Argentina Costantino "Tina" Meli

MELI, Argentina "Tina" Costantino, 87, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2009. Tina was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony L. and Rose Marchetti Costantino of Hyattsville, Md.; a brother, Francis L. Costantino of Hyattsville, Md.; and sister, Theresa Malczynski of Bowie, Md. Mrs. Meli was the widow of the late Edward Atino of Washington, D.C., and was also the widow of Anthony P. Meli of Richmond, Va. She is survived by her two devoted daughters, Gloria Atino Acors and her husband, Gordon, of Glen Allen and Rosemarie Atino Basham of Richmond; three grandchildren, Valerie Acors Healy of Pearl, Miss., Edward A. and Philip J. Basham of Richmond; a brother, Orlando A. Costantino of Olney, Md.; and sister, Margaret C. Sharer of Bowie, Md.; Tina's sweetheart of 17 years, Vincent J. Foti of Richmond; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Tina's Italian gourmet specialties were a delight to all. She was a member of Giuseppe Verdi Lodge, the National Retired Federal Employees Association, and St. Benedict's Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at Bliley's-Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, with entombment to follow in Westhampton Memorial Park's Chapel Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Children's Hospital, 2924 Brook Rd., Richmond, Va. 23220; to St. Benedict's Elementary School, 3100 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va. 23221; or to St. Gertrude's High School, 3215 Stuart Ave., Richmond, Va. 23221.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.