Obituary of Annette Nicolosi

Annette Nicolosi! December 15, 1960 —October 9, 2024 A beautiful soul, a compassionate and loyal friend. Annette Nicolosi, 63, of Penns Grove, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2024, at Samaritan Hospice in Voorhees, NJ, after a brave battle with brain cancer. Annette was the beloved daughter of the late Sam Nicolosi and her mother, Betty, who survives her. She is also survived by her brothers Sam (Pam), of New Castle, DE, and John, at home, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She loved her paternal grandparents, Sam and Anna Catalano Nicolosi, who lived close by on the farm. She did not have the opportunity to know her maternal grandparents, George and Jeannette Ware, of Pennsville. She regarded Grandmom Anna as her "special angel," someone who understood and accepted her unique personality. Throughout her months-long stay this summer at Cooper Hospital, Camden, Annette underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments with grace and dignity, never complaining or asking why fate had afflicted her with this terrible disease. After her brain surgery June 21, Annette gradually regained her memory and speech, but her legs remained paralyzed due to the pressure of the inoperable tumor in her brain. Her truly exceptional team of doctors and nurses at Cooper Hospital made a valiant effort to save her from this aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, but ultimately the cancer overwhelmed her body's defenses. Annette would like to be remembered for the way she lived her life, not for how it ended. She was kind, thoughtful and generous with her time. She never engaged in hurtful gossip or said negative things about other people, even those she loved who did not make an effort to communicate with her. Over the years Annette overcame many health challenges, both physical and mental. She found a loving community with her neighbors in her apartment complex in Penns Grove, especially her landlords, Arthur and Rachel Plagge, and Howard and Barbara Scofield. She was close to her Aunt Barbara van Namee who often drove her on errands, and her godfather, Uncle Fred, with whom she shared good food and conversation. Annette was an avid reader who loved watching the colorful sunsets on the Delaware River from her back porch. She was also a devoted fan of Philadelphia sports teams, especially the Eagles and the Phillies. A lifelong resident of Salem County, Annette grew up in Mannington where her family were prominent farmers. From an early age, she developed a love for nature, especially for the animals that lived in the woods surrounding her home. A herd of deer would graze at dusk within yards of her house. Pheasants, rabbits, squirrels and wild turkeys would suddenly appear and just as quickly disappear back into their dwelling places. Annette felt a special connection with these wild and beautiful things that sometimes have to hide from humans. Annette graduated with honors from Salem High School in 1979. She had a loving circle of friends, her "Buddies Club," as they named themselves. She worked for 20 years as a teller at Pennsville National Bank in Carneys Point. She took time to get to know her customers by name and showed a genuine interest in developments in their lives. Customers often sought out the teller "with the big smile." She was loved by her coworkers, too. Annette possessed the gift of being able to relate to children in a way they understood which made her a sought-after nanny and babysitter in her youth. Throughout her life Annette encountered many health challenges which she bravely confronted and overcame. She was especially proud of being able to live alone and to manage her life as she wished. She had a special talent for details. Her apartment was always well-organized and immaculate. She kept track of the birthdays of friends and relatives and would always write touching personal notes in the cards she sent. Annette loved to celebrate special occasions. She looked forward eagerly to the annual family reunion hosted by Frank and Debbie Fichera which gave her an opportunity to catch up with her many cousins. By her example, Annette taught us to be true to ourselves, to hope for the best possible outcome even when the odds seem stacked against us, to show people you care with small gestures like sending notes, and to be one of those people who demonstrate by their words and deeds the power of love to heal our world. Though not religious in a traditional sense, Annette embodied Jesus' summary of the Law: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Salem County Humane Society, ! 214 Game Creek Rd, Penns Grove, NJ 08069. (salemcountyhumanesociety.org) Contact Fred Nicolosi 809-217-4867 www.laughreyfuneralhome.com