Giuseppina Pia Saraceni

Giuseppina Pia Saraceni, age 86, of Litchfield Park, AZ passed away on March 1, 2016 in Sun City West, AZ. She was born July 11, 1929 in Poggiofiorito, Italy to Berardino and Virginia Memmo. Giuseppina’s early life was typical for a girl of her day.  She attended school and helped around her home, until at age ten WWII interrupted her idyllic life.  From 1939-1945 Giuseppina and her family were displaced from their home and lived as refugees.   After the war ended, she began working as a seamstress.

While visiting the beach in the summer of 1957 Giuseppina met a handsome young man named Argentino Saraceni. They were married in December of 1957.  In October, 1958 Argentino immigrated to New York City leaving Giuseppina, who was expecting their first child, in Italy.  She and her young son Fabrizio followed in April, 1960.  A daughter, Flavia, joined the family in 1963.

As an accomplished seamstress, Giuseppina was able to quickly obtain employment in the fashion industry in New York. She worked for many designers, most notably Ralph Lauren.  She also created couture fashion for clients such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins and Queen Julianna of the Netherlands.

In 2001, Argentino passed away. Giuseppina continued to live in New York City until 2006 when she moved to Maryland to live with her daughter.  She moved to Arizona in 2009.

Giuseppina was an incredible cook. She would spend hours stirring, tasting and adjusting seasonings to ensure that her sauce or her broth for tortellini soup was perfect.  Her recipes were kept in her head and no family member has been able to duplicate them.  Sadly, apart from a few precious bottles of sauce, those beloved recipes are gone now, too.

Although an accomplished cook, she loved to eat out. Subway meatball sandwiches, Chinese buffets, and pistachios were among her favorite things.  She would often try to hide her love for pistachios, but her red fingers and lips often gave her away.

However, her greatest joy came from her family.   Giuseppina was fiercely passionate about her children and grandchildren.  That love will always remain as her legacy to them.

Giuseppina is survived by her daughter, Flavia Huber (Stephen); son Fabrizio Saraceni (Jeannie); sisters Elda, Innes, and Wanda; brother, Giuseppe; and four grandchildren, Giancarlo Saraceni, Giacomo Saraceni, Virginia Huber and Patrick Huber. She was preceded in death by her husband, Argentino, and sister, Lida.

A viewing will be held at 5:30pm with a Rosary at 6:30pm, Friday March, 11, 2016 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. A funeral mass will be held at 5:30pm, Saturday, March 12, 2013, also at Thompson Funeral Chapel.  Interment will be at St Michaels Cemetery in Astoria, Queens.