Queen of it All

Cloverdale has been educating students about 150 years.  Thousands of diplomas have been earned during this time and many of those graduates proceeded through life leaving a legacy.  The purpose of life is to create something that will outlast it—a legacy. The “North Star” for this recognition was well known to many Cloverdaleians in 1972, give or take 25 years.  Two of her “adopted sons,” Ed Bowen and Gary Mills, pooled their thoughts and the following is a collection of their memories:  She entered elementary school speaking only Italian.  Graduating valedictorian of her class of 1936, it is believed she earned the highest grade point average in the history of Cloverdale High School.  She excelled in most phases through elementary and high school.  She did most everything better than anyone.  Whatever she was involved in was better for it.  Those who worked for or with her adored her.  As a business owner she was the best.  Deeply spiritual but never wearing it on her sleeve, any clergy encountered at her restaurant would be a “no charge”.  She once created a huge celebration at her home to honor those home from military service or college.  In church and civic matters, people followed her lead like no other.  Rising like a full moon over the ocean from a child to the finish line, she inspired Cloverdale in some way for about seventy years.  Aldina Cuneo, better known as Dina Giovannetti, mother of Virginia, Leo, Paul, and Geri Giovannetti, wife of Joe Giovannetti, Jr. will live in the hearts of those who knew  her until our flame burns out.

Happy Mother’s Day, Dina!