Julie Nittolo
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Julie Nittolo passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 5 at her home in Dallas due to complications from gallbladder cancer. The matriarch of the family was 88 years old.
She is survived by her loving son Mike, her granddaughter Jessica (husband Finny), grandson Kevin, and daughter-in-law Kathy. She is pre-deceased by her mother Anna and sisters Marie, Rosie, and Diana and is survived by her brother Nicky.
She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and fantastic grandmother. She loved meeting new people and still has close friends from her youth in New York City, her adult life in Westchester County, and her senior years in Dallas.
Julie Nittolo was born in New York City on April 23, 1934. She grew up in an Italian neighborhood in the East Harlem section of Manhattan. Her early life was tough, but her family was proud to hear how she overcame adversity. Julie loved the city. She and her friends loved seeing many of the contemporary singers of the time including Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet. They even had their picture taken with Tony!
Her first job was in the office for a Broadway advertising company. Or as she would later say: "I worked on Broadway!" She learned how to use a comptometer (an early mechanical calculator). This foreshadowed her ability to use tech in her senior years. She also told the family stories of her job as a telephone operator.
In 1956 she met Carmine at the Enchanted Room Ballroom. They married in 1957. Their wedding song, "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" proved to be prophetic. They had Mike in 1961 and moved to Pleasantville, NY. Julie was a great and loving mother. She encouraged Mike to do well in school, suggested books to read, and was always there for him. She set a great example for him of social responsibility and caring.
Like many women of her generation, Julie took pride in housework and running the home. But also like so many women she had a career that she loved. Reminiscing with her about the holidays, her family is amazed to think she would prepare, decorate, and cook for the holidays all while being busy at work.
She spent many years as the Customer Service Manager at Burke Heat. Co-workers describe her as a great boss and as their "work mother", and they developed life-long relationships with her. On snow days Julie would often be driven to work so she could continue to serve customers of the home heating oil company.
Julie and Carmine moved to Dallas to be near their grandchildren to love and support them. Little Jessica loved Grandma's "gravy" and had the recipe passed down to her. Later her husband Finny would enjoy cooking lasagna and struffoli with Grandma, passing her tough standards and dodging her ever willingness to be the food critic. 5-year-old Kevin would use Grandma to transcribe his stories. In 2020 Julie was proud to view the movie he co-wrote. Her family was impressed by her willingness to try new tech. She always had her smart phone with her, was able to order groceries online, and loved talking on the family zoom videos.
Julie loved her life in Dallas. She made close friends at the Italian Club making her way around the club giving everyone an Italian greeting and a little hug. She had wonderful days at the Carrollton Senior Center often playing Canasta with her friends. She and Carmine loved to play Texas Hold'em throughout DFW.
The Nittolo family would like to thank all her wonderful caregivers including her nurse Rhonda and caregiver LaQuanda.
At this time a joint memorial service will be held at St. Catherine's Church in Carrollton, TX on Thursday, February 16th. Later her ashes will be laid to rest next to Carmine's at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice in her name. She would love the thought of helping someone else.
Please refer to Rhoton Funeral Home's website for any updates regarding service dates and times.