Antonia "Isabella" Vitale

Antonia Isabella Vitale was born on August 20, 1920 in the small town of Aspra (Bagheria), Palermo, Sicily in Italy. She was born to Speridione Sardina and Antonina Brunetto and was sister to Guiseppe, Pasquale, and Francesco Sardina.

Antonia met the love of her life Antonino Vitale at the age of 17. They married on December 10, 1938, in Aspra, Sicily. Together they welcomed their seven beautiful children, Caterina, Anna, Vincenzo, Maria, Francesca, Rosetta, and Joseph. Her strong love and admiration for her family was prevalent in all that she did. In 1958, Antonia and her husband Antonino immigrated to America. After moving to Buffalo, New York, the family decided to relocate to the warmer climate of beautiful sunny San Diego. This transition was the ultimate foundation for the Vitale family to lay their roots.

Antonia was a hardworking, humble, dedicated, welcoming and loving woman. Without speaking the English language she was able to secure a job working as a seamstress for five years at Ratners Manufacturing. She was brilliant at managing her money and together with her husband acquired multiple investment properties. She adored her family and looked forward to Sundays where the family would gather together for pasta cu sucu, (which was her favorite meal), Carne arrustuta, homemade bread and always a glass of wine in hand.

Nonna's greatest treasures in life were her seven beautiful children, her 26 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and her 6 great-great grandchildren. As she would always say, "La vita e bella"! What a beautiful life!