Vitina Marie Spadaro

July 19, 1926 - October 17, 2021

Our beloved mother Vitina Spadaro passed away peacefully at her home on October 17, 2021. She was 95 years old. She was born on July 19, 1926 on the Island of Marettimo, Italy and was the only child of Giuseppe and Giovannina Spadaro.

In 1936 when she was 10 years old her father who was already in America called for her and her mother to come join him. Once in Monterey she attended school to learn English and graduated from Monterey High School in 1945.

During World War II, Vitina and her parents were forced to move to Salinas because her mother was not an American citizen, and considered an enemy alien. During this time, her father was also forced to give up his fishing boat to the American military. After the war her family moved back to Monterey and years later she retold her story to author Stephen Fox for his book the “Unknown Internment.” This book is about the history of the relocation of Italian Americans during World War II.

On April 27, 1946, she married her devoted husband Giuseppe A. Spadaro and was married for 72 years. Together they raised four children. She was a full-time homemaker and made her family her number one priority. Vitina was a devoted Catholic and had taught Catechism from her home. She was smart when it came to finances and business which led her to her other passion, real estate. She enjoyed camping with her husband and friends, going on cruises with her family, and family holidays and gatherings.

Vitina was a member of the Santa Rosalia Festival for more than 70 years. Her involvement began when she was a little girl riding on the Santa Rosalia float dressed as an Angel. She along with her husband Joe and numerous other people helped design, build and maintain the float for many years. Her commitment to Santa Rosalia was her way of honoring her culture.

Left to honor Vitina are her children, Gasper (Diane), Antoinette Crivello (Sebastian), Joanna Napoli, Giuseppe (Elizabeth), her 11 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great, Great Grandchildren.

She will always be loved, remembered and missed by all that knew her.

The family would like to extend their thanks to her caregivers and to Hospice of the Central Coast.

Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the Central Coast.

Due to COVID, a private service will be held for only immediate family.