Dora N. “Nikki” Scardello

Dora N. "Nikki" Scardello, 89, Olathe, Kansas, passed peacefully from this life on Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Dora was one of five children born to Italian immigrant parents Achille (Ike) and Asunta (Susie) Fanale in Riverton, Illinois. During World War II, she took a job with a defense contractor in Decatur, IL and worked in support of The Manhattan Project. There she met her future husband, Paul F. Scardello. They were married in 1945 and had two daughters, and moved to the Kansas City area, ultimately settling in Overland Park, Kansas.

Following an executive secretarial career at the headquarters of the Kansas City Southern Railway, Dora volunteered her time at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, and also served as a babysitter for several families.

Dora was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, and a daughter, Mary Sue Sullivan. She is also predeceased by her parents, two brothers and two sisters, all of Illinois. She is survived by her daughter, Paula (David) Burger of Lenexa; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would especially like to thank the wonderful nursing and support staff at Villa St. Francis in Olathe. The exceptional care provided to Dora, and the kind, loving, and warm environment she and the family enjoyed for nearly four years has been a blessing for all.

May she rest in peace.

A visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11301 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, Kansas, followed by the celebration of The Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Villa St. Francis, 16600 W. 126th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062.