PORTSMOUTH—Concepción "Conchita" America Yañez Nespoli, 94, passed away October 29, 2022. She was born on May 11, 1928 on Guantanamo Bay Military Base Hospital in Cuba. Born to Dolores Gonzalez Yañez and Leopoldo Yañez, she was the oldest of six children: Leopoldo Jr., Eduardo, Emilia, Asunción "Suzi", and Patricia.

The family lived an idyllic life in Caimanera, Cuba until 1936, when they became ill with Typhoid Fever, leading to the death of her father. The impact of this loss was devastating and shaped the rest of her life. At the age of 8, she became the guardian of her siblings when her mother was forced to join the workforce. At this time, Conchita became "Mamacita" to her younger siblings. She learned to cook, sew, and iron to earn extra money and help her mother take care of the family. At the age of 17, she immigrated to Portsmouth, Virginia under the sponsorship of her aunt, Mercedes Ferrante. The Italian-American families (including the Nespolis, Ferrantes, Martinettes, and Facendas) of Third  Street in New Town, Portsmouth embraced her with love and community. It was there that she learned English, found her new home, and met the love of her life, Joseph Anthony Nespoli.

Joe and Conchita were married at St. Paul Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Virginia on April 23, 1949. Soon after, they welcomed their children, Amelia, Eleanor, and Nick. They made a home full of family, extended family, friends, lots of celebrations, music, food, and laughter.

Conchita was formidable and talented beyond measure. Her first year in Portsmouth she won the Miss Semper Fidelis beauty pageant. Her talent for the pageant was designing and constructing every outfit she wore for the contest. If you were living in Portsmouth from 1950 to 2022, she likely made you a dress, a blanket, a scarf, a wedding or birthday cake, spaghetti and meatballs, arroz con pollo, paella, lasagna, a rosary, or a beaded necklace.

She is predeceased by her parents, Dolores and Leopoldo Yañez; husband, Joseph Anthony Nespoli; siblings Leopoldo Yañez Jr., Eduardo Yañez, Emilia Garcia, Patricia Wetzel; second mother, Mary Martinette, and beloved sister-friend, Adeline Ziegenhain.

She is survived by her children, Amelia Nespoli Hopkins (Roger), Eleanor Nespoli Wallace (Ben), Joseph Nicholas Nespoli (Susan); grandchildren Amelia Wallace, Lisa Fountain, Michael Hopkins, Lauren Porter (Tyler), and Amanda Hopkins; great-grandchild Steven Porter; sister Asunción "Suzi" Driedric; many beloved nieces and nephews; extended family: godchildren Annette Buttery, Karen Horton, Mariette Gammon, Dina Campos, and their families; and beloved caregivers Elaine Riddick and Kathleen Ricks.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 11, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 522 High St., Portsmouth. Interment at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Chesapeake will take place immediately after, followed by a gathering at 3409 Anita Circle, Chesapeake. Memorial donations may be made to Oasis Social Ministry, 800 A Williamsburg Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23704. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.