Lillian Marie DeCroce

Nicknamed Lilli, she was a cherished soul with NJ roots from Morris County, but a long family history on the Outer Cape, to which she eventually called home in the 90's. She was surrounded by love in her home in Wellfleet, on Saturday, November 7, by her family after a short illness. Lilli was a star at gardening, she created a beautiful gathering dinner table to welcome friends and family as often as she could, and she had a skill for making memorably delicious Italian homemade dishes. Her heart was full with a son and daughter, both grown and with families in NJ & NY, Andy (Andrew) Kurth married to Kathy Kurth, and Christina (DeCroce) Craig married to Steven Craig of NYC. Lilli was blessed abundantly with six adored grandchildren, Andrew Kurth, Jennifer (Kurth) Grassi, Melissa Kurth, and Julian, Damon and Harley Craig and an additional four precious great-grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally. She also leaves behind her coveted younger sister, Marilyn (Jannetta) Maffei, and her brother-in-law Dr. Louis Maffei, and their families.

Lilli's work as a nurse began at St. Clare's Riverside, NJ, and led her to both family practice nursing and ended in NJ as a Montessori school nurse, which carried her into private nursing for families on the Outer Cape. She loved her work, saltwater living on the Cape, her friends, her incredible neighbors, beachcombing at Indian Neck Beach, and cared equally about great conversation and conservation. She didn't miss a day of reading avidly the NY, NJ and Outer Cape newspapers. Her charm, love, feist and spirit will be dearly missed.

A service will be held for family and friends at a later date at Our Lady of Lourdes in Wellfleet followed by a celebration of life.