Antoinette G. “Nat” Giglio of Beaumont passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2004.
She was born in Washington, Louisiana on February 12, 1911, but considered Lake Charles “home”. She was the seventh of thirteen children born to Anna and Dominic Gennuso who immigrated to Louisiana from Sicily.
Nat was a graduate of Lake Charles High School where she was an integral member of the champion girls basketball team. After graduation from high school, she was hired by the civil engineering firm of F. Shutls’ Son’s and remained with them until 1946.
She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters Court, Lady of the Lake and also served as an officer. During World War II she served with the Red Cross Motor Corps.
Nat married Henry Andrew Giglio on March 4, 1946 and they had two children, son, Henry Andrew "Hank" Giglio, and daughter, Gale Giglio Colletti. Nat and Henry loved to socialize and belonged to Amicus and Yappawingo Clubs.
Above all, Nat was proudest of her three grandchildren, Erin, Kacey and Jordan Colletti. She referred to Erin as her “star”, to Kacey as her “angel”, and to Jordan as her “heart”. She taught them so much – from important issues to silly little songs. She loved to sing, she loved to dance, and she loved life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Dominic “Dee” Gennuso, Louis Gennuso, Sr., and Anthony Gennuso; sisters, Bertha Pecorino, Josie Marie “Jay” Bennett, Mary E. Gennuso, Laura Stanford and Katie Shellshear.
She is survived by her children, Hank, Gale and her husband Tony Colletti, Jr.; and her three grandchildren; her sisters, Louise E. Gennuso of Lake Charles, Frances Mueller of Santa Barbara, California; and brother, Sam Gennuso of Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Special thanks to Marva Maxson, Linda Patterson and Birdie Reese who were so gentle and loving in their care for her.
Nat will be sorely missed by all who knew her, she was truly one of a kind.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2004 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Pallbearers will be Hal Boardman, Jimmy Fertitta, Reggie Shelton, Ronnie Mock, Louis Gennuso, Jr., and Victor Pecorino. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. George Strickland, John Thomas Gennuso, J. C. Giglio, R. T. Fertitta, Sam Serio, Sr. and Tony Colletti. A Christian Vigil will be Friday evening, September 17, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Monsignor Kelly High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707-3599.
