Lavinia “Nina” Chiappi

Lavinia S. (Nina) Chiappi, 99, of Wirtz, VA, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2011. Born in New York, NY, on June 19, 1912; she was a daughter of the late Horatio Nelson Sears and Catherine Fagan Sears. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Michael Montagnino and her second husband, Frank Chiappi; three brothers, and four sisters.Nina, raised in New York City, worked as a bookkeeper there for many years. After retirement she taught line dancing in Ocean County, NJ.  She participated in the Ocean County Intergenerational school programs and was a member of many of the local organizations. Nina is survived by a son, Jerome Montagnino and wife, Patricia of Cape Coral, FL; daughter, Jeannette Donnelly and husband, Thomas of Union Hall, VA; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.The family would like to thank Beth Collins of Lakeview Manor Home for Older Adults, for her love and care of their mother over the past several years.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Carillion Clinic Hospice, 390 Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, VA, is assisting the family, 540-586-3443. To send condolences, visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.