Iole Jannace Gardella died on May 10 at the age of 98.
She was a frequent visitor to the Vineyard. Her daughter, Nancy Gardella, writes the Vineyard Haven column for the Gazette.
Iole was born in New York city on May 18, 1917 to Italian immigrant parents, Giacomo and Ida Jannace. Her parents moved to Greenburgh and Iole was graduated from St. John’s in White Plains, finishing high school at age 16. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Good Counsel College in 1937 and went on to receive a master’s degree from New York University in 1944. One year later, she married World War II submarine veteran Silvio Joseph Gardella of White Plains.
From 1954 on, Iole served as professor of Italian at Good Counsel College. At the same time, she also worked as a church organist, choir director, and music teacher in the Westchester parochial school system. After Good Counsel College merged with Pace University, Iole became an Italian teacher in the White Plains adult education program for the next 34 years. After her children were raised, Iole loved nothing better than to travel on educational trips organized by her colleague and great friend, Helena Brady. They accompanied Good Counsel girls and others to China, Italy, Thailand, Egypt, Brazil, and beyond.
Iole loved children, music, art, animals, her faith, her friends, and her country. She had a special love and appreciation for the Sisters of the Divine Compassion and Good Counsel College, which gave her a wonderful start on the path to her life’s desire, teaching.
Iole was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Louis and James Jannace and her very good friend and companion, Theresa Praskach.
She is survived by her three children, James Joseph Gardella and his wife Patricia Buckley Gardella, Nancy Gardella, and John Silvio Gardella and his wife Nancy McPartlin Gardella. Also surviving her are four grandchildren: David Gardella and his wife Elizabeth Figueroa, Daniel Gardella his wife Moah Son, Christopher Leigh Clark and his wife Librada (Lilly) Garza Clark), and Jonathan Gardella, as well as two great-grandchildren, Corbyn ClarkGarza and Dominic Clark. She is also survived by her brother Manlio Jannace and his wife Joan Jannace, her two canine companions, Silvio and Lil’Bit, and her feline companion, Teddy.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at Good Counsel Chapel, 52 N. Broadway, White Plains, N.Y., followed by interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, May 17 from 5- to 9 p.m. at the Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 2 Maple Avenue at South Broadway, White Plains, N.Y.
Donations in Iole’s memory may be made to the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, 52 North Broadway, White Plains, N.Y., 914-798-1300 or the White Plains Beautification Foundation, P.O. Box 1614, White Plains, N.Y. 10602.
