Longtime Boulderite and University of Colorado professor, Graziana Lazzarino, passed away on June 29th, 2021 at Balfour Assisted Living in Louisville, CO. She was 90. Born November 6th, 1930 in Genova, Italy to parents Pietro and Isabella Cagno Lazzarino, "Grace" grew up and studied in the city of her birth. She graduated from Liceo Classico Colombo, then earned her Doctorate in Italian Literature from the University of Genova. Grace further studied at the Universities of Heidelberg, Frankfurt and Lyon before moving to the United States. Once here, she taught at the University of Nebraska, Wellesley College, Middlebury College, Central Connecticut State College and the University of California at Santa Cruz. In 1964, she began her illustrious career at the University of Colorado at Boulder as an assistant professor in the Department of Italian and French. Grace became a full professor in 1980, remaining until 2011. She is the author of Prego, one of the most popular and successful textbooks for the teaching of Italian here in the U.S. (currently in its sixth edition), and has also written and edited Da Capo, Per Tuti i gusti, and, more recently, In Giro per I'Italia (2001). Her works mostly focus on the teaching of the Italian Language and in Pedagogy, but Graziana's knowledge extended well beyond her Italian roots. She also spoke French, Spanish and German. When not in the lecture hall, Grace enjoyed world travel and the mountains of her adopted home state. An incredibly independent and brilliant woman, Grace served in many leadership roles throughout her life. As a resident of Balfour Assisted Living, she savored every opportunity to assist, even going so far as to help the chef correct French and Italian spellings of menu items. Graziana is survived by her niece and nephew, Elisabetta and Paolo Rivera, in Italy. Grace brought language and light to her students for over half a century; her legacy solidified in their admiration for her and the treasures she shared. Rest in peace, Grace. You will be missed. A celebration will be held Wed.,Sept. 22nd, 3:00 P.M., Koenig Alumni Center,1202 University Ave.,Boulder. For online messages to the family visit www.murphyfuneraldirectors.com.

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Published by The Daily Camera on Sep. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Graziana Lazzarino

Sponsored by M.P. Murphy & Associates Funeral Directors - Boulder.

5 Entries

Diana Giglietti

April 9, 2022

So sorry to hear of your passing dear friend Graziana. I still have all your wonderful recipes from cooking with you as well as Dr. Luigi Romeo in your cabin up in Coal creek canyon. Love you dearly and rest well

Marie Fellenstein Hale

February 10, 2022

I was a student at CU Boulder in the late 70s and Graziana Lazzarino was my Italian professor. Her classes were always fun and engaging (I wonder how many students still remember her singing "un automobile, due automobili"? She had tricks to help you remember tricky grammar rules!).

After 2 years of several of her classes, I asked her about possible jobs for students in Italy in the summer. She said that lots of young women would go to Italy and work as an "au pair" for the summer and she connected me with a family in Italy... turns out they needed me for the school year and I took a Gap Year between my Sophomore and Junior year and went to live with a family in Genoa. Graziana was kind enough to host a tea party with several students who were all headed to Italy to be "au pairs" that same year (I believe in each case she had introduced the families to the students). I met someone that evening who became my best friend while we were working there; we traveled extensively together and she has remained a lifetime friend. The experience working in Italy, combined with studying abroad in Germany the following year, certainly influenced my life and perspective of the world.

Besides being an amazing Italian professor (who was never boring... it was always a joy to attend her class!), Graziana made connections between people that forged friendships and opportunities that changed lives.

I remember Graziana telling us, when discussing Dante's Purgatorio, Inferno and Paradiso, that "all the interesting people" were in Inferno. Although she no doubt ended up in Paradiso for all her good acts in life, I have a feeling she has been given a "hall pass" to be able to go visit the interesting people in other places, where she no doubt is having animated conversations about literally everything under the Sun! She will be remembered fondly.

Patrick D Phillips

September 18, 2021

What a vivacious woman! I had the pleasure of learning to jitterbug dance with Grace at Jitterbug Joe's free school class in the 1980's. I made dinner for her several times even though I completely mangled the pronunciation of the Italian dishes I was making (gnocchi in particular). She truly loved life and all it's pleasures. Bless you Graziana, dance with the stars.

Melvin and Bobbie Glerup

September 14, 2021

We regret Gracie´s passing and that it was not possible to help her enjoy the last several years of her life.

We thank Kent for his devotion and friendship for Gracie when she needed it the most.
We were blessed to know and associate with this amazing person

Cynthia Pasquale

September 12, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of the death of Graziana. I took several of her Italian classes at CU. Not only was she a wonderful educator, but a caring human being as well. Always encouraging, always welcoming. She touched my life and I know she made an impression on other students and the Boulder community.

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