Mary Sparano
Obituary Reports the death of an individual, providing an account of the person’s life including their achievements, any controversies in which they were involved, and reminiscences by people who knew them.
Mary Ida Moglia Sparano, known as “Ida” or “Nonna” Sparano, passed away peacefully at 91 years old.
Ida was born on Aug. 6, 1931, in the United States and traveled to Italy where she lived for 18 years. She then moved back to the United States where she lived in New York City and worked as a seamstress, perfecting her stitch and sewing at a high-end store in midtown.
After three years of living and working in New York City, she met the love of her life, Ralph Sparano, through mutual friends. She recalled their first date at an “Italian movie” and the rest was history. After their marriage in 1953, Ida and Ralph moved to New Rochelle, then to the Bronx and Bronxville, where they raised their two children and became grandparents.
During her time on Earth, Ida dedicated herself as a talented homemaker, seamstress and needle pointer. Despite having polio at a young age and Parkinson’s in her later years, she was an incredibly talented and driven woman, sewing through it all, creating impressive quilts and needlepoints and making 5,000 tortellini at a time that were out of this world, not to mention, her lasagna, strawberry shortcake and Italian pizzas, which were mouthwatering.
She poured her heart into being a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, sewing homemade clothes, accessories and quilts for the ones she loved the most. Her greatest pride was her family, who continued to spend time with her until her last days. She will always be remembered and cherished for her love, resilience, creativity and craft. May she rest in the sweetest peace.
Her obituary is written with love by her loving granddaughters, Jenn Sparano and Alyssa Gentzsch, on behalf of Joseph and Lori Sparano.
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