Gabriella Maria Scarsella

Gabriella Maria Mazzuferi Scarsella, age 96, passed away on March 11, 2024.

Born on August 9, 1927, in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Gabriella was the beloved daughter of Narciso Mazzufferi and Lidia Persichelli. She was a lifelong learner and educator, studying at the prestigious Bocconi University in Milan and the Sorbonne University in Paris then being conferred a teaching degree by the Italian government. Later, she continued her studies in Venezuela, earning various degrees at Zulia University, including a Bachelor's, a Master's, and the equivalent of a PhD in Education, with a specialization in Applied Linguistics. Always seeking excellence, she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and authored many scholarly articles.

Gabriella founded, owned and operated the private elementary school known as the Leonardo da Vinci Educational Institute and the middle school known as Dante Alighieri in Ciudad Ojeda, Venezuela, along with her dear husband, Osvaldo Scarsella, which served the large community of Italian immigrants in the country at the time, thus sharing her love of learning, of her homeland, Italy, of her mother tongue, Italian, and her beloved Roman Catholic faith with thousands of students across many decades. She was the recipient of various awards for her service to the youth and her dedication to education. Later in life, she wrote and published several books related to her experiences of faith and theology, had her own radio show, and wrote countless articles and poems. She was very active in the Church and leaves her legacy of faith for future generations. Gabriella was a warrior and a fighter and that is how she will be remembered by many.

Gabriella had six loving children and is survived by Luciano Scarsella, Cristina Scarsella Planzo and Antonella Scarsella Bennett. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Osvaldo, and her children, Antonella Loredana, Michele Scarsella and Walter Scarsella.

A wake will be held at Sorensen Funeral Home, in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 1pm until 4pm.

A mass will be held in her honor at 12pm on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Clearwater, Florida, followed by a burial service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Gabriella requests that guests wear light blues and whites in lieu of black to the services. Thank you.

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