Tell Us How Much YOU Love GG!

Dear Gambino Family,

My deepest condolences to your entire family.  Gianna was such a fun loving and sweet girl, cancer never ever took that away from her.  Her spirit was way to strong for that to happen!  I was blessed with a baby girl this week and I hope she grows up to be as amazing as Gianna was.  When I became a teacher I always thought about how I can impact the kids.  Teaching Gianna made me realize that the kids can impact me even more then I impact them.  I will be praying for Jillian, Carl, Lucia, Briella, little Carl, and the rest of Gianna’s loving family.  

I found this picture from my days as her basketball coach (shown at left).  That smile is so contagious!  Please let me know if there is anything that I can do during these tough times. 

I also attached a post I wrote on social media below.

This is Gianna.  It breaks my heart to say she lost her battle with cancer on Friday.  I had the privilege of teaching her from 2nd grade to 5th grade in gym class.  I remember having her class on my first day at P.S. 222.  They were such a wonderful group and her smile lit up the entire gym.  I was lucky enough to teach her every year until she graduated 5th grade. Gianna was also on my basketball team at P.S. 222.  Gianna was a dancer first and foremost, but she grew to love basketball.  I looked forward to my early morning practices before school with the team.  She was always there with a smile on her face and worked hard to become a better player. 

In the spring of 5th grade Gianna was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma.  Since then she has endured countless surgeries and multiple treatments all while graduating 5th grade, starting at a new school, and being the oldest of 4 children.  She did this all with a smile on her face every single day.  I have the pleasure of teaching her siblings as 

well and I see so much of her in them.  She is an amazing big sis. 

I do not know how to process how someone so young and full of life can just be taken from all her loved ones but I do know she is watching over her family and friends.  There was a time in my life where I nearly switched careers from teaching and when I was weighing the pros and cons I thought about Gianna and how rewarding it was to teach children like her.  So thank you Gianna, you are an inspiration to me and to everyone you encountered in your beautiful life.  Please keep her wonderful family in your prayers. 💕💕💕

Love Mr. Crockett

I had the privilege of being Gianna’s first grade teacher. Gianna was practically my co-teacher. If I wasn’t there I would leave the sub little notes and at least one or two would say “if you need help Gianna knows what to do.”

Gianna would talk to me all the time. I can still hear that little voice in my head. She told me how she loved to make Oreo truffles and I told her I would love to try them. She brought me some around Christmas time. I had never, ever eaten anything that was homemade before from a child. I was funny like that. Well, she gave me those truffles and she was like “try one now.” How could I not? Well, I ate every single one and she gave me the recipe. I never ate anything homemade from anyone else- but Gianna, well she was special.

She had 100% attendance in first grade. In fact I think she made it to 3rd  or 4th grade before ever being absent. I remember hearing how mad she was that she couldn’t come to school because she had strep throat. I’m pretty sure Briella told me that 😂

I am so blessed to have had Gianna as part of my life. Those 180 days we spent together were the best. She will always be in my heart and I will always remember her when I make her famous Oreo truffle 💜

XOXO,
Ms. Kelly

The love and joy Gianna brought to everyone will never be forgotten. She was an inspiration to all. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gale & John Gianfagna

To know Gianna was to absolutely love her. She was one of the kindest, strongest, and radiant souls to ever walk this earth. I remember watching her in the dance studio and I would even forget to come on during my parts because I was so taken away by her dancing. She was breathtaking. I don’t think I could ever take my eyes off of her. She showed emotion and passion in everything she did. She had a smile on all the time even during the hard times. Although GG was younger than me, she inspired me. I knew GG loved to draw and make art. I remember I gave her my sweatshirt and asked her to draw on it for me. She asked me what I wanted and I said draw whatever you want. Now I will always have a piece of her art with me that I will cherish forever. I love you GG. Keep on shining like the star you were meant to be.

- Danielle B.

A poem for GG by: 

Ms. Delaveris (Marine Park IS278)

❤️Gianna❤️

The skies claimed a brilliant star that forever shines upon us 

The moon reclaimed a glowing brilliance that never was
The stars gleamed radiantly as an angel lives amongst them now
Beautiful, brilliant and forever teaching us that a single smile can impact an entire community 
A colorful rainbow blossomed across the sky bringing with it your spirit and message of hope


May you forever gracefully dance amongst the clouds and relish in the love that you brought us all. 🙏

Gianna was truly an amazing girl . To say that she changed my life would be a understatement. Gianna showed me the true meaning of bravery . Her smile lit up any room she was in , her laugh was contagious, her positive outlook was admirable. I am honored to have known her and I will never forget her . Rest In Peace sweet girl ❤️

-Corinna Morrissey (pictured with Gianna on the left)

My daughter, also named Gianna had the pleasure of dancing in competitions with Gianna. Gianna’s solo that she performed before she was diagnosed was mind blowing, that performance made made my daughter smile from ear to ear (it was my daughters first year on the competition team). She was so excited to watch her and how she rocked the stage and could she could not stop talking about it. My daughter only knew Gianna from dance, but Gianna was so sweet and kind to her and welcomed her and all the little starz like they were dancing together for years. She always brought a smile to everyone’s face and would light up a room. I am so grateful my daughter had the please of meeting someone so kind and loving. She will forever be missed. ❤️

Love,
The Vespa Family

Gianna was a good friend to my niece. Her smile and laugh was contagious. She was an incredible little girl. 

Roseann Orr

Hi, I did not know Gianna well but I felt like I knew her just from watching her dance.  My daughter is a former member of the DWM competition team but she continued to take some clinics and classes. I was lucky enough to see Gianna dance.  I remember telling my daughter, that girl is a spitfire!  She is going to be a star!!  Her personality and love of life and dance came through on that stage.

I am so very sorry for your loss. 

Thinking of you-
Jennifer Naccash

To know Gianna was to love her. Her smile was infectious and her heart was pure. Sweet Gianna knew how to grab the attention of any audience she stood in front of.  Whether it be on the stage, in the classroom, or singing in the choir at church, she was noticed because of her enormous personality and her gift of selflessness and kindness. Any time I saw Gianna in the hallways at school or in dance she always had a great big HELLO, with a huge smile. She was constantly laughing and making the best out of whatever was handed to her.  I always loved that about Gianna! 

Gianna was one of the first people to say "Welcome" to Savanna, "Happy to have you part of the team."  She was encouraging, and kind. She always gave the best advice and enjoyed helping others.  Gianna will always be a part of our team, her spirit will live on for sure!  I will look for signs from Gianna, I believe she will be sending to each and every person she ever met. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every moment.  She was admired by all.

I'm confident Gianna will dance and sing in heaven; Surely she will entertain everyone around her. We will miss you dearly Gianna and you will always hold a special place in all our hearts here on earth, but I will always remember how lucky are we to have such a beautiful angel watching over us.  

We will miss you forever, but we are blessed to know we have such a special Angel watching over us. 

All out Love, 

Savanna, Gina Ryan and Jameson Connaghan. 

Gianna was the first one to offer a smile or lend a hand. She was always so kind, helpful, sweet and full of joy and happiness. At competitions or backstage when everyone was frantic or running around she would always be smiling- she lit the whole room up with warmth and happiness. She welcomed everyone and was a true friend to all. Whenever I would touch up her make up or fix an eyelash I would joke and tell her I’m sorry for blowing my coffee breath in her face- she would laugh and we would say beauty is pain. Her smile lit up the room and her laugh was contagious. She will forever be a member of our team she will hold a special place in my heart forever. We will never be the same there will always be a missing piece but we will continue to live like she would have wanted us too- spreading happiness and dancing giving it 1000% like she always did. We love you so much Gianna we will keep you in our hearts forever. Your a beautiful little angel now and we were blessed to know you. Rest in the sweetest peace beautiful girl, until we meet again. 

All our love and prayers, 

Kim, Gia and the Rios family 

I wasn’t lucky enough to know Gianna personally but Hailey is friends with her younger sister. They were all in GS choir together and to watch them sing every week was special. Gianna was always smiling and sweet to the younger singers. I know I she is watching over all those special people in her life. I am truly sorry the world lost a very special little girl who touched so many! All of our love to you all.  

The McGinnis family

Yes some may have though it odd @40 that I was traveling to someone else’s kids dance competition; but Gianna just wasn’t “another someone’s kid”.. she was a star in so many eyes.

Getting to know her over the years through her Aunt Taryn; a dear and close friend of mine, made Gianna a friend to me too.

We spent days watching the competitions in full regalia, rooting her on and feeling the love and light she proud to her art. We traveled to Hershey & Atlantic City; Carl and Jillian treating me like an extension of their fantastic family!

She is one of the most special young women I’ve ever come to know; I’m blessed to have stood on her circle and be welcomed into her family .   She gave me and so many of us hope!

Her memory lives on in all of us.  She will NEVER be forgotten!!  

Always Love, Victoria