Ascension K. "Sige" (Nicolino) Vito
August 06, 2012
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
Alice & Chuck Punelli
08/14/2012
We are so sorry for your loss.
Your mom was such a special lady.
We regret we were out of town and unable to attend the services.
Our love and prayers are with you.
Alice & Chuck Punelli
Karin Strand
08/13/2012
I am sorry for your lose. My mom, Dorothy Kendall, was Sige roommate at Ramsey. Dorothy passed away exactly 1 month before Sige. I would sit with my mom at the dinner table along with Sige. They were both a stubborn pair. May your loving memories of Sige be a comfort to all of you.
Liz Tucci Calisesi, Fort Dodge, IA
08/12/2012
Your mom and dad were very, special to our family, especially to our parents. Our mother always looked forward to the birthday party celebrations that your mom and the other ladies would share. It was nice when we would get to see Sige while visiting with our dad at Ramsey. May warm memories comfort all of you, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Liz & Family
Frank Viola
08/12/2012
Great Lady married to agreat man together again
Tony & Linda Bordenaro
08/10/2012
Dear Cousins Aunt Sige was a very special lady. We will miss her fun loving ways. Our Prayers & thoughts are with you always God Bless. Love, Tony & Linda & FAMILY
NOAH LACONA FAMILY
08/10/2012
OUR FAMILY CERTAINLY REGRETS THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER. MY MOTHER,THERESA OFTEN PICKED DANDELIONS DURING THE DEPRESSION WITH HER AND SIGE MADE SUCH WONDERFUL BREAD.YOUR MOTHER ALWAYS HAD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND TWINKLE IN HER EYE, SHE WILL BE MISSED. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS SAD TIME. OUR SINCEREST SYMPATHY FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS. NOAH AND FAMILY
Suzi Fogarty
08/10/2012
Rose Mary & family - from the entire Fogarty clan, we are saddened by your news. Sige was a dear lady who will be remembered fondly and often by us all. Please know Sige and all of your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
JoAnn & Joe Furay
08/10/2012
What a wonderful tribute to your mother and grandmother... and all other loving members of your family.
Sige was a woman to celebrate... and so you should. It is always difficult to lose someone you love so. We hope those past memories are the most vivid for you! And, if they are not now, they will be one day.
Love, JoAnn & Joe
Sue Host Atkin
08/10/2012
Patty,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember picking you up at your house on Dunham and there was always a big pan of peppers cooking on the stove. Your mom would give us last minute directives on being safe. My sincerest sympathy to you and your family.
Janice Yori Edmondson
08/10/2012
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
judy schweikart
08/10/2012
Rosemary, my thoughts are with you. I will never forget your Mother at your wedding! She was a wonderful lady.
Jim Cavanaugh
08/09/2012
We are sorry for your trouble,but glad to have known her and her wonderful family. What a great lady!
Shirley Brown
08/09/2012
I am so sorry for your loss Frank and family. I know she was a wonderful lady and will be missed very much. My prayers are with you
Dominic Tucci
08/08/2012
My Heart goes out to your family.
Frank (Cuz) Your Mom was a wonderful person & my Mom always had a special place in her Heart for her,
Love, Dominic