Lee Lancellotti passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, at her home in Vernon, N.J., after a six-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 92 years old.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years Vincent Lancellotti; her four children: Mary Krauze (Douglas), Vincent Lancellotti (Gina), Joseph Lancellotti (Teena) and James Lancellotti (Colleen); and 11 grandchildren: Douglas (Danielle), Lauren, Matthew (Elisabeth), John (Melisse), David (Beth), Danielle (David), Cara (Joe), Nicole (Sean), Jennifer, Melissa and Geena. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Dornan, Deryn, and Aubrey.
Lee was born in Newark, N.J., to the Ida and Ralph Caruso. She is survived by a sister Rosaria Abrescia, sisters-in-law Rosemarie Caruso, Frances Lancellotti, Marie Meola and husband Alan, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brother Anthony Caruso, sister Sue Iafelice and her husband Vincent, sister-in-law Terry De George and her husband Felix and brothers-in-law Nicholas Abrescia and Frank Lancellotti.
Lee and Vincent were married in St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark, N.J. They later moved to Wayne where they raised their family. They were residents of Warwick for several years and later moved to Vernon.
Lee graduated high school at 16 years of age and as a young woman, worked for the Prudential Insurance Company. Lee highly valued education and went to night school for nine years while raising her children to attain a bachelor’s degree in English from Seton Hall University. She continued her studies at William Paterson University, earning a master’s degree in counseling.
Lee taught high school English and later started a resume-writing business. She also worked as a substance abuse counselor for Straight and Narrow in Paterson, N.J., and a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of New Jersey, a position from which she retired.
With her husband, she was a founding partner in the family business, Lee Distributors Inc.
She also worked in Warwick as a realtor for Raynor Country Realtor. Following her retirement, she and Vincent traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Lee was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved family parties, especially playing games and took great pleasure in being with family, even as her illness progressed.
She was self-directed, known for her integrity and goal-oriented in achieving what was important to her. She loved to read and amassed a collection of rare and current books. She loved visiting New York City and looked forward to annual family trips to Wildwood, N.J.
Lee was a member of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Vernon. Her faith was important to her, particularly her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The family wishes to thank caregivers Jeanette, Colleen, Michelle, and Maria for their care and devotion.
Final arrangements were entrusted to Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home in Vernon, N.J. A funeral mass was at St. Francis de Sales Church in Vernon.