Obituary of Natalie N Small

Natalie Small (ne Nilan), of New Jersey, passed into eternal life on October 22, peacefully in her sleep. She was born on April 16, 1925, in Orange, New Jersey, the second daughter of James and Elizabeth Nilan. Natalie attended Our Lady of The Valley School, where she had perfect attendance for twelve years, played basketball as the captain of the first sports team for girls in school history, and met her husband, Lawrence Small, Sr. After his return from the Second World War, in which he served in the Navy, they were married and began a very happy life together. Natalie was a devoted mother to their children, Lawrence Jr., Michael, and Maria, and was active in their schools as they grew up. She was Chairwoman of the PTA at Our Lady of the Valley High School, and later served on many committees' at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child. She was always engaged in her parish community; she acted as the president of Our Lady of the Valley Rosary Altar Society, and later as a Eucharistic Minister at The Shrine of Saint Joseph, in Basking Ridge. She had many friends from her parishes and her neighborhoods, including some whom she had known since kindergarten. She also loved to travel and was able to see much of the world on trips with her family. Her grandchildren, Jacqueline, Michael Jr., and Lawrence III, will always remember her as their loving, funny, and doting Nana. She was predeceased by her husband, and is survived by her sisters Elsie and Rita, her children, and her grandchildren. A Liturgy of Christian burial will be held on Friday October 26, 2012 at 10 am at the Shrine of St Joseph, 1050 Long Hills Road Stirling, NJ followed by entombment in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday October 25, from 4:30-7:30pm at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge. For more information please contact the funeral home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle visit our website www.gcfuneralhome.com.