Gianna Pandolfino

Gianna Marie Pandolfino, 21, of Holliston passed away Jan. 12. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of Janine (L’Antigua) and Paul Pandolfino of Holliston.

Gianna was a precious little girl who overcame tremendous odds. Born completely healthy, she suffered a vaccine injury that left her on a journey of complete hardship. Doctors said she would not live to see her first birthday or her 15th birthday, but God had a different and beautiful and perfect plan for her life. Gianna amazed most doctors with her tenacious will to live; it was almost admirable. She endured more than most people do in a lifetime. Her story, her life, taught many of us of the goodness of God. Her story led more people to Christ without her even uttering a word. Gianna seemed to have an impact to change lives for all who crossed her path.

Her smile was contagious to all who knew her. She loved the feel of a warm, bright, sunny day, loved strolling on long walks, loved the wind in her face, music and her Winnie the Pooh book on tape. She knew and loved her family and friends and she loved her extended family at Seven Hills Pediatric Center; but most importantly, Jesus loved her.

Besides her parents, Gianna is survived by her brothers, U.S. Air Force Sgt. Nicholas Pandolfino of Texas and USAF Sgt. Vincent Pandolfino of Nevada, her grandparents, Joyce L’Antigua of Hopkinton, and Pete and Lorraine Pandolfino of Hopkinton, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 12:30 p.m. at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.