Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

January 20, 1938 - March 1, 2016

To love another person is to see the face of God.

Elvina Rose (Marino) Nicola was born on January 20, 1938, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. She was raised by Theresa and Joseph Marino, in a loving and happy household, with her sister Joyce and brothers Joseph, Jr. and Ronald. She grew up in the Hill District, Brookline, Beechview and eventually Brentwood, where she graduated from high school in 1956. There, she sung in the choir and made many life-long friendships.

After graduation, Elvina began working as a secretary for Gulf Oil Corporation, where she was chosen to be Miss Gulf Oil in 1958. She worked at Gulf Oil in downtown Pittsburgh for nearly a decade. Later, she worked as Brentwood's Borough Secretary for almost 20 years, from 1984 to 2004, and she was loved by everyone who knew her.

Elvina loved to dance, often at the Linden Grove in Castle Shannon, where she met her lifelong partner Edward R. Nicola, Jr., whom she married on June 23, 1962. They enjoyed almost 54 years of marriage together, and they raised two children, Edward and Nicolette. Elvina was a devoted and energetic mother and a loving wife.

She became a grandmother in 2001, and she embraced that role with more enthusiasm than ever. She adored her two grandchildren, Ian Andrew and Elena Caroline, and she was an active and fun-loving grandmother who volunteered at and attended sports events, music concerts and school activities.

In 2004, she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, fought it, and went into a miraculous ten year remission. During this time, she spoke with cancer patents and those who were battling illness, and she inspired many people to keep fighting and thinking positive thoughts.

Elvina loved God and felt his presence in her daily life. She was a lifetime member of St Sylvester's Parish in Brentwood, PA, and she enjoyed her weekly Bible Study group immensely.

Elvina was a skilled cookie maker, terrific cook, and her friends and family thought of her pies as the world's best.

In 2014, when her cancer returned, she continued to battle with an amazing enthusiasm. She fought valiantly and with grace and good humor, even into her final days.

She will be missed greatly by those in Red Bank, New Jersey, where she spent much time living in flip flops while visiting with her grandchildren near the Jersey shore.

Elvina leaves behind her beloved husband, Edward Jr., her children, Edward and Nicolette (of Red Bank, NJ), and two grandchildren whom she adored, Ian and Elena Macdonald, of Red Bank, NJ. She is survived by her two brothers, Joseph Marino, Jr. (and wife Marianne) of Baldwin, PA, and Ronald Marino (and wife Charlene), of Moon Township, PA. She is preceded in death by sister Joyce Marino Melvin. Elvina leaves behind an adoring host of nephews, nieces and cousins who will miss her laughter, joyous spirit and beautiful smile.

May your brilliant light shine upon all of those who knew and loved you, until we see you again, Venie.

Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Monday morning at 9:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sylvester Church at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions to www.gofundme.com/veniesfight.