Obituary of Giovanna M. Esposito

Giovanna M. Esposito (née Ardolino), of Madison, passed peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center. She was 74.

Giovanna was born in the town of Somma Vesuviana in Naples, Italy on June 6, 1946 and she was one of nine children. At age 6, Giovanna and her family emigrated to the United States and settled in Madison where she was raised. She traveled back to Italy as a young woman and it was there she was introduced to her beloved husband, Antonio Esposito. The couple married on May 1, 1970 and lived in Italy for several months before traveling back to Madison where they would settle and raise their family.

Giovanna’s family was paramount in her life and to her, the sun rose and set for her grandchildren. She was an incredible mother and grandmother, and also an excellent cook who always made sure family and friends were well fed. Giovanna’s Italian culinary skills were unbelievable. After her daughters were grown, Giovanna did what she did best. She took several positions over the years cooking for school children at places such as Kings Road School and Bayley Ellard.

Giovanna loved gardening and growing beautiful flowers. She enjoyed her leisure time with family and friends, playing card games like gin rummy or five crowns and was always fond of musicals and Broadway shows.

Giovanna was a faith-filled woman and lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church. She attended mass regularly, prayed the rosary often and let her faith be her strength throughout her life, especially throughout her illness.

Giovanna’s warmth, caring, and compassion are her legacy. She will be deeply missed and remembered by family and friends for putting others before herself and her tremendous kindness towards others.

Giovanna was predeceased by her parents, Antonio and Speranza Ardolino; and her siblings, George, Sebastian, Felice & Rose Ardolino. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Antonio Esposito of Madison; three loving daughters, Gelsomina Hohman and her husband, Erik of Mine Hill, Maria Feeney and her husband, Marty of Morris Township & Speranza Capano and her husband, Jim of Florham Park; three brothers, Ralph, Joseph & Mario; one sister, Filomena; six cherished grandchildren, Grace, Juliet, Antonia, August, Alexandria, Elena; many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Giovanna will be celebrated on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 12:00PM at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. For those that wish, you may attend the Funeral Liturgy virtually via live-stream by visiting www.svmnj.org and viewing the Mass on the main webpage beginning at 12:00PM. Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

** Visitors to the funeral home and church are required to wear masks and practice proper social distancing. In order to maintain a safe number of people in the funeral home, we kindly and respectfully ask that after paying your respects you give others the same opportunity by making your visit brief.**

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that charitable contributions be made in Giovanna’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105