Giovanna PANICO

Carissima Giovanna,
sembra impossibile che sia trascorso un anno da quel doloroso giorno in cui ti sei spenta. Ricordo distintamente il momento in cui ho saputo della tua morte, del dolore che ha pervaso il mio essere. Ancora oggi, un anno dopo, non posso fare a meno di pensarti, di ricordarti, magari passando davanti a casa tua, magari scartabellando tra le mie carte e trovando fogli scritti da te, con la tua grafia sempre affrettata perche' tante erano i progetti che seguivi. Mai avrei pensato che avremmo avuto una comunita' senza senza di te ed ancora non riesco ad abituarmi alla tua assenza. Hai dato tanto ad Ottawa con la tua cultura, l'insegnamento, l'organizzazione e la promozione di tanti progetti culturali. C'era poi quella incredibile abilita' di riuscire a guidare tutti noi collaboratori con poche abili parole e quel carisma che ci rendeva cosi' difficile dire di no ad una tua richiesta.
Quante cose fatte insieme, quanto lavoro e quanti bei ricordi. Mi manchi da morire, cara Giovanna. Per sempre ti portero' nel mio cuore. In questa ricorrenza, esprimo la mia vicinanza ed il mio affetto alla cara famiglia Panico.

It seems impossible that a whole year has gone by since Giovannas departure, because in my heart it feels like it was yesterday, so fresh is my mind the memory of her passing, it feels to me that it was only yesterday. I miss you so very much my very dear friend, its unbearable for me to think that you are not there anymore. I will keep you in my heart forever. Rest In Peace my friend.

So many beautiful memories of this inspirational woman. On this first anniversary since she left us, I join the many who knew Prof. Panico in reflecting on those memories, and the impact she made on the lives of so many. She is truly missed, but her legacy lives on in those who loved and cherished her.

Giovanno Panico was a wonderful human being, whose thirst for knowledge and prodigious capacity for work was matched only by her gentleness and devotion to others. Her acts of kindness intersected my life at important markers along the way: She was my Italian teacher at Carleton U.; she wrote my reference to enter university in Italy; she convinced me to join the Committee for Overseas Italians and contribute to the community; she guided my daughter for a reading presentation at Tele-30; and she mentored my father for a book he wrote about his childhood experience during the war. It is rare to find someone who has touched so many lives with such warmth and affection. How she graced my own passage is but a drop in the ocean of all she has given. I see that I will not be the only one who will miss her.

Le mie più sentite condoglianze. Conosco Giovanna sin dall'inizio del mio arrivo nel 1980 a Ottawa quale studentessa (MA) presso la Carleton University e sono rimasta sempre impressionata dalla sua dedizione e passione. Sincere e profonde condoglianze a tutta la famiglia, ma soprattutto a Pat e i ragazzi.

Le mie sincere condoglianze alla famiglia Panico. Il ricordo di Giovanna vivra ogni giorno nella nostra mente e nei nostri cuori.

Filomena Gulli

Le nostre condoglianze profonde alla famiglia Panico.

Ci uniamo al vostro dolore con un grande abbraccio, nel ricordo di una Professoressa e donna molto speciale.

La morte non ci porta mai completamente via la persona amata. Rimane infatti la sua opera che ci incita ad andare avanti, con forza e coraggio.
(Anonimo)

Maria, Gabriel e Joseph Maneiro

Le nostre condoglianze profonde alla famiglia Panico.

Ci uniamo al vostro dolore con un grande abbraccio, nel ricordo di una Professoressa e donna molto speciale.

La morte non ci porta mai completamente via la persona amata. Rimane infatti la sua opera che ci incita ad andare avanti, con forza e coraggio.
(Anonimo)

Maria, Gabriel e Joseph Maneiro

She was quiet, soft-spoken, and enduring. She was a true giant within our community. She was also a very kind and compassionate teacher, thorough, precise, and methodical. I met her in 1974 when I enrolled in "Italiano per dialettofoni" at Carleton University. I cherished her for her kindness and sensitivity, which had a lasting effect on me. I will be forever grateful for everything she did for me, and I will miss her dearly. I wish to extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to her entire family.

Carissima Giovanna,
Respect, esteem, and love to you always.

Dearest Panico Family,

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Giovanna. Our sincerest condolences to all.

I had the pleasure of having Giovanna as my professor of Italian during the mid 80s. What a stroke of luck, when my son, who took a semester of Italian 2012, had Mrs. Panico as his professor as well.

I will never forget her patience, great sense of humour and passion for her work. She will be greatly missed but all those she touched.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. God bless.

I was a student of Signora Panico in 1972-73 at Carleton University. She was, at that time, the language lab instructor of the Italian course I was taking. She was always kind and helpful, and especially patient as she helped me tame my heavy Venetian accent! Over the years, I followed her ongoing involvement and dedication to the promotion of the Italian language and culture, at Carleton, in the media and the broader Italo-Canadian community. She will be remembered by many for this outstanding work and her notable contributions, but I will always remember her as my teacher.
Alla sua famiglia e ai suoi amici, le mie più sentite condoglianze.
Most sincerely,
Gastone Barban

"Cara Giovanna ...
Mi servira' tempo a darti il mio addio
dotto professore,
regista e produttore
scrittrice, madre, nonna, moglie,figlia, sorella
indimenticabile,stimolante e trascinante
amica onorevole e privatamente onorata,
protagonista in una vita da podio, senza palcoscenico,
spingendoci schiva, tutti e in anticipo ...

Ricordo la tua passione, nel lavoro, nel giardino,
tra i libri, i cento comitati e nell'orto rigoglioso
eTele-30 e i concorsi letterari ...
Ricordo la tua dedizione straordinaria
alla comunita', alla cultura, all'educazione,
alla creativita', all'italiano e all'italianita',
al motivare e guidare
giovani e anziani e nuovi arrivati ...
Giovanna ispiratrice e generosa,
famiglia e amici stretti al tuo cuore,
attenta, interessata, coraggiosa e sempre in gamba ...
Ammiravo la tua fenomenale memoria,
storica, personale, comunitaria, narrativa ...
Ci son progetti che ancora ti aspettano
con la tua premura e la tua saggezza

Mi manca che non sei piu' con noi
con la tua tenacia e il tuo entusiasmo
le tue aspirazioni e desideri ...
Sempre fucina di proposte e progetti
amati, sorretti e sofferti.

Mi manchi vecchia amica mia,
anche se ci sentivamo ormai di rado,
in fondo al mio animo non credevo
che ci sarebbe stata mai per me
un'Ottawa
senza di te"

Vorrei esprimere le mie piu` sentite condoglianze alla famiglia Panico.
Ho avuto il piacere di conoscere Giovanna al momento del mio arrivo ad Ottawa. Affiancandola per qualche tempo nel suo lavoro, ho potuto da subito apprezzare la sua dedizione nel promuovere la lingua e cultura italiana. Non dimentichero`, inoltre, la sua vicinanza nei confronti degli italiani appena arrivati, le sue parole di incoraggiamento e la sua gentilezza.

My most sincere sympathy to the family of Signora Panico. She was a lovely and giving lady and contributed so much to the Italian community of Ottawa. We would meet now and then at various events and stop and talk. She will be missed by so many. Very best, may God bless.....

Sylvana De Bortoli, ottawa

Our deepest condolences to Giovanna family I had the pleasure to meet Giovanna 15 years ago through Tele-30 and Parolissima, she was a caring and super smart woman I am grateful that I had the chance to know her . Giovanna rest in peace in heaven You will be missed in our community

I am so sorry for your loss of a wonderful Wife and Mother,
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Family.
Sarah and Chris McCarthy

To Panico Family,

Very sorry to have heard the passing of Giovanna , my deepest condolences and sympathy to all of you in family.

I was a student in her class of 1981 to 1982 , and also the first group of volunteers to have started the first take and design for the first Italian language program in Ottawa under a name that we all voted for then and still is today "Tele-30" We had many meetings , and many great ideas set for the delivery of this new program.

She was a caring and a go-getter of everything , she went of her way also to ask how your family was, and how work was , and anything that she might give advise or directions on or a nice conversation , she was there to help no matter the situation, she was a great inspiration to everyone around her , her memories and hard work will live on.

God Bless everyone in family

My heartfelt condolences to the family on your loss. Giovanna was an amazing Italian teacher and friend. Her commitment to her students was rare and very much appreciated.

Our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Giovanna was a deeply caring and dedicated woman. I had the pleasure of getting to know her on many occasions through her tireless work with Tele 30 on Rogers 22. I was witness to her character when she encouragingly assisted me with interviews and editing during my past voluntary opportunities. I remember she would spend hours and hours of her time ensuring that each person's interview was edited just right and that all the programming was coordinated perfectly. No small job for a single person running a whole television program---and she did such a good job. She was a selfless, patient and wonderful person.
Our thoughts are with you Ippazio and family at such a difficult time.

Sentite condoglianze,

Sharon, Pierluigi & Aurelia Buonicore

Condolences to the family. Signora Panico was a wonderful example of a caring, intelligent woman that got things done. I ran into her during countless Italian community events. As others have said, this is huge loss for our community.

Cari Ippazio, Gianvito, Lidia e Giacomo,
le parole non riescono ad esprimere la mia tristezza quando penso che Giovanna non e' piu' tra noi. Mi sento tuttavia molto privilegiata e riconoscente per aver lavorato con lei in tantissime attivita' per la divulgazione della lingua e cultura italiane che lei amava cosi' tanto. La sua energia, intelligenza, ma soprattutto integrita' e onesta' sono state per me una fonte di ispirazione. Non potro' mai dimenticare la sua generosita' nei miei confronti e il fatto che mi e' stata sempre cosi' vicina nei momenti piu' importanti del mio soggiorno a Ottawa. Le piu' sincere condoglianze a tutti voi da parte mia e della mia famiglia in questo momento di profondo dolore. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Giovanna will be missed but never forgotten.

È con grande tristezza che abbiamo saputo della scomparsa di Giovanna. Discreta nella vita, discreta anche nel lasciare questa terra dove ha seminato amore per tante iniziative ricche di vita e cultura italiana. Le siamo tanto grati per aver seguito la sua passione della lingua e per averla generosamente condivisa con tutti. E per averlo fatto sempre con tanta modestia.

Cara Giovanna, ci mancherai.

Laura Ambrosio e Michel Corriveau

Our heartfelt condolences to the whole family. Giovanna has left a big void in our community, she touched the lives of people of all ages and will be forever in our hearts.
Michelina and Tony Cellucci

Sincerest condolences to the Panico family on the loss of your beloved Giovanna. More than a pillar, she was the very foundation of our community and leaves behind a deep void. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Gail and I wish to express our deepest condolences to Giovanna's family. We both worked with her at Carleton - she was a wonderful person, so gentle and caring, and she also was dedicated to innovating her teaching. We will always remember her.

I was a student of Professoressa Panico at Carleton University. Although we learned standard Italian in class, she taught me that all dialects are beautiful.

My heartfelt condolences to her family.

Josephine Versace

My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Giovanna. The Italian community loses an amazing woman.

Addio mia cara amica e compagna di scuola. Riposa in pace. Condoglianze a tutta la famiglia

So sad that my cousin Giannina has passed away. She was an amazing, intelligent lady who made the most of her move to Canada. Imagine: Phd.. professor at Carleton.. great promoter of her heritage and of the Italian community! She had so much respect for my mother (Antonietta) that she attended many meaningful family functions out west. A great loss. Great memories of growing up in Ripabottoni and of her visits to Thunder Bay, Rainy River and Steinbach.
My sympathy to you, Pazio, to Giacomo and family, to Gianvito and family and to Lidia.
Regret not being able to attend the service, but my thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve your loss.
Bill Delvecchio

Dear Ippazio, Giacomo, Gianvito and Lidia,

Our hearts are profoundly saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May you be comforted by the outpouring of love that surrounds you and the beautiful memories of this extraordinary woman. She has left an enduring mark on our community and will never be forgotten.

Un commosso ricordo di Giovanna e un caro saluto a Ippazio

What can be said? Tears come freely but words escape us in these somber moments. Dearest Comara Giovanna, Rest in Peace. We will never forget you. You were a wonderful friend. Your energy, enthusiasm, and dedication serve as inspirations to us all. Our deepest condolences to Pazzio, Gianvito, Giacomo and Lydia. God Bless. Love, Mike and Gaétane

Caro Ippazio e famiglia, le mie più sentite condoglianze. Ho avuto la fortuna di conoscere Giovanna da professoressa, volontaria ed amica e ha sempre dato il massimo di sé. Vivrà sempre nei nostri cuori.
Un abbraccio

I am sadden by the loss of Giovanna. She was such a lovely kind and gentle lady. My mother had such admiration for her because they shared a pure devotion to the Italian culture, as do I. She was an inspirational for me, as a first generation Italo-Canadese. She nurtured and encouraged my Italian culture and my love of art that was very much a part of her passion. She would often contact me to promote Childrens' art during ItalianFest! It was always such a pleasure to see her.

Mille Grazie Giovanna, sei una bellissima persona che sarai sempre cara nel mio cuore e cara nella mia anima perché sei una ispirazione con la tua passion.

Anna Stella Mangone & Famiglia

This is very sad news as our community loses an amazing Human Being filled with Passion and Dedication for our culture and traditions.

Giovanna will never be forgotten however as she has been Loved by so many and so she will remain: Too Loved to be forgotten!
Riposa in Pace cara Giovanna.
Enrico Valente e Famiglia

My heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mom. Your mom came to pay her respects when I lost my mother last year. She was the kindest, most gentle and the friendliest professor I had at Carleton U. She opened her home to celebrate her class completing her courses and made all her students feel special and loved. A genuine and humble lady who was always positive and gracious and made every meeting a happy occasion.
She will be greatly missed.

Please accept my condolences. I had the pleasure of meeting Professoressa Panico in 1979 when I took one of her Italian classes. She was an excellent teacher and a wonderful lady. I was amazed with how she bonded with everybody. Periodically, I would bump into her at different Italian community events and inevitably we would reconnect. It was always a pleasure to speak with her - she remembered names and always genuinely wanted to know how your life was unfolding. She was a beautiful lady and a wonderful soul. Please accept my deepest condolences.

In questi momenti non ci sono parole ad alleviare il dolore. Vogliate accettare le nostre più sentite condoglianze per la vostra grande perdita. Coraggio. Sincerest condolences to you all.

Giovanna was such a lovely kind and gentle lady. My mother had such admiration for her because they shared a deep devotion to the Italian culture, as do I. She was so inspirational for me, a first generation Italo-Canadese. Like my parents, she relentlessly nurtured and encouraged my Italian culture and my love of art, that was very much a part of her passion. She would often contact me to promote Childrens art during ItalianFest! It was always such a pleasure to see her.

Mille Grazie Giovanna, sei una bellissima persona che sarai sempre cara nel mio cuore e cara nella mia anima, perché sei una mia inspirazione con la tua passion.

My heart felt condolences to the family.
Had the pleasure working with Giovanna, a great loss for the Italian community.
Elvira Fornieri

My sincere condolences in the loss of Giovanna and to the Panico family. I had dealt with Giovanna for many years as I was the cook of some of her organized events and she was a great lady. God bless her family during this difficult time.

Sincerest condolences to the family. Giovanna was a treasure and a dear lovely lady. I am sad to learn of her death. It is many years since I saw her last, but remember her well from Carleton university.

Our profound condolences to Ipazio and family. Giovanna's professionalism, leadership, generosity, empathy, friendship....will forever be treasured! We will miss her.
Catherine and Frank Bruni

Dear Ippazio, Gianvito, Giacomo and Lidia, please accept my sincerest and deepest condolences in the passing of a wonderful and beautiful wife, mother and nonna. I still cannot believe that Giovanna is gone. The world is certainly a lesser place without her in it. I feel privileged she was my friend, she was a lady, she had so much integrity, goodness, honesty and humility. Her passion and dedication to the Italian language and culture was second to none. Goodbye me dear friend, till we shall meet again, I will keep you in my heart. Ippazio, Gianvito, Giacomo and Lidia my loving thoughts and my preyers are with all of you.

Dear Ippazio, Gianvito, Giacomo and Lidia, my sincerest and deepest condolences on the loss of a wife, mother and nonna. I still want to believe that it's all just a nightmare and that when I wake up Giovanna is going to still be there. I feel grateful to having been her friend, she was a wonderful woman, with so many interests, so many accomplishments, a great love for Italian language and culture, which she cultivated with such passion. I will always cherish her dignity, her honesty, her goodness, her humility. I feel that the world has lesser value without her in it. Goodbye my dear friend, till we meet again. Ippazio, Gianvito, Giacomo and Lidia my loving thoughts and my prayers are with you all.
Renata Coppola

My heart-felt condolences to Ippazio, Lidia, Giacomo. Giovanna was a dear friend to my late parents, Agostino and Porzia Monteduro. Such a special lady who will be missed by many.

Le mie condoglianze profonde a Ippazio e famiglia. Vi sono vicina in pensiero e preghiere in questo triste e doloroso momento. Gemma Nowacki (Torino)

Dear Ipazio and family, Our deepest condolences for your loss. Giovanna was a wonderful Lady and a dear friend. Tonino, Concetta e famiglia from Florida

Giovanna was a devoted and genuine person whose passion for Academia was unequivocal.

To all the Panico Family, our Deepest Sympathy, to a very nice and humble Lady. Rest in peace Giovanna!

The Petosa Family.

Even though I am new to the community here in Ottawa, I know the legacy left by this wonderful woman. May you rest in peace knowing you let us nothing but good.

To Pazio, Gianvito ,Giacomo and families I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Giovanna & I grew up together in Italy. She was a great cousin. She will be missed a lot. My deepest Sympathy to the family. May she rest in peace

We received the news of Giovanna's passing with great sadness. Her contribution to the Italian language and culture, her dedication to the community and pride in her heritage made her a leader and promoter. The idea of starting a series of "pomeriggi regionali", was the event that brought about the founding of the Molisani Association of Ottawa, of which she could proudly claim to be a founding member. All immigrants who have their origins in Molise are greatly indebted to her and mourn her passing.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Ippazio, Lidia, Giacomo and her entire family and pray that God grant her eternal peace.
Paolo Siraco and Renée Liss-Siraco

Cari Ippazio, Lidia, Gianvito e Giacomo,

Ho saputo della partenza di Giovanna da Anna Gaudio che mi ha avvisata. Posso solo immaginare l'infinito vuoto lasciato dalla partenza di Giovanna e vi sono tanto vicina anche se da lontano (abito in Svizzera).

Ho avuto l'immensa fortuna di incrociare Giovanna mentre facevo un internship in Ottawa ormai una decina di anni fa, e così conoscere anche voi! Grazie per la vostra accoglienza in Ottawa qualche anno fa e grazie Lidia per avere accompagnato Giovanna a Montreal in aeroporto per vederci due anni fa, il giorno del tuo compleanno!

Giovanna è per me un esempio di vita, di forza, di generosità. Da quando sono andata via da Ottawa è sempre rimasta nel mio cuore e sempre lo rimarrà. Mi dispiace solo non essere potuta venire a farvi visita in questi 10 anni.

Vi sono vicina in questo momento e vi mando un abbraccio fortissimo e tanta forza per ricordare i bei momenti e tutto ciò che Giovanna ha dato ed ha potuto fare anche grazie al supporto della vostra bella famiglia.

Un forte abbraccio!!!!
Chiara

To a wonderful lady - very sensitive and a tireless volunteer in everything she did. We'll miss her greatly. God bless and may she rest in pace.

On behalf of Mario, Antonietta and Antonio Minichilli
our deepest sympathy to the family, we will miss her
our prayers or with all the family.Giovanna is a great
loss to all of us.

Our most sincere condolences to Giovanna's family and friends. We cherished our friendship and admired Giovanna's dedication and passion. She will be missed within our Italian community.
Nina De Giovanni & Antonio Mauriello

My condolences to the Panico family, I had the honor of knowing Giovanna and was always amazed at the tireless work she did for the Italian Community in Ottawa. May you rest in peace Giovanna.

Toutes mes sincères condoléances à la famille Panico, Giacomo et Lydia ansi que votre frère, je n'ai que de bons souvenirs de votre famille. Puisse que les bons moments passés en présence de votre mère vous réconfortent de jour en jour
Denyse B Séguin-GEC