Gioconda Dykstra

Gia Dykstra

October 3rd 1929- August 10th 2024

Gia Dykstra recently passed away in her Hixson home after a lingering illness.

Born in New York City and named Gioconda Bernadette by her newly emigrated Italian parents Ester and Michael Favia, Gia was known as "Dolly" growing up- a nickname that captured both her small stature and cute personality. Early life was not easy for Gia as her mother was committed to a mental hospital never to recover a few short months after her birth. Dolly and most of her eight siblings were placed in the care of the New York State Childrens Services with a few of the older children remaining with her father. Dolly was raised in the New York Foundling Hospital, Our Lady of the Rosary Convent, St. Agatha's Home and Holy Angels School until the age of fifteen. Dolly's high school years were spent at various foster homes around the city. After graduation Gia was equipped with all the necessary skills to join the 'secretarial pool' and jumped into the bustling post-war economy. Gia worked some fun and interesting jobs around New York, spending time as a bookkeeper at the well known Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research and as an assistant to Sam Goody at the original Sam Goody Records in Manhattan where she met Marilyn Monroe and many stars of the day. Gia met her future husband Don Dykstra at Macy's where he was working part-time while attending Columbia University on the G.I. bill. When not working Gia was a real 'Renaissance Woman' taking in all the Arts that the city had to offer including voice training to pursue her dream of joining a professional opera company a dream which was ultimately limited due to hearing loss in one ear since childhood.

Gia and Don married and had two children in NYC and then his job in the insurance industry took them to Pittsburgh PA and then to Chicago. There the couple had their third child and Gia continued her voice training and other studies at the University of Chicago. Gia joined the Presbyterian church around this time and she really enjoyed being a member of the church's excellent choir. She also became involved with the "Sweet Adelines" and traveled with the all female singing group preforming concerts and competing in competitions around the Midwest. Gia relocated to Chattanooga in 1971 when Don accepted a job at Provident Insurance Company. A lifelong learner Gia continued her education attending both Chattanooga State and UTC. Here she joined the Chattanooga Bike Club, restarting the hobby of long distance biking that she had taken up in her 30's. Gia rode many weekends with the club including distances over 100 miles up into her late 40's finding the hills of Tennessee much more challenging than the flatlands of Illinois.

Later in life, Gia enjoyed walking, swimming, painting, playing her organ while singing and communing with the birds and flowers in her backyard. Gia was also an accomplished seamstress who made clothes for herself and others on her prized Singer sewing machine.

Gia was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Don (2010) and daughter Carolyn (2019). She is survived by two sons Louis and Gerrit, three grandsons Gus Godbold, Sam and Alec Manzer, great-grand daughter Alyssa King and son-in-law Mark Manzer.

No service has been announced at this time.