Maxine Rino Giovacchini

Our loving and beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on July 10th.
Born in Park City, the fourth child of John and Lucy (Tappero) Rino who raised her with a strong sense of family, friendship and service as part of the Italian and Catholic communities of Utah.
Maxine grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School.  As a child, she was a willing participant in any activity school or the city had to offer, learning to bowl, ice skate, swim, play tennis and the cello with neighborhood and school friends and little sister Evelyn.  She took pride in sewing her own dresses for special occasions, including her own wedding dress, and had fond memories of summers working on her grandparents’ farm in Sandy with her brothers and sister.
She married the love of her life, Joe Giovacchini on April 6, 1951.  They spent a blessed 66 years together before Joe’s death in 2017, raised a strong and close family, worked to provide service to others in their pharmacies, and were active in many church, civic, professional, social and athletic organizations in their community.
Maxine was a longtime member of Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish.  Her faith was strong and central to her life.  She was an active leader in many organizations rooted in the Catholic church, including the Catholic Women’s League, Altar Society, Forty-Niners, and St. Joseph Villa Volunteers.
Maxine was proud of her Italian heritage and was a life-long member of the Italian American Civic League.  She held every officer position in the league, chaired committees, and truly enjoyed her many friends of Italian heritage at Lagoon Day, the Mother’s Day Tea, the summer steak fry, and many other functions and gatherings.
Her family was her greatest joy.  She raised her sons in a home filled with love and the aromas of excellent Italian cooking.  Through her daily example she instilled in them her values of community, hard work, persistence, competition and kindness. Including her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she chauffeured to and attended more ballgames than any sane person should endure, occasionally waiting in the frigid cold for a game to end. She cherished travelling the country and the world to visit, celebrate graduations, and watch them in their chosen sports and endeavors.     She was a competitive bowler and card shark into her 90’s, and never lost a game willingly or gracefully.
Survived by her sons and daughters-in law Marty and Robyn, Paul and Tanya, Joey and Frannie; grandchildren Tony (Kate), David (Coral), Michael, Nick (Mary Beth), Dan, Marcus, Lizzie and Derek; and great grandchildren Giuliana, Emilia, Leo and Andreas; brother Ed Rino (Linda), and many cherished nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by her husband Joe, brothers Sam (Gladys) and Bill (Dorothy) Rino, sister Marie, and sister Evelyn (Dick) O’Donnell.
Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff and residents at the Cottonwood Creek Senior Living Center where she happily resided the last few years.  She especially enjoyed winning afternoon bingo games, Friday Happy Hours, piano sing-along sessions, and evenings by the fireplace with friends.

Viewing and celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 19 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.  Guests are encouraged to park and use entrance located on the north side of the building. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 20th at 10:00 AM, also at Starks Funeral Parlor.  Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Ave & “T” Street.  

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to a worthy charity.