May 20 2019: CHIRICHELLA, Christian “Tina”

Christina “Tina” Chirichella

Christina “Tina” Chirichella, 63 of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 11:25 am.  Tina was born on August 12, 1955 to the late Vincent and Barbara Chirichella in Washington, DC. Her life was interrupted suddenly when at age 49 she suffered a major brain bleed and as a result spent the next 15 years at the Sanctuary at Holy Cross (nka Oak Manor Nursing Home) in Silver Spring, Maryland.   Prior to Tina’s illness she served as Payroll Manager for a local area grocery chain in Rockville, MD.  Her greatest joy was her Son, his wife and her sweet granddaughter, Ruby.  In the early days of her stay at the home, she enjoyed participating in a ministry with “Joni and Friends”; she made gospel bracelets which accompanied wheel chairs which the Joni and Friends organization shipped to many third world countries where medical equipment was not available.

Tina is survived by her son, David Grooms and his wife Angela and their daughter Ruby Grooms.  She is the sister of Vincent R. (Janie) Chirichella, Yvonne M. (Daniel – deceased) Voss, Anna M. (Charles – deceased) Scarlata, Debra (Charlie) Plunkett, Jerry (Sharon) Chirichella, and John P. (Susan) Chirichella.  She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.  Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, 20901 (Valet Parking), Thursday, May 23, from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. where Funeral Service will be held, on Friday, May 24, at 11 am.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery directly after the service.

The family has expressed their wish that gestures of sympathy in lieu of flowers be made by charitable donations to the “Johns Hopkins Stroke Center” – 550 N. Broadway, Suite 722, Baltimore, MD 21205 with a note indicating the donation is in memory of Christina Theresa Chirichella.  Memorial gifts can also be made securely online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/neuro.