Anna "Nina" Distler's Obituary
Anna “Nina” Distler, 89, of East Meadow, New York died peacefully on December 11, 2015 at Brookdale Cypress Lake, in Fort Myers, Florida.She was born June 8, 1926 in Naples, Italy, the daughter of Luigi and Fortuna Longobardi.She is survived by her children, Susan Bicknese (Walter) of Cape Coral, FL; Gary (Kathleen) Distler of Lithia, FL; Robert (Lynda) Distler of Lindenhurst, NY; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jennifer (Kurt) Kamrad and their son Mathias of Pembroke Pines, FL; Deb Bicknese of Brooklyn, NY; Jeff Distler and his daughter McKayla of Waldwick, NJ, and Max and Zachary Distler of Lithia, FL.Nina always had a love of the seaside and the tranquility it provided. Among her many talents was her ability as a seamstress extraordinaire (having come from a family of tailors) who could design and sew just about anything (including her daughter’s wedding gown). She was talented in her culinary skills and could re-create a recipe by just tasting a particular dish.She was a courageous, unwavering and determined spirit.When Nina was an 18 year old Neapolitan, she happened to catch the eye of a young American GI named Bob, igniting what would become a more than 60 year love story. She journeyed across the sea to America as a young war bride, settled in New York, learned to speak English and became a proud American citizen. Nina and Bob put down roots in East Meadow and began a successful roofing business which eventually grew to include their youngest son.Nina was active in her community and in numerous charitable endeavors. She had many friends both on Long Island and in Florida. She was a successful business woman and a loving mother, a cherished grandmother and an adored great-grandmother.She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 62 years, Bob.Memorial services will be held in New York in early January.The Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Nina, and in lieu of flowers, condolences may be left to the family at www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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