A Life of Love, Faith, and Family

An Interview with GiGi

By Mikayla Hornezes

“Do the best that you can. Do the right thing.” These words, spoken by GiGi, sum up the values she has carried with her throughout her life. From her early years, when her father’s loving spoiling and her mother’s disciplined fairness shaped her character, to her current role as a proud grandmother who bakes cookies with her grandchildren, she has built a life grounded in faith, family, and compassion. But it hasn’t always been easy. GiGi faced hardships. The love of her late husband and the strength of her faith guided her through every challenge she encountered. As she reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave for future generations, she’s deeply committed to passing on the lessons she’s learned — about the importance of love, respect, and the sacrifices made by those who came before. Through her story, we see how the perspectives and values of one generation can shape the next, creating a ripple effect that spans time and age.

What childhood experience shaped you into who you are today? 

Playing with my oldest sister's hair when we were kids. That inspired me to become a beautician when I grew up. 

Who influenced you during your childhood? 

My mother. She took care of me and my two sisters. She was strict, but also fair, which helped us grow as adults. My siblings and I may have had a few spats, but my mother defused the situation every time. As I grew older, I learned from her example. I learned what to do, what not to do, how to deal with situations, and how to respect others. 

Tell me about what you are proud of.

I'm proud of being a mother to my son, of all of the accomplishments and progress he has made. I’m also proud of all of my accomplishments. Some may have been good, some may have been bad, but I learned from them.

Imagine that you're receiving an award for one thing you have done in your life. What would that award be for? 

It would be for all of the accomplishments I made at my job. I was a senior analyst. I assisted corporate clients with using our application to do their banking. 

Who has helped you realize your achievements? 

My late husband James. Whenever I was down, he always lifted me up. My son and daughter-in-law have also helped me. When I needed to make a change, they guided me in the right direction. They encouraged me to make the change. Each of these people helped me to become a more loving, affectionate, kind, and uplifting person. 

What do you wish young people would understand? 

We older adults have accomplished and gone through so much so that they can have what they have today. If young people understood that, their ideas about how they want to live their lives might change for the better. 

How are things different today from they were when you were young? 

We had a rotary phone. You had to actually dial the phone. We didn't have push buttons until I became a teenager. We also had what they call a party line. We shared the same phone circuit with other subscribers, and only one call could be made at once. If you picked up the phone and somebody else was already talking, you had to wait until they were done talking before you could use the phone. And we played all the time. When the street lights came on, you knew it was time to go home. 

What do you want to see in this next generation? 

I want to see more unification, where we treat each other as a whole, instead of as separate races, colors, and creeds. I want to see more compassion and more respect for the elderly. 

What changes are you glad to see in this generation? 

I like seeing the love they have amongst each other and for each other. 

What lessons or values from your life do you want to pass on to future generations?

Put God first. Always do the best that you can. Do the right thing. Act with compassion and respect, and support one another. Reassure each other that everything will be okay.