Luigina J. “Gina” (LaVita) Scalcione
Family & friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, March 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith, 
Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107), Revere for Luigina J. “Gina” (LaVita) Scalcione, who passed on Wednesday, February 28th at Boston’s Mass General Hospital. Her funeral service will be held on Monday in the funeral home at 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Born & raised in Mirabella-Eclano, Italy, she & her family came to the U.S.A. when “Gina” was a young woman. The family settled in East Boston, where she met & married, John F. “Jack” Scalcione 53 years ago. Very early in her working career, she was a master seamstress. Later, she would delve into the world of social activism and helping mankind where needed most. Ever conscious of the ever encroaching “expansion of Logan Airport”, she became most interested in citizens’ rights and logistics. She was the foundress of the Gove St. Citizen’s Association of East Boston & the East Boston Citizens Against a Third Harbor Tunnel. She was a devotee of the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish of E.B. & was one of the first to volunteer as a vigil watcher at the famed church for well over four years. She was passionate regarding her convictions and focused on their successful executions. She worked for the East Boston Neighborhood Medical Center within the scope of their “Elder Plan”, where she found herself immersed in helping the elderly, and that she did, above & beyond the call of her duty. In the middle 1990s, she worked as the East Boston liaison to Congressman Joe Kennedy, helping everyone who sought her assistance. She will be long-remembered for her jovial personality and firm positions she approached her work with.
She is the beloved wife of 53 years to John F. “Jack” Scalcione. She is the adored mother of Lisa M. Dreitlein & her husband, Kenneth “Kace” of Newton, Tia J. Scalcione & her wife, Barbara Boone of Wellfleet, John F. Scalcione, II of Greenville, South Carolina & Tonia Scalcione-Tassinari & her husband, Max J. Tassinari of East Boston. She is the adored grandmother of Mira, Matthew, Boone, Anna, Ella & Argus “Gus”. She is the dear sister of Angiolina Pizzicannella of East Boston, Giuseppina “Giosi” Cimildoro & her husband, Faustino of Milton, Michele LaVita of Derry, N.H. & the late Luigi LaVita. She is also lovingly survived by her daughter-in-law; Christina Scalcione of Greenville, South Carolina, her sister-in-law; Carol LaVita of Milton and many nieces & nephews.
So sad.
Gina was one of those people who get so deeply into your heart that even after 20+ years away from East Boston, she keeps cropping up in my mind. I never celebrate Christmas without thinking of her and the Arancini, Struffoli, Pizzele, Panettone and everything else she and Jack shared so wonderfully on Christmas Eve.
My father’s mother died when I was 12 years old and as a young child I struggled with the idea of death. He told me that someone is never really dead as long as people remember them. That’s been a comforting thought for me throughout the years.
So, whenever I cook up a batch of Arancini or a Panettone using Gina’s recipe, I will remember her, lovingly.
Sweet dreams!
My condolences to Jack and the family. Gina was a wonderful person who was always sensitive to social injustice whether in EAst Boston or throughout the region. She was an outstanding leader at FAir Share and many local organizations. Most of all she radiated kindness and hope wherever she was.
Dear Tonia and Max; Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
I’m sitting here with tears for your mother, and your wife Jack who was a friend to all of us in East Boston. She was honest, feisty and cared deeply for what she believed in. She never wavered from her commitment to fighting Massport, the Third Harbor Tunnel, and for her Gove St. neighborhood. I respected and admired her determination to protect and preserve all that is good in East Boston. But you her family were always her first and foremost love….she loved you and showed it without hesitation. She talked about all of you with such pride and a smile with a twinkle in her eye….I want to thank you all for sharing her with all of us in .east Boston. You know some people call themselves an Activist, or a Community Leader, she never did, we did…..only we East Boston people with our hearts and witness, can make that decision out of love and respect…..we learned so much from her,
With love and friendship
Fran Ippolito Riley
So sorry to hear about Gina’s passing. Holding all of you up in prayer. May the Lord wrap His ever loving arms around you as you comfort one another through your memories.
My deepest condolences Tonia. My prayers and thoughts are with you and yours.