Lillian Spina, “Nanny Sunshine” left our world too soon on December 29, 2025. While it deeply saddened us —and we wished we could have held onto her longer — we agree that if she were here today she would say: “You’re only allowed to feel sorry for yourself for 15 minutes.”

Those were her words of wisdom when things weren’t going our way. Embrace those feelings, but move on. Not an easy thing to do when you lose a parent who was a true optimist, who loved with her whole heart, and whose bright blue eyes sparkled when she looked at you or when she laughed — and her laughter was infectious! Especially when she told us stories about growing up with an older brother Georgie and her younger sisters Connie, Tina, and Ruthie. All who have since predeceased Lillian, except for her sister and our dear aunt, Connie.

Born in 1936 to Constance (Connie) Martin and George Schweinfurth in Queens, NY, Lillian remembered her childhood on Putnam Avenue fondly. She often shared memories of good times spent with her siblings, hanging out with her best friend Ann, and learning silly songs at Star Lake camp. She also belonged to the Salvation Army and really did play trombone on street corners as a teenager!

After graduating high school two years early, Lillian took a job as a stenographer for an insurance company and commuted to Manhattan for work. Our mom liked to say she was able to run the office where she last worked whenever the boss was out, and eventually she received her insurance license. It was around that time she met our dad, Thomas (Tom) Spina. They married in 1955 and were together for over 65 years before he passed in 2021.

Her story wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention that my dad’s family was 100 percent Italian, and that my mom learned to cook from his mom, Maria. Mom cooked Italian food so well you would have thought she was from Sicily! Though both were NYC born and raised, my dad convinced my mom to move permanently to the mountains of upstate New York in 1966, where they lived and love in the house he built for us.

Whether pizza on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon dinners, there was always extra room at the dining room table for relatives and friends. Our parents made everyone feel welcome, so we had a lot of drop-in company for dinners. As we grew up, many of our school and college friends also visited on weekends to enjoy mom’s homemade meals — always made with love— and many still remember those days and mom fondly.

In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Lillian helped Tom run a contracting business for many years. She also encouraged us to continue our educations and completed a lot of FAFSAs along the way! She was our cheerleader, proofreader, and our sunshine on dark days. We have felt so much more than 15 minutes of sadness at the loss of this very special lady; you can’t put a number or time stamp on how long you will grieve the woman who brought you into the world and loved you unconditionally.

Surviving family include Lillian and Tom’s children: Lillian Spina-Caza (Lawrence Caza), Thomas Spina, Jr. (Teresa Olsen), Timothy Spina (Lisa Geerken), Roy Spina (Jamie Brough), and Joel Spina (Joanne Millias). Another child, Roy’s twin and our baby sister Carolyn, sadly died at birth. Fifteen grandchildren and 11 great grands have blessed all of our lives — and all because Tom and Lil met those many years ago.

Mom, you loved to go on adventures — and we sure had a lot of fun together over the years! We hope your indomitable spirit has now taken you on your greatest adventure of all. We know Dad and the rest of the family in Heaven have been waiting for you!

A Funeral and Celebration of Life was held at St. Joseph’s Church, 201 Main St. in Worcester on May 23, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.hellerskinnerfh.com, the website of Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester.