Natalie Billeci

Natalie (née Marino) Billeci of Southampton died on November 15 at Southampton Hospital. She was 83.

Born April 1, 1925, in Southampton, she joined the nation’s World War II effort as a civilian employee of
the U.S. Army Air Corps in Fresno,
California, and at the Air Corps
base in Westhampton Beach after graduating from Southampton High School.

After she moved to Brooklyn in 1949 and married Joseph Billeci, the couple subsequently lived in Roosevelt and Massapequa Park, summering in Southampton Shores until becoming year-round residents in 1974.

She chose to work temporary positions as an executive secretary, survivors said, enabling her to spend summers with her children, which was very important to her.

An active member of her community, she assumed several leadership positions, including serving as president of the Parent Teacher Association, chairperson of the volunteers of Southampton Hospital, president of the Colony Club of Southampton Shores, and president and, most recently, vice president of the
Residents’ Council at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. But members of her family said she will be most lovingly remembered for her Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations.

Mrs. Billeci is survived by two sons, Michael Billeci and Frank Billeci and his wife Dianne, all of Southampton; two daughters, Jeanne and her husband Larry Steck of Southampton, and Nancy Billeci and her partner Kate Gilbert of Arizona; a sister, Sarah Peck of Bayshore; two grandsons, Dylan Henderson and Christopher Billeci; two granddaughters, Samantha Steck and Jody Billeci and her husband Adam Gratton; two great-grandsons, Tyler and Joshua; and a great-granddaughter, Cameron Gratton.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Billeci, and a brother, Michael Marino.

A funeral mass was held on November 18 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton, followed by interment beside her husband at Calverton National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Residents’ Council at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing would be appreciated by the family.