Giovanna Gesotti Nitsakes, 89, died on the evening of March 2, 2006, at Myrtle Beach Manor Nursing Home, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., after an extended illness. The daughter of the late Erminio and Natalina Polica Mariotti, she was born Feb. 2, 1917, in McComas, W. Va. In 1936 Giovanna married Phillip Gesotti, living in Welch, W. Va. During World War II the family moved to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. where she worked in a munitions factory supporting the war effort. After the war, the family returned to Welch where Giovanna and Phillip owned and operated an auto repair business. After Phillip suffered a massive heart attack in 1963, the family moved to Bluefield, W. Va., where she managed the Food Service Counter at Mountaineer Lanes Bowling Alley. In 1965 Phillip preceded her in death and she moved to Adelphi, Md., working in the food services industry. In 1976, Giovanna married Christ Nitsakes who preceded her in death in 1984. In 1989 she moved to Gainesville, living with her son and his family providing a nurturing environment for her grandchildren. Giovanna's greatest love was being with and caring for her family. She is survived by three of her ten siblings, America Mariotti of Bluefield, W. Va., Gladys Coccia of Beltsville, Md., and Elettra Mariotti of Annapolis, Md.; her two children, daughter Dolores Deanne McMahon of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and son Phillip E. Gesotti of Manassas; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, over 30 adoring nieces and nephews, and a nursing home staff deeply touched by her passing. A service of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10 a.m., March 6, at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W. Va., with the Deacon Don Hammond officiating. She will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell with her nephews serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell on the evening of Sunday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A Christian wake service will follow at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, 7913 Westpark Drive, Suite 101, McLean, VA 22102, the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, or a charity of your choice. Sign the guestbook at www.PotomacNews.com. or www.ManassasJM.com.

Obituary, Potomac News, March 4, 2006.