Memorial Mass Saturday, August 29, 1:00 PM
Sparano, Nancy Ellen (Massari) born October 5, 1963 to Barbara and James Massari in New Haven, Connecticut, passed away on August 8, 2020 after a courageous 3 1/2 year battle with brain cancer. Nancy joins her mother Barbara Massari [2017], mother-in-law Carmella Sparano [2019] and father-in-law Mario Sparano [2010] in heaven. She leaves behind to cherish her memory; husband, Mark; daughter, Evalena; son, Kaden; all of Edina MN; her father, James A. Massari; brother, James P. (Marie) Massari, both of Seymour, CT; sister, Lynne (Paul) Lesiw of Monroe, CT; sister, Cheryl (Joe) Dempsey of Oxford, CT; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless loving friends. She is also survived by many loving members of the Sparano family.
Nancy grew up in Seymour, CT and graduated in 1981 from Seymour High School. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Haven in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. Nancy completed her Dietetic Internship at Danbury Hospital and became a Registered Dietitian in 1991. During that time, she also studied Public Health Education and received her Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Nancy was awarded "Emerging Dietitian" from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (Connecticut Chapter) in 1992. After completing her internship, she stayed on to work in the Danbury Hospital Nutrition Department until 2000.
Nancy then moved to the United Kingdom and studied Health Informatics at University College London. She repatriated to the USA in 2002 and married the love of her life, Mark. They had two children Evalena (2003) and Kaden (2005). The new family settled in New Canaan, CT. Career opportunities took the family to Sewickley, PA in 2006 and Edina, MN in 2010. Nancy was very active in her children's lives, volunteering at their schools and attending countless sporting events and dance competitions. She kept family traditions and at the same time created new memories for her family. Nancy was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, MN, serving in their faith formation and hospitality ministries.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Connecticut. Private interment at Mountain Meadows Cemetery in Seymour, CT. Private services will also be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, MN at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Nancy's memory to the Givens Brain Tumor Center c/o Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Mail Route 10105, 800 E. 28th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
The Miller-Ward Funeral Home, 260 Bank St., Seymour, has been entrusted with the arrangements. To light a virtual candle or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.millerwardfuneralhome.com.
