Silvana Vanni Cipriani

Silvana Cipriani, 98, passed away peacefully on June 8 at her home in Upper Marlboro, MD.

She was born in Piano di Corelia, Lucca, Italy on April 22, 1928 to Giovanni and Olga (Gallo) Vanni. She married Lorenzo Cipriani in 1947 and emigrated to Washington, DC in 1954.

She was a professional furrier for Woodward & Lothrop Department Stores for 44 years.

Silvana was devoted to Holy Rosary Church in Washington, DC serving on the Altar Society and Sodality. She was always seen in the kitchen at Church making lasagna or polenta for fund raisers. She was also devoted to Villa Rosa nursing home serving in various roles at the annual Italian Festival.

Silvana was a founding member of Lucchesi nel Mondo Washington. She served as president for many years and worked tirelessly to make the club a success. She will be remembered for her smile, her kindness, and the strong bond she kept with her homeland of Tuscany.

Silvana was also dedicated to Boy Scouting. She helped 3 generations of young men and women advance through the program into adulthood. In Explorer Post 2001, most members wore uniforms that had emblems sewn on by her. She was instrumental in helping her son become an Eagle Scout .

Silvana enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally, gardening and cooking for family and friends. She gave Italian Chef Lidia on PBS a run for her money.

She was an active member of the Camp Springs and Bowie Senior Centers where she joined in activities and attended class in the Sage Program of Prince George's Community College.

Silvana was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Lorenzo, her brother Renzo Vanni and sister-in-law Elizabeth, and her sister Neda and brother- in-law Robert Braswell.

She is survived by two sons, Pier and his wife Ann, and Vincent and three grandchildren, Michael Cipriani and his wife Kim, David Cipriani and Tricia Forsyth and husband, Ernest.

She adored her five great-grandchildren, Brianna, Isabella and Ryan Cipriani, and Andrew and Kaitlyn Forsyth.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 1 at 9:00am at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 14908 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD, followed by mass at 10:00am.

Internment will be at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Bladensburg, MD at Noon, 3491 Bladensburg Road Brentwood, MD.

Repast will be at 1pm at Saint Mary Assumption Catholic School Family Life Center, 4610 Largo Road Upper Marlboro, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 220 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (casaitaldc@gmail.com) or St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 14908 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (Parish@stmaryum.org)