Ascension K. "Sige" (Nicolino) Vito

Ascension Katherine “Sige” Nicolino Vito, 94, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, August 6, 2012 at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, from heart complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. Ascension was born on November 30, 1917 in Des Moines to Joseph and Rosina DeFrancisco Nicolino. She was the eldest daughter in a family of seven children. Ascension was a lifelong resident of Des Moines. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church was her parish community.

She married Peter James Vito on January 26, 1947 and they celebrated 40 years of marriage together before his death in 1987. They lived and raised their family with their extended families in the heart of “Little Italy” on the south side.

Ascension graduated eighth grade from St. Anthony’s school in 1933 and later in life went back to earn her GED certificate. Her life was about the importance of education and her goal was to assure that her children graduated high school and had a higher education. Nothing made her prouder than to say her three children were educators. In addition she celebrated with her grandchildren as they went on to attend and graduate from college.

Ascension’s life was defined by work. During the Great Depression she quit school to support the family. She developed her talent as a seamstress. Sige was both praised and teased for being “the perfectionist.”

In 1960 she was hired at Bob Allen Companies, where she worked until retiring after more than 25 years. In 1987 Ascension started working again at Younkers in Valley West Mall. She mastered Des Moines’ bus routes to get there. She never drove an automobile; when she couldn’t get a bus, she had family to drive her. After more than a decade working in the alterations department, she retired again.

She was a dedicated and selfless mother, the bedrock of family life. She put others first; she had an inexhaustible energy to serve her family. Also, Sige knew life was sweet. It was in her character to overload her family, her friends, and their friends with candies and cookies.

Through much of life, Sige was humble and quiet, shying from attention. In her later years she finally began to enjoy the spotlight she deserved. She gave memorable speeches that included autobiographical bits to the delight of all. Sige had a few adages that she admonished all to take to heart and to follow. “Chin up… Eyes open…”

Her caregiver traits persisted until the very end of life, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines. Sige looked outward and ministered in her own calm, sweet way to anyone she could. To her last days she exhibited simple lessons of how to live a life of service.
Ascension Vito’s otherness and uncomplicated living was her gift. It was the faith she lived.

Those left behind to cherish her legacy are her children, Rose Mary (Robert) Pratt, Frank J. Vito and Patricia (Terry) Shinkle; her grandchildren, Kathleen Pratt (Kevin) Loughney, Michael J. (Emily Sickelka) Pratt, Christopher J. Pratt, James Shinkle, Rebecca Shinkle and Brian J. (Jennifer) Vito Menke; her great-grandchildren, Grant and Gracie Menke and Andrew, Emmet and Owen Loughney; her brother, John (Phyllis) Nicolino; her brothers and sisters in-law, Joseph Costanzo, Vickie Vito (Bud) Jordan and Theresa Vito Darr; her DeFrancisco cousins and other extended Vito and Nicolino family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter J. Vito; her parents; her sisters, Josephine “Pep” Cardamon and Catherine Costanzo; her brothers, Dominic, Sam and Cosimo Nicolino; and her great-grandchildren, Nora Ascension and Robert Joseph Loughney.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 13, 2012 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, August 12 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, with a Vigil Service to begin at 6:00 p.m.

Ascension’s children would like to extend a gracious, heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and all the staff at Ramsey Village for the love, care and support they gave to not only their mother but to them as well. The family’s gratitude is also extended to Hospice of Central Iowa. It will never be forgotten.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Anthony Catholic School in Des Moines, IA or Iowa Alzheimer’s Association, 1730 28th Street, WDM, IA. 50266, in remembrance of Ascension K. Vito.

On-line condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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