Giovanna “Gio” Lopez, 42, 17-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Whidbey General Hospital Aug. 9, 2004, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Giovanna was born Feb. 11, 1962, in Rome, Italy, to Gaetano Fusco and Maria (Valle) Fusco. She moved with her family to Fremantle, Western Australia, as a small child. She was raised and educated in Fremantle. In 1981, “Gio” met Senior Chief Jimmy Lopez, USN, and they were married in Fremantle July 23, 1983. In 1987, they moved to Oak Harbor, where Jimmy was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Gio was employed as a teller at Interwest Bank and later Pacific Northwest Bank, until her illness made an early retirement necessary. She was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Gio enjoyed making a comfortable home for her family. She was a gracious hostess and enjoyed cooking, arts and crafts.

Gio is survived by her husband, Jimmy, at home in Oak Harbor; her daughter, Samantha Lopez of Oak Harbor; her father, Gaetano Fusco, of Fremantle, Western Australia; three sisters, Jane Mazziotta and husband Frank, Nancy Delamonica and husband Santo, and Claudia Manzi and husband Dominic; one brother, John Fusco, all of Fremantle; also, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Maria Fusco, in 2000.

Visitation will be Saturday, Aug. 14, from noon until 4 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 16, from noon until 5 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Rev. Ronald J. Belisle, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2120 1st Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109 or any cancer research society of your choice. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.