Nancy Cardello

In Loving Memory of Nancy

When I think of my sister Nancy, I can’t help but think about how much her family & friends meant to her.

Forty-seven years with her husband, Ron. And if we know Ron, we know Nancy was a saint! People said it wouldn’t last—but boy, were they wrong! The truth is, or as Ron says “that being said” Nancy was the love of Ron’s life, and he was the love of hers. Ron always made sure my sister had everything she needed, and together they built a beautiful life surrounded by amazing people.

When Nancy talked about her sons, Ronnie and Alex, she spoke with such love and pride. Her boys opening Cutty’s was one of her greatest joys in life. She was so proud of them for believing in their vision, seeing it through, and kicking butt along the way! That journey will only get bigger and better, and from her beach in heaven, she will be watching over them and making sure of it.

She was blessed with two beautiful “daughters” when they stole her boys’ hearts. Fernanda and Elaine became the perfect additions to her growing family. They loved to cook with Nancy, loved her boys, and loved Pop Pop too. Her family was complete.

And then there were her grandchildren—Marco, Mila, and Lilly Bug. Nancy’s stories about them were always told with pure joy. They were her love and her light in this world. She was also so excited about her newest grandson, who will be the greatest gift to her family this Christmas. I know she will be watching over him and all of them with that same fierce love she gave to everyone she cherished.

Nancy loved hard, fiercely, and loyally. Everyone came before herself. She was truly selfless.

I know this because, throughout this entire journey, she continued to protect me—her baby sister. Even though she was the baby sister to Michael, Paul and Suzie!  She was always looked up to!  We’ve had our ups and downs, but you can’t find truer sisters than the Rhodes sisters. Fierce and fabulous! At least that’s what we thought. Some might disagree!

Our love language was food. We loved to cook together, eat together, and feed the masses. I will miss her most in the kitchen—those meals, the music, those conversations, and all the love that somehow always found its way onto the table.

Nancy was one of the toughest women I have ever known, with the exception of our Mom, Tess. We shared the words:

“Strong women. May we be them. May we know them. May we raise them.”

And Nancy was certainly one of those women.

If you were lucky enough to know Nancy, you were blessed. She had a way of stealing your heart and leaving you better for having known her.

Some people come into our lives for a short time and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. Nancy left footprints everywhere she went. We were all changed for the better because she loved us.

Her laughter, her stories, her loyalty, her strength, her love of family, and especially her huge heart will live on in all of us.

So, live on in heaven, beautiful Nancy. Watch over your boys, your beautiful daughters, your grandchildren, Ron, and all of us who love you so deeply.

Until we meet again, Nancy…

We love you more than the waves in the ocean and the sand on the beach.