Margaret Pettyjohn Giannella
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Margaret Pettyjohn Giannella died at home in Ithaca, NY on Wednesday, February 3, 1999. She was 53, but never looked nor acted her age, being very young in both appearance and spirit. Born in Lafayette Louisiana, after a rocky early childhood Marge was raised by her loving grandparents, from whom she learned that love is precious and that one should never hold back in expressing that love. She won scholarships and worked her way through Northeast Louisiana State College, where she bloomed, became active in numerous activities including cheerleader, yearbook beauty, ROTC Little Colonel, news editor and weekly humor columnist for the school paper, and graduated with a degree in Journalism. Her favorite job was as the Youthbeat Editor for the Dallas Morning News in the late 1960's where she took much pride and joy in interviewing many of the famous Rock, Pop, and R&B artists of the day, including Jimi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, The Jefferson Airplane and Buffalo Springfield, to name but a few. She also reviewed their concerts and albums and won the Dealey Award for creation, development and editing of FLING magazine for teenagers. Her passions included the music of the Beatles which she instilled within others. She was an avid NFL football Fan, having lived in the home towns of the Green Bay Packers and witnessed the perfect season of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. |
She loved comedy, especially Seinfeld and Robin Williams. Her great love and respect for animals, especially cats and dolphins, was evident by the daily love she expressed to her pets and by her charitable contributions. Generous to a fault, Margie will be remembered for her incredible sweetness and consideration of others before herself. She delighted in bringing a smile to others, sharing a gift, sending cards and letters, or just talking to friends and family. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Mario Giannella, who for 22 years had the incredible good fortune of receiving her love and attention every day. Calling hours were on Saturday, February 6th from 3-5 pm at Bangs Funeral Home. A burial service at East Lawn Cemetery will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory are always welcome and may be made to: Tompkins County SPCA or Greenpeace |