Lucy Giordano (right) with her mother
One of the earliest members of the Australian Baha’i community, Lucy Giordano (nee Trueman), passed away recently in her home city of Adelaide, aged 91.
In 1936, Lucy and her mother (also Lucy Trueman) joined the Baha’i Faith and the involvement of their extended family with the Faith continues to this day.
The younger Lucy was the first Baha’i youth in South Australia and at the time one of only three young Baha’is in the whole country.
“Lucy always gave her time to others and was completely dedicated to the spiritual and administrative aspects of the Baha’i Faith,” recalled a relative, Iolee Mann.
“She will be remembered for her courage, her strong determination and a sincere love for the Baha’i Faith,” Mrs Mann said.
Mrs Giordano was a member at various times of the Adelaide, Sydney, Thebarton, West Torrens and Walkerville Baha’i communities.
In 1978 she made her pilgrimage to the Baha’i Shrines in the Holy land and then to holy places associated with the founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, in Iran. She attended the dedication ceremonies for two Baha’i temples: in Sydney in 1961 and New Delhi in 1986.
Mrs Giordano, who held a prominent position in Arnotts Biscuits Ltd, had a wide range of interests and was involved with the Association of the Friends of the South Australian Museum and the Field Geology Club of South Australia (of which she was made a life member).
Later she was active in the Australian Retired Persons Association and the South Australian Council of the Ageing.
Lucy married Tony Giordano in 1945 and through that connection made many friends in the Italian community in Australia. Tony Giordano passed away in 1984. The couple had no children.
A memorial service for Lucy Giordano (1915-2007) was held at the Brighton Baha’i Centre in Adelaide.