Costanza "Nina" Durnin

Costanza (Nina) Cava Durnin, of Copiague, L.I., passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2026, at the age of 98. She had a full life, characterized by hard work, family, friends, and lots of love.

Nina was born in Bari, Italy to her late parents, Nicola and Vita Michela (nee Pontrelli) Cava on February 26,1928. She was the fifth of seven children and was a very successful student who won city-wide academic competitions. As a child, she fondly remembers going to concerts in the city center with her father. After her education, Nina was trained as a tailor in Italy.

In 1943 she met her future husband, Bill, a soldier with the British Eighth Army who was stationed in the port of Bari during the war. He learned Italian quickly so that he could communicate with her, and they kept up a lively relationship and correspondence. In 1946, Bill returned to Bari to marry her, and he brought her to live in his hometown of Aberdeen, Scotland. Nina and Bill had three sons while living in Scotland, and she often described it as one of the happiest times of her life.

In 1958, the family moved to Copiague, NY to be near her siblings and create a brighter future. The family was made complete in 1960 with the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth. They moved into a brand-new house, and eventually Nina and Bill started a very successful business.

Nina continued to be creative, making clothes for friends and family, growing her vegetable garden, cooking for friends and family, and enjoying her grandchildren. Her kitchen door was always open to all, and they knew they would be greeted with coffee, homemade biscotti, or a full meal. Nina and her husband enjoyed many trips to Italy, Scotland and Canada. They also went on many trips with their wide circle of friends. During the winter, they spent their time in Florida with family and friends.

She is survived by her children - Douglas (Patricia), Alan (Ellen), and Elizabeth (Scott). Also surviving are her grandchildren -Jeffrey Durnin, Andrew (Suzanne) Durnin, Jonathan Durnin, Michael (Julianne) Durnin, Amanda Siegel, Ruby Siegel, Alexander Siegel and great-grandson, Michael Anthony Durnin. In addition to her parents, Nina was predeceased by her son, William Cava Durnin, and her husband of 75 years, William A. Durnin.

We will always remember Nina for her kind and giving nature, her endearing one-of-a-kind Italian-Scottish accent, and her love for family, community and friends, both lifelong and new.

Family and friends will gather at the D'Andrea funeral home in Copiague for visitation on Monday, November 2nd from 10 am until 1 pm. A religious service will take place at D"Andrea at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at Pinelawn Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Copiague Fire Department , 320 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726.