Gina Maria Macchio's Obituary
Gina Maria Macchio, 62, of Clearwater, FL, passed away February 19, 2025. Though born in the Bronx, NY, she grew up in Maine. Originally living in Portland for a while, her parents finally chose Standish, Maine to raise their four daughters.
During high school, Gina would be the one you’d find either out riding her dirt bike around the neighborhood, sneaking a cigarette out in the woods, or playing drums which was a passion of hers; as she was a member of the 5th Maine Drum and Bugle Corp. Her skill level as a drummer was referred to as “amazing” by many in the Corp with her. She loved the show Starsky and Hutch, and Emergency (which was insight to her future), and her choice of music was Rap. Yep, you read that right.
She was an avid softball player as well during high school, playing for a local town team where her Dad
coached. Her position, pitcher. Fast ball, underhand is a feat within itself and something she was great at.
During this time, she experienced her first injury (torn knee ligament) that required surgery. The first of ~27
over her lifetime and this gives you some insight of the pain she endured silently for years.
Some of these surgeries include a pin in her ankle, two complete knee replacements, 3 back surgeries where 3 cages were put in with rods down each side for support, and a new hip. Yes, Bionic Woman was one of her nicknames. All this as well as two fights with cancer, one in 2008 and again in 2024, which lead to her passing in 2025.
The surgeries didn’t stop her though; it just changed her direction when she and her family moved to Florida in 1986, and she wanted to become a paramedic. Due to physical limitations, this wasn’t an option, so she attended St. Petersburg College, in Clearwater and became a nurse, still wanting to serve in any medical capacity she could.
Originally working at Morton Plant hospital, her path crossed with Dr. Edward Chen, MD where her life again took a turn; for the better. He established his own practice and recruited her to join him. She became his employee, and dare I say friend, for many years; working alongside him until she couldn’t physically anymore and retired early; being classified as “disabled." This again didn’t stop her, it just slowed her down.
During this time, her focus became on her family in many aspects. She never married nor had children of her own; but viewed her nieces and nephews (a total of 7) and great nieces and nephews (also a total of 7), as hers. She was in the delivery room for 2 generations of her family, a blessing for her as well as us. She stayed with her 3 sisters as they welcomed Gina’s nieces and nephews, and she stayed with her nieces and nephews as they welcomed the next generation. Four generations she loved and supported, all living within the Tampa Bay area.
As they all grew and started families of their own, she participated in any way she could. Showing up early
for family events to help set up and staying late to clean up. She cooked. She cooked. That needed to be
listed twice for that was a main contribution to her family; the love and comfort of food.
She became a Little League Coach for Dunedin, which was a high light of her years of late. It combined her
love of the sport, as well as allowed her to spend time with her nephew who played for Dunedin. In fact, she left her mark literally on him, giving him his first black eye.
She listened, and laughed and tended to whatever need she could, which defined her character as a
kindhearted, loving soul. Living with her parents most of her life, she continued to take care of them until her Dad had a stroke, resulting in him moving in with another daughter who could care for him at a level Gina couldn’t (physically, she was unable to help him get around). She continued to take care of her mother
however, right up until weeks before her passing; referring to it as a gift for the woman who gave her life.
Gina is survived by her parents, William and June O'Keefe of Clearwater, FL; three sisters, Denise Moussa and her husband, Abraham, Billie Yap and her husband, Barran, and Renee Dellacroce and her husband, Carl; several nieces and nephews, David Towle and his wife, Sherrie, Mandi Towle and her husband, Michael Cox, Michael Nielson and his wife, Melissa, Conner Dellacroce, and Riley Dellacroce; as well as several great nieces and nephews, Christopher Towle, Hailey Towle, Yasmine Towle Blake, Kaleb Nielson, Aaden Nielson, and Carter Nielson.
A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 am on Sunday March 2, 2025 at Moss Feaster Dunedin Chapel. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Empath Health Hospice in Gina's honor. https://empathhealth.org/hospice
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