Claudia M. (Giglio) Assini

Colonie - Claudia M. Giglio Assini, 99, formerly of Watervliet, died Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at Albany County Nursing Home after a long illness.

Born May 22, 1918 in Troy, Claudia was the daughter of the late Michael Angelo Giglio and Teresina Patriarca Giglio, who were originally from Italy and settled in Sycaway to raise their family.  She was married on June 28, 1938 to RPI Professor Emeritus Lewis T. Assini, preceding her in death along with their daughter Penelope Ann Assini, her sister Cecilia Giglio Marfone (Pat), and brother Alfred Valentino Giglio (Margery).  

She was a graduate of School 18, Troy High School, studied voice at the Troy Conservatory of Music, had private piano lessons and earned an Associate in Arts Degree in Individual Studies in Multiple Languages at the State University of NY at Hudson Valley Community College on the eve of her 77th birthday.  She was on the Dean's List every semester, and also on the National Dean's List and earned a Certificate of Excellence in Italian.  Claudia lived in the house where her husband was born in Watervliet for seventy years.

Claudia was a daughter, sister, wife and mother focusing all of her talents and energy on her family.  She loved to cook and entertained many of her husband's colleagues from around the world. She was a synchronized swimmer, seamstress making her husband's suits and her daughter's prom gowns, and a lover of plants and animals. She and her husband grew many of their own vegetables and made homemade Italian sausage.  She was very proud of her  parakeet named BoBo, who she taught several languages and seventy-five phrases. 

Claudia leaves behind a loving family including her three daughters, Christine Assini Lee of Watervliet, Claudia T. Assini (Ivan Smith) of Marietta, GA and Teresa A. Whalen (John Franchini) of Warrensburgh, her nephews Patrick Marfone (Linda), Deane Marfone (Chris), Fred Giglio (Vickie), Mark Giglio and niece Regina Giglio Brunton (William) and many great nieces and nephews all of California.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Monday, April 9, 2018 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. with a funeral service following at 11 a.m. with Rev. Edward Kacerguis, Chaplain at the Chapel + Cultural Center at RPI, officiating.

Interment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Watervliet.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Claudia M. Assini to the Warren County SPCA  121 Warren Street Glens Falls, NY 12801. 

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