Greta (Becker) Spina's Obituary
Our adored, and beloved mom passed away unexpectedly while visiting with family in her home on December 26, 2021. Greta was born in 1930 in Watertown, NY to Ward and Olive McKenna Becker. Greta graduated from St. John the Baptist High School and St. Joseph’s School of Nursing (’51).
After becoming an RN, Greta worked 1 year at St. Joseph’s Hospital before becoming an industrial nurse at Brown-Lipe Chapin for 7 years. She then worked at St. Mary’s Hospital for 15 years as a night shift supervisor. Completing her career, Greta went to Crouse Hospital where she worked on the Drug and Alcohol Detox Unit until her retirement in 1996.
Greta was a parishioner of St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale, where she and her husband Jack belonged to the Socialites Club. Greta also belonged to St. Jude’s Club and the Columbiettes.
Greta spent most of her retired years traveling with her husband, brother-in-law, Lionel Simard and sister-in-law, Carolyn Simard. She traveled around our great nation, as well as countries abroad.
Family was everything to Greta. She enjoyed spending time with her 7 kids, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great grands. She is known for her genuine, sweet, selfless ways, always helping those around her. She had a generous heart. All those who met her felt her kindness and love. She will be greatly missed, unable to be replaced, and so deeply loved. Her children feel greatly blessed that God hand-selected the most incredible woman to teach them to be loyal, giving, and compassionate. Most of all, Greta taught her children to never take anything for granted.
Greta is predeceased by the love of her life, her husband of 63 years, Jack Spina; her two brothers, and one sister.
She is survived by sons, Jim (Anne), John, Bill, Joe (Jane), and daughters, Peg (Dave), Maureen, and Diane (Darryl); 12 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter on the way.
The Spina family would like to extend a special thank you to Kate Bielic, Dee Dems, Darlene Bouchard, and Tony Tricome for your kindness and thoughtfulness shown to our mom. Know that she truly enjoyed each of you. We also would like to recognize and acknowledge the truly wonderful neighbors our mom has been blessed with, in the past, and currently. You can buy a home anywhere, but you cannot buy the gift of genuine, kind humans. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of Greta’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, January 3, 2022, at St. Margaret’s Church, Mattydale, NY. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends may call from 1:00 – 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2022, at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
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