Constance Giampaolo, 61, South Jersey hospital chaplain
At Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, Chaplain Constance Mary Giampaolo told her supervisor -- Sister Marge Sullivan -- that she was too serious, and started calling her "Sister Margaritaville."
"She would say, 'Sister Margaritaville, lighten up,' " Sullivan said.
Not many could get away with that, but "Connie" Giampaolo had a way about her that could bring smiles to her family, her boss, and even those who were facing death -- including herself.
On Sunday, March 5, Mrs. Giampaolo, 61, of Palmyra, died at Cooper University Hospital in Camden after battling lung cancer.
When diagnosed this year, Mrs. Giampaolo remained hopeful that she could return to her ministries after undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
After seeing her oncologist, she joked, "They're looking at me like I am going to croak," her supervisor recalled. "She often used humor to defuse a tense situation."
Mrs. Giampaolo's son Michael said his mother had a strong work ethic that helped her raise her three sons, then between the ages of 6 and 13, when her husband, Joseph, died of cancer in 2000.
"My mother was always funny, always looked at the bright side of life, and never focused on the negatives," said Michael Giampaolo. "She used to say, 'Well, this may have happened, but don't worry. God will always prevail.' "
At the time, Mrs. Giampaolo worked as a receptionist at Lourdes and was not making a lot of money. She decided to take college classes at night, and worked on her chaplain certification.
"My mother always took care of us," Michael Giampaolo said. "I think she wanted us to have more growing up than she did." Michael Giampaolo said his grandparents did not have much money.
Mrs. Giampaolo was born in Philadelphia and attended Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls. She moved to New Jersey in 1980s and in 1990 started working at Lourdes.
After her husband died, Mrs. Giampaolo received a degree in psychology and pastoral care from Neumann University, and then her master's in theology and pastoral ministry from La Salle University. In 2012, she earned certification by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
"It was a spiritual calling," her son said.
Patients loved her. One with mental health issues connected on such a level that when she had conflicts, staff would bring her to the office of Sullivan, director of the Life at Lourdes elderly care program, and Sullivan would immediately call Mrs. Giampaolo.
"Connie would sing to her on the phone and within five minutes the meltdown was over," Sullivan said. "She did whatever it took to provide the best care possible."
Although she moved through life with a positive posture, she confided to a reporter for the Trenton Monitor, the Diocese of Trenton newspaper, in 2012 that when her husband died, "It broke me."
She said from that experience, God showed that if she was willing, he would turn what was broken into "something beautiful."
Mrs. Giampaolo directed much of the hospital's mission activities, helping to lead a parish nursing program and working closely with area churches and organizations such as Catholic Charities.
At the 2015 American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Delran, Mrs. Giampaolo said, "Never doubt the act of kindness that you give. It will make a world of difference not only in the person you are giving it to, but there is a whole ripple effect."
Scott Share, former vice president of marketing for Lourdes Health System, posted on Facebook that "Lourdes and the South Jersey community were made a better place by Connie's presence, dedication, commitment, perseverance and energy."
In addition to her son, Mrs. Giampaolo is survived by sons Joseph and Mark, and a brother.
A viewing will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 103 Fourth St., Riverton. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.
Donations may be made to the Behavioral Health Fund at Lourdes Health Foundation, 1600 Haddon Ave., Camden, N.J. 08103.