Giovanna Pietropaolo Dibble
1932 – 2023
Canandaigua, NY

Dear Lucas,

I want you to know a little bit about the life I’ve lived and the deep love I have always carried for you and our family. I was born on November 2, 1932, in Canandaigua, NY, to a newly immigrated Italian family. Life was simple but full of meaning, and I tried to meet each chapter with grace and kindness but as with anything this too has a learning curve. In my later years, I lived near the Wood Library, which became a peaceful place for me.

I graduated from Canandaigua Academy in 1951, married in 1953, and by 1962, I was blessed with six wonderful children. Over the years, I worked in many places Rochester Telephone, Kodak, The Board of Underwriters, Wicks Lumber, and Ontario County but my greatest and proudest role was being a mother. I always believed, like Rose Kennedy, that raising children is not just a work of love and duty but a true profession one that is just as interesting and challenging as any other.

As your great-grandmother, and as a mother and grandmother too, I have always strived to live with love, tolerance, generosity, and encouragement. I loved sharing my joy for literature and music, and I hope you feel that passion too. Some of my favorite authors were Kahlil Gibran, Eckhart Tolle, Hazrat Inayat Khan, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Watching you and Quinten grow up and become men was truly a privilege and at times a saving grace.

Lucas, I want you to know how proud I am and always have been of you. I was so happy to see you working hard at Aldi’s, where you earned respect and built a wonderful reputation in the community. Our future mayor. Shopping there to catch a peek of you was such a thrill. People genuinely appreciate you and speak so highly of your kindness and work ethic. I have always wished for you to continue your journey by attending college and graduating because I know how bright your future is. I know in my heart that you are capable of achieving so much.

And knowing that you are now working at ARC, doing something you love and are passionate about, would fill me with endless pride and joy. That kind of fulfillment is a gift, and I know you will make a real difference in the lives of others I always knew that about you!

Don’t forget our last real chat remember there is always time for you to run for Mayor!!!

I also want you to remember the little things I loved cooking, dancing, finding joy in every day and how I tried to live with style, grace, and enthusiasm no matter my age. Though I may not be here in person, my love for you lives on, and I will always be with you in spirit, cheering you on every step of the way.

Congratulations on you graduation 💙

With all my love,
Grandmama