Lidia Natale 

A mother’s love is the sun for growing, the moon for dreaming, and the stars for guiding the way

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, matriarch, and Nonna.  Our beloved mother will be remembered for her limitless generosity, her unwavering devotion, and her kind, loving and gentle spirit.  On Friday, September 12th, 2025 when she took her last breath, she took our hearts with her.

Lidia was born on June 22nd, 1941 in Castrolibero, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy.  She was born to Nunziata & Natale Cesario.  Our mother came from a very well-respected family in Southern Italy.  Everyone in their town knew her and her siblings to be the pristinely cared for and polite children of Nunziata and Natale.  Lidia was the youngest of eleven children, Santo, Vincenzo, Francesco, Giuseppe, Yolanda, Divina, Maria, Carolina, Santina, and Rita.  Lidia immigrated to Toronto, Canada in the early 1960’s with her sister, Iolanda.  She then settled in Raritan, New Jersey in 1965 with the love of her life, her “Sammy” or Salvatore Natale.  Our father fell in love with our mother very quickly and very hard, rightfully so.  In turn, there was no love greater for her, than the love she had for her “Sammy.”  She was beautiful, tiny, and petite.  She was respectful, soft, well-mannered and polite, our father knew there would be no greater love for him than her.  Although not native to the United States, Lidia led with a flair for the American lifestyle in the way she spoke, in the way she carried herself, and with her modern sense of fashion.  From a very young age, Lidia had a love for music and dancing.  Together, with her “Sammy” they found every reason to be the first couple on the dance floor to joyfully celebrate those they loved most.

Our mother was simplistic in the sense that she knew what truly mattered.  From a very young age, she took great pride in the delicate care and love of the people she loved most. She was largely generous in a materialistic sense, but her largest source of generosity was her unconditional ways.  Her endless love, time, loyalty, and selfless devotion to our family was felt by all.  She took great pride in her home, her garden, her relationships, and vacations with all her children and grandchildren.  Her greatest passion was bringing her family together as often as possible with labors of love, including her amazing home cooked meals and baking.

Lidia led with a natural grace for her husband, her children, grandchildren and great-grandson.  Her devotion to her family was unmatched, making all of her childrens and grandchildrens dreams, her dreams.  She was the most devoted mother to Filomena, Jimmy, the late Lucia, Anthony, Joseph, Debbie, Leeann, and David.  She adored her grandchildren, Steven and Lauren, James, wife Colleen, Brianna, Ryan, Alyssa, husband Alexander, Salvatore, Ashley and Chris,  Benjamin and Mina, Alexander, Lilianna, Dennis, and the late Alexander.  She held her dear sisters and sister-in-laws close to heart.  Iolanda DiPardo and Santina DeRango, husband Equirino, sister-in-laws Angelina Cesario, Pina Cesario, and Irma Natale all of Toronto, Canada.  Her cherished cousin, Ippolito and his family of Montreal, Canada.  Her cherished sister-in-laws Emilia Natale, Rose D’Angelo, Mary Incontrera and husband, Frank all of New Jersey.  Lidia was loved by a sea of beautiful nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.  She had a way of speaking with such pride for all those she loved, while whole-heartedly returning their love. Her devotion to those she loved most was led with a lifetime of tireless acts of kindness and love.  She enjoyed weekly chats with sister, Iolanda and family in Canada.  She cherished unforgettable moments chatting with her sister-in-law Emilia. She lived with her faith being at the forefront of all her ways, and cherished attending weekly mass with her dear friend, Francesca.  She relished in a warm embrace from loving friends, like her Karen or a cousin she may not have seen in some time.  She looked forward to holiday mornings with visits from her nephews and nieces.   All these gestures meant the world to her, especially after our fathers and more recently after our sister, Lucia's passing.  

It is very difficult to speak of our mother without speaking of our father,  most of our lives consist of memories of true love and devotion.  A love story that cannot be forgotten, a love story that has changed us forever.  That love remained throughout their marriage and beyond.  After our fathers passing in 2007, we were privy to watching our mother cherish her wedding vows to our father until her last breath.  Her devotion remained beyond his physical presence with weekly florals in his honor.  When her beautiful Lucia passed in 2024, her commitment was just the same where weekly florals and tears remained, as only the love of a mother like ours can live with such dedication.

In honor of our mother, we kindly ask, if you have the ability to love wholly and immensely, choose to let love in.  Live each difficulty with the internal patience to make sound decisions for yourself and those you love most.  Do not speak ill of others, choose to help in silence remaining loyal without falter.  Give freely and endlessly from the deepest parts of your heart and soul, with a need for no return.  Lastly, our mother had a love for fresh flowers. In her honor, before the year ends, please find a reason to give a bouquet to someone of meaning or to a perfect stranger.

This loss is tremendous and massive, but we have been so fortunate, this story of true love has changed us all. Truly and wholly, our mother was a rare treasure.  The blessing of all blessings. 

…                                                 "Forever in Our Hearts"

June 22nd, 1941 - September 12th, 2025

Arrangements are under the direction of Bongiovi Funeral Home, Raritan, NJ utilizing the faciliities of Branchburg Funeral Home.

Visitation hours will take place at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 US, 202 S, Branchburg, NJ.  

Friday, September 19th from 4 PM to 8 PM 

Saturday, September 20th from 8:30 AM - 9: 45 AM

A Funeral Liturgy will take place at The Catholic Church of St. Ann’s, 45 Anderson St., Raritan, NJ.

Saturday, September 20th at 10:30am

Entombment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery Mausoleum, 551 Rt. 28, Bridgewater, NJ.

Kindly copy and paste theLivestream link into the search bar: https://vimeo.com/event/5385975