Obituary of Lucia N. Natale

Dedicated to an incredible Mother, Daughter, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, Colleague, Stranger, and Friend.  

A dear and beautiful treasure, a treasure who will carry us

Lucia Nunziata Natale

October 15, 1972-April 6, 2024

On October 15th, 1972, Salvatore and Lidia Natale were blessed with their third child, Lucia Nunziata Natale.  Lucia’s first name represents a dream Lidia had with St. Lucy during her pregnancy, and Nunziata, the namesake of Lucia’s Nonna, her maternal grandmother.  Lucia was Sal and Lidia’s second baby girl.  She was perfect, beautiful, and healthy, just like her two older siblings.  Lucia quickly became the baby of the bunch and the apple of many.  She immediately brought a world of joy to Salvatore and Lidia, her big sister, Filomena, her big brother, Joseph, and eventually her baby sister, Leeann.  Lucia truly was a bright light, as her first name represents, she was sunshine on the darkest days.

As life moved forward, Lucia became a best friend to many.  She exuded qualities of strength, humor, respect, joy, focus, fun, empathy, and understanding.  She was gentle, yet strong and fierce, pensive, yet outwardly smart.  Lucia was truly the epitome of selflessness, thoughtfulness, generosity, unconditional support, and loyalty, with a stunningly beautiful appearance to match.  To know Lucia was to love her and her show stopping smile, a smile that lit up the dimmest room.  She truly was a treasure to many.

Lucia managed to become a dedicated mother who knew no boundaries for her 3 babies, Steven Michael, Brianna Marie, and Lilianna Elle. Pridefully, they all called her “Mom,” and with great pride, this became her most favorite title over 30 years ago.   Lucia adored her children and would have traveled to the ends of the earth to ensure they felt her love, support, patience, and protection.  Lucia’s baby Lilianna was the missing link to motherhood, Lilly completed Lucia’s lifes’ purpose and her family over 10 years ago.  She considered Lauren, Steven’s partner and her two children, Lilah and Hunter as her own, she called them her grandchildren, that is how large her heart loved.  Lucia was a devoted partner to her Anthony, who she loved wholly and unconditionally.  Their love for one another was easy for all to see from the moment they met, and together, they made incredible parents.  As a daughter, Lucia was deeply touched by the love of her parents.  She reciprocated that love back fully, with endless devotion and respect for her parents.  Lucia will be eternally cherished by her sisters and brothers, Filly, Jimmy, JoJo, Debbie, Lily and David.  She will forever remain the sister that completes every move her siblings make, a deep vacancy is felt by all of them.  They will always be the very best of friends, as thick as thieves, and loyal until the very end.  Lucia’s in-laws, although they did not live close, loved her deeply and dearly, as she did them; she cherished her time with them.  Lucia will always be a friend, cousin and niece that led joyfully, loyally and generously.  Lucia had an innate intuition when it came to others, she knew just when to give an ear or shoulder to someone enduring a hardship; she led with hope, guidance, and her heart fully invested.  Unbeknownst to many, Lucia was a dynamite matchmaker.  Some of her greatest friends found true love because of Lucia’s genuine devotion and commitment to helping them find their beautiful love story.   She amazed many with her dedication to those around her, she was always looking out for the best interest of others; Lucia took great pride in watching those she loved excel.  Lastly, Lucia was an incredible Aunt.  She touched and changed the lives of all her nieces and nephews, including James and Colleen, Ryan, Salvatore, Benjamin, Alexander, Alyssa and Alex, Ashley and many of her best friends' children that called her, “Aunt Lucy.”

For as committed as Lucia was to her family and friends, was just as committed as she was to her professional family.  Lucia was a conscientious, dedicated and well-respected employee of Merck & Co., Inc. for over 23 years.  Her longevity with Merck led to her success and many promotional roles, with her final stop in Finance & IT, as the Associate Director of Integration and Operation.  Her loved ones took such pride in her work ethic, having excelled professionally and scholastically.

It is clear to see that Lucia had a deep love for her family, friends and life.  She loved being a class mom, reading, and the beach.  She also loved the peace of the countryside and the mountains.  Her happy place was vacationing with all her children, nieces, nephews, mom, siblings, and in-laws when possible.   She was always willing to help those in need, shelter animals included.  Lucia adored her little companion and cat, Rosie.  Their bond was quite special.  Lucia had an incredible spirit that loved gardening in the sunshine.  She enjoyed planting wildflowers and watching the birds.  She enjoyed the delicacy and beauty of butterflies, and the sweetness of bumblebees that came with her time in the garden.  She had a love for her outdoor windchimes, gifted from her sisters and the peace they brought with each blowing breeze.  From the time Lucia was just a few years old, she showed a natural love for creativity.  She grew to love art and starting new artistic projects.  She also took her health and physical fitness very seriously, her perfectly fit physique was a true testament to her commitment to the things that mattered most in life.  Lucia had a love for all genres of music.  Every Christmas she took the winning crown to her family's unofficial music trivia tournament.  She had a keen sense of the newest nail, jewelry, shoes and clothing trends, she was happy to share or gift her findings with the special ladies in her life.  Lucia had an incredibly friendly disposition, with an open-mind and love for self-education.  She was always willing to discuss a new topic or listen to another person's perspective.  She was also the kind of person who, admiringly, would compliment a perfect stranger, just as quickly as she would physically help a stranger in need.  Lucia took great pride in her faith and her church community both, The Catholic Church of St. Ann’s and St. Ann’s Classical Academy.   It is easy to see Lucia had a zest for life, yet a sharp sense of responsibility for those she held close to her beautiful heart and mind. 

The loss of Lucia in the physical sense is massive and felt by hundreds.  No word or gesture feels good enough for our Lucia. She had a way, a way that has left so many broken.  Both her presence and love have left an immense impact on many.  Crushing in one hand, and an unforgettable gift in another.  Lucia most recently showed us all what it means to show up for those you love, even if your body decides otherwise.  She has given her family and friends a new outlook on the word “fight.”  It is Lucia’s unconditional love, her fight, her grace and her breathtaking smile that carried many through this past year.  All her family and friends wanted to do was carry her through, but it is Lucia that selflessly carried them through.  She is a true warrior and a pillar of strength.  During her illest moments, she worried about her loved ones' feelings, hardships, and milestones more than her own; they looked up to her as she offered heartfelt guidance, even in her weakest moments.

God seemed to have a plan for our Lucia and her health, one that is hard to accept, but her love will be carried on by all those who love her.  She has left behind the most incredible legacy in her three children Steven, Brianna, and Lilly and in all the lives she has touched.  She has taught us many things.  To not sweat the small stuff.  To cherish the moments, even on the most difficult days.  That our lives can change in a split second, and your perspective may change with it; we may wish back for what seemed like a difficult day yesterday, as it could be your best day today.  To listen to your body and advocate for your health.  To advocate for others.  To work hard for the betterment of your children's and loved ones' future.  To be an excellent listener.  To speak your truth when necessary.  To speak truths on a loved one's behalf, especially when they can not find the words themself.  To honor the love in your heart for those that mean the most…and to tell them as often as possible.  To honor the privacy of those who have entrusted you.  To think of others in the smallest of ways and gestures, and the largest, when possible.  To give to those in need.  To stand up for what you believe in.  To give to your children unconditionally, with the hopes that they will be better than you could ever be.  To give generously, in both tangible and intangible ways.  To be proud of others with a genuine heart.  To be the littlest bit of magic in someone's life, even when they don't ask for it. When love is true, it will always find its way back to you.  To be patient.  To be kind.  To put the words in your heart on paper and gift those words to your loved ones.  And to love really hard.  In her honor, we will live carrying on her legacy…

Lucia was predeceased by her father, Salvatore Natale, whom she adored.  She was also predeceased by her nephew, Alexander Wiecenski.  We are sure she was met at the pearly gates by both, as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and all her grandparents.

You are painfully missed and have been the treasure of all treasures, our beautiful Lucia.  Until we are all together again…we love you more…

Donations can be made in Lucia's honor to foundations close to her heart. Foundations in which she organized an annual Christmas donation on her family’s behalf.  Her family will continue to do so.

March of Dimes, St. Jude, The Trevor Project, Somerset County Food Bank; SHIP Foundation of Somerville, Somerset County Animal Shelter; The Congenital Hyperinsulinism International Organization.

                                                               "FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS"

              Arrangements were under the direction of Bongiovi Funeral Home, 416 Bell Avenue, Raritan, NJ (908)725-1887.                                                                                                             www.bongiovifuneralhome,com