Dear Nanna,
First and foremost, I will miss you with all of my heart.  I spent a majority of my childhood years away from you and Grandad after we moved to Oregon, but always looked forward to a 10am phone call every Sunday and great times (great food too) when you came to visit us.  I remember the two day drives to your house when we would come to visit during the summer and remember the excitement of pulling in to the driveway, walking in the front door to the smell of snickerdoodles and receiving a barrage of hugs and kisses from you before I could take two steps into the house.  
It is sad that you have left us, but it brings a smile to my face knowing that you are once again with Grandad.  The love and devotion that the two of you taught all of us will have a lasting effect for generations to come.
Love,  Brian

My most personal memory of Aunt Nina was in 1979 when she let me stay at their house in San Diego while I was taking the 3 day CPA exam. She cooked for me and was amazingly sweet and thoughtful to give me a quiet place to study. Her warmth and graciousness made a huge impression on me. What a great woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Mike Preston

Nana,
 I've heared such great stories about you! When Tyler speaks of you his eyes light up and shows a smile that is so big! Especially, when he talks about your cooking, yum! He makes me feel like I've been there and enjoyed every bite! You know Nana, we have never met, but you have a place in my heart! You will be missed.

Nana,
You and Grandad were both very important in the lives of my brothers and I. I will never forget the summer's I spent at your home with Tyler and Eric. I can't think about you without thinking about all the delicious treats you would make for us. It wasn't really about the food though. It was about the love and care that you put into it. The love that you shared with my family and everyone that you meant so much to. You loved and were loved in return and that's what it's all about. Love you.

Thank you to all that have posted such great memories about my nana. She was truly one of a kind. Us Thorpe boys really lucked out being able to spend our summers at nana and granddads. Their has never been an empty stomach in that house. My brothers and me will never forget the diet twinkles... I still try to get my eggs as good as yours, but their always off. I have miss you so much these past years and even more now. You and granddad have meant everything to me in my life. I think about you two always. I am glad you and granddad are back together again. I love you with all my heart nana and will carry all those great memories with me forever. Thank you so much for always being their for me and all those great memories.  I love you nana.

You were so loved by so many and I am so thankful to have met you.  Eric and I will take all of the wonderful memories you have provided and share them often with your great grandchildren.  You will be missed greatly and remembered with a smile.

Nana, 
You and grandad mean so much to me and you always will.  I will never forget spending every summer day at your house while my mom and dad were at work and the glass of warm milk that started off each and every morning.
Whether its, watching you walk the circle in your house for exercise while watching your soapies (as you called them), having a never ending supply of the best tasting home made food ever,the great holiday get togethers, or as Uncle Bob said teaching me to play baseball, I cherish each and every memory no matter how big or small.
I owe so much of who I am to you and grandad and I will never forget that.  
I miss you and I love you so much.

Dear Mom -- You did so much for all of us and we truly appreciate it.  You were my brownie leader, room mother, and back stage mom at my dance recitals. I was always so proud of you and Dad at all the open houses.

When we moved to New York, we had each other while Dad was working.  We baked, watched "soapies", and even tried to walk to the store in a blizzard.  We sledded down the hill across from our house and at the bottom laughed so hard that our stomachs hurt.  Thank you for all those great memories.  But the biggest thing you did for me was help me raise my boys to be the wonderful men they have turned into.  You were there for us always.  I love you Mom, and I've missed you these past years, but now I'm really missing you even more.

Georgina was my Nanna. Growing up, me and my sister, Teresa, were so excited when it was time to go to Nanna and Grandad's house. We couldn't burst through the front door fast enough! I remember the smell, all the combined scents of Nanna's wonderful cooking. The sound of a football or baseball game would be coming from somewhere, but it was the sound of laughter and their voices that put the smile on your face. Nanna displayed so many family pictures in their house. She would tell us about family in Hawaii and Indiana, she had so many good memories and stories to share. What I remember most about their home is the feeling of warmth and the love that they shared with everyone. 
I miss them both. I will continue to share my good thoughts and memories of Nanna and Grandad with my children.

I will always remember Aunt Nina and Uncle Bob during one of their visits to my grandparents (Garl & Mildred) in Indiana.  Carl & I had been married a few years at that time. I remember how lively and fun that house was.  They brought joy and great love...I cannot recall another time when my grandparents laughed so much.  I particularly remember Nina getting after us to drink more water!  And of course Bob chasing the guys out to go for biscuits and gravy!  Her loving spirit will guide us still.  Blessings and love to you all.

As a newcomber to the Sparks family I was so impressed with the closeness of family whether located in San Diego, Indiana, Hawaii, New Mexico and Oregon...and beyond.   Mom and dad could not have been more welcoming.    I could sit at that little kitchen island for hours while mom cooked and dad regailed us with stories full of laughter.  Mom shared her love of cookies through birthday dinners no matter the amount of effort, Christmas cookies galore, Shrove Tuesday donuts, I could go on and on.   

Nina had an unparalled way with plants, bringing Hawaii to her Serra Mesa backyard.    

I had the pleasure of meeting most of of the family and felt an immediate connection.    I was so thrilled to 
 I love you all. 

Leslie

I thought I left a message earlier, but I don't see it posted, so I will try again. I remember staring at a picture of Uncle Bob, in dress uniform, standing by his beautiful bride. I was but a young boy and the picture was on the dresser in Grandma Sparks' 2nd bedroom. News of Aunt Nina's death saddens me, but I just remember what a special woman she was and it makes me smile. Bless you all!

I very well remember walking into Grandad and Grandma Sparks's house and there was this beautiful tan woman, whom I came to know as Aunt Nina that introduced a few Indiana farm kids to "foreign" food and music. WOW !!! May she now rest in peace along side the rest of the Sparks family. I'd be there was some reunion and laughs when she arrived.

I loved your Mom.  She was like a breath of fresh air when she bravely came to Indiana to live with folks she didn't know.  Love and prayers to you all.  Phyllis Preston

Your family has always been special to us. Your Mom was like a movie star as we were growing up. Beautiful and full of life. I know there is much rejoicing in heaven as all our parents are now together again. Hugs to each of you and know you are in our thouhts and prayers. Tim and Jane Adams

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us to go on.  I am remembering all of you and your Mother today.  Bill thought so much of both your Mother and Dad.

A beautiful young woman from Maui moves thousands of miles to a farm in Indiana. That sounds like a movie story line, but it's the story of our Mother, Nina Nobriga Sparks.

Thank you Mother for being an explorer and making our childhood full of great experiences. Thanks for making our military life an adventure instead of a burden and stepping in when Dad was overseas. Thank you for being dedicated to taking care of your family.  We miss you laughing until you cried, and watching you dance the hula while you sang Aloha Oe. We cherish your never-ending love for your grandchildren. I feel very lucky to have you for my Mom. Til we meet again.
Linda

Mom,
Thanks for filling in for dad while he was out to sea.  Thanks for helping me achieve all my cub scout metals, by building bird houses, small field cookers, and even a soap box racer of sorts.  Thanks for the paper-mache and all the things you did to keep us entertained during those long afternoons when it was thought that Polio was caused by playing in the heat of the day.  Thanks from all the males in the family for teaching us to play baseball.  Thanks for helping me to learn to love plants and growing things.  And finally thanks for being my mom.  You were always there for us and I love that you were as big a kid as we were when it came to having fun.  I miss you mom.
Love Bob

OBITUARY

Georgina Sparks

2 March, 1920 – 4 October, 2012

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