Mrs. Nina Marie Lamanno-Auker

Nina Lamanno-Auker danced her way through heaven’s gates on September 7, 2013. She fought Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for the last 4 ½ years. From the onset of her diagnosis, she took the opportunity to educate her hospital co-workers, caregivers, family, friends, and her community about caring for those with ALS. She lived with this disease showing strength and courage, and always with a smile for everyone. She was born on September 12, 1957 in Manhattan, New York City, NY. Her parents were Lydia Conforti Lamanno and Ignatius Lamanno, who have both preceded her in death. She grew up with her sister, Ginny Lamanno Hayworth in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, Vail’s Grove, NY and Atlantis, FL. Nina knew she wanted to be a nurse from an early age and earned her Registered Nurse (RN) degree from Palm Beach Junior College in 1977, her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) from University of South Florida in 1979 and began her nursing career at Doctors Hospital in Lake Worth, FL. She became the “very lovely” wife of Matt Auker in November 1985 and moved to Maitland 9 months later and also lived in Winter Park and Altamonte Springs. She worked at Lucerne Medical Center as a Nurse Educator and then became the Director of Education for the next 16 years. During that time Nina gave birth to Amanda Lee in December 1990 and Tyler Mathew in November 1992. The family moved to Louisville, KY for 2 years where Nina continued her nursing career at Baptist Hospital. Upon returning to Central Florida and Altamonte Springs, she was a Nurse Educator at Central Florida Regional Hospital, founded along with her husband Matt, the local office of Comfort Keepers, a private duty Home Health Agency in August of 2001, and was on the Intravenous Therapy Team at Florida Hospital Orlando until July, 2013. Although her nursing career was second to her family and friends, it was an integral part of her life. Her achievements were many including being a founding member of the Central Florida Chapter of the Intravenous Nurses Society. Most recently, she was one of 5 nurses in the United States to receive the 2013 Nurse’s Choice Award for Excellence in Nursing from Tangent Medical. Nina has been a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church since moving to Central Florida in 1986. Her unwavering faith was demonstrated through her love to family and friends. She truly sacrificed anything for her family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Nina was always giving of her time, her love, and her energy to anyone in need. Throughout her life, Nina touched the lives of so many people. She couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone she knew, even when she went to Europe on a family trip or walking down the street in New York City. Nina was a truly inspiring woman to know because she never let ALS get the best of her. She was always finding new and inventive ways to accomplish everyday tasks but she definitely never shied away from a dance floor, even if she was the only one on it. Nina will be missed greatly and will most certainly not be forgotten. If she has it her way she will always find a way to make sure her loved ones know that she is always watching them. Truly an angel to watch over us forever. *************************************************** A gathering of family and friends will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church Wednesday, September 11, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 6:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary Magdalen Church on Thursday, September 12that 11:00 a.m. (her 56th birthday), followed by a Celebration of Nina’s life at the Parish Life Center. Nina requested that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the ALS Association of Florida in her name or the name of her walk team, Nina’s High Rollers. They can be contacted at www.alsfl.org or at 813-637-9000 Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. (407) 695-CARE(2273).

Mrs. Nina Marie Lamanno-Auker

September 12, 1957 - September 7, 2013