Giovanna Pompele

Birth date: Mar 16, 1962 Death date: Aug 26, 2022

Born in Verona, Italy, Gio immigrated to the U.S. to complete a Ph.D. in English from University of Southern California. Until 2016, she taught English and Gender Studies at the University of Miami until ME/CFS made it impossible Read Obituary

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Terry Sigman

115w ago

On this night I want to send my love to Gio’s Mama and all of her family in Italy and extend a very heartfelt “Thank You” for giving the planet such
an extraordinary human being . I always felt blessed to know her, I can hear her laughter, quick wit and uncanny ability to have the best comeback lines for any absurdity the world could offer up daily.
My dearest Simon, thank you , thank you for keeping the light on.
There isn’t a night that goes by that I don’t look for it.
I was always happy knowing that some higher order of conversation was going on up your stairs . That Gio had a solid rock of support and stimulation who by the way could also cook.
Gio , thank you for being my jouster and my friend . I miss you, but I hold you in my heart and as I always told you at the end of an email…….
I am so glad you were here, we are all so glad you were here.❤️🍕🍕🍕❤️
Your forever Pal, Terry

Dusanka

158w ago

It's been many weeks since Gio passed away, and I hadn't posted on here earlier, but but her presence remains so I find myself coming to this page again and again. I know she will forever remain in the thoughts and hearts of all of us whose paths she crossed.

I never met Gio in person, although we had many conversations on Facebook while she was on it, some brief and silly, and some deep and profound, but all felt so meaningful to me. What a gift she had in connecting with people. My virtual hug to all of you who loved her in person - family, Jennifer, Simon - and also to all of you whose paths she crossed in other ways and left her mark on.

And my photo share may seem a strange share for the rest of you. But when Gio was down she would ask me for photos of my dog, Cody. So this is for you Gio - my most recent picture of Cody.

Marta Peluso

160w ago

Added a new photo to the Gio <3 album.

Marta Peluso

161w ago

Added a new photo to the Gio <3 album.

Heleana

163w ago

I am in shock. But I suppose that I shouldn't be. A million things are running through my head, about what I should have done and said, how I could have been. I will say that I'm better for having known Gio. I will miss her forever.

Sam Phillips

165w ago

With so much affection, Rest In Peace, dear Gio. May her memory be a comfort, dear Simon.

M. Evelina Galang

165w ago

Giovanna, it's me. Ate. My heart breaks knowing I cannot hear your voice anymore (though in truth, it's here inside me) and knowing you have suffered. I am sorry for your suffering in this life. Your heart has always been bigger than the sun. Full of passion and compassion and love and understanding, even as you saw injustice, named it and fought it. So many things I wish we could have spoken of in these last few years. Isn't it funny how I thought there'd be time for all of it. That our tending to the life before us would eventually create space for a dinner, or a coffee, or a good laugh between you me and Simon. Oh yes, and Chauncey. I wish you had known him better. Miguel and Rubee send their love. We are all thinking of Simon. I promise you I will bother him so he remembers he too is loved. Your light is still shining, and now it is in the particles coming through the window blinds. It is in the memory I have of you carrying on with that wonderful fierce sense of you. Jovial you. Witty you. May you be happy. May you be blessed. At peace. Miss you. Ate

Laura Sanders

166w ago

I am so sorry to hear this news. Gio had the fiercest sense of justice of anyone I have ever met. She was passionate, brilliant, generous, and absolutely hilarious. I am deeply grateful we got to stay in touch after grad school via social media, and I recognize that my life was richer for knowing her.

Silvia

166w ago

Many quarrels when we were children, but then a great reconciliation, a relationship mended with love. My memory of Giò will forever be her smile and her love for everyone. I miss you Giò

Linda Belgrave

166w ago

My fondest memories of Gio are 1. her incredible work during the UM janitors' strike. She was a force of nature! She organized places for us to teach off-campus and matched our class times & sizes with the spaces she found. She called whenever our presence was needed for an action. She was in the thick of it from beginning to success. 2. Gio once left me a phone message without stating her name. I called back and pronounced her name as any ignorant American would. Whoa, did she ream me out! 3. Meeting for coffee at one or another of the bakeries in South Miami. We sat talking for hours.

Gio is (can't wrap my mind around the past tense yet) one of the most amazing women I've ever know. I have been blessed to have her in my life.

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