Celebrating and Remembering Gianna

By Tori Duym

On February 13th, 2022, our treasured angel turned eighteen in heaven. Gianna Nicole Palmieri’s life deserves to be celebrated and remembered only with the fondest memories, so I decided to reach out to some close friends of hers asking “What was your favorite quality of Gianna’s?” or “Do you have a favorite memory that you two shared?”. For me, it was easy to see how special she was to countless people, and the amount of lives she truly touched. Everyone knew her as a smiling face willing to lend a helping hand to anyone at any time, no matter if you were friends or strangers, and it's not difficult to see the impact she had. I also knew Gianna personally and I was fortunate enough to build a relationship with her since we were four years old, just starting off at Spotlight Academy of Dance together, and to have that bond continue growing all the way through high school. Although Gianna may not be physically on earth today, I continue to feel our bond grow stronger and stronger each day. She speaks to me through small things like the sky, or even just a certain song on the radio and that brings me comfort and joy.

This time of year, especially her birthday, can be a very emotional time, but I truly want this piece to be focused on the amazing things that Gianna gave us in her lifetime and the incredible things that she will continue to pay forward through her legacy. Hearing all of the wonderful sentiments shared with me by her peers brought a smile to my face and made so many beautiful memories come flooding back to me. I hope that even if you didn’t know Gianna too deeply, that you get to learn something new about her precious soul, and you too get to share that feeling that she brought to so many others.

Sofia Kirby says “She never let anyone dull her sparkle. She was completely herself all of the time and she always wore her big heart right on her sleeve”. Chloe Dudonis, a friend of Gianna’s from dance, says “She had a really unique work ethic, she would put in so much effort but was always able to have fun along the way.” Connor Johnston recalls a time that he and Gianna went to Wawa and she showed him the “Wawa regular” way to make coffee and as she went to take a “sassy sip” she dropped the whole thing, making them erupt in laughter for a while. I recall a time that Gianna and I made Christmas cookies at my Nana’s house and we ended up covered head to toe after having a powdered sugar fight and we laughed and laughed, having so much fun. Karlee Childs, a fellow wrestling manager and friend of Gianna’s recalls a time they had a project to do but it started snowing and they went outside to enjoy it. She says they completely forgot about the project at that time and they had to finish it later because they were having so much fun; “I will always cherish the laughs we shared that night” says Karlee. Kayla Weber, longtime childhood best friend of Gianna’s, looks back on a “tradition” that she and Gianna had, where every day they would facetime even if they were busy, they always found time to talk. They would spend hours talking and laughing uncontrollably. “In the moment I enjoyed spending quality time with G, but now I remember it as so much more” Kayla says. Claire Farrell, a close friend of Gianna’s, tells me about the meaning behind the song “Sweet Caroline”, as everytime she hears it memories of “screaming it at the top of [their] lungs, dancing and laughing” come flooding back to her. Liana Trebour, another close friend of Gianna’s, remembers a time that she spent 12 hours with Gianna and her family, even just running errands was a blast with them. “Gianna was that special of a person- she made everything exciting and positive” Liana says, “I will never meet someone who makes time fly and makes people happy like Gianna” she concludes. Brian Delbury recalls a time that he and Gianna spent Halloween together, watching horror movies and trick or treating. They shared laughs and hugs and he says it was “by far the most fun I had in a while with the people I love.” Sabrina Moure, longtime childhood friend of Gianna’s remembers her as “the most beautiful, caring, and outgoing girl… she lit up any room she walked into. She had a laugh and smile like no one else, if she was smiling, you were too” she says.

So, I ask you now to just take one moment and remember Gianna, light a candle, laugh while thinking of a memory, smile thinking of her contagious smile, and celebrate everything she has inspired us to do and to be. Please let Gianna lead as an example for you in life, her passion, her kindness, her pure heart and soul, let her continue to inspire you everyday, and do something kind today to honor our beloved angel. We love you forever and always, happy birthday in heaven, Gianna.