Feb. 13, 1938 – Dec. 19, 2013
Renata Scognamiglio Giacobbe, a professor of Italian at Canisius College and SUNY Buffalo State and the co-founder of an Italian cultural center in North Buffalo, died Thursday in St. John Baptist Hospice House, Buffalo. She was 75.
She was born in Naples, Italy, and earned a doctorate in classic literature from the University of Naples and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo.
She taught at Canisius for 25 years and Buffalo State for 13 years.
As she approached retirement, Mrs. Giacobbe and her husband, Dr. Francesco Giacobbe, established a not-for-profit cultural center, Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, located on Hertel Avenue, with the goal of promoting Italian language and culture.
She organized countless events, including lectures, movie nights, Italian classes for children and social gatherings celebrating Italian cuisine.
Mrs. Giacobbe provided the voice for an educational Fisher-Price toy sold in Italy. She also served as an interpreter during the 1993 World University Games.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Andrew, Mario and Franco; a daughter, Paola Kersch; and a sister, Olimpia Coppola.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Monday in St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 1395 Hertel Ave.
Renata Scognamiglio Giacobbe, a professor of Italian at Canisius College and SUNY Buffalo State and the co-founder of an Italian cultural center in North Buffalo, died Thursday in St. John Baptist Hospice House, Buffalo. She was 75.
She was born in Naples, Italy, and earned a doctorate in classic literature from the University of Naples and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo.
She taught at Canisius for 25 years and Buffalo State for 13 years.
As she approached retirement, Mrs. Giacobbe and her husband, Dr. Francesco Giacobbe, established a not-for-profit cultural center, Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, located on Hertel Avenue, with the goal of promoting Italian language and culture.
She organized countless events, including lectures, movie nights, Italian classes for children and social gatherings celebrating Italian cuisine.
Mrs. Giacobbe provided the voice for an educational Fisher-Price toy sold in Italy. She also served as an interpreter during the 1993 World University Games.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Andrew, Mario and Franco; a daughter, Paola Kersch; and a sister, Olimpia Coppola.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Monday in St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 1395 Hertel Ave.