Obituary of Angelina P. Saetta

Angelina Philomena (Lee) Saetta, 85, passed away December 30, 2012, with her family by her side in Santa Cruz, California. Angelina, whose Italian heritage originated in Abruzzi, would say she "was conceived in Rome, born in Queens, and raised in Brooklyn." Her mother was Julia Potente Cianci, and her father was Michael Cianci. After Michael died when Angelina was two, Julia married Anthony Sce, and Angelina eventually was one of ten children in the Sce Family. She graduated from Brooklyn's New Utrecht High School. Angelina is survived by her daughter Stacy Saetta and Stacy's partner Mary Hagler; her son Steven Saetta and his spouse Suzy Saetta; her three grandchildren Sophia, Sequoia, and Skye; sister-in-law Maria and brother-in-law Louie Saetta and their children Rena and Donna and grandchildren; her Long Island cousins Vinnie, Marilyn, and Bernice and their families; long time friends (and their families) Jane and Teddy, Marilyn, Pru, Bhasa, Hina, Pepper, Laura, Lucy, Linda, Louise, Lina, CJ, Tao,Theresa, Meryl, Ralph, Ruth and Bill, Jodie, Elaine, Rachel, Bob, Pat and Barb, Bill, Linda, RN Mary Beth, Kathleen, Donna, Diane, Rose, and Rosa; and her many current friends at La Posada Retirement Community. Angelina was preceded in death by her husband Ignatius (Nick) Saetta, to whom she was married for 50 years. Angelina enjoyed movies, musicals, music, metaphysics, dining out, and driving, especially to sit by the ocean, most recently with her wonderful care-giving friends Darlene, Amy, and Patsy. Her life passions and sources of happiness were taking care of her family and friends, whom she always sought to help and, yes, worry about; and owning and operating with her husband Nick La Dolce Vita (LDV), their Italian restaurant in Capitola Village, during the Eighties. Angelina was loving, full of enormous energy and strength, a vocal critic, and outspoken. Though she lived in California for the last 30 years, she identified herself as a New Yorker. She was an active participating parent at her children's and grandchildren's schools; a bookkeeper for Nick's businesses and others; a KSCO radio host; a host family for a student from Japan; and a supporter of the development of the coffee klatch at La Posada. On December 4th, she joyfully celebrated her birthday at La Posada, embraced by her friends and family, enveloped by the singing of Joe Ferrara, who with his wife Dottie were restaurant regulars, and enjoying dessert from Gayle's Bakery, owned by restaurant regulars Gayle and Joe Ortiz. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Angelina encouraged all young people she met, "Pursue your dreams. Go to college!" In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Cabrillo College Foundation, The La Posada Scholarship, in memory of Angelina Saetta, to provide financial support for staff members of La Posada who attend Cabrillo College. Cabrillo College Foundation's address is 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003. Tel. 831-479-6338. Tax ID No. 94-6121953.