Nedda Sanquinazzi

A Mother’s Love Lasts for Eternity Nedda Sanguinazzi-Ciusa ended this journey on March 21 due to complications from a broken hip and is now soaring with the angels. She was an amazing woman filled with strength, determination, enthusiasm and love. She was born of Italian parents in Alexandria, Egypt where her father worked as a bank interpreter. Her family lost their livelihood during WWII and was forced to return to Italy. Her greatest disappointment came when the war dashed hopes of her attending the university. Learning, languages, teaching and children were her greatest passions. In Italy she married her school friend Armando Sanguinazzi, lived in Genova, and had their only child Maria. At that time Nedda worked at the American Consulate general interpreting in four languages. Always being an adventurer, when the USA opened its doors to Europeans who had lost a great deal in the war through the Refugee Relief Act in 1954, she jumped at the chance to come to America. She regretfully left family and friends to begin a new life with her husband and small daughter. They loved travel and experiencing new locations; living in Buffalo, N.Y., San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Vacaville and finally settling in beautiful Benicia, where Armando was an artist and became President of Benicia Community Arts. Nedda always regretted not completing her education, so she registered for college, completed with an AA and walked in the graduation ceremony. This was one of her proudest moments. She became a teacher of French and Italian languages at a private elementary school where she worked for over 25 years, combining her love of children and languages. One of her greatest joys was her granddaughter Katrina, who was the light of her life. Nedda also had an uncanny way for making friends. She had a sparkle and a true interest of people of all ages; making lasting relationships with people she met everywhere. When Armando passed in 1984 she was fortunate to meet yet another life love, Italo Ciusa from Milan, Italy. They had a romantic relationship via letters for over a year. The Benicia Herald even published an article called "Love at First Write" about them. They were married in 1990 and lived happily in Benicia until he passed in 2001. She has been the light of our lives; a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who will be baby Ethan’s guardian angel. She is survived by her daughter Maria McCullough (John Furtado) of Benicia, granddaughter Katrina McCullough, great grandson Ethan of Long Beach, and brother Manlio Vais of Long Island, N.Y. A Catholic Prayer Service and Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 27th at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West Second Street, Benicia. Burial will be in St. Dominic's Cemetery, Benicia. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Arts Benicia - 991 Tyler St. Benicia. # 114. Checks should say "Sanquinazzi Scholarship of Nedda Sanquinazzi Memorial Fund and made out to Arts Benicia. Folks can also donate as well through the front page of our website, making sure to type in "Sanquinazzi Scholarship" or Nedda Sanquinazzi Memorial Fund.

Nedda Sanquinazzi

April 25, 1925 - March 21, 2013