Gina Marie Mangialardi, 55, of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024. She was born on April 18, 1969, in Greenville, MS.
Gina was born with intellectual challenges, but these never dampened her spirit or her ability to touch the lives of others. She grew up in Greenville where she participated in special education programs in the public schools, graduating from Garrett Hall.
Gina was actively involved in numerous programs for individuals with disabilities in Greenville. She was a cherished member of the REACH group at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and participated in the arts and crafts program at St. James Episcopal Church. Gina also enjoyed her time at the SOS workshop and ARC programs, where she became the family’s best bowler. Her summers were filled with joy at Camp Bratton Green, and she looked forward to her trips to Branson, Missouri with her REACH group.
Gina never met a stranger. She had a unique ability to make everyone feel special, whispering to most people she met, “You’re my favorite one.” Her radiant happiness and unconditional love enriched the lives of all who interacted with her. In 2012, Gina moved to Nashville with her parents, where she continued to be the heart of her family.
Throughout her life, Gina was a devoted parishioner, first at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Greenville and later at Christ the King Catholic Church in Nashville. Her unwavering faith and the love she shared with her church communities were integral parts of her life. Gina’s journey demonstrated the immense dignity and value of every life, regardless of perceived limitations. Her ability to spread joy and touch hearts served as a powerful reminder of the inherent worth of all individuals.
Gina was preceded in death by her parents, Edna Mansour Mangialardi and Gino J. Mangialardi, Jr., and her brother David Mangialardi. She is survived by her brother Robert Mangialardi and his wife Wendy of Nashville, TN, sister-in-law Michelle Mangialardi and Uncle Sam Mangialardi, both of Madison, MS. She is also survived by her nieces Katherine Flynt (Austin) and Elizabeth Mangialardi, and nephews Henry, George, and John Mangialardi.
A visitation will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 23, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at the Greenville Cemetery. Her family is extremely grateful for the outstanding care that she received over the last year from the staff at Belvedere Commons memory care unit in Franklin, TN and from the nurses at Gentiva Hospice. Gina’s life was a testament to the power of love and the impact one person can have on the world around her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered for her infectious joy and the love she shared with all.