Lillian DeCroce, who was known as Lilli, died on Nov. 7, 2020, at her home in Wellfleet, surrounded by family. The cause was small-cell lung cancer, said her daughter, Christina. Lilli was 83.
Lilli was born in Passaic, N.J., the daughter of Angelina and Andrew Jannetta, and was raised in Boonton and Montville, N.J., but she had a long family history on the Outer Cape, which became her permanent home in the 1990s.
Lilli was a star gardener who created beautiful gatherings at her dinner table to welcome friends and family as often as she could. She made memorably delicious Italian dishes. She was also a beloved private nurse to many families on the Outer Cape.
Her nursing career began at St. Clare’s Riverside Hospital in Boonton, and led her to family practice nursing and to her subsequent job as a Montessori school nurse in Parsippany, N.J. After moving to the Cape, she established her nursing practice here through the Council on Aging and Visiting Nurse Association.
She loved her work, saltwater living on the Cape, her friends, her neighbors, and beachcombing at Indian Neck. She cared equally about great conversation and conservation. She didn’t miss a day of avidly reading the New York, New Jersey, and Outer Cape newspapers. Her charm, love, feistiness, and spirit are dearly missed.
Lilli is survived by her son, Andrew Kurth, and wife Kathy of Branchville, N.J.; daughter Christina Craig and husband Steven of New York City and Wellfleet; six adored grandchildren, Andrew Kurth, Jennifer Kurth Grassi, Melissa Kurth, Julian Craig, Damon Craig, and Harley Craig; and four unconditionally beloved great-grandchildren. She also leaves her younger sister, Marilyn Jannetta Maffei of Truro and New Jersey, her brother-in-law, Dr. Louis Maffei, and their families.
A service will be held for family and friends at a date to be determined at Our Lady of Lourdes in Wellfleet, followed by a celebration of life.
For online condolences visit nickersonfunerals.com.
