Obituary of Nancy Lodato

Nancy Lodato passed peacefully at her home on April 14, 2022.  She shared 92 years of love and faith with her family. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 19^th from 9 am – 12 noon at the Norman Dean Funeral Home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 o’clock at St. Mary’s Church, Denville.  Interment to follow at the Denville Cemetery.   Donations in her memory may be made to the good work of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Born in Hoboken to the late Basilio and Catina DeLuca, Nancy was one of seven children to bless the family.  After her schooling, she met Patrick Lodato and the rest was history.  They fell in love and married on February 12, 1950.  They settled in Denville and started their family.  Nancy lovingly raised five children with her husband.  They worked hard to give the kids a good life.  On any given day, her home was filled with many children and her yard was filled with more.  There were always wiffle ball tournaments and games in the Lodato yard.  Nancy was a devoted wife, loving Mother and adoring Grandma.  She was the proud Grandma to seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  The sun rose and set on the kids.  She was always her happiest when the house was filled with family.  She was an excellent baker and a remarkable cook.  Her meatballs and sauce….ahhh….delicious. If it was your birthday, you were sure to get a beautiful cake.  If it was a random Tuesday, you could also be sure to get a beautiful cake.  And not just any cake.  Nancy’s cakes were ornate and themed.  She did everything with love.  Her gardens were always in bloom with flowers and vegetables and her table always set ready for her family to gather.  Nancy was such an amazing Mother, she was even crowned “Outstanding Mom" by the Denville Chamber of Commerce one year.  After receiving this prestigious honor, she rode in their annual Christmas parade and waved proudly to her family and all the children. This was certainly one of her proudest days!

Although we are saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is at peace and embracing her beloved daughter Donna and her dear husband Patrick this Easter weekend.

She leaves joyful memories to her children Pat (Martha), Carlene George (David), David (Nicole) and Joseph (Gayle); her adored grandchildren Jennifer Oatley (Scott), Julie Flannery (Joe) , Sean George ( Dominique Lopez), Alyssa Reilly (Terrence), Brock, Kara, and Gabrielle Lodato; her treasured great-grandchildren Braden and Addison Oatley, Hunter and Hudson Reilly, Joseph and Ellie Flannery, her dear brother Paul DeLuca; and many more loving friends, family and neighbors.  Her siblings Mary De Luca, Michael DeLuca, Rose Florio, Santa Wolfee and Lena Cavaliere passed previously.