Nancy (Spendio) Gara, 65, of Lewiston, NY died on Tuesday May 28, 2013 at N.F. Memorial Medical Center. Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada she was the daughter of the late Frank P. and Ada (Williams) Spendio.

Nancy had a forty-three year successful career in the banking industry which she began in 1970 as a part time teller at the former Marine Midland Bank. This would eventually lead to her holding manager positions at several area branches of HSBC Bank, including the HSBC Center head office in Buffalo, NY and later as the vice president of First Niagara Bank. Her responsibilities included coordinating all critical banking and marketing initiatives for Marine Midland later known as HSBC Bank in the Niagara Region, including the Love Canal settlement, public banking and the Festival of Lights.

In addition to her business career, she also served on the board of directors for various area professional affiliations including N.F. Memorial Medical Center where she was also a founding member of their Foundation's board of directors, Sisters Hospital Foundation, Riverdale Cemetery Association, Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club, Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Falls Water Authority, NFC Development Corporation, Niagara Falls Festival of lights, St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce and the Family Justice Center. She also served on the advisory board of Niagara University. Nancy served as the chairperson of a community campaign to revitalize Schoellkopf Park on the campus of Memorial Medical Center and through her long standing friendship with the Schoellkopf Family enlisted their involvement in raising funds.

Nancy was the recipient of several awards and recognitions for her professional and civic affiliations. These included being recognized by her employer for sales and leadership excellence on numerous occasions including branch manager of the year and sales leadership awards in retail, commercial, investment and public banking. In 2011 she was also awarded the prestigious CEO Award from HSBC Group USA and the Woman of Distinction Award from Niagara Gazette. Other awards included the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Leader Award, HSBC Manager of the Year Award for two years and the HSBC Business Banker of the Year Award.

Nancy along with her husband Sam, served as chairman of the first Memorial Medical Center Premier Gala Event and in 2013 she served as the chairperson of the Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary's fall fundraising event, "Sing Sisters Sing …Celebrate Women's Health". In her leisure time, Nancy enjoyed shopping, gardening and baking.

Nancy is survived by her husband of forty years Sam D. Gara, Sr., two daughters Lisa (Ron) Nicoletti and Dina Gara (Frank Eugeni, Jr.) both of Lewiston, NY; four step children Judy (Chris) Finitz, Sam (Marissa) Gara both of Niagara Falls, NY; Donna (Tim) Hoolihan of Youngstown, NY and David Gara of Lewiston, NY; nine grandchildren Alexa, Olivia and Marco Nicoletti; Christopher and Carly Finitz, Gabriele and Alyssa Gara and John and Kari Hoolihan; one brother John (Louise) Spendio of North Tonawanda, NY; one uncle George Williams; her special cousins Richard and Anthony Spendio, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many loving close friends

Visitation will be on Friday May 31st from 4 – 9 p.m. at the M.J.COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will be held on Saturday June 1st at 11:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon in St. Vincent De Paul at St. Leo's Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. Entombment in Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 708, 621 Tenth Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14302.