Nancy Leo passed away on Dec. 10, 2013 just four days before her 88th birthday. Nancy had been a resident at Foothill Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Hillsborough since 2000.
She was born in New York City in 1925 to Nicholas and Luisa Provenzano, who immigrated from Italy. Her mother Luisa raised Nancy and her three siblings (Katie, Louie and Rocky) as a single parent, which was very challenging during the Depression in the 1930s.
Nancy attended both High School and the Barbizon School of Modeling in New York City. She was an especially beautiful woman, known for her stunning blue eyes and sparkling smile. She eventually became a fashion model in New York, where she modeled clothing in the New York Garment District. She also worked as a secretary for various companies such as AT&T, Catholic Charities of New York and Employees Insurance of Wausau, often earning special recognition for being an excellent employee.
Nancy married Arthur Leo Sr. in 1955 and had three children (Arthur Jr., Claudia and Jill). Her husband Arthur Sr. passed away in 1965 and she raised her three children as a single parent for many years in the Bronx. She was a wonderful Italian cook and the neighborhood children, now grown adults 40 years later, still remember the Sunday morning gravy (tomato sauce) she would start preparing at 8 a.m.
Nancy eventually moved to New Jersey and has lived very comfortably at the Foothill Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Hillsborough since 2000. Nancy considered this home in her final years.
Nancy is survived by her son Arthur Leo Jr. (Hillsborough) and daughter-in-law Nancy Leo, along with her grandsons Christopher Leo and Alexander Leo. She is also survived by her daughters Claudia Leo (Hershey, Pa.) and Jill Glaz (Tewksbury, NJ), along with her son-in-law Joseph Glaz and her granddaughter Gabriella Glaz. Nancy is also survived by her sister Catherine Pepe (Islip, NY) and brother Louis Provenzano (Raleigh, NC) along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur Leo Sr., mother Luisa Provenzano and brother Rocco Provenzano.
Funeral Services were held Dec. 14, 2013, Nancy's 88th birthday.
Entombment was at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum, Basking Ridge, on Dec. 14.
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