Apollonia Messina Sergi

Apollonia Messina Sergi, age 95, of Washington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 11, 2015 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Sergi, born August 13, 1919 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was the devoted daughter of the late Francesco and Stefana Messina. When she was seven years old the family returned to Italy where she and her brothers, Domenic and Mario Messina, grew up in the beautiful Sicilian countryside. She attended professional school, earning a degree in Design & Dressmaking. When the family returned to the US in 1938, Mrs. Sergi earned her US high school diploma, and taught dressmaking at the Lawrence Evening Industrial School. She continued to apply her impeccable dressmaking skills throughout her life both professionally and as favors for many brides, young businessmen, and members of religious orders. In 1947 Apollonia married Dominic Joseph Sergi. With a fearless spirit, and a love of travel and adventure, the couple moved to Washington, D.C. in 1952 where they raised a family, and were very active and devoted members of Sacred Heart, Holy Rosary Church, St. Anthony’s, and their beloved Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land. Mrs. Sergi was a devoted member of the Legion of Mary and The Third Order of Saint Francis. While being a loving wife and mother, Mrs. Sergi attended daily Mass, living a life deeply connected to her Catholic faith. Her rosaries and prayer cards were always close at hand. Survivors include her two children, Frank E. Sergi of North Andover, Massachusetts, and Mary Grace Karch of Manassas, Virginia; 6 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews all of whom she generously loved as her own. She was everyone’s Nana, fiercely proud of her Catholic faith and Italian-American heritage. She reveled in sharing countless stories of her amazing life. Her passion and unbeatable spirit will be greatly missed by all she touched. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, Massachusetts. A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Franciscan Monastery in memory of Apollonia Sergi.

Apollonia Messina Sergi

August 13, 1919 - June 11, 2015