Obituary of Maria Christina Maginnis

Maria Christina (Giusti) Maginnis, 90 of State College, PA, died of natural causes on Feb. 3, 2022. She was born on November 26, 1931, in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of the late Donato P. Giusti and Liana Fioravanti Giusti.

Maria was a 1949 graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg, and received an academic scholarship to Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. Upon graduation with a degree in elementary education in 1953, she taught third grade at St. Margaret Mary Elementary School in Harrisburg. On December 27, 1955, she married her beloved husband Dr. Richard L. Maginnis, a professor of microbiology at Penn State, who preceded her in death on May 17, 1973 at the age of 42. Maria is survived by her adoring children, Joseph P. Maginnis (wife LaVerne) of Lewistown, PA; Catherine M. Borger (husband Jeffrey) of Reedsville, PA; Liana Maginnis of State College, PA; Nora C. Maginnis (husband Daniel Craig) of State College; Lawrence P. Maginnis (wife Autumn) of State College, PA; and Paul T. Maginnis (wife Kristen) of Sammamish, WA. She was preceded in death by her son Richard L. Maginnis, Jr. on September 9, 1989.

While two of Maria's sons were national champions (Richard, a first-string offensive guard on Penn State's 1982 football team, and Paul, representing Penn State Boxing in 1996), she was often quoted saying "All of my children are champions." Maria is survived by her 11 cherished grandchildren: Carolyn Maginnis and Richard Maginnis of San Antonio, Texas; Andrew Borger of State College; Timothy Borger of Yokohama, Japan; Kenneth Craig, Daniel Craig, Liana Craig, and Jack Craig of State College; Eman Montegna of State College; Sarah Maginnis, Rachel Maginnis and Carly Maginnis of Sammamish, Washington. Her devoted brother, Donato P. Giusti, and his wife Patricia reside in Mechanicsburg, PA. She is also survived by five nieces and five nephews.

Due to current Covid restrictions, a private mass will be held with the family at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, State College, PA.

Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church 820 Westerly Parkway State College, PA 16801 Or Skills of Central PA, Inc. 2437 E. College Ave State College PA, 16801