Marie Olivia (Dyba) Giorgi

Marie Olivia Dyba was the oldest of nine children born to Walter Dyba and Dolores Quillen. She began life in Bremerton, Washington while her parents were finishing their Marine Corps service during WWII. The new family moved back to Walter’s hometown in Miles City, Montana not long after Marie’s birth and she spent her early years frequently walking to her grandparents’ house to be doted on by her aunts. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Miles City until the end of 4^th grade in 1955, when she and two of her siblings traveled by train with her grandmother and uncle to join her parents in Sacramento, where they had relocated several months prior. Marie was ecstatic to find that they had a television in their new house! She continued her education at St. Philomene Elementary and Loretto High Schools in Sacramento before enrolling in Sacramento State College (CSUS), where she earned a BA in English in 1968. She continued her love of learning and earned her MA in Education from St. Mary’s College of California in 1991.

While attending Sacramento State, Marie worked part time at the candy counter in Weinstocks Department Store in Arden Fair Mall. It was there that Fred Giorgi, who was in the store with a buddy whose girlfriend also worked there, saw Marie and struck up a conversation with her. The two began dating a short time after and were married at St. Philomene Church on March 21, 1970. Their first daughter, Karen, was born two years later, followed by Christopher and then Sara.

Marie began her teaching career in 1968 at St. Philomene’s, where she taught second grade and a public speaking class for the middle grades for three years until she left to raise her children. While a stay-at-home mom she channeled her love of teaching by serving as a catechist in the CCD ministry at Holy Family Parish in Citrus Heights. When Sara started school, Marie returned to teaching at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Roseville where she taught second grade for six years and served as principal from 1992-2000. After leaving Catholic education, she taught in a low-achieving elementary school where she worked with low achieving second language students while continuing to serve at St. Rose in the RCIA and First Eucharist Preparation ministries. Marie continued serving in these parish ministries until Covid and her illness prevented her from continuing.

Marie was a devout and faithful Catholic with a special devotion to Mary, a deep love of Jesus, and a recent profound awakening to the Holy Spirit. Her love of Jesus was shared with thousands of children through the course of her life, and she left a lasting impact on many people including her six grandchildren, who were the center of her life. She will be deeply missed.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Dolores Dyba, and a brother Peter Dyba. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Fred Giorgi, children: Karen (Troy) Domke, Chris (Courtney) Giorgi, Sara (John) Bostick; grandchildren: Nick and Adam Giorgi, Alexandria and Jonathan Domke, and Luke and Beau Bostick; and her siblings, Barbara Dyba, Michael (Carol) Dyba, Kathleen Vandiver, Elizabeth (Scott) Jarvis, Theresa Holyoak, Cecilia Dyba, Colleen Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

“Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:23