Carmela R. Turi “Millie”

(nee Patrinicola) On January 30, 2017 of Washington Twp. Age 100.
Beloved wife of the late Robert R. Devoted mother of Linda Cromley (the late Raymond G.) and the late Robert L. Turi. Dear mother in-law of Elizabeth Loving grandmother of Cindy Cromley, Christina Bruner and Robert L., Jr. and Steven Turi. Proud great-grandmother of Brianna, Steven and Gina. Dear sister of Vera Cipriano , Angelina Pontelaneolfo, and the late Rose Carbone and Anna Romano. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Carmela (Millie) left us quietly and with dignity, qualities she exhibited most of her life. Always independent, hard-working, and resilient, Carmela and her four sisters spent their early years on their parents’ farm in Barnsboro, NJ. They all returned with their spouses and children most Sundays to eat together, greet second and third cousins, share laughs and stories, and sometimes help out with an urgent farm chore. This familial love was the glue that held them all together, creating never-to-be- forgotten times in the minds of this large close knit family.

Carmela married the love of her life in 1943 and both were devoted partners and parents, and at celebrations were often found in the center of a circle doing the jitterbug, while folks around them clapped, cheered, and yelled for Bob to throw her over his shoulder. She was a great pinochle player and often entertained card nights in her home with family or friends. Their lakeside home was the site for many picnics and celebrations for family and friends, as was their home at the shore when they moved there in 1978.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a loving daughter, a cherished sister, a dear friend, and an admired aunt, there was no one she didn’t try to please and try to help if they needed her, a characteristic she shared with her husband.

After the sudden death of her husband in 1983, she learned how to cope on her own, doing what was necessary to move on. She suffered further tragedy after the death of her devoted son, 47 years old, and later her son-in-law, her twin sister, Rose, and oldest sister Anna. But still her spirit and determinedness would not allow her to quit living, and she never complained. She took great delight and pride in her four grandchildren and later her three great-grandchildren. At her home in Lakebridge, she was an avid attendee at exercise, line-dancing, water aerobics, and Mah-Jongg, and became best of friends with her dear neighbor, Anne Duffy, as well as enjoying the company and respect of many of her neighbors there.

At the age of 85, she convinced a local newspaper that she was only 77, a random number that didn’t sound old to her, because “old” was something somebody else was, but not her. She always said, “if you feel old, you’re going to be treated old, and I’m not ready for that.” At age 90, she learned to play pool and looked forward to the clubhouse games.

In recent years, Alzheimer’s, the “disease that takes your breath away” (a term by essayist Roger Rosenblatt), started its devastation and she could no longer live on her own. Nevertheless, she never quite succumbed to that life-stealing monster and continued to banter and enjoy many activities in her new assisted living home, participated in the exercises, and tried not to miss Bingo games. There and more recently in her nursing home, where she was suffering great pain from an injury, the attendees smiled at what they described as her feistiness and indomitable spirit, and many remarked, “She is such a lady”.

Anyone who met her was in awe of her spirit, her love and appreciation of life, whatever the circumstance in which she found herself.

Carmela,” Millie”, your life was love and labor, your love for your family true, you did your best for all of us. We will always remember you.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Friday 10:30-11:30 am at SS Peter & Paul RC Church 362 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 11:45 AM. Interment, New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carmela’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053 or to Heartland Hospice, 190 N. Evergreen Ave, Suite 122, Woodbury, NJ 08096.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com

“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”