Nina Victoria Zito VanValkenburg, age 93, of Mocksville, peacefully passed away on Monday, December 2,2024, in the privacy and comfort of her North Carolina home. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of family and friends.

"When you think of me, think love." This is how our mother, Nina wanted to be remembered. Her recipe for a peaceful life was that of the love she held so tightly in her heart for husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends.

Nina had such unwavering faith in God, grounded in the love of family. She was motivated and inspired by prayer and making family memories that her children could carry forward with their own families. Her angels collection were her pride and joy she felt they protected her home and family. She believed in miracles, always instilling in her children, "have faith" and "family is everything."

Some of Nina's favorite pastimes included dancing, bowling, and doing crossword puzzles. Her favorite dances were the Jitterbug and the Polka. If our parents were not dancing, they were cooking! As children, watching our parents playfully bicker about who was the better cook was a regular occurrence; our dad's profession was that of a chef. Growing up in the VanValkenburg household, there were always celebrations, a plethora of food, and a multitude of family and friends gathered for merriment and laughter.

Nina loved her family beyond measure. She would beam with pride as she shared pictures and milestones of her family with friends. After the passing of our father, Nina looked at photos and mementos daily. While she had these keepsakes close to her heart, she longed for days gone by, feeling she did not have enough time with her beloved Donny.

Born on December 23,1930, Nina was the daughter of the late Concetta LaPuma Zito and Salvatore Zito. Nina was married to Donald Russell (Donny) VanValkenburg on November 25,1961. Nina and Donny had 52'/2 blessed years of married life. They lived in Terrace Hill Estates until Donnys passing in 2014.

Nina's academic and career life included attending Frankfort-Schuyler Central Schools, Frankfort, NY, and later serving as a telephone operator with the New York Telephone Company. She was a former member of the Telephone Pioneers Club and the Ilion Moose Lodge.

Nina is survived by her children, daughter, Connie and husband, Frank Castellano; daughter, Donna; son, Russell and wife Tammy Hazzard VanValkenburg; daughter, Barbara and husband James Gorman; and daughter, Nancy Grabow and Stephen Frye. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald Russell (Donny) VanValkenburg.

Nina is also survived by many grandchildren, including Frank Castellano III and girlfriend, Christine Kang; Donald Castellano; Dominic Castellano and girlfriend, Emily Bailey; Tiffany Hazzard; Timothy Hazzard, Jr; Alex Smith; Brianne (Paul) and husband Jason Rust; Audrie (Gorman) and husband Christopher Rooke; James Gorman and wife Sydney Gorman; Morgan Gorman; Jacey Gorman; Josh Humphrey, and Cheyenne Humphrey. She is also survived by her great grandchildren; Aarik Castellano; Tatyana Billingsley; Jacob Rust; Alani and Kai Rooke; and Aurelia Sifre.

Nina is also survived by sister-in-law, Rosemary Zito (Paul), brother-in-law, Jerry Smith (Shirley), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, too numerous to mention, but precious to her throughout her lifetime.

In addition to being predeceased by beloved husband, Donny, Nina is also predeceased by her parents, Salvatore and Concetta LaPuma Zito; Donnys parents, Russell and Clarice Morgan VanValkenburg; brother, Jack and Stephanie Zito; brother, Frank and Mary Zito; brother, Bennie and Jane Zito; brother, Paul Zito (Rosemary); sister, Mary and Salvatore DiMartin; sister, Grace and Angelo Cardinal; sisters-in-law, Shirley Smith (Jerry); and Jean VanValkenburg.

Nina and her family wish to thank Ellen Cioch for being so compassionate in her care for Nina while she lived in her Terrace Hill Estates home. Additionally, while living at Terrace Hill Estates, Nina was very grateful for her close friends and neighbors who checked in on her regularly and helped her every day. Nina would like to recognize her lifelong friendship with Anna (Duffy) Pickering and the entire Duffy family, whom she has shared many dear memories. Thank you to Shirley Luckina and family, Jimmy Dunnevant, Don and Gloria Ames, Sonny Briggs, and Danny O'Donnell, for being so thoughtful and helpful. Nina's immediate family will gather privately to honor and commemorate her memory in North Carolina. Her care has been entrusted to Lambert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Mocksville, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider in Nina's honor, a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital as she was an avid supporter of this charity. Spring interment will take place at the Jordanville Cemetery with Nina's care entrusted to Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, Ilion.

www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com