CUMBERLAND
Natalie Vecchio, 98, died peacefully on November 15, 2022 at St. Elizabeth's Home surrounded by her family.

She was cared for lovingly by all at St. Elizabeth's Home as well as the wonderful caregivers from Hope Hospice.

Natalie will join her dear, beloved husband, Joseph Michael Vecchio, in heaven along with her sisters Stella Chouinard, Lydia Palana, Anna Palana and her brothers Louis and Frank Geremia.

Natalie was born in Providence on Christmas Day, 1923 to Anna Fillengerie Geremia and Bartholomew Frank Geremia.

She leaves behind her three children Valerie Martelli and her husband Frank of Kingston, RI, and Naples FL, Jacquelyn Wnek and her husband Philip of Charlestown, RI and Joseph Michael Vecchio II and his wife Susan of Cumberland. Natalie "Nani" also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Kristen Petite, Jennifer Russo, Amy Tretton, Brian Wnek, Mitchell Wnek III, Kerri Caplette, Jessica Rioux, Joseph Michael Vecchio III, and Victoria Vecchio. Natalie was also blessed with eight great grandchildren, Philip and his wife Liz Tretton, Gabrielle, Gianna and Anna Tretton, Michael and Julia Russo, Isabella Petite, Lydia and Charlotte Wnek, and Emma and Collin Caplette as well as three great-great grandchildren Jameson, Magnolia and Colton; as well as many loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, with whom she spent many wonderful family times with throughout the years. She was the great-grandmother of the late Scott Thomas Tretton Jr and great-great grandmother of the late Oliver Gunner Tretton.

Natalie lived a full and blessed life. She grew up during the depression and World War II. although the family of eight were of meager means, food laughter and love were always plentiful. Natalie learned the entrepreneurial spirit from her mother where she learned to sew and became a seamstress in her early years operating her own shop . She met her "handsome" husband Joe during WWII and they were married in 1946. After raising her three children she became an antique dealer and owned an antique store with her brother, Frank. She also taught art classes in her home to adults for nine years. She was a part of many art societies where she would display and sell her art. After the loss of her dear husband of 40 years, she began taking classes at CCRI and ultimately graduated from URI at age 77 with a bachelors degree in fine arts. During her life she traveled to Italy several times to explore and deepen her understanding of art. She continued painting and sharing her love of art and her Italian heritage to her final days. St. Elizabeth prepared an art station for her to continue her passion during her final years. She was an amazing cook and took an enormous amount of pride providing bountiful family holiday meals for many many years until she reluctantly passed down those traditions and recipes to her family.

Throughout her life Natalie always found time to be of service to others. She was a CCD teacher, and a CYO advisor where she influenced the lives of many young people. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella for most of her adult life doing countless hours of charitable work. She was always willing to donate to the less fortunate and share her talents and blessings with others.

Natalie was a strong, proud Italian American woman, loving mother, and matriarch of five generations of her family. She was feisty, strong willed and fought for her beliefs even to a fault at times. These traits all served her well to live to her 98 years. We all have many "Nani" stories and memories to share for many years to come! She will be missed greatly but her spirit and love of family traditions will live on.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Natalie's Life Celebration to be held with Visiting Hours on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 9 AM to 11 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt.122, Cumberland, RI. A prayer service will be held at 11 AM. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Cumberland.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Elizabeth's Home or Hope Hospice.

ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com