Rashida Latifa "Nonna" / "Tina" Stayrook

With great sorrow and deep love, we announce the passing of Rashida Latifa Stayrook, affectionately known as Nonna or Tina, on the evening of June 15, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. She left this world at 8:48 pm, with Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love” playing in the background—a fitting farewell for a woman who gave her heart freely and fully.

Rashida was 62 years old and known throughout her life for her immense compassion, wit, and warmth. A proud Albanian and a devoted champion of connection and kindness, she had an uncanny ability to make people feel seen and valued. Rather than highlighting differences, she brought people together with her laughter, her love of language, and her generous spirit.

Rashida made her professional home as a beloved server at Bevardi’s Salute in Sarasota, where she poured her passion for hospitality into every interaction. She wasn’t just a server—she was a presence, a role model, and a friend to many. She brought theater to the table, quite literally, as her love for opera and performance arts infused her every move with grace and flair.

Worldly, articulate, and fiercely funny, Rashida had a vocabulary that could impress scholars and a heart that humbled everyone who knew her. She lived boldly, loved deeply, and left behind countless memories of joy, humor, and human connection.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Sunday, June 22 at 4:00 PM at Bevardi’s Salute (23 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236). At Rashida’s personal request, guests are encouraged to come in formal mourning attire—and to bring a pack of cigarettes in her memory.

She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.