Our dear sister Andonina Spoto passed away on December 30, 2023, at age 61. She was a West Hills, CA resident, formerly of Rockford, IL. Everybody called her Nina.

She is sadly missed by her sisters, Rose (Angelo) Graceffa, and Josephine Spoto, nephew Gianni (Caterina) Graceffa, niece Maria Lucia (Rosario) Varsalona, great nephew and God-son Salvatore Varsalona, and great niece Giorgia Varsalona. She was well-loved by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Nina was pre-deceased by parents Carmelo and Lucia Spoto and niece Antonella Graceffa.

Nina was born in Aragona, Sicily. When she was 14 months old, the family immigrated to the United States settling in Rockford, IL.

She attended Barbour School, St Anthony’s, and Rockford East High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Illinois University and interned at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Nina was the youngest and cherished by her parents, Carmelo and Lucia, and her two sisters, Rose and Josephine.

Nina loved her family with her whole heart and treated everyone with care and respect.

This is the theme of her life, she greeted everyone with a smile, was open to people as they came, and always looked forward to the next adventure.

She was a sweet little girl. There were few children in our neighborhood so she became a surrogate grandchild for many of the seniors on our block. Nina was friends with everyone. We often found her sitting with our elderly neighbors on their backyard bench, playing cards, eating a treat, or just talking. She played with our neighbors’ grandchildren and was included in outings with them.

Behind what appeared to be a shy smile, Nina was courageous, focused, and determined.

If Nina wanted to do something, she worked on it until the goal was accomplished.

As a teenager, Nina wanted to spend time with her sister Rose in Italy. She found a job and earned money to fund it. Nina spent a summer in Sicily with our sister and our extended family. She got to know and love our aunts and uncles, made friends with our cousins, and came back "Sicilian."

Nina also worked her way through Cosmetology school and became a Hair Stylist. When being an employee was no longer satisfying, she opened Nina's European Hair Design.

She owned and operated Nina's for ten years. She enjoyed working with her staff and made lasting friendships with her clients.

After the death of our father, Nina re-evaluated the trajectory of her life. She wanted to live in a warm climate and decided to expand her interest in nutrition. Her next goal was to complete her college degree to pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian. Once again, Nina quietly worked toward her goal. She continued to work part-time as a hairstylist and also obtained a part-time job in the dietetics department of a local hospital to gain experience in a healthcare facility.

Nina accomplished both goals, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Northern Illinois University accepted the position of Clinical Dietitian at Northridge Hospital, and moved to California.

Nina loved living in California. Josephine and Lucia joined her after a few months and embarked on many great times and adventures. As I (Josephine) remember all our fun together, I realize that everything we did was because Nina wanted to do it.

We traveled from Disneyland to Italy, to New York, and all over California. We saw stage plays and attended music concerts (mostly following Nina’s varied music taste) ranging from Paul McCartney to Tina Turner to Il Volo. We ate delicious food in beautiful locations and generally enjoyed our lives.

Nina suffered a fall on August 5, 2021, and sustained a traumatic brain injury. We stayed close throughout Nina's difficult journey. Nina heard and understood us and we spent time with her every day, Rose via a video call and Josephine in person. Nina fought a difficult battle, overcame several setbacks, and was progressing slowly. We were optimistic that the three sisters could be reunited.

Recently, Nina acquired an infection that she could not overcome.

We miss her acutely, we feel that we were blessed to be able to show Nina how much we loved her and knew that she loved us just as much.

Nina’s journey is ending where it began. Nina and Josephine will reunite with Rose in Sicily. Nina will be buried in Aragona; her memorial Mass will be celebrated in the Chiesa Madre, the church where she was baptized.

It has been a difficult struggle, we are so sad that she is not still with us, but we know that Nina is now free of her body and her spirit can fly. May she rest in peace in the arms of our Lord and the company of our loved ones.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 27 at 4:00 PM at Chiesa Madre in Aragona, Sicily officiated by Don Angelo Chillura.