Obituary for Daphne Mae Giampietro
Daphne Mae (Phillips) Giampietro, 95, died May 13, 2020 in Torrington Connecticut, while recovering from hip surgery. Born in Portville, New York on November 21, 1924, she was predeceased by parents Gordon and Laura Phillips, husband Alexander Giampietro, sister Edith Schmidt, brothers Lewis, Dudley and Gordon Phillips, and daughter Laura (Sister Perpetua) Giampietro, OSB. She leaves behind ten children, Matilda Giampietro, Isabelle (George) Zifcak, Joseph (Sharon) Giampietro, Mary (Larry) DuLude, Frances Giampietro, Martha Giampietro, Charles (Rosellyn) Giampietro, Father Anthony Giampietro, CSB, Teresa (Mickey) Wells, and Gordon (Mia) Giampietro, as well as 29 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren.
Daphne grew up in a loving family in Portville, New York. Her mother traced her roots back to the Mayflower and her father founded the Olean Tile Company. She attended Stephens College and then studied in the ceramics department at Alfred University, where she met her future husband, Alex. They married in 1946 and raised their eleven children in Washington, DC, where Alex, a sculptor and ceramicist, was a professor in the Department of Art at The Catholic University of America. Many summers, Daphne calmly organized and drove the children to vacation away from the heat in DC, where Alex remained to teach summer school. Several summers running, Daphne used this time to return to Alfred University to complete a BFA in Ceramics. Her unique pottery creations incorporated a love of majolica.
Daphne, known to family and friends as “Mama,” was much admired for her quick wit, insistent gentleness and an ability to enjoy life. Her tremendous skill in the kitchen included a breadth of traditional American and Italian cuisine. She learned many specialties from her Italian mother-in-law Matilde. Daphne excelled at creating large celebrations of all kinds. She hosted college professors for Sunday dinner and was a catalyst for neighborhood parties on Easter and the 4th of July. She loved playing the piano and singing with her children. Her love of arts and crafts has left a rich legacy with her children and grandchildren, many of whom are professionally involved in the arts. How she raised her children was deeply influenced by Maria Montessori’s The Secret of Childhood.
Daphne had a strong sense of justice, of how things “ought to be” and did not hesitate to thoughtfully share her opinions. She admired her grandchildren who came to appreciate her kind and funny ways. They loved her for her humor just as she loved and enjoyed them. Daphne, our cherished mother, is already sorely missed by her family. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Abbey of Regina Laudis, in honor of her daughter Sister Perpetua.
Viewing is 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Covid-19 safety measures to be overseen by the funeral home).
Daphne grew up in a loving family in Portville, New York. Her mother traced her roots back to the Mayflower and her father founded the Olean Tile Company. She attended Stephens College and then studied in the ceramics department at Alfred University, where she met her future husband, Alex. They married in 1946 and raised their eleven children in Washington, DC, where Alex, a sculptor and ceramicist, was a professor in the Department of Art at The Catholic University of America. Many summers, Daphne calmly organized and drove the children to vacation away from the heat in DC, where Alex remained to teach summer school. Several summers running, Daphne used this time to return to Alfred University to complete a BFA in Ceramics. Her unique pottery creations incorporated a love of majolica.
Daphne, known to family and friends as “Mama,” was much admired for her quick wit, insistent gentleness and an ability to enjoy life. Her tremendous skill in the kitchen included a breadth of traditional American and Italian cuisine. She learned many specialties from her Italian mother-in-law Matilde. Daphne excelled at creating large celebrations of all kinds. She hosted college professors for Sunday dinner and was a catalyst for neighborhood parties on Easter and the 4th of July. She loved playing the piano and singing with her children. Her love of arts and crafts has left a rich legacy with her children and grandchildren, many of whom are professionally involved in the arts. How she raised her children was deeply influenced by Maria Montessori’s The Secret of Childhood.
Daphne had a strong sense of justice, of how things “ought to be” and did not hesitate to thoughtfully share her opinions. She admired her grandchildren who came to appreciate her kind and funny ways. They loved her for her humor just as she loved and enjoyed them. Daphne, our cherished mother, is already sorely missed by her family. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Abbey of Regina Laudis, in honor of her daughter Sister Perpetua.
Viewing is 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Covid-19 safety measures to be overseen by the funeral home).