Obituary of Nina Vassallo Brickner

Nina Anna Vassallo Brickner, 91, formerly of Syracuse, NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2021 in Ocala, FL. Nina was Born in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. She was the daughter of the late Parfyl & Maria Sawelenko. She, along with her parents and siblings, emigrated to the United States in 1949. Nina harbored a strong work ethic and advocated the grandiosity of the culture that she brought with her from the old country which would be evident in her faith, cooking and home life. Nina was a hair stylist, who co-operated the Nina Beauty Salon on the south side of Syracuse and Elmwood area for well over 60 years with her business partner Helen Kozlowski. After her retirement, she relocated to North Port, FL. She was a devoted member of St. Luke's Ukrainian Orthodox Church where she served as a member of the church choir. She was ever jovial when it came to her family, forever unequivocal of the love and adoration that she would convey to her sons, relatives and friends alike. Nina was predeceased by her first husband Orlando Peter Vassallo of Syracuse, who died in 1975 and her second husband Jerry Brickner of Bridgeport, who died in 2013. She was also predeceased by her (2) brothers Ivan & Anatolij Sawelenko. She is survived by her (2) sons and daughter in laws Peter & Bobbie Vassallo of Clay, NY, Michael & Lisa Vassallo of Ocala, FL, six grandchildren, Angela (Mike) Zopff, Christine (Mike) York, Deborah (Rich) Guarasce, Peter R. Vassallo (Chrystya Bobesky), Sarah Vassallo & Michael (MJ) Vassallo; nine great grandchildren, Caitlyn Whalen, Joey & Caleb Zopff, Lauren Vassallo, Dominick & Zachary Guarasce, Emerson (Emko) Vassallo, Nicholas Vassallo & Madison Grace Becker. Nina is also survived by (2) stepdaughters, Sister Marilyn R. Vassallo, CSJ of Albany, NY & Annemarie (Joe) Panebianco, stepson Wilfried (Elaine) Brickner. She is also survived by her sister in law Maria Sawelenko of California, and several nieces and nephews. There will be no services at this time. Contributiions may be made to the Hospice of Marion County, P.O. Box 4860, Ocala, FL 34478-4860