Nina...

How does one even begin to write words for someone so amazing? She was a beautiful soul, a heart of gold. Nina had a profound impact on everyone she met. From the tennis shoes and big coats during her walks to the life lessons she taught us all.

She lives on in our hearts and memories. There wasn’t a person who didn’t like being at the front desk of admissions with her. She always knew what to say. Had the best advice, full of endless wisdom. Thank you for showing us the good of a person. You’ll always carry a special place in the hearts of many. Forever fabulous, fearless and loved. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Rest In Peace.

What can I say about a woman who was elegant, smart , funny and always loving.  She loved Hofstra and Hofstra loved her.  We always had our chats about flowers and what to plant and how to plant them.  She put up with my ignorance of gardening even when I had to bring in a picture of my front yard and she laid out what needed to be done.  I loved the day when she got her first phone and we started texting each other from 30 feet away.  She never stopped responding to my texts even when she left Hofstra. No matter how sick she got she always wrote me back.  She was a fighter till the end but she knew that God had her on a path. Nina, no one will ever fill your shoes, I know your the best dressed women in heaven.  Love you..

Many of my closest friends and I worked as Pride Guides in Hofstra Admissions, and anytime the office came up, there was always a conversation about Nina.  Even after graduation, I kept in touch with her by e-mail and occasional visits to the office.  She always remarked about how amazing it was that the "greatest group" was still together and loved hearing about all we were doing in the world.  I recall many times working at the front desk and talking to Nina about the future, watching her spruce up the flowers if they were starting to lilt, and making sure everything was orderly in the office.  She will be missed by so many!

This makes me so sad but also so glad that I had those years with her. She made coming into admissions something I looked forward to and she will be missed by many, many, many people 💔

Hofstra University Alumni 2008, 2010

Nina was a huge part of my Hofstra life. The confidence she had (and instilled) in me, and appreciation for how I went about my students and responsibilities truly shaped me into the educator and person I am today. Being that she came from a similar background, she clearly knew how to motivate and inspire others. Her incredible words, rapport, and regular "you can do it" talks, paid off through graduate school, post-grad studies, and beyond. I don't think I could have pushed myself or advanced, without her advice, candor, or faith. I am beyond grateful for that. After I left the Admissions Office, I would come and visit on occasion, of course talking it up with Nina for long periods, and I cherish every one of those moments. She was truly one of a kind. She saw in others, qualities and strengths that seemed elusive to that individual, and had a way of manifesting those very talents. Nina was a true advocate for children, students, education, and Hofstra. I, and all that ever came across her caring and loving nature, are indebted for that. May God bless her and her family. And, thank you for all that you said and did for me all those years.

Sammy Gergis
Hofstra Staff 2004-2008

I always think of Nina as smart and sassy;  loving and welcoming to all and an inspiration to me to be a better person.  She loved her family above all else...especially talking about her time spent with her granddaughters.  I like to think she lives in all of us who knew her but she will be terribly missed by all.  I will miss you and thank you for everything.

Oh Nina, 
It was always a pleasure to be greeted by you at the front desk at Admissions. You were ever so soft spoken and your fashion was impeccable, I used to tell myself "Look how beautiful she looks."  You always brought a smile to my face. You were truly the Face of Hofstra University.  You will be missed.  Rest in Peace my friend.

Dearest family of Nina - sending sincere condolences to you all.   I loved hearing stories of your family celebrations and milestones, getting to know Stephen and Michael and the girls over the years, her sister Mary and nieces and great nieces.  You all her life and soul.  I always believed Nina was immortal, it was impossible for me to ever pity her through her illness because she was much too  quintessential and it just didn't seem proper.  An amazing woman with more wisdom and grace than I've honestly ever met and I will forever cherish our friendship, her advice, and our memories forever.   I know Nina was welcomed by her late husband and her mom whom I've also grown to know over the years.  Together with Stephen they will all continue to watch over.  God bless.

I worked in Admissions when I first came to Hofstra and Nina left such a special place in my heart such a kind and loving person.  Thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this most difficult time God Bless you Nina rest in peace.

I have known Nina since my freshman year of college (in 1994) and worked with her since then.  She was a big part of how my confidence was built and the wisdom she shared has guided me along the way.  Our hearts and lives have been touched and so many others have benefited by what we’ve learned from her and paid forward.  She will live forever in our hearts!

You Dear Sweet Soul, the essence of what a person should strive to be.  You've touched every life you came in contact with. Always in my heart, I miss you my friend. 


For more than 20 years anyone who entered the office of admission was greeted with warmth, style and grace by our beloved and spunky Nina. If you dared put your feet up on the coffee table or had your shirt not tucked appropriately you would in return feel her eyes letting you know, you were not behaving properly.  
To all of us in admission you were a mother, grandmother and dear, sweet friend.  Dear Nina, this world will simply not be the same without you.  From fashion, dieting, love and friendship advice, you were always there to help us find our way.  I will never know another who marched in Hofstra’s Daisy Chain, and years later wore Cher’s dress with your sole mate.     
If Nina loved you, you were the luckiest person on earth, and today we are all deeply pained by your loss.  There is no better example of a true member of the Hofstra family, student herself, Hofstra mother, and later most precious member of the Hofstra admission team.  Nina said good bye to those of us in admission several years ago, but as she wrote in a letter to me when sharing the news she would not be returning, this was really her last day…I’d like to paint a picture of Nina leaving campus.  

Standing on the staircase in Hofstra Hall, wearing a beautiful gown with tiara, celebrating her retirement, Champagne popping in the background,  Nina  walked down the steps, to all of her adoring friends and family.    That should be our last memory, that should be the imagine in your head, princess wave with blowing kisses.  
We love you Nina, and we are all better people having known you! 
You will forever live in our hearts.


Nina was always helpful and kind. She will be missed...

Nina, 
What a wonderful person you were. Beautiful inside and out. Funny, intelligent and so sophisticated, a tremendous mentor to all of us who had the great fortune of working with you. Thank you for encouraging me in my fight for my son Dillon, his success today is in great measure due to your guidance and example, Steven's  as well. God grant you both peace. Also prayers of strength for Michael and your family. 
Love always, 
Annie 

So very sorry to hear this news as Nina will be greatly missed.  Never have I met such a lovely, beautiful and classy woman who dressed impeccably every single day!  Nina is the face of Admissions that will always be remembered!  Thank you for touching my world as you had and so many others along the way.

Rest in peace.

I have such special memories of working with Nina at Hofstra. We worked in different departments but we would have lunch together every so often.  Nina was always elegant, fashionable and the woman to know at Hofstra. She always had a kind word for everyone and will be truly missed. Sending prayers and my most heartfelt condolences to her family.

This graceful woman was one of my 4th and 5th grade teachers at Our Lady of Lourdes school in Massapequa Park in the mid 60s. We have been in recent contact since I met her sister at my bank and obtained her phone number. I have friends who have worked with her at Hofstra and we all have nothing but glowing memories of her.  She was a dignified and loving individual.

I worked in Admissions at Hofstra during my time as an undergraduate from 2006-2009. I logged countless hours with Nina at the front desk of the Admissions Office and I always looked forward to "front desk duty" because it meant I got to spend time with her. I can't find a way to concisely articulate what she meant to me during those years. After I graduated and moved to my own apartment in Brooklyn to start a grad program, we would email and even in writing, she would pep me up and send me back into the world-that's just the kind of person she was. She meant so much to so many, and I'll always think of her fondly-especially when I cook a new dish or have a moment of "high drama" (what she always called the shenanigans in my life). 

How very softly you tiptoed into our world,almost silently, only a moment you stayed. But what an imprint your footsteps have left upon our hearts.  I worked with Nina at Hofstra. Nina was a lovely person who always had a smile on her face.  Nina you will be missed dearly.

With Love,
Bernadette & Ailish Patterson



My heart is so heavy to have learned this news.  Nina was one of the best parts of Hofstra.  Her smile and grace was something I will always remember about her.  We would laugh often as we ran into each other over and over again food shopping in town.  The world has lost an amazing woman and heaven has indeed gained a beautiful angel.  Sending condolences to her family.  Lynda O'Malley

When someone we love and hold dear to our heart, we know they're in a better place, but our sorrow and pain is still great. The pain you feel, the grief you carry, the tears you cry, the memories you cherish, the comfort you'll need, we share with you.
Praying God will hold you extra close right now and his perfect peace will surround you with comfort and hope.
Nina will always hold a very special place in my heart.
She will always be in our prayers.
With sympathy and love,
Jeannine and Jose Rinaldi
3435 Lufberry Ave.
Wantagh

My sincere condolences. I work at Hofstra and though I didn't know Nina well I remember her beautiful, smiling presence on campus.  I will keep Nina and family in prayer at this difficult time.

I was a Student Ambassador at Hofstra from 2003-2006. Whenever I went into the office, I was always excited to see Nina. As an education major, we talked school, we talked society, we talked family, we talked life. She was one of the most loving, most genuine, most wonderful people I've ever met and I have always carried our conversations and her wisdom with me. I think of her often and will always do so. Nina helped inspire me and she believed in me and in what I wanted to do and be. I'm saddened by the loss of such a great woman but happy that she was able to be a part of my life.

OBITUARIO

Nina B. Ciavolino

17 julio, 1938 – 26 octubre, 2018

James Funeral Home

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