Nina Valda Carta Lizzoli was born on July 14, 1929 in the Bronx, NY. Her biological parents were Iole Carta and Raymond Simeoni. Her parent’s marriage was short lived, and Nina was adopted by her grandmother, Nina Carta when she was a baby. Her biological mother, aunts and uncles became her siblings... they were Iole, Steve, Victor, Mary and Hope. Her Papa was Antonio Carta. Her Papa was a very ill man and spent most of his life in a hospital which left Nina and her Mama together. Times were hard... war, The Depression etc. but love was abundant, and she wanted for nothing.
Nina was raised speaking Italian and English. Italian was spoken in the home. A story Nina liked to share was, when she went to school, she pretended to not speak English. Her teacher sent home a note for Mama to come to school. It was Thanksgiving time. The teacher said, ‘Mrs. Carta, have Nina listen to the radio. That will help her to learn English.” Her Mama replied, “She no speak English?’ The teacher answered, “No”. Mama then said, “When she comes back, she speak English.” Nina loved school, especially art. She skipped two grades and was offered a scholarship to Juilliard School of Music and Art. Mama said no to the scholarship, she wanted Nina to become a secretary. Nina graduated high school at age sixteen.
At age fourteen, Nina worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital helping in the worker’s compensation department. After she graduated high school, she worked at NBC and ABC in various roles until she married. Nina was a beautiful girl. She was told to get into modeling at the Conover Modeling Agency. She was accepted and became a Conover Girl for a short time. During that time, she met Billy Lizzoli. He would become her husband. He did not want her to be a model.
Nina was head over heels in love with Billy. They married on September 16, 1951 at Our Lady of Pompei Church. They started a family. Billy decided to take the NYPD and Port Authority Police tests. He passed both and decided to be a NY/NJ Port Authority police officer. Nina and Billy had four children, Christy William, James Russell, Susanne and Nina Hope. They moved to the suburbs of New Jersey to raise their family. Billy worked for the Port Authority for eighteen years when he was then accidentally injured by another officer in the line of duty. He was hospitalized for months but died as a result of this injury on his 49th birthday.
After Billy’s death, Nina decided to move to Orlando, Florida. Christy, her eldest son, had graduated from college and was working at Walt Disney World when it first opened. Russell, her second child, received a college baseball scholarship in Orlando... so Orlando became their home.
While transitioning to Orlando, Nina would take her family and stay at the Polynesian Resort at Disney World. This became a very special place to her and her family. This is the place where she met her dearest friends... friends that became Family.
Through the course of her life, Nina opened a few businesses. In New Jersey, she opened a small café and boutique. In Orlando, she opened a lounge and liquor store called the Village Fale featuring Polynesian entertainment as well as Jazz. Later, she opened Mama Lizzoli’s... a family-style Italian restaurant. She also got her real estate license and enjoyed that for a while. Nina also wrote a cookbook as a way to preserve her family recipes. The name of the cook book is Old World Italian Recipes.
As time went on... her family grew. All of Nina’s children married and started families of their own. Nina was a devoted Mother and then an adoring Grandma. All of her children lived within two miles of each other. Nina’s greatest source of love and pride is her Family. She has ten grandchildren and seven (plus one any day now) so eight great-grandchildren. Nina lived with her youngest daughter, Nina Hope. All holidays, birthdays and family celebrations were spent together and surrounded by love.
Nina died on May 14, 2019 from complications of pneumonia at the age of 89... just shy of her big 90th Birthday Bash.
She is preceded in death by her mama whom was known as Mamadoll, Nina Carta. Her husband, Bill Lizzoli, her son, Christy William Lizzoli and many loved ones along the way.
She is survived by her three remaining children... J. Russell Lizzoli (Connie), Susanne Penitani (Paul [deceased]), Nina Hope Underwood (Adam), also, her adopted sons, Riki Benioni (Lynnie) and James Vanderbeck.
Her grandchildren, Mele Escobar, Savea Talataina, Paulie Penitani, Jessica Peters, Sarah Lizzoli, Christina Lizzoli-Glover, Devon Lizzoli, Kelsey Lizzoli, Billy Underwood and Nini Underwood. Also included...Tama Benioni, Elijah Benioni and Anuhea Benioni.
Her great-grandchildren, Paul Penitani-Netani, Kinley Peters, Kaycie Peters, (arriving any day... Donut Sprinkles Nina Peters), Nakoa Zeno, Ambrosio Escobar, Nu’u Talataina and Tasi Talataina.
Nina was a blessing to this world. We know she is in Paradise with her beloved, Mama, Husband and Son as well as the rest of her loving family. We miss her but know we will be reunited with her when it is our time. Rest Easy, Mother...you did well.
Funeral Arrangements for Nina Lizzoli:
Visitation: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 from 4:00PM-8:00PM
Woodlawn Memorial Park
400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd.
Gotha, FL 34734
Mass: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:00AM
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
6200 S. Orange Blossom Tr.
Orlando, FL 32809
Burial: Woodlawn Memorial Park at 12:00PM
Luncheon to Follow at MetroWest Golf Club
2100 S. Hiawassee Rd.
Orlando, FL 32835
