Auburn: Nina (Antonina) I. (Santoniello) Zirpola, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 5 ^th , in the Life Care Center of Auburn after a brief illness.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph L. Zirpola in 1979,  her two sisters, Martha Taglialegami and Frances Hamilton and her granddaughter Jessica M. Miller.    She leaves her five children, Donald J. Zirpola and his wife Gabriela of Manhattan Beach, CA; John A. Zirpola and his wife Emily of Charleston, SC; Joseph L. Zirpola and his fiancé Tammy of Amherst, NY; Karen J. Zirpola-Miller and her husband Gene of Charlton, MA and Lisa A. Monfette and her husband Michael of Worcester, MA.  She also leaves her grandchildren, Jennifer K. Colognesi and her husband Anthony;  Nichole Cavanaugh and her husband Shane; Danielle Zirpola; Cameron Zirpola;  Antonina Zirpola;  John Zirpola, Jr. and her great grandchildren, Colin and Ashlynn Cavanaugh.

Nina was born in Buffalo, NY in 1927, the daughter of John and Phyllis (Tabone) Santoniello who immigrated from Sicily, Italy.

Nina was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. Nina married the love of her life, Joseph at the age of seventeen and they raised their family in Tonawanda, NY, where they lived on the same street as her two sisters and their families.

Nina's love for shoes likely began while she was working at a Sattlers department store, where she enjoyed spending all her earnings. She had a flair for the theatrics and always looked forward to participating in their annual talent show.

In 1965 Nina and Joe opened a family restaurant and were known as Mama and Papa "Z" to the high school crowd from Kenmore East Senior High School who came daily for "Cocacola time."

Nina was known for her quick wit and humor. She also could be quite mischievous.   Like the one time she volunteered her husband's car to her sister, Marty, neither of whom had their license for a joy ride.  Upon seeing Nina's husband walking up the street, Marty accidentally crashed the car into a neighbor's house and they both fled on foot to hide at their sister Fran's house.

She also had water wars with her husband, Joe, where they'd sneak up and soak each other with the garden hose.  One night he was waiting outside for her and happened to be under the kitchen window.  Nina filled a pot with water and threw it right outside the window over his head, winning the war that day.

Nina was widowed young and focused on being a devoted mother and grandmother. She was known affectionately as Nani by all her grandchildren.  She helped to raise Jenni, Nicki, Danielle and Nina watching them daily when they were younger.  And she enjoyed spending time with all her grandchildren whenever they were nearby.

Nina moved to Massachusetts in 1984.  She was a devout Christian, voracious reader, eloquent storyteller of her life adventures and loved watching old Hollywood films.  Even in her later years, she filled our days with laughter and love.  She continued to be the life of the party.   You never knew what she might say to make you laugh.

As she got older, she did not slow down, which made it very hard for her daughter Karen to get the high heels away from her after she moved to the nursing home.  She also loved to apply makeup for hours and even after all that time, touch-ups were always crucial.

Nina was lovingly cared for by the amazing staff of Life Care Center of Auburn for the past eight years. They enjoyed her loving ways, quick wit, sense of humor and could often not contain her from running down the halls to hug everyone.    Nina loved every single staff member, including, the aides, nurses, CNA's, activities staff, food service and laundry service staff.   The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the all the staff who is more like family and showered Nina with hugs, kisses and love every day.  We will also forever be indebted to them for holding her hand, praying and singing to her as she went to heaven.

While we will miss her terribly we know that life, if well lived, is long enough. Nina's life was rich with love, laughter and family.

A graveside service for Nina in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kenmore, NY will be held at a later date. There are no calling hours.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.