Our mother, Nina Fosnacht, sadly passed away on April 7, 2024 at the age of 60. In 2018, she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and was given 6 months to live. Our mom was always strong-willed, and she showed the doctors just how strong she was by living another six years against all odds. Throughout her journey, she never let cancer define her. In fact, she did the exact opposite. She lived those six years with nothing but superb strength, an abundance of love, and endless laughter and memories with her family.

Nina was born on April 20, 1963 to Erika and Robertson Griffin III and grew up in Greenwich, CT with her younger sister, Catherine. Nina and Cathie were lucky enough to be "adopted" by their beloved stepfather, Alex. The family was blessed with Alex for over 25 years, and he walked both Nina and Cathie down the aisle on their wedding days.

In 1993, Nina had her first baby girl, Heather Erika Schon. We would always laugh, because she would call her "Homely girl." This is also where she discovered her real passion in life, motherhood. Soon, she would also discover that she had a mini-me that looked just like her and would steal all her clothes and shoes.

In 1995, Nina met the love of her life, John Francis Fosnacht, and they got married a year later. Together, they made a life full of love, traveling, and memories that John will cherish forever.

In 1998, they had a baby girl and named her Caitlyn. When Caitlyn was born, she opened one eye and then went right back to sleep. Soon after, our mom gave her the nickname of "Angel Baby".

In 2000, the family moved to State College, PA. Nina and John, alongside a partner, started their own business from the ground up, SoftGenetics, LLC. Their business developed into a leader in Genetic Analysis and Forensic software tools. After 23 years of hard work, they both retired. Since then, they lived their lives to the fullest together. John hopes to honor her by finishing her bucket list.

Heather and Caitlyn were raised in a home of love and happiness and given the tools to succeed in life. Thanks to our amazing Mom, Caitlyn went on to graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. I know she is making Mom very proud right now. Heather went on to graduate with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University and then earned her Master's Degree in Special Education with Moderate Disabilities from Endicott College.

Nina is survived by her husband, John Fosnacht, her daughters, Caitlyn Fosnacht and Heather Schon, her nephew and godson, Dante Alexander DiMassa, her younger sister, Catherine Griffin DiMassa, and her mother, Erika Griffin.

Our Mom would not have wanted us to be saddened by her death, but instead to celebrate her life. In the coming months, a Celebration of Life will be held by the family in State College, PA. Details to follow.

Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA. www.schugar.com