Garneta E. Taormina

Garneta E. Taormina

Garneta E. Taormina, 86, passed away Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Pruitt Health-Carolina Point Nursing Home in Durham, NC, after declining health during the past six months. She was born in Erie, Pa. on December 7, 1931, daughter of the late Victor and Anna Bamberga.

Garneta attended Villa Maria Grade School, High School, and College. She was a high school teacher for over 35 years. Her first four years of teaching were at Wattsburg High School, and the rest were spent at Strong Vincent High School, where she was a devoted Colonel. She taught primarily business subjects and retired in 1989 as the head of the business department. Her many students affectionately referred to her as "Mrs. T."

Garneta bowled in the teachers bowling league and played pinochle with friends. She participated in local projects such as tutoring grade school students and Meals on Wheels. After retiring Garneta enjoyed traveling during the next twenty-five years, to Belgium, England, France (with her son), Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland, Switzerland (with her sister), and across Canada by train to Banff. She often made trips to Washington, DC, and Columbus, OH, when her son lived in those cities. After 2000, she made annual week-long trips to Durham, NC, during the holidays.

Garneta relocated to Durham, NC in December 2015 to be closer to her son. While there she lived primarily at Carolina Reserve Assisted Living, where she enjoyed bingo, music, painting, exercise activities, holiday parties, conversing with other residents, and her well-decorated room. She also enjoyed weekly outings to get her hair done and lunches and dinners out with her son.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jospeh C. Taormina, in 1978; and her brother John Bamberga and sister Carmel Sybrant.

She is survived by her son, John Taormina, of Durham, NC, and his cat Blake (who Garneta loved). She is also survived by especially dear niece Sara (Sally) Young and her husband Craig Young, of Manchester, NH, and their children Kristin, Matthew, and Michael, and many other nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Saint Jude the Apostle Church, 2801 West 6th St, Erie, PA 16505, on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Saint Jude the Apostle Church. The John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, will be handling funeral arrangements.

Garneta's family would like to thank the staff of Pruitt Health-Carolina Point Nursing Home, Durham, NC, for all their wonderful care and compassion during the last eight weeks.