Survived by - her children Barbara (Cal), Patricia (Ivan), Deanna, Linda (Jason), Eric (Shari) and grandchildren Richard, Geoffrey, Bradley, Cheryl, Jennifer, Julienne, Elise, Jaclin, Laura and John and her "adorable" dog, Carina. Born and raised in a castle (Castello Angiono) on the Bay of Naples, Giovanna worked for the school board in Naples. Giovanna's life journey took her to two continents, from Naples, Italy, to London, England, from where she emigrated to Toronto, Canada, retiring to Windsor, spending her remaining time in Oakville. Surviving the horrors of war, she met and married the man of her dreams, Eric John Whaley, and together they had five children. Later in life she married Roger Gagnon and spent her retirement years with him until his passing. Stoically, Giovanna overcame the hardships of being a war bride, learning a new language and a new way of life. She embraced life with a fiery passion, never faltering and fighting for all she believed in – her God, her family and her friends. While her death has touched us all and left an empty space in our lives, if she was reading this now (and she probably is) her response would be " que sera, sera…" (what will be, will be). The family wishes to thank the caring people at Del Manor for making Joanne's time there so wonderful. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Oakville at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013. Interment to take place on Friday, September 6th at 2:00 p.m. at Heavenly Rest Cemetery, 5005 Howard Avenue, Windsor, Ontario.