Georgina “Cookie” Rodante Spoto completed her journey on earth on January 29, 2021. Cookie was always proud to report that she was born and raised in Ybor City. She was preceded in death by her parents, Delia (Sotolongo) and Louis Salazar, Jr.; the love of her life, Salvatore “Sam” Rodante; her adoring second husband, Paul Spoto; and her lovely daughter-in-law, Corinne Bansuelo-Rodante. Cookie is survived by her children, Gina Barber and husband, Wayne Barber, Angela Rodante, and husband, Steven Hovsepian, Salvatore “Sammy” Rodante, Jr.; also, her beautiful granddaughters, Rachel Wilde, Sierra Rodante, Angelica and Annalise Ochoa, all of whom she was extremely proud.
Cookie went to elementary school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) and attended Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of 1953. In 2014, Cookie was inducted into the Jefferson High School Hall of Fame and she always remained a proud Jefferson Dragon.
Cookie met Sam Rodante at a Saturday dance at Centro Asturiano ballroom in Ybor City. In 1959 she and Sam traveled to Havana, Cuba as part of the Royal Court of the Latin American Fiesta. Sam & Cookie were married in 1960. Sam Rodante passed away in 1993. Six years later Cookie married Paul Spoto; he passed away in 2007.
Cookie was dedicated to promoting non-profit organizations. For 20 years, she worked as the director of the Latin American Fiesta Festival Association. She later worked as the Office Manager of the Tampa Chapter of the American Red Cross. She continued to work part-time into her early 80’s for Swope, Rodante P.A. and Save Tampa History, LLC.
Cookie had boundless energy and worked tirelessly for many organizations that were near and dear to her heart, including Sacred Heart Academy Parents Club, School Board, Council of Catholic Women, and Parish Council. Cookie was also active in the Tampa American Red Cross Angels, and the Tampa Catholic High School Parents Club.
Cookie was incredibly proud of her Latin heritage and the custom and culture of both of her Italian husbands. Cookie served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Centro Asturiano de Tampa and was a member of the Las Damas. Cookie was also a member of the Sons of Italy of America, La Nuova Sicilia Unita Lodge #1251, West Tampa and Ybor City Chambers of Commerce.
Cookie’s most beloved work as a volunteer was with the Ybor City Museum Society. She was a past member of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and received the honorary title of director emeritus. Cookie wanted nothing more than for the Ybor City Museum to last forever so generations to come could enjoy the colorful nature of Ybor that she called home.
Cookie’s family is forever grateful to the staff of The Home Association for loving and caring for Cookie just like family. The difficult road of Alzheimer’s and dementia was eased by their compassion and professionalism. Cookie certainly loved flowers -pink roses in particular- but she would love even more if you wanted to send your love in the form of donations to the Ybor City Museum Society, P.O. Box 5421, Tampa, FL 33675 or The Home Association, 1203 East 22nd Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. Private services will be held for the family.
