Giovannina Franchi

Giovannina Franchi (24 June 1807 – 23 February 1872) was an Italian Roman Catholic professed religious and the founder of the Suore Infermiere dell'Addolorata. Franchi was engaged for a brief period of time and the death of her fiancé prompted her to review her life and what her religious convictions were telling her to do; she had been involved in countless charitable works in the past and so dedicated herself to the care of the ill. Her order became tasked with aiding the ill across Como, and the smallpox epidemic in 1871 thrust them into action, later claiming Franchi's life.