Girardi

Grace Elaine “CiCi” Girardi, 63, of New Kensington went home Tuesday to be with the Lord at Good Samaritan Hospice at Concordia, Cabot.

She was born April 3, 1948, in New Kensington, a daughter of the late Frank J. and Frederica “Frieda” (Roppolo) Girardi.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph D. Girardi, and a nephew, Daniel Smith.

She was a member of Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, New Kensington, where she was a longtime Sunday school teacher.

She was employed at one time as a controller for Gerard Electric. Grace implemented a Lewis and Clark Educational Program in the New Kensington-Arnold School District and did educationally- and historically-based bus tours at one time. Her first job was working for the A&P grocery stores in Oakland's main office.

She was devoted to her family and especially to her nieces, which included triplets, and her nephews. When possible, she attended all their activities.

Also, she was chairperson for the Joint Veterans Committee of the New Kensington and Arnold Memorial and Veterans parades in 2010 and 2011. Her volunteering spanned more than 40 years. She also served as director on the board at Aluminum City Terrace.

She is survived by her brother, Frank (Barbara) Girardi of New Kensington; her sister, Natalie (Edmund) Smith of New York; and 10 nephews and nieces, Sandra Smith, Susan Vernick, Sharon Petrakis, Domenick Girardi, Michael Girardi, David Girardi, Sylviana Stebbins, Cheryl DiMartino, Rica Muncy and Frank B. Girardi. Also surviving is her dear friend, Mary Anne Frederick of New Kensington.

<B>GIRARDI </B>— Friends and family of Grace Elaine “CiCi” Girardi, who died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, were received Thursday in the <B>GIUNTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME</B>, Arnold. Prayers of transfer were this morning in the funeral home and were followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Mount. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. Burial follow in Union Cemetery, Arnold.In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make donations to the New Kensington branch of Peoples Library, Ninth and Barnes streets, New Kensington, PA 15068.