March 8, 1934 – Sept. 28, 2018
Nellie LaJoy, a long time Carbondale resident, passed away on Sept. 28. Nellie felt blessed to be loved by her family and friends and to live in this amazing place.
Nellie was born in Glen Cove N.Y. to Joseph and Anna Douso. She was the youngest daughter in an Italian family of 14 children. She often talked and told stories about her upbringing which always brought a laugh and a smile.
Nellie married Edward John LaJoy on Dec. 7, 1952 and together they raised four children: Karen LaJoy Smith (Portland OR), Donna LaJoy Keegan (Denver CO), Nancy LaJoy Hurd (Maui HI), and Edward John LaJoy Jr. (Evergreen CO). Nellie also leaves seven adoring grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Following the death of her husband, Nellie opened Ducci’s Italian Restaurant. She was very active at St. Mary of the Crown Catholic Church serving in many leadership and other service roles. She served the homeless weekly through Feed my Sheep, and the elderly through Meal on Wheels.
For a brief time she wrote a column called, “Walking and Talking with Nellie” for The Carbondale Union. She also volunteered weekly to serve lunch to children at Ross Montessori.
Nellie will be remembered for her love of family, her kindness and her sense of humor but most of all, she will be remembered for her laugh. As her family says, when Nellie laughs we all laugh!
A celebration of life is planned for 10 a.m. Nov. 24 at St. Mary of the Crown Catholic Church (397 White Hill Rd., Carbondale). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to St. Mary of the Crown.