Nina A. Sardisco

Nina A. Sardisco, 97, of Rockford, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Born in Rockford, IL on December 10th of 1927 to Frank and Maria (Cicero) Tortorici. She married Peter A. Sardisco on February 18, 1950, celebrating 63 years of marriage until his passing on October 11, 2013.

Nina was fiercely strong and unwavering in her faith and was very active at St. Anthony of Padua Church, serving as their secretary for several years. She also taught CCD, was a member of the choir, lead a weekly prayer group and organized Church fundraisers. Nina was also a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. She was awarded Woman of the Year for the Rockford Diocese in 1996 for her dedication.

Nina didn’t believe in sitting around, so after retiring from the Diocese she worked as a greeter at the Roscoe McDonald’s and remained there through her late 80s. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there.

Besides her faith, family was most important to Nina. She looked for opportunities to bring family together, hosting dinners on Sundays and holidays until moving to Siena in 2016. She loved spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, gardening, decorating for every holiday and baking delicious Italian pastries. She also sang with the Italian Choral group for many years.

At Siena, Nina enjoyed playing bingo, bowling, shuffleboard and became quite the Rumikubes Pro. She often won awards for her participation. She also enjoyed singing in talent shows. The various activities and bonds formed with special friends Claire, Florence, Ann, Tootsie and Annette fueled her effervescent social nature.

Nina had a quick wit and was a bit of a dare- devil (i e parasailing in her 70s), determined to prove that activity was the key to remaining young at heart. Even up to her last days, people would comment on how beautiful Nina was, and she was, but the most beautiful part of her was her soul.

Nina is survived by her loving family; children, Linda Marie Green (Gary Lyons), Diane Campbell, MaryAnn (Mark) Bradley; grandchildren, Erica Lund, Mathew (Kelsey) Kennington, Andrew Kennington; great-grandchildren, Sofia Kloos, McCartney Kloos, Charlotte Kennington, Laynee Kennington, Stetson Kennington; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Peter, parents, brothers; Leonard Tortorici, Mathew Tortorici; niece, Laurie Tortorici and great grandson, Owen.

A visitation for Nina will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 10:00 through 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1010 Ferguson St, Rockford, IL 61102. A Funeral Mass will follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. Final resting place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. To send online condolences and share memories, please visitwww.fitzgeraldfh.com.