Giovanna Sgarlata

Giovanna Sgarlata, 72, died on March 23, 2026 at New York Presbyterian- Hudson Valley Hospital after a brief illness. Born in New York City, daughter of Josephine (Porchi) Sgarlata and the late Pasquale Sgarlata, she was also predeceased by her loving brother Cosimo.

Giovanna is survived by her partner of 27 years, Aline Ridings, her loving mother, Josephine (Porchi) Sgarlata, her cousins, Giovanna LoSardo, husband, Alfonso LoSardo and

daughter Giuliana, as well as many cousins in both the U.S. and Italy.

A self-employed business owner, she ran a vintage and antique shop for many years

with her partner, Aline. She learned about antiques when she helped out at her friend's shop and discovered she had a knack for identifying treasures and slowly turned it into a sustainable business.

Giovanna studied art at Johnson University in Vermont and completed her studies at Elizabeth Seton College before moving on to find her way with music in NYC. Music was her passion which started in her high school years performing in shows among her peers.

Giovanna played across all genres including Country Western, Folk, Rock and Jazz. She joined KoKoKu in the early eighties and later went solo as Giologic. Giovanna joined Barbara Bootz in 1993 and formed the Poetics and released their first CD in 1989.

She also worked in theatre composing music, designing and building sets and worked as sound engineer. She was an integral part of The Manhattan Theatre Source's yearly production of The Estrogenius Festival.

Her family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 31 from 4 – 8 PM at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Wednesday, April 1, at St. Philip Church, One Fr. Conlon Place, Norwalk, with burial to follow at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Putnam Humane Society

in Carmel, NY