Virginia Guastella

MADISON- Virginia Delores (Giacalone) Guastella, passed away at the age of 90 on May 15, 2013. She was born in Beloit on June 28, 1922 to Giuseppe and Vita (Lena) Giacalone. Virginia met her husband, Russell Guastella, while working at Fairbanks Morse and they were married on June 5, 1943. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary next month.

In January 1945, they had a son named Joseph and in November 1946, they had a daughter named Rosemary. Virginia worked from home sewing drapery and was a very talented seamstress. She was also a wonderful Sicilian chef. A special night was Christmas Eve, when she would make homemade pasta and ravioli, aracini (rice balls) and numerous desserts. Virginia loved spending time with her family.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 69 years, Russell Guastella, her son Joe (Bette) Guastella, her daughter Rosemary (Lanny) Dokken; her 4 grandchildren Russell (Chery) Dokken, Renee (Mike) Beckwith, Lena (Casey) Funseth, and Annie (Marcus) Lietzow. She is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren, Mark, Rachel, Dean, Cora, Arianna, Brody and Mia. Virginia is further survived by her sisters Mary McOtis and Josie LaSala. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Rose Giacalone, and her brother, Sam Giacalone.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison, with Msgr. Tom Baxter presiding. Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of Mass. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's name to SouthernCare Hospice or to the family for contributions to the care staff at Oak Park Place.