Nelda (Brun) Leschiutta

NELDA (BRUN) LESCHIUTTA

Age 96 passed into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on New Year’s Day 2019. Born on October 2, 1922 in the small village of Poffabro in northern Italy and raised in the beautiful pre-Alps of Maniago, Nelda immigrated to the US in December 1957 along with her two daughters, following her husband who had immigrated in 1954. Mom approached everything with a smile, a huge heart, and a determination to get the job done. Cooking was her specialty and Mom was well known for her Italian pizza, homemade gnocchi and ravioli, and of course, the wedding soup that took two days to make! Although never obtaining a driver’s license, mom would be waiting on rainy days at the bus stop with the engine purring but only when Dad was out of town. Otherwise, if we needed to get somewhere, walking was the mode of choice and mom always made it an adventure so the distance never seemed so far. Her sewing talents were known throughout the community, having been a seamstress of men’s suits in Italy and later a seamstress at Kobacker’s department store in downtown Canton. Our clothes were the envy of all our classmates – she was our personal designer from sportswear to prom dresses! Selfless and always with a positive attitude, mom loved her job in the cafeteria at Fairhope Elementary School, loving the children and always ready with a hug and kiss for each and every one. She gave out more candy at Halloween than anyone in the neighborhood! Everyone knew Nelda! In her later years, she was a faithful volunteer at St. John’s Samaritan’s Table, serving the needy each week. However, throughout her life, her faith in Christ was the lens through which she viewed the world and her role as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and caregiver. What a role model and inspiration to all who knew her!

Nelda is preceded in death by her husband Virgilio and in Italy, by three sisters and one brother. Nelda is survived by her daughters: Juliana (Fred) Neininger and Claudia (Lorin) Sommers; grandchildren: Stephen Neininger, Erica (Steven) Muhleman, Jordan Sommers, and Dr. Amanda (Dr. Michael) Klapchar; great-grandson: Carter Muhleman; and in Italy by one brother, Rino Brun, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Our deepest thanks to St. Joseph Senior Living, Crossroads Hospice, and to Mrs. Kitty Goodright, a dearly loved friend and caregiver.

Calling hours will be Thursday, January 3, (tonight) 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Stier-Israel Funeral Home, Louisville, OH. A private family funeral will be held on Friday, January 4. Burial will be in St. Louis Cemetery, Louisville, OH. In lieu of flowers, Nelda has requested that all donations be made to The Samaritan’s Table c/o CommQuest 625 Cleveland Ave. NW Canton, OH 44702.

                                                            Stier-Israel Funeral Home            330-875-1414

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