Mariolina, the second child of Gianna and Pietro , was staying at the boarding school called “Sorriso of’Italia” (Smile of Italy), run by Pietro’s sister, Sister Luigia, in Imperia.In early 1964 she fell ill with a particularly virulent form of exanthematic disease. Further complications intervened, so the child had to be taken from the hospital to Imperioa to the Niguarda Hospital in Milan. Unfortunately the doctors there could not prevent her death.

Pietro remembers her in this way:

“Less than two years had gone by and the mystery of pain and death visited our house again. Our sweet and good Mariolina joined you in Heaven. She was not yet seven years old. Since then, I entrust myself in her as our protector and I ask for her help when I feel tired. We had just arrived at the Niguardo Hospital in Milan, from the hospital in Imperia, when she spoke her loving last words to me;“Go home Daddy, you are tired.” -- After a few hours, she passed away while saying the Hail Mary.”