Vincenza Marguerite Gagliano

passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 8, 2011, at her home in Phoenix. Born October 17, 1923, she was preceded in death by her brother Nicholas, and is survived by her sister and lifelong companion, Blaise, and her brother’s children, Regina, Paul, George, and Cecilia. She grew up in Milwaukee, the daughter of Joseph R. and Mamie Gagliano (nee Catalano), earned a bachelor’s degree from Milwaukee State Teachers College, a master’s in art history from Case Western Reserve, and taught at Carl Hayden High School. She took an interest, early in life, in Spanish arts and literature, studied Spanish, and traveled to Spain and Mexico. A devout Catholic all her life, she wrote a series of as yet unpublished young adult novels called “Departures” about Catholics in colonial America. She liked to read, cook, and enjoyed puzzles and mysteries. A Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. followed by the saying of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, May 16th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 17, 10:30am, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Avenue followed by Interment at St. Francis Cemetery. Prayers for Vincenza and her family are deeply appreciated. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Andre House of Arizona, a ministry to the homeless and poor, at P.O. Box 2014, Phoenix, AZ 85001.