Virginia M. Gioia

Virginia M. Gioia, beloved wife of Catello (Sonny) Gioia of Southington, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026 at her home. She was born on December 5, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, daughter of the late Rev. Lloyd Van Cleve Moffett and Gertrude Gustin Moffett. She grew up in New York, graduating from Canandaigua Academy and attending Syracuse University.

While raising a young family in Meriden, Connecticut, Gini completed her bachelor’s degree in education and earned a master’s degree in guidance and a 6th year degree at Central CT State University. During her many years as an educator at Hanover Elementary School in Meriden, she was professionally known as Gini Schlosser and fondly remembered by generations of students as a caring and devoted teacher. Recognizing her leadership abilities, Gini was asked to serve as Acting Principal of the school, a position she held until her retirement.

Gini and Sonny enjoyed many wonderful times at home in Southington, at their cottage in Point Judith Rhode Island, in Clearwater, Florida, and at her family’s cottage on Hatch Lake in upstate New York. She was a devoted parishioner of Grace United Methodist Church in Southington and accompanied the choir on the piano for many years. Beautiful inside and out, she was known for her graciousness, warm smile, and loving spirit.

In addition to her husband Sonny, Gini leaves behind two sons, John P. Gara, II (Janice) of Plainville, CT, William R. Gara of Smyrna, Georgia, and a daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Gara (Jay Berardino) of Durham, CT. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Joshua Gara (Katie), Jena Gara, Jillian Gara, and James Berardino (Megan) and one great-grandchild, Nolan Gara. In addition, she leaves behind three stepdaughters, Toby Gioia Paradis (Charles Angeli), Cheryl Fasulo (Mike) and Shelly Morelli (Bob), and a step-son-in-law, Kurt Kula, all of Southington, four step-grandchildren, Jamie Finkelstein (Joshua), Tim Paradis (Jennifer), Taylor Morelli-Zwiebel (Jesse), and Ellen Morelli, and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her two sisters, Barbara Irish and Carolynne Gibson, her brother, William Richard Moffett, her stepdaughter Tammy Kula, and her step-grandson Austin Kowalewski. She was also predeceased by her second husband George F. Schlosser, and her former husband, John P. Gara, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Boys Town “Saving Children Healing Families” at 200 Flanagan Blvd., P.O. Box 6000, Boys Town, NE 68010-9988 or (https://www.boystown.org/success/).

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026 at the Grace United Methodist Church, 121 Pleasant Street, Southington, CT. Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 4 – 6:00 p.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, located at 975 S. Main St., Plantsville, CT. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.