Virginia "Nan" Savarino

Virginia “Nan” Savarino, of Port Arthur, Texas, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at Cypress Glen Nursing Facility in Port Arthur. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 19, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6:00 p.m. at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 20, 2011, at St. James Catholic Church with entombment to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.

She made her 90th birthday on Saturday, August 13, 2011. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and Port Arthur College of Business. Nan was a lifelong resident of the area and a member of the Iota Iota Chapter Beta Sigma Phi.

Over the years, she worked for Franklin Dress Shop, downtown Port Arthur, Standard Brass and then started her career with the City of Port Arthur in October 1952. She retired as Senior Clerk in the Water Accounting and Collection Water Utilities Department in March 1984. At that time, City Hall was located in the 200 block of Lakeshore Drive.

Nan was very busy even after retirement. Making her family her first priority, she then volunteered at St. James Catholic Church and St. Mary Hospital Pastoral Care. She was also involved with the American Italian Heritage Club and instrumental in getting this organization started. As a charter member, she helped put together the American Italian Wall located at the Port Arthur Library, also gathered information for an Italian Book listing many area Italian families and their heritage. She will be missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Lena Montalbano Savarino; her sister, Margaret Trahan and her brother, J.P. Savarino. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Savarino Elizondo and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be nephews; George, Lance, Garrett Elizondo, Phillip, Sal, David Savarino. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joey and Ryan Elizondo, Pete Anselmo, Eldridge Barrilleaux, James Redd and Donny Moscarelli.

The family wishes to send special thanks to the staff at Cypress Glen, 500 Hall, for the exceptional care and kindness that was given to Nan in her time of need. Also, thanks to Odyssey Healthcare for their help in caring for her in her last moments.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bob Hope-Hughen School Center, 2849 9th Ave. Port Arthur, TX 77642.

For those unable to attend services, please sign the online guestbook at www.grammier-oberle.com.