Parlez du Cafe

Friday, Jul. 19, 2024

Our loving and beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024. She was born in Park City, the fourth child of John and Lucy (Tappero) Rino, who raised her with a strong sense of family, friendship and service as part of the Italian and Catholic communities of Utah.

Maxine grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School.  She married the love of her life, Joe Giovacchini, on April 6, 1951. They spent a blessed 66 years together before Joe’s death in 2017, raised a strong and close family, worked to provide service to others in their pharmacies, and were active in many church, civic, professional, social and athletic organizations in their community.

Maxine was a longtime member of Saint Ambrose Parish.  Her faith was strong and central to her life.  She was an active leader in many organizations rooted in the Catholic Church, including the Catholic Woman’s League, Altar Society, Forty-Niners and St. Joseph Villa Volunteers.

Maxine was proud of her Italian heritage and was a life-long member of the Italian American Civic League.  Her family was her greatest joy.  She raised her sons in a home filled with love and the aromas of excellent Italian cooking. Through her daily example she instilled in them her values of community, hard work, persistence, competition and kindness.     

Survived by her sons and daughters-in law Marty and Robyn, Paul and Tanya, Joey and Frannie; grandchildren Tony (Kate), David (Coral), Michael, Nick (Mary Beth), Dan, Marcus, Lizzie and Derek; and great-grandchildren Giuliana, Emilia, Leo and Andreas; brother Ed Rino (Linda), and many cherished nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Joe, brothers Sam (Gladys) and Bill (Dorothy) Rino, sister Marie and sister Evelyn (Dick) O’Donnell.

Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff and residents at the Cottonwood Creek Senior Living Center, where she happily resided the last few years.  

A viewing and celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m., also at Starks Funeral Parlor.  Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to a worthy charity.