Obituary of Caterina Della Polla

Caterina “Lina" (nee Crispino) Della Polla, 75, of Norristown, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  

Born in Nusco, in the Campania region of Italy, on December 3, 1948, she was the eldest daughter of Armando Crispino and Antonietta Delli Gatti. From a young age, Lina proudly worked on her family’s farm, harvesting olives, taking the cows out to pasture and gathering chestnuts in the mountains.

Lina and her beloved husband of 52 years, Giovanni, were destined for each other. Although they lived on opposite sides of the valley, their fathers were best friends and had always hoped that one day the two would be together. They got their wish and the couple married in their hometown on March 7, 1970. 

The Della Pollas left their families in search of the American dream and together built two businesses from the ground up – Nusco Construction and the Collegeville Italian Bakery.

Lina somehow squeezed 26 hours into a 24-hour day, cooking, baking, raising a family, working and running a household with ease. She had a green thumb and could take a cutting of any plant and nurture it into new life. Lina loved her game shows and playing cards with her family and friends especially Scopa, Briscola, and Uno with her grandchildren. She took pride in upholding the beloved traditions from her homeland, including canning tomato sauce, making cured meats, limoncello, biscotti, formaggi and taralli, passing them down to her family and friends. 

In addition to her loving husband, Lina is survived by her three devoted daughters: Maria Halt (Sean) of Buffalo, NY, Antonietta Della Polla (John) of Lansdale, PA, and Patrizia Carcarey (Steve) of Trappe, PA, along with four grandchildren: Steven Carcarey, James Halt, Gian Halt and Skye Tulio, and many beloved cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. 

Lina is also survived by two siblings, a sister, Angelina Crispino (Luigio) of Ponteromito, Italy, and brother, Carmine Crispino (Michelina) of Nusco, Italy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Antonio Crispino (Amalia).

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Holy Saviour Parish, 407 East Main Street, Norristown, PA, 19401.

Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Friday, December 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 19 East Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA, 19401, and on Saturday morning, December 9, from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Church prior to Mass. 

Interment will take place in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Norristown, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, the Della Polla family requests memorial contributions in Lina’s memory to the American Lung Association by clicking here.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 19 East Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA, 19401, (610) 277-1600
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