ROCKFORD—A life-long member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, active community volunteer and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother only begins to describe the many facets of Angelene “Angie” Germano’s vocation.

She is passionate about her Catholic faith, her family, her community and her Italian heritage. For all these reasons and more, Germano was recently named the Italian Gallery Woman of the Year for the Ethnic Heritage Museum in Rockford.

Germano was honored at a reception April 24 for her countless volunteer endeavors.

Germano has served as the president of St. Anthony’s Altar and Rosary Society for the past seven years. Under her leadership, the organization has grown in numbers and in faith.

She was the 2013 Rockford Deanery Woman of the Year for St. Anthony.

She is a 15 year member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters and has served as the treasurer of Court 674. In 2013, Germano was named Fraternalist of the Year by the organization for her outstanding volunteer service to her parish and community.

She is also involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, the Rock River Valley Food Pantry, the Rockford Rescue Mission and has helped to raise funds for the LZ Peace Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Midway Village Museum.

“Bloom where God plants you” is Germano’s life motto and she is always finding ways of helping others.

“Giving back to your family, your church and your community is so important for anyone; but for me, it’s just been the way I’ve lived my life,” she said.

Germano has been married to her husband John for almost 60 years. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.