Sebastiana (Nella) Giurintano passed away at home on July 17, 2020. She was 104 years old. She was born on January 26th, 1916 in Middletown, Connecticut to Santi and Rosa Fontana. When she was two years old, her family returned to their home in Melilli, Sicily. In Sicily, she married her husband of 73 years, Philip Giurintano, and had five children. After surviving the bombing raids of Sicily during World War II by hiding in the volcanic lava caves, she was determined to return to the United States and allow her children the opportunity to pursue the American dream. She immigrated back to the United States and settled in Middletown, Connecticut, amongst a community of other Italians from her hometown in Melilli. To be closer to her children, she migrated south to Jackson in 1979. Although she spoke English with an Italian accent, she loved the United States with a passion and was proud to call Mississippi her home.

She was a talented seamstress, voracious reader, and devout Catholic. But she really came alive in the kitchen, where she instilled her love of cooking in her grandchildren. The welcoming smell of her homemade fig cookies and roasted peppers was always in the air. To eat her food was to feel her love. And in her kitchen, there was no dieting.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Philip Giurintano, and her sons, Dr. Sebastian Giurintano and Joseph Giurintano. She is survived by her children Santina Smith (Frank), Dr. Leo Giurintano (Eris), and Anthony Giurintano (Rosa); fourteen grandchildren (Christina, Jonathan, Meghan, Gregory, Sebastian, Robert, Anthony, Nina, Margherita, Alice, Kari, Diana, Matthew, and Marie); fifteen great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

A funeral mass celebrating her life is planned for 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 22nd at St. Richard's Catholic Church followed by interment at Lakewood Memorial Park in Clinton. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no wake or visitation prior to the funeral. Attendance will be limited to family and close friends of the family.

The Giurintano family wishes to express its sincerest gratitude to Father John Bohn, Father Nick Adam, Joanna Parsons, Stacy Stewart, Laura Patton, and everyone at Kindred Hospice services for their caring spirits and kindness to our beloved mother and grandmother. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Richard's Catholic Church.