Lucia Rendine (nee Vernola), 89, passed away peacefully at her Weehawken, NJ home on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family as she went on to join her beloved husband, Luigi and adored son, Michael who passed earlier this year. A funeral mass will be offered at St. Ann’s RC Church; 704 Jefferson St., Hoboken, NJ on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 beginning at 12:30pm following private memorial ceremonies.
Lucia was born in the town of Molfetta in Southern Italy on April 6th, 1934. It was there that she married Luigi Rendine, who shared her dream of one day embarking on a new life in America.
In 1966, the couple along with four children, crossed the Atlantic aboard the SS Michelangelo for New York. The family endured a perilous eight-day journey, eventually settling down in Weehawken, in a house which would remain the Rendine family hearth and home for three generations. This home that Luigi and Lucia built would go on to see children grown and married, successful careers and plenty of beautiful-grand and great grandchildren. Lucia and Luigi both worked long hours to build this new life in New Jersey. As a seamstress, Lucia found plenty of work in several Hudson County embroidery factories, often bringing jobs home. While working day and night, she was also raising five children and made sure to provide a warm meal every night. This instilled quite a work ethic in her children.
Lucia was the matriarch of the Rendine family and it was her who began the traditions that will be continuously passed on. Her family will always remember her countless trays of baked ziti, stuffed mussels with egg balls, baked clams, u treat, fish soup, fried calamari and fried zucchini. Her family nicknamed her Nonna parmigiana for her famous various parmigiana dishes. Christmas was her busiest time in the cucina, as she worked tirelessly to cook La fritte (panzerotti), u cuccola (focaccia) and especially her calzone molfetessi which she shared endlessly with her family and friends.
Lucia was a proud Nonna who loved America and the blessings she enjoyed with her family. But a big piece of her heart would always be back in Molfetta. She returned numerous times to visit with many family members and these were some of her most cherished memories.
Lucia is predeceased by her father and mother Michele and Rosa Vernola, husband, Luigi Rendine and son Michael Rendine.
Lucia leaves behind four children, including Roseanne and her husband Ray R and their children Jason, Amanda and Ray, Jr. Dominick and his wife Angela Rendine with children Johnny, Anthony, Michael and Fabiana. Tonia and her husband Darrin Druzbik and children Stephanie and Emily. Alex Rendine and his wife Maria with children Michael and Nicholas. And Michael’s daughter, Tia Rendine. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Liam, Ruby, Vayda, Olive, Jayde, Rio, Tommy, Angelina, Mila and Santino.