Giuseppina "Gina" Rhodes Carpenter

Giuseppina “Gina” Rhodes Carpenter, 87, of Indian Head, Maryland, passed away on June 2, 2023 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Born in Italy in 1936, Gina was the daughter of Primo and Maria and was the third of six children.  She came to the United States in 1967, after marrying Darwin Rhodes of the United States Army.  Gina worked as a seamstress for many years before starting her own alteration business, Gina’s Alteration Center, in 1983 in Indian Head, Maryland.  After being widowed in 1984, she was remarried to Lemuel Pembrook Carpenter, Sr. in 1986, who preceded her in death in 2014.

Gina was a devout Catholic and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She loved her church, job, and the customers she served.  She enjoyed gardening and spending quality time with her family.

Gina is survived by her biological daughter, Darwina, and son-in-law, Gavin; her grandchildren and their partners, Zachary, Catherine, Ashley, and Nick; step-children and their partners, Lemuel, Janet, Mary Ann, Deborah, Bill, Glenn, Karen, Matthew, and Maria; and her step-grandchildren.

Gina was preceded in death by her parents, Primo and Maria; her brothers, Guido I, Bruno, Walter, Guido II; her sister Bruna; first husband Darwin; second husband Lemuel; step-children Darwin, Jr, Bertram, Mark, and Michelle.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, June 9, 2023, for Gina’s viewing at 9:30 AM followed by the funeral Mass at 11 AM at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Indian Head, Maryland. The burial will be on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 11:15 AM at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery at 11301 Crain Hwy in Cheltenham, MD.  Please arrive at 11:00 AM.  Or meet at the funeral home at 10 AM for a procession. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 30 Mattingly Avenue, Indian Head, MD 20640, or to the American Cancer Society.

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