Juana Elvira "Nonna" Scofano

Juana "Nonna" Elvira Scofano, age 81, died peacefully while resting late Tuesday evening 10:50 PM, October 29, 2013 at home in Palm Springs, California surrounded by her loving family, survived by Maria R. Scofano (daughter), Enzo Juan Scofano (son), Daniel E. Scofano (son), Nicola Somma (grandson), Sonia Somma (granddaughter), and Claudia Somma (granddaughter).

Nonna was born on January 29, 1932, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, the daughter of the late Juan Gagliardi (Genoa, Italy) and Teresa Forciniti (Calabria, Italy), and widow of Enzo M. Scofano (Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina).

Nonna was a retired school teacher of 20 years in Argentina and a volunteer school teacher at Cerritos Elementary School, Glendale California. Nonna was a member of Saint Louis Parish Church Cathedral City, while living in Palm Springs and St. Patrick's Parish Church in North Hollywood when she lived in Glendale, California, a devoted mother, wife and grandmother.

Nonna was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." The first signs of trouble emerged around August of 2012 shortly after she moved to Palm Springs, she began having severe pain down her left leg. She was falling, weakness, tired could no longer sustain herself with a cain, began using a walker, and eventually a wheelchair she clearly was not herself. Rejecting the grim prognosis, she didn't accept a death sentence, instead Nonna immersed herself in medical journals to learn everything she could about the disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She enjoyed being read to, listening to music.

"In the end, her heart just gave way," the family said Tuesday.

Nonna donated her tissue for ALS research to the Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center Gift of Hope, UCLA School of Medicine in hopes of finding a cure for future generations.

"Nonna had a remarkable life force".

There will be a private memorial remembrance with immediate family and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to ALS.org by clicking the link below, we can all do our part to Defeat ALS and in honor of Juana Elvira Scofano, Ciao "Nonna".

http://web.alsa.org/goto/InLovingMemoryofJuanaScofano