Adorna Cellini Spertino, 99, of Aventura, FL passed away on July 14th. Adorna was born in Steubenville, Ohio on December 19th, 1924, to Benvenuto and Liberata Cellini. She spent most of her adult life in Washington, D.C where she proudly worked for the United States government in various departments.

Adorna was working in the White House right after World War II ended. She began her career working for Charles E. Wilson who was serving as Secretary of Defense and then was selected to work under Nelson Rockefeller while he was assistant secretary of State for American Republic Affairs. Adorna then was given the opportunity to work with Najeeb Halaby. Adorna retired from office with Mr. Halaby while he was the second Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration having been appointed by President John F. Kennedy.

Adorna was born into a large family whose roots go back to Pescara, Italy, a small city on the Adriatic coast of the Abruzzi Province. She was immensely proud of her Italian heritage and married the love of her life, Vincenzo “Enzo” Spertino who was from Torino, Italy. Adorna and Enzo traveled the world living throughout Europe and then settled in Aventura for their retirement.

Adorna was the fifth of ten children who survived infancy. She was predeceased by her husband, Enzo Spertino, brothers, Dino, Eddie, Goffredo and Robert, and sisters Julia, Nella and Georgia Young. She is survived by sisters Josephine Baker, Elissa DiFrancesco, Juanita Campitelli and numerous nieces and nephews who adored her and loved spending time with her.

Although Adorna is no longer here to say it herself, we know that she would want to say “THANK YOU” to Renata, Sandra, Judilyn and Laurel for taking great care of her for the past few years.

Visitation hours will be from 12:30 – 3:30 PM on Friday, July 19th at Boyd Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 North University Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024. A tribute to Adorna’s life will commence at 2:30 PM.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 20th, 12:30 PM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 2200 NE 191st Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33180.

Entombment will follow at Caballero Rivero Southern Cemetery, 15000 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, FL 33181.