Nelva Gloria Canepa Smith, born October 13, 1920, entered eternal life on February 21, 2017. She is a first-generation American born at St. Mary's Hospital in Reno, Nevada to Angelo Canepa and Rachele Massera Canepa. She married Virgil Smith in August 1942 and they shared 53 years of marriage.
She lived most of her life in the Reno/Sparks area and graduated from Sparks High School. A couple of her elementary school years were lived in the town of Boca when the reservoir was used as part of the Union Ice Factory, where her father worked.
Nelva was working as a secretary and met Virgil when she frequented Colbrandt's Lounge for lunches. As the owner, he started comping her meals in an effort to win her heart! Virgil was one of the gaming pioneers in Reno when the town was comprised of trendy clubs. He went on to be the owner of many well known establishments and real estate during Reno's rise.
Nelva and Virgil had two sons to whom she was devoted and loved tirelessly. She never missed any of their various activities, supporting them in all things. She actively participated in her grandchildrens' lives and rearing as well. She leaves a legacy of having an open door to her loved ones and caring for them regardless of circumstances. Nelva, affectionately known by everyone as "Nana", was a caregiver through and through.
In the midst of raising her sons and grandchildren, she cared for over twenty dogs, worked as a Pink Lady at St. Mary's Hospital, was a founding member of the Emblem Club, and a member of the Sons of Italy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Smith (1995). She is survived and dearly loved by sons, Ted Smith (Marjean) and Dennis Smith (Nina); grandchildren, Lance, Chad, Paige, Jason, Tyler, Travis, Casey; and great-grandchildren, Cody, Connor, Taylor, Evan, Jenna, Sofia, and Haylee.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., viewing at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 4th, 2017, at Walton's Funeral Home located at 875 W. 2nd St., Reno, NV. Entombment at Mountain View Mausoleum and reception immediately following.
Special thanks to the caring staff at Brookdale Memory Care in Reno and Kindred at Home Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Nelva's name to Nevada Humane Society, 2825 Longley Ln., Reno, NV 89502.
If you would like to express your condolences or share a special memory, please visit the Book of Memories at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, 2017
Nelva Gloria Canepa Smith, born October 13, 1920, entered eternal life on February 21, 2017. She is a first-generation American born at St. Mary's Hospital in Reno, Nevada to Angelo Canepa and Rachele Massera Canepa. She married Virgil Smith in August 1942 and they shared 53 years of marriage.
She lived most of her life in the Reno/Sparks area and graduated from Sparks High School. A couple of her elementary school years were lived in the town of Boca when the reservoir was used as part of the Union Ice Factory, where her father worked.
Nelva was working as a secretary and met Virgil when she frequented Colbrandt's Lounge for lunches. As the owner, he started comping her meals in an effort to win her heart! Virgil was one of the gaming pioneers in Reno when the town was comprised of trendy clubs. He went on to be the owner of many well known establishments and real estate during Reno's rise.
Nelva and Virgil had two sons to whom she was devoted and loved tirelessly. She never missed any of their various activities, supporting them in all things. She actively participated in her grandchildrens' lives and rearing as well. She leaves a legacy of having an open door to her loved ones and caring for them regardless of circumstances. Nelva, affectionately known by everyone as "Nana", was a caregiver through and through.
In the midst of raising her sons and grandchildren, she cared for over twenty dogs, worked as a Pink Lady at St. Mary's Hospital, was a founding member of the Emblem Club, and a member of the Sons of Italy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Smith (1995). She is survived and dearly loved by sons, Ted Smith (Marjean) and Dennis Smith (Nina); grandchildren, Lance, Chad, Paige, Jason, Tyler, Travis, Casey; and great-grandchildren, Cody, Connor, Taylor, Evan, Jenna, Sofia, and Haylee.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., viewing at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 4th, 2017, at Walton's Funeral Home located at 875 W. 2nd St., Reno, NV. Entombment at Mountain View Mausoleum and reception immediately following.
Special thanks to the caring staff at Brookdale Memory Care in Reno and Kindred at Home Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Nelva's name to Nevada Humane Society, 2825 Longley Ln., Reno, NV 89502.
If you would like to express your condolences or share a special memory, please visit the Book of Memories at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, 2017
Inscription
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother & great-grandmother
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
