gatherings with love and laughter and of course not without the delicious food she would prepare, fit for a king and enough for an army. Her grandchildren and recently great-grandchildren were the loves of her life. She and Vinny would watch all of them as a team from babies to adults and were completely involved in their lives providing faith, love, respect and family values that resonate within the generations. This inspiring, amazing matriarch of the family could work circles around anyone half her age. She did this while maintaining her home and had fun all the while, doing it as she continued running her beauty shop; until she recently retired at the age of 81 on April 20, 2021. She was a whirlwind in the kitchen and all her food was homemade and never from a box; she always made everyone's favorite dish for every holiday. The homemade ravioli, gnocchi and assorted italian cookies were amazing as well as other favorites, but the notoriety of her perfect pizzelle's and olive salad were her most requested iconic dishes. She cooked and baked for weddings, showers and any occasion and even when there was no occasion, she made her own occasion. Thankfully her traditions have been transitioned to her children and grandchildren to continue her legacy. Holidays were always a fun celebration, especially Easter and Christmas. Between the Easter Egg hunts and six foot stacks of presents for each person at Christmas was always an adventure for all the grandchildren into adulthood. It's hard to encapsulate the epic life and spirit of such an incredible one of a kind daughter, sister, cousin, niece, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend; but all that were a part of her life or knew her are truly blessed to be in the presence of one of God's earthly angels. She will be missed here on earth and is now back home where God needs her and her spirit lives on. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish 130 Exchange St. Geneva, N.Y. 14456 or the American Cancer Society.