Antoinette Luse

Nina was a second-generation Italian immigrant, born to Michael and Sara Balducci on October 15, 1934, in New York City. She spent many of her formative years in New York, alongside her three siblings. Her earliest ambition was to become a social worker. During a brief marriage, she had two sons. She later relocated to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where she married her husband, Roger.

She assisted Roger in running a printing business, Luse Photo Print, Inc., which she continued to operate after his death. She also played a major role in the community, being awarded Citizen of the Year and sitting as the Secretary of the Board for the St. Pete Beach Chamber of Commerce. She was always a hard worker in her pursuits, and prided herself on her work ethic, saying that one of her proudest accomplishments was “entering a work area, not knowing anything about the business, and making a success of that particular career.”

She was quite social and enjoyed surrounding herself with friends and loved ones. She was passionate about opera, dedicating much of her time in later life to the St. Petersburg Opera Guild. She cared deeply for animals, donating to various organizations centered around conservation efforts and animal rescue. She had many pets over the years and enjoyed the last six years of her life with her cat, Waldo.

Nina Luse was preceded in death by her siblings; Domenick Balducci, Mary Borries, and Rose Bianchi; her son, Richard Luse; and her husband Roger E. Luse. She is survived by: her son, Michael Luse; her grandchildren (and their spouses), Jacob (Waew) Luse, Benjamin Dwyer-Luse, and Amanda (Alex) McLeay; and her great-grandchildren, Marie Luse, Lillian McLeay, Vivian McLeay, and James Logan McLeay. Waldo has been compassionately rehomed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Petersburg Opera Guild. A simple memorial service is planned for April 10th at 3:00 pm at Beach Memorial Chapel in St. Pete Beach, followed by a private gathering for family at her home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beachmemorial.com for the Luse family.