Thomasina Josephine Gionti

Thomasina Josephine (Rinella) Gionti, 74, of 10764 Perry Hwy., Meadville, passed away Friday, February 4, 2011, at Meadville Medical Center following a courageous, three year battle with leukemia.
Josephine was born in Meadville on March 19, 1936, a daughter of the late Peter A. and Eleanor (Roda) Rinella.
On September 5, 1955 Josephine married Clement 'Sonny' Gionti; he preceded her in death on December 17, 2009.
She was a lifelong member of St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, Meadville, and a member of its Altar Rosary Society.
From 1982-1994 Josephine and her husband, Sonny, co-owned and operated the former Mark Anthony Restaurant, Titusville, which was known for its delicious Italian entrees. In her earlier years she was employed by the former Weldon and the former Darling Shop, both of Meadville. She was a 1955 graduate of Meadville High School, a member of the I.C.C. Auxiliary and a 50 year member of the Old Fogeys Card Club. Her hobbies included dancing and researching family history. Josephine loved animals and she loved having her hands in the dirt working with her plants, flowers and vegetables. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She will be remembered for living life to the fullest with a faithful and self-sacrificing spirit.
Josephine is survived by five children Joseph Gionti and his wife Aliesa of Titusville, Mark Gionti at home, James Gionti and his wife Teresa of Saegertown, Michael Gionti and his wife Susan of Meadville, Tonimarie Sampson and her husband Doug of Titusville, ten grandchildren Dominic Gionti, James Gionti, Michael Gionti, Gianina Gionti, Maria Gionti, Italia Gionti, Olivia Gionti, Anthony Gionti, Abrianna Sampson, Elijah Sampson, a sister Rosemarie Lynch and her husband Carl of Las Vegas, NV, a brother Anthony 'Tony' Rinella of Meadville, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and her husband Sonny of 54 years, Josephine was preceded in death by a son Anthony 'Tony' Gionti, twin granddaughters Lucia and Maria Gionti.
Family and Friends are invited to call on Monday, February 7, 2011, from 2-8 at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, where a scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 1085 Water St., Meadville, with Fr. Marc Solomon, Pastor of St. Mary of Grace, officiating
Interment will take place in St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Twp.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Josephines memory to Mizner Funeral Home, 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335.
Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com