Viva Spiteri, age 91, of North Branch died February 28, 2019 at Parmly On The Lake nursing home in Chisago Lakes. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 6th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Harris.
Viva Spiteri was born January 10, 1928 to William and Nancy (Hendrix) Moore in Pittsburg, Kentucky. She grew up in Kentucky during the Depression Era and she truly was a “coal miner’s daughter.” Viva was the third youngest child out of 17 children. Although her family was poor, Viva grew up in a very loving family. In her younger years, Viva worked in a bakery and later she worked as a waitress after moving to Detroit, MI. There she met her future husband, Sam Spiteri. They married in 1948 and raised their two children in Riverview, MI.
Viva worked as a waitress for the majority of her working years. She always enjoyed working and serving others. She took care of her beloved husband for 20 years after he became paraplegic from an aneurysm. They were married 59 years when he passed away.
Viva moved to Shield’s Apartment Plaza in 1998. She has lived there for 21 years and loved her friends and neighbors very much. Viva was very active in volunteer work at Family Pathways for 20 years and also with North Branch Food Shelf and North Branch TRIAD. Everyone who met Viva loved her southern accent and her feisty and spunky personality. In 2007, she was voted Chisago County Outstanding Senior and was very humbled by such an honor. Viva enjoyed putting puzzles together, going to bingo, singing at nursing homes with her singing group and cooking for friends and family. But, most of all, Viva enjoyed spending time with her family.
Viva was preceded in death by her husband, Sam; her son, Bill Spiteri of Ann Arbor, MI; and by her siblings.
Viva will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Deborah (Gary) Guse of Harris; five grandchildren, Gary Guse, Jr., Jennifer (Scott) Hemmelgarn, Jody (Todd) Klein, Nami Neilipinski, Osamu (Junko) Spiteri; eight great-grandchildren, Levi, Emily, Zachary, Bradley, Kaylee, Jacob, Carson and Mona, daughter in law, Kayoko Spiteri; and by many other relatives and friends.
The family of Viva Spiteri wishes to publicly thank the staff of Fairview Hospital and Hospice Care, Parmly on the Lake Nursing Home and staff and also Senior Linkage staff of North Branch for all of the care and concern throughout the many years.
Nami says
She truly is as one of a kind and a big ball of love. We will miss her very much. Thank you for a beautiful tribute.
Kerry Johnson says
I Knew Viva well she was one of a kind a great Lady I am greatful and glad that I got to work for viva I would go in and clean her apartment and we had talks and Laughs I will never forget her smile and her hugs 🤗 I will always have them with me I’m glad I got to know her I will miss her dearly but will always remember her
Enita Jeske says
I met Viva when I started working at Family Pathways last year. She would always come find me before she left and give me a hug. I loved her feisty spirit. She was a great volunteer and made us smile. We will miss her. My condolences to the family.
Nancy Hieber says
I send my sympathy to Debby and the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.