Ernestine C. Giardino, Irvington VA
October 5, 1932 - August 12, 2016
Ernestine (Ernie) passed away peacefully at the age of 83 at Riverside Memorial Hospital, Newport News VA on August 12, 2016. Ernestine was born in Walkersville, WV and upon graduation from high school moved to Washington DC. There she lived in a boarding house with several other young girls; all in search of work as secretaries for a better life than was available in West Virginia at that time. She landed a job at Western Union and worked there for over 30 years. Western Union is where she met her beloved husband, John, whom she was married to for over 40 years, and later retired to enjoy life in Myrtle Beach and later in Irvington, VA.
Ernie was preceded in death by her husband, John Giardino; her parents, James Harry Cooper and Olena Faye Simmons Cooper; her three sisters, Geraldine Stout, Helen Marie Yaegle, Nancilou Barnett; and a brother, Herbert Eugene Cooper. Ernie is survived by her son, Jim Stutler (Pansy) and her daughter, Elizabeth Failmezger (Roger); and grandchildren: Elizabeth Hunter (Charles), Rebecca Stutler, Jeff Stutler, Jason Stutler, Jack and Jana MacKercher; John and Heidi Failmezger, as well as great grandchildren. Ernie is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Ernie was a member of the Women’s Moose Chapter of Myrtle Beach and gave generously to many charitable organizations. Ernie retired at the age of 52 from Western Union and lived the good life. She went on more than 10 cruises and travelled to many foreign destinations, loved reading the newspaper and her magazines, watching sitcoms, Lifetime TV and FOX news, while enjoying her favorite glass of Merlot. Ernie loved a clean house and cleaned it often, and loved doing so only second to fussing over her beloved John until his death.
A memorial will be held in Ernie’s honor at Currie Funeral Home, 116 Church St., Kilmarnock VA on August 20, 2016 at 2pm, officiated by Rev. Dr. Margaret Anne Fohl. A celebration of her life will immediately follow at Hills Quarter Clubhouse in Irvington.