Thelma Genevieve ‘Ginny’ D’Antonio Nervina

Posted on March 16, 2022

Thelma Genevieve ‘Ginny’ D’Antonio Nervina, 93, passed away on March 6, 2022, in Perry.

Genevieve was born May 18, 1928, in Mobile, Ala., and spent her childhood in Madison and Foley, with her parents, Jessie James Frith and Margaret Thelma Terry Frith.

She was a student at Foley School (where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team), Taylor County High School and North Florida Community College.

Genevieve (Ginny) married Alfred (Fred) Joseph D’Antonio at the Foley Baptist Church on April 1, 1945. At the time they met, Fred was in the Army Air Corps stationed at the Perry airbase.

After their marriage, they moved to California where he competed his military service. Then, they settled with his family in Auburn, N.Y., where their marriage was certified and blessed by St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Oct. 17, 1946.

While living in Auburn, three of their four children, Linda Jo, Alfred Joseph Jr. and Andrea Marie, were born and Ginny learned the business of retail clothing sales.

In 1955, Ginny and Fred brought their family to Perry and later added daughter Lisa Joanne to the family. Fred Sr. passed away in Perry in 1971 after 25 years of marriage.

After returning to Perry, Ginny became a businesswoman, owning and operating The Little Folks Shop and enjoyed interacting with the mothers and children of the area.

Later, she worked at Florida National Bank in Perry and Florida State University in Tallahassee in various capacities until she retired.

For many years, Ginny coordinated community fashion shows held at the Perry Women’s Club, Pine Tree Festival and Florida Forest Festival.

At her church, she served on the Altar Society, Fellowship Committee and as youth chaperone.

One of her fondest memories was of her role as booster and chaperone for the Taylor County High School band. During these times, she enjoyed playing tennis and golf.

Ginny married Peter Francis Nervina, a friend of the family from Weedsport, N.Y., on Feb. 21, 1998, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Perry and welcomed his children and grandchildren into her family.

Happily married for 23 years before his death in 2021, they spent summers at the “North House” in Weedsport and the rest of the year at the “South House” in Perry.

Ginny was a member of the Perry Garden Club, enjoyed socializing at the Perry Elks Club and volunteered at Doctors’ Memorial Hospital.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Jessie James and Margaret Thelma Frith; her first husband, Alfred Joseph D’Antonio Sr.; her second husband, Peter Francis Nervina; and her daughter, Andrea Marie D’Antonio.

She is survived by: her children, Linda D’Antonio Koch (Robert), Alfred Joseph D’Antonio Jr. (Nancy

McKee), Lisa D’Antonio Rubin (Lawrence); stepchildren Peter Nervina (Debbie), Christine Patti (Lou), Paul Nervina (Barbara), John Abraham (Diane), James Abraham (Eileen), Jason Abraham (Lynn) and Joe Abraham; as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins (including very special cousin Curtis Urquhart) and friends.

Ginny was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Perry. A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. with Father Matthew officiating. There will be a brief graveside service in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Following, the services, friends and family are welcome to a reception held in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Perry or the American Heart Association.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com