Gina Marie Coccia

Daughter of Audrey Coccia and the late Vincent Coccia, sister of Denise McNicholas and her late husband, Edward McNicholas. Aunt to Ed, Patrick, Sean, Katie McNicholas and Great Aunt to Hazel Grace McNicholas. Gina was a niece and cousin to many extended family members. In addition, Gina was cared for over 25 years along with family by a devoted loving staff, supporter and friend, Natasha Wallace.

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." 

William Shakespeare

Gina first and foremost was a beautiful human being. She was little but fierce and always full of energy. She was a warrior and a peace maker. Everyone who met her fell in love with her. She was a force of nature. If you met her, you never forgot her. She had a great sense of humor, loved life, was sweet, kind, gentle and liked everyone. She always wanted to be on the go, she enjoyed everything from being at a party, family get together, music classes, dancing, planting, cooking, a day out, sitting along the river, going out to dinner or just a ride in the car with her friend, Natasha. If life had been different she may have ended up being the Activities Director on the Love Boat. Life was precious to her, and she enjoyed every minute of it.

Gina had a tough start in life both physically and developmentally but as little and sick as she was, she only tried harder to succeed. She was little but she was fierce. Gina fought, struggled, and faced every challenge day after day, year after year personally overcoming what most people said would never think possible, and she achieved that and did much more. Her struggles took years but did not end there. She was small and frail, but was determined to live and achieve.

Besides those personal challenges as a child with disabilities, she faced everyday systems that should have helped do all in their power to help her but did not. They denied her services, therapies, and education, wanting her to vegetate sitting at home or go into an institution, not something she or her family would ever accept. Gina was a determined soul that was not the life she wanted for herself nor would she accept.

Yes, Gina fought not only for herself during those years but for others to open doors to early childhood programs and education. She fought to see no one was left behind and to see everyone had a chance at life, community opportunity, jobs, friends and their own homes-real lives. Gina was a warrior for rights and freedom for herself and others and she encouraged others to join the fight. Her life was not conventional, her life, in the way she chose to live it drove change and challenged the perceptions of what can be for people with disabilities.

She had great inner strength, resilience, and a mighty spirit. Even near the end when she was fighting desperately for her very life, and that hill was too steep to climb "though little she was fierce" she fought valiantly till the end.

Gina's family will love and miss her dearly. She has been our greatest teacher and the love of our life.

A funeral Mass for Gina will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 11:30am at St. Christopher's Church, 13301 Proctor Road Philadelphia, PA 19116. A viewing for Gina will be held from 10:30am, prior to Mass. Interment will follow Mass at the William Penn Cemetery, Philadelphia.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Gina's name to the following, Vision for Equality or to The Center at Hampton House.