Sunday, March 17, 2024
Nan Wier was first cousin to my mother, Katharine Minicucci. Nan’s mother, Aunt Bridget, was the youngest of eight children born to Luigi and Caterina, and my grandmother Rose was the oldest of these children. I was born fifteen years after my grandmother Rose passed away, so I never knew her. I was fortunate to know Aunt Bridget and her children Michael and Nan. My brothers and I grew up in West Harrison, NY and my parents and I occasionally visited our family in West Pittston, PA where my mother was born and raised.
After my parents retired to DeLand, Florida, Nan, and Richard, along with Nan’s brother Mike DePadova (wife Marie), and their cousin Phil Pettinato (wife Lena) would spend winters together on Marco Island, FL. On their way to Marco, they would stop and visit my parents in DeLand. When she was alive, Aunt Bridget would visit as well. We always had fun, lots of laughs, and I loved hearing Aunt Bridget’s stories about the family, their parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
My parents both died in 2004 but my husband and I continued visiting Nan, Richard, Mike, Marie, Phil, and Lena in Marco Island every winter. In February 2013, we organized a cruise on Celebrity Cuise Lines and these cousins joined us, along with another cousin and his wife who live in NJ. We had a great time, so much fun, jokes, and laughter on that trip. I will never forget those happy days with Nan, Richard, and our cousins.
My husband and I are saddened to lose Nan, but we know that there were celebrations in Heaven when our beloved elders greeted Nan. She was kind, loving, funny, a wonderful cook, cousin, and friend. We kept in touch regularly until a few weeks ago.
We will miss her, and we pray that her family and friends who are left here to remember her will smile and think of her often.
Elena Minicucci
Adam Goldberg
