Antonina Maria Saglimbeni

Antonina Maria Saglimbeni passed away in San Jose, California on August 10, 2024, after a four-year battle with breast cancer. “Nina” was the heartbeat of her community, famous for her love-infused cooking that fed thousands of people through her volunteer work and hosting of giant holiday gatherings.

Nina Morganti was born on February 7, 1936 in Messina (Sicily), Italy. Raised during a time of scarcity and instability, Nina learned the value of frugality and the pricelessness of family at an early age. Growing up during the Second World War, she had vivid childhood memories of running to hide in bomb shelters during the Allied invasion of Sicily. It was the poverty in the aftermath of the war that eventually led Nina’s family to move to the United States in 1950 when Nina was 14 years old, landing first in Minnesota. Nina quickly learned to speak English and balanced schoolwork with working outside the home to contribute to her family’s income.

In 1953, the family headed west, moving to Modesto, California. Eventually, it became time for Nina to find a “suitable” husband, so the family went back for a long visit to Sicily, where relatives presented numerous worthy gentlemen for Nina to meet, chaperoned of course. After meeting various suitors, Nina was drawn to one in particular— a handsome, soft spoken medical student named Alfio Saglimbeni.

The two were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in San Jose in 1962, and soon welcomed their first child, Anthony. Maria, Sal, and Phil followed, and Nina became a part of her beloved St. Christopher Catholic Church community.

She eventually became a local legend for her love-infused cooking. Nothing brought Nina more joy than feeding people. She hosted huge family gatherings for every major holiday, and famously ran the kitchen for the St. Christopher Antique Show, along with Soup Supper during Holy Week, and countless other smaller events at the parish and school each year. The St. Christopher Walsh Hall kitchen was named “Nina’s Kitchen” during the annual Antique Show to honor her constant and joyful presence over the nearly 40 years she spent serving and feeding the community. When she wasn’t volunteering, Nina was managing Alfio’s medical practice, making patients feel loved and welcome.

Nina was also a devoted Bay Area sports fan and rarely missed a Forty Niners, Giants, or Warriors game.

Nina’s greatest legacy, however, is her family. Married for 62 years, Alfio and Nina proudly watched as their four children married and gave them 14 beautiful grandchildren, each child uniquely precious to her. She spent all her spare time attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and theater performances. Nina battled breast cancer beyond anything the doctors thought possible and was able to meet her first great-grandchild, Camila Josefina Saglimbeni.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore Morganti and Grace Concetta Morganti, and her brother, Mario Morganti. Nina is survived by her husband Dr. Alfio Saglimbeni; her four children—Anthony (Cindy) Saglimbeni, Maria (Stan) Jones, Salvatore (Bronwyn) Saglimbeni, and Phil (Colleen) Saglimbeni; her 14 grandchildren—Marco (Adriana), Nick, Vince, and Gina Saglimbeni; Allessandra, Natalie, Sofia, and Harrison Jones; Stella, Maddalena, and Luca Saglimbeni; Grace, Ava, and Rose Saglimbeni; one great-grandchild, Camila Josefina Saglimbeni; her brother, Dominic Morganti; her sister Giuseppina “Pina” Tomassi; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews spanning five countries.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Visitation on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a Rosary at 9:30 a.m., at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow Street, San Jose, CA. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 4 p.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2278 Booksin Avenue, San Jose, CA, followed by a Reception at the St. Christopher Gym. The Interment Service will take place on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, with a procession departing from Lima Family Erickson on Willow Street at 9:45 a.m.