Clara Cuevas Costa's Obituary
Clara Cuevas Costa, (Nana Clara) passed away Friday morning October 16th, 2015. Just over a month ago she celebrated her 90th birthday with her family including her great-grandchildren. She leaves behind quite a legacy; her daughter who was her rock and best friend, Karen Martino, her son-in-law Tom P. Martino, her son and his wife Vincent and Mary Anthony Nuccio, as well as her grand-children Kristina Potter-Martino (Terri), Thomas P. Martino, Jr (Margarita), Sam C. Martino II, Andrew J. Martino, Stephen Nuccio, Adam Nuccio, and her 7 great-grandchildren. Nana Clara led quite an incredible life, she was always a progressive thinker years ahead of her generation. In her youth she represented Tampa as Miss Latin Fiesta Queen, traveling to Cuba. She was a beautiful fascinating woman. She was proposed to 7 times. She attended University of Tampa then graduate school at University of Florida. She climbed the ranks professionally as an educator from teacher to principal then supervisor. She initiated The Follow Through Program. Clara lobbied for education before congress. She was always a strong believer in giving your full effort and striving for success. She had a passion for politics, as far as to take her young daughter Karen to attend the Watergate trials. She was married to Vincent Nuccio Senior for 24 years, then after their divorce she was reunited with the love of her life Sam Costa who she spent the remaining 20 years of his life with. They spent their years together traveling the world and being dedicated grandparents. Nana Clara had a green thumb, many remember her in her last decades outside pulling weeds, tending to her yard, and traveling with her family. Nana Clara always had words of wisdom whether from her own experiences or from lines of poetry she could quote verbatim. She was an inspiration to many, she changed lives; she loved deeply and fiercely. She will be missed as fiercely as she loved but she will never be forgotten. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Garden of Memories. Donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760 www.bozaroel.com
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