Nina (also known as Lena) Poulaino Shaver, formerly of Mystic, Ct. died peacefully at the Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle, Maine on March 3, 2016.
She was born in Meriden, Ct. on March 23, 1920, the daughter of Konstantin and Elizabeth Cherbachevich Poulaino. Throughout her youth, she grew up living in the Norwich and Meriden areas of Connecticut. In 1936, Nina graduated from Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Ct. After high school, she immediately found employment as an office worker at The Thermos Company in Norwich, Ct.
During WWII, Nina and her family moved back to Meriden, Ct. where she and her sister, Elizabeth, both worked at New Departure. At New Departure, they both helped build weapons used to fight in the war. After the war ended, Nina married Olin Way Shaver, her husband of 68 years. They raised two children, Olin Jay, and Rickard John. While living in Waterford, Ct., Nina was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker and also held a few part time jobs over the years.
After Nina's children were grown, she and her husband moved to Mystic, Ct. Nina loved living in Mystic. She thoroughly enjoyed her long walks walking the Mystic area over the years. Nina also enjoyed gardening, sewing and reading.
After Nina's husband died in 2014, she moved to Blue Hill, Maine to be to be closer to her son and daughter in law. She spent the last year of her life living at the Parker Ridge Assisted Living facility.
Nina was predeceased by her husband, Olin W., two sons, Olin J. and Rickard, two sisters, Olga Parker and Elizabeth Way, and one brother, Richard Poulaino.
Nina will be sadly missed by her daughter in law, Cathy Shaver of Deer Isle, Maine, three grandsons, Jon DiMaggio of Front Royal, Va., Brandon Shaver and his fiancée, Nicole Scables of Manchester, Ct., Jason Shaver of Enfield, Ct., three great grandchildren, Anthony, Damian and Abriella and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 11, 2016 at 1:00pm. at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich, Ct.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below.