Nina Venezia Kotarra was born in Washington, D.C. at Walter Reed Hospital, to Linda & Michael Venezia on January 29, 1955, and was their first-born child. Soon after she was born, Linda & Michael moved to the town of East Williston on Long Island, New York, where they would go on to raise Nina and her three siblings: Mike, Aleta, & Edward. As children Nina and her brother, Mike, loved to watch their Grandfather, Cliff Heather, play trombone for the house band on the Ed Sullivan show. Nina and Mike frequently listened to Cliffs records that featured legendary Jazz musicians such as Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, and often went to Cliffs performances at various venues in New York City. Her experiences with Cliff, paired with her mothers talent and appreciation for everything music related, would lead to Ninas deep love and appreciation for the art form. She was also a member of the Girl Scouts at a young age. Growing up her mother Linda taught Nina the importance of being kind and empathetic towards others. Linda loved her children unconditionally and treated people with respect in all situations. Nina followed in Lindas footsteps and would go on to practice that same daily kindness. Nina was a good student throughout middle school and it was at this time that she picked up her first instrument. Despite having a deeply rooted love for all types of music she was reluctant to try the Cello but it quickly grew on her. Nina attended Wheatly High School in Long Island, New York, where she was a cheerleader, played field hockey, and excelled academically. She was very well liked by her classmates during her high school career, and was voted Class President by her peers during her senior year at Wheatly. Upon graduating high school, Nina was thrilled to be accepted to Villanova University, where she would discover her passion for nursing and receive a Bachelors Degree in the subject. It was at Villanova that Nina fell in love with Joe Kotarra. They were married in 1979 and made their home in Havertown, PA. After graduating from Villanova Nina took her love of helping people in need and applied it by working as a Registered Nurse for the In-Home Hospice department of Lankenau Hospital. After Nina worked ten years as an RN, she and Joe had their first child, Haley, who they tragically lost soon after her birth. After struggling for some time with the death of her daughter, Nina was able to give birth to her two sons, Jake & Nathaniel. From that moment on, Nina was overcome with love for her boys and devoted herself to being the best mother she could be. Ninas love for music continued through her life. She enjoyed practicing her Cello for fun and loved to play John Williams Star Wars Theme Song for her sons. In her free time, Nina loved to garden, play tennis with her friends, practice her strong Catholic faith, row with her Dragon Boat friends, and get involved in the interests of her sons. She loved to travel with, and hear her boys sing in the Archdiocesan Boys Choir of Philadelphia, watch them play sports and work on the parents associations for her sons schools throughout their education. Nina was crazy about her husband, Joe, her children, parents, siblings, extended family, and her friends. As a friend she was always there. She never saw her friends problems as a burden, but instead realized them as an opportunity to give all she had to people she trusted and cared about. If there was ever a friend in need she would come running. As a sister she was always invested in the lives of her siblings and tried to set a good example as the oldest of four. Her nieces and nephews were just as much her kids as her own. As a daughter, she fought for her parents approval and well-being. When her mother became sick Nina tirelessly devoted four years of her life to looking after her. As a wife she was supportive and loving. Nina and Joe moved as a team and although Joe was "the man of the house", Nina wore the pants and kept him in check when he needed guidance. There was no one more devoted to their partner than Nina was to Joe, or Joe was to Nina. When it came to their marriage, they both truly embodied and exemplified the phrase "in sickness and in health". As a mother Ninas children were her world. She never missed an important moment in her boys lives, and if she did, you better believe she had someone taping it for her. Nina was determined to give her sons the best life possible. Nina Died on Friday November 8, 2019. She is survived by her sons, Jake & Nathaniel Kotarra, Father Mike Venezia Sr., brother Mike Venezia Jr. & his wife Ann, sister Aleta Martens and her husband J.P., brother Ed Venezia & his wife Debbie, loving nieces and nephews: Lisa Venezia & her husband Rob, Mike Venezia III & his wife Calista, Diana Venezia, Avery Martens, Ethan Martens, Jake Venezia, & Mia Venezia. She will be missed and loved forever. Family and friends may call 9:00 to 10:30 AM Friday, November 15 followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Rd, Bryn Mawr, Pa 19010. Interment is in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send all donations to The Harriton Association For the Historic Harriton House in Bryn Mawr, PA (see link below). http://www.harritonhouse.org/support.htm Funeral Home: Stretch Funeral Home 236 East Eagle Rd. Havertown, PA US 19083