Jennie Partezana

Giovanina (Jennie) Gunter Partezana, formerly of Bentleyville, passed away on August 4, 2008 at 97 years old in Dayton, Ohio.

Having lived almost a century, Jennie experienced many changes in her lifetime.

She was born in Eberfeld, Germany on February 10, 1911 to Antonio and Guditta Gunter.

When World War I ensued and her father went to war, the family had to move to Valsorda, Austria, a small village of 125 in the picturesque Italian Alps.

Jennie also spent time with her aunt and uncle in Milan, Italy and enjoyed life in the big city. It was quite a change for a young girl.

After the war in 1930, her father decided he would save enough money and come to America, the land of opportunity. He worked as a coal miner in Gibson, near Bentleyville.

For seven years and having finally saved enough money, the family departed on the S.S. Vulcania on March 23, 1930 from Genoa, Italy. They arrived in New York City on Easter, April 8, 1930.

They lived in Bentleyville and on May 22, 1937 Jennie married Mattia Partezana.

Mattia worked as a coal miner in Ellsworth after emigrating from his home town of Ono San Pietro, Italy.

A year later, they had their only child, Norma. They were happily married for 51 year until he died in 1988.

Jennie continued to live in Bentleyville until 1995 when she moved to Dayton, Ohio to live near her daughter. She moved to 10 Wilmington Place, and independent living facility, where she enjoyed life to the fullest.

She was quiet and unassuming, but was always the first to help someone. She will be sorely missed.

Jennie was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters Amelia Bertocci and Maria Troncatti and a brother, Ruggero Gunter.

With her death, she is the last of her generation.

She leaves her daughter, Norma Peachey of Dayton, Ohio; a grandson Mark S. Peachey and his wife Patti and a great-granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth, all of Louisville, Kentucky and grandson Kenneth M. Peachey of Dayton Ohio.

There will be no visitation. Family and friends will meet at the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville (724-239-2255) at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, August 7 and proceed to the Monongahela Cemetery for a 10 a.m. graveside service with the Rev. Andy Scott, officiating.

To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jennie Partezana, please visit our flower store.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jennie Partezana, please visit our floral store.