Elena (Villarreal) Spinabelli's Obituary
At age 93, Elena passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on December 4, 2021. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Luigi Spinabelli, and brother-in-law Lodovico Spinabelli. She is survived by her three loving daughters, Rina (John) Edwards, Rosa DeFelice, Rita (Maureen) Spinabelli. Proud grandmother of Amy (Chris) Wyatt, Erin (Darren) Schumacher, Jacob Edwards, Italia, Olindo, and Elena DeFelice; great-grandmother of Dylan, Julia, Gwen, Logan, and Beau, all of whom brought such joy to her life. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Mary Spinabelli, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Elena was born in a small village in Guarare, Panama. From simple beginnings, she arose to pursue her dream of a nursing career. She was an International Foreign Exchange student who immigrated to the U.S. and was a Frontier Nurse practicing midwifery across the Kentucky mountains. Elena went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Nursing, with a specialty in Obstetrics. After much pursuit from an adoring and persistent Italian immigrant, Elena married the love of her life, Luigi Spinabelli in 1957. Elena and Luigi were very proud of their roots and kept their culture very much alive while dancing through life together. She devoted her life to raising her three daughters and supporting her husband as he grew the family business, Parma Sausage Inc. in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Elena was a woman of elegance and grace. Elena’s joy was all about her family and good friends. She was a natural cook whose movements in the kitchen were both effortless and tranquil. Everything she did was with an abundance of love. Burial will be private for the family only at this time. In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Elena’s memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.jeffersonmemorial.com.
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