LAWRENCE - Lisa Christian Natale, 63, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill with her family by her side. Lisa was the beloved wife of Francis D. ‘Frank’ Fantini with whom she spent the last 22 years.
She was born in Lynn on November 19, 1959, and was the daughter of the late Dr. Philip W. Natale, Jr. and the late Sylvia Lee (née Gould) Natale and the stepdaughter of Judith A. Natale (née MacKinnon). She was raised in the Newton Highlands area of Massachusetts where she attended the area schools and graduated from Newton South High School. She then received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from MassBay Community College, in addition to attending Harvard Extension School.
At the age of thirty-eight, Lisa enlisted with the United States Naval Reserves, serving until her honorable discharge after three years of dedicated service.
In her younger days, Lisa was an entrepreneur, having her own cleaning business known as “Extra Clean.” Following that, she worked as an early childhood teacher for some time. Lisa also worked as an apprentice in the International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 4) for five years. She then worked at the United States Postal Office in Tewksbury. Lastly, Lisa worked full time at the Garden Center at the Home Depot in Methuen, for over a decade where she was affectionately known as the “Plant Lady.”
A gifted gardener, Lisa also enjoyed knitting, embroidery, traveling, visiting museums and was a voracious reader, with a love for poetry, history and art. She loved spending time taking trips to King’s beach, especially when she was able to fly a kite with her grandson. She had a constant pursuit of knowledge. A true caretaker of others, she adored animals and taking time to care for people or animals in need. She had a strong faith in God. Above all else, time spent with her family brought her the most happiness.
In addition to her husband, Frank D. Fantini of Lawrence, she is survived by her daughter, Jessica M. (née Natale) Tamarin and her husband, David L of Andover; 3 stepsons, Francis Fantini of Billerica, David Fantini and his wife, Kimberly of Westford, and Nicholas Fantini and his wife, Stephanie of Dracut; and her grandchildren, Bronson S. Tamarin of Andover, Gabrielle Fantini of South Carolina, Isabella Fantini of Washington DC, Nicholas Fantini of Tewksbury and Eleanor Fantini of Dracut.
She is also survived by her four siblings: Philip W. Natale, III, of Lawrence, Mark S. Natale of Brooklyn, NY, Lauren B. (née Natale) Lucas and her husband, Wayne P. Lucas of North Grafton, Matthew T. Natale and his wife, Ann-Michelle Krawfsky, of Okeechobee, FL, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, and aunts.
Lisa was predeceased by her grandson, the late Zackory S. Salomonson, of Ledyard, CT.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations in her memory be made to: MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or online at: MSPCA Link
On Friday, June 9, 2023, all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury.
Her funeral will begin on Saturday, June 10th, at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury. Burial to immediately follow at Tewksbury Cemetery.