Nina Chiapperino

Antonina Chiapperino was born on August 2nd, 1933 in the small town of Bivona (province of Agrigento), Sicily. She was the daughter of Giuseppe and Antonina Fiorellino. Nina was one of six sisters: Melina, Ce Ce, Latiza , Lilly, and Pina.

In 1955, Frank Chiapperino, took the cruise liner the Andrea Doria to visit his grandparents in Sicily. As fate would have it, he met Nina (whose parents were good friends with Frank’s family). They dated and then in April 1956, they married. Seven months later she flew by herself for 24 hours via a TWA flight to New York. It’s in November of 1956 (on the day of her nephew Nick’s birth) she joined her husband the large Chiapperino family in Astoria, New York. She often bragged that her TWA flight certificate was her “diploma”, which she had framed.

It’s here where her sister-in-laws Dorothy and Angie became sisters since her own family was back home in Sicily. Through marriage, she also gained her first brother - Joseph. Anyone that has spent more than 30 minutes with Dorothy, Angie or Nina knows how close-knit they were.

In March of 1958, she gave birth to her daughter Carmela and then in 1961 she gave birth to her son John. She loved and cared for her family, often cooking with her mother-in-law (Carmela). Where they hosted many family dinners and celebrations.

She loved her nieces and nephews: From Dorothy: Rosie, Nicky, and Karen and from Angie: Eugene and Doreen. She also had many nieces and nephews in Sicily that would call her Zia Nini. She spent hours cooking for them- they all loved their Aunt Nina. Like most Italian families, Thursdays were always dinner in grandma’s house. On Sundays, the family gathered together after church to eat too.

As she grew with the Chiapperino family, so did her faith in God. Her mother-in-law was a prayer warrior and the family was a part of the Italian Pentecostal movement. She was later baptized in the Christian Assembly of the Bronx.

The Chiapperino family would travel every summer to Italy. Spending time with both sides of their family. They also grew found of Florida where they bought a house in 1988. As the family grew, she and her husband Frank moved to Manhasset New York where they would spend the remaining of their married life.

As Carmela and John grew older the family grew even more. Nina was blessed with six grandsons. Carmela and her husband (Joseph) had Joseph, John, and Michael. John had Frankie, Johnnie, and Quintin. Nina adored her grandchildren and was known as “Mimma” (Mee-maw). Nina and Frank traveled often to Italy. The family spent summer vacations in Florida.

In 1999, her husband was called home to be with the Lord but she continued to be the joy of the family. She eventually moved in with her daughter and would spend most of her time at the church or with family. Though she had many pets, she adored the family dog cooper. Who would join her in her pink room while she would often sleep in. In the family, she’s known for her famous meals which usually included some sort of pasta or her famous Thanksgiving turkey. She was probably most known for her strong perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Everyone loved Nina’s coffee and any visitor got a cup. One of her famous tag lines were - “No Food, No Celebration”.

More recently, Nina became the family comedian. Often known for her videos posted online (which she did not release was recorded most of the time). She would enjoy spending time with her great-nieces and great-nephews that she adored. In 2018 she gained her granddaughter-in-love Sara. Sara joined the family after she married her grandson Michael. She brought joy to so many people. She always looked her best wherever she went. She would refuse to go anyplace without her hair styled.

Even as Nina aged, she prayed every single night on her knees in Italian. She would always start her prayers with “Thank you Jesus” several times. She was so grateful for the life that she was blessed with. She closed her prayers by praying for protection for each of her children, grandchildren, and family. Always praying for them to grow closer with the Lord. Nina treasured salvation through Christ Jesus. While watching sermons on tv or in person, she said the sinner's prayer every time. Unofficially, she’s been saved over 2,000 times.

The family was so blessed to have 88 years with such an amazing faithful woman. They rejoice and thank the Lord for such an amazing woman of God.

A visitation for Nina will be held Sunday, January 2, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Frederick Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358. A burial will occur Monday, January 3, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Flushing Cemetery, 163-06 46th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11358.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nina's memory may be made to MJV Ministiries, https://mjvministries.com/give; Bellerose Assembliesof God, http://belleroseag.org/give; and Revival Today, https://revivaltoday.com/give.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frederick-fh.com for the Chiapperino family.