Angelina Sardegna

Angelina Lucia Sedita Sardegna ,96, was born in Tampa, Florida who was also known as Mom, Nana, Nanasita and Aunt Angie . She was the fifth daughter born in a family of six where she grew up on Fig Street. She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1935. She married Peter Baio Sardegna in 1939 on New Year’s Eve at Sacred Heart Church in downtown Tampa. Her parents were Luigi and Francesca Sedita born in Sicily and immigrated to Tampa when they were young.

Mom had 4 children, Salvatore, Robert, Antoinette and Diana. She also helped raise three of her grandchildren, Fern, Sambo and Dominic. Her love and devotion for her family was unconditional, always putting their needs first. She was loving, generous, nurturing and compassionate. Even God’s four legged and winged creatures were drawn to her warming compassionate spirit. She may not have wanted those four legged creatures around but they seemed to be drawn to Mom. Especially Precious, the stray cat that adopted Mom and the dogs that her granddaughter , Fern, brought home.

Mom had a very special place in her heart for all children. Anyone that came into her house was greeted with open arms and lot’s of food. Her famous saying was “Mangia, Mangia” and you never left Mom’s house hungry. She lived by the golden rule: “Do unto to others as you would have them do unto to you“ and passed this rule on to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always active in PTA and served as a volunteer Red Cross nurse or as they were called a “Gray Lady” at Mitchell Elementary School.

Before Mom married, she took a job at J.C. Penney’s and continued to help in her father’s restaurant located on Kennedy Boulevard, where she learned to make the best Cuban sandwiches. She left J.C. Penney’s to raise her four children, but continued to help at the restaurant, all while helping our Dad as a bookkeeper in his tile and terrazzo business . In addition, she assisted with her mother’s care when her mother lost her eye sight and also assisted with caring for her father during his illness. After losing both of her parents she returned to J.C. Penney’s and worked there until she retired at the age of 72.

Mom looked forward to working in her garden. She could never pass by a plant without admiring it or even taking a cutting or seed pod. She had a green thumb and whenever a plant needed some TLC, we would give it to Mom and ask her to “fix it” . She would bring it back to us flourishing. She especially loved flowers and enjoyed sharing her garden with others. Homemaking was her gift.

Mom sewed clothes and costumes for her children, grandchildren, and adopted family members. She even made clothes for Diana and Fern’s Barbie dolls and pajamas for Sam and Robert.

Mom also enjoyed cooking especially any kind of pasta. If you ever asked her what she wanted to eat she would say “Do you have any pasta?” Many people tell us they remember the wonderful smell of homemade spaghetti sauce (succo) when they came to our house. She loved to go with the family on the many adventures to different places. She was fortunate to travel with her husband starting with their honeymoon to Miami where they were able to fly to Cuba, with relatives they traveled across the United States, Europe, Mexico and a cruise to no where. Mom’s most favorite thing was visiting with family in or out of town.

Mom is NOT gone: she is in all of our hearts. We love her dearly and know she is with Dad, other family members and friends. Another guardian angel is watching over us.

The family would like to thank the many medical professionals from St. Joseph Hospital Main and North and also Tampa General Hospital, that they never gave up. Their dedication gave our mom six more quality years of life. Special thanks to Dr. Leonard Cosmo, Dr. Fadi Matar and Chris Todd, R.N. Now, you may rest in peace.

Pall Bearers

Sambo Sardegna

Robbie Sardegna

Michael Coscia

Sal Gillo

Sammy Sardegna

Joseph Rametta

Honorary Pall Bearers

Giovanni Sardegna

Dominic Sardegna

Jimmy Mandese

Louis Mandese

Ernest Mandese

Sam Sardegna

Carl Sardegna

Ernest DiFabrizio

Al Sedita, Jr.

Sam Giunta

Louis Giunta

Frank Giunta