Nelly Bassi

Nelly Bassi, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in June 1928, often spoke with great affection about her father's love and the joyful childhood she spent surrounded by many cousins. Though an only child, those early family bonds shaped her deeply, and she cherished those relationships throughout her life.

Nelly met Oscar Bacigalupi in the neighborhood where they both grew up, and the two later married. Together they raised three children before immigrating to the United States in 1962, settling in New York. Navigating a new country, a new language, and a new culture was one of Nelly's proudest achievements, and in 1967, the entire family became U.S. citizens. Many of the friendships formed during those early years endured for the rest of her life.

Once established in the United States, Nelly drew upon her university education from Argentina to secure positions in various financial institutions. She became what we would now call a "working mom" long before it was commonplace in the 1960s.

Nelly treasured her close relationships with her grandchildren, marking milestone birthdays with special outings and celebrations. After she and Oscar retired, they enjoyed traveling abroad, especially during their cherished return visits to Argentina to reconnect with loved ones.

A woman of deep and unwavering faith, Nelly leaned on that faith through life's most difficult moments. She called upon it after the loss of her daughter, Vivian, to breast cancer in 1986, and again in 2007 following the tragic passing of her son Gerard and daughter-in-law Denise. Her steadfast spirituality remained a guiding force throughout her life.

Following Oscar's passing in 2012, Nelly continued to embrace life, finding joy in her friendships and in outings to New York City to see Broadway shows, attend the opera, and share good meals with those she loved.

Nelly is survived by her son, Paul, and her beloved grandchildren: Melanie, Jennifer, Michelle, Gabriel, Amy, Julia, and Bridget, as well as her great-grandchildren TJ, Mallory, Catalina, Lucas, Dylan, Sophia, Alula, Nicky, and Olive.