Libera “Lina” Mancino, age 64 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Monte di Procida, Italy on November 17, 1957, daughter of Michael Schiano Di Cola and the late Maria Ambrosino Schiano Di Cola, Lina had resided in Raritan Township for the past thirty-two years.

Raised in Italy, Lina possessed all the quintessential values one thinks of when picturing a stereotypical “Italian Mom”, chief among these being pure love for her family and a spirit of compassion for all.

The eldest of five children born to her cherished parents, Lina had many responsibilities growing up, including helping her mother care for her younger siblings. Angela, Rosaria, Antonio, and Biagio all fondly recall their sister as a ‘second mom’. With a thirteen year age gap between Lina and Biagio, Lina ensured all her siblings, knew “the ropes of life”, found their own self-worth, and always followed their dreams.

Emigrating to the United States in 1970, the family settled in Brooklyn, NY, as did many other Neapolitan families at that time. Lina would work hard and make a life for herself in Brooklyn, which would be dramatically altered for the better when she would return to Italy in the summer of 1976 for a vacation. It was during this fateful trip where she would encounter a young man named Salvatore Mancino, the best friend of one of her cousins.

Cupid’s arrow would hit them both instantly, and they found a love in the heart of one another that each only dreamt was possible. Salvatore would return to the United States with Lina, where their natural chemistry led them to join hands in holy matrimony on May 20, 1979 at St. Stephen’s Church, Brooklyn, NY.

After marrying, the couple would work side by side with Lina’s father at Camille’s Pizza in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. It was soon after, in 1980, that Lina and Salvatore would welcome their first child, a son, Salvatore Jr.. Archangelo would follow in 1983 and Michael would round out “her Boys” in 1986.

Loving children, Lina was a natural mother and was extremely proud to be the mom of three boys. She was there for them in all ways, being their sounding board as well as their biggest cheerleader. Most importantly, in a home where there was three growing boys and all of their friends, there was never a shortage of homemade food for all! Lina was well-known for her amazing culinary skills, and her chicken cutlets and homemade sauce were legendary.

In addition to raising her sons, she also continued to work side by side and support Salvatore in their culinary endeavors. In the mid 1980’s, the family moved to Lexington, VA where they ran another successful pizzeria before moving back to New Jersey to be closer to family. It was in Frenchtown, NJ where they opened the well-respected Napoli’s Pizza, which the family still owns and operates to this day.

Lina fought a quiet and brave battle for the past fourteen years against cancer and leukemia, never wanting to burden anyone nor to appear as if the illness was driving her world; on the contrary, it was Lina’s spirit of hope that showed her grace and inspired her family to live each moment to the fullest. The entire Mancino family would like to express their appreciation to all of Lina’s doctors, nurses, and other members of her care team who allowed her to live a life of dignity throughout these many years.

A true fashionista, Lina enjoyed traveling back to Italy as well as keeping in shape. Her daily home workout regiments and long walks helped to keep both her mind and body in peak form. She also greatly loved any beach, as she grew up near the water in Italy and never forgot those warm, sunny days with family and friends making memories that would last a lifetime.

A devout catholic and longtime member of The Church of St. Ann, Hampton, NJ, Lina had a devotion to Padre Pio, whose intercession she prayed for daily in addition to saying the rosary each day. Padre Pio once wrote, “Endeavor to unite the simplicity of children with the prudence of adults.” Remembering Lina will no doubt conjure up a vivid mental photo of her unwavering smile, but it will also bring up memories of her steadfast love of children and how she treated all children as if they were her own. She knew that children had the purest form of love and compassion and that it was the community’s responsibility to nurture and develop that love. To honor Lina and keep her legacy alive, is to simply treat all others as God’s children.

Surviving, in addition to her father, Michael, and husband, Salvatore, are her three sons, Salvatore Mancino, Jr., Archangelo Mancino and Michael Mancino; her siblings and their spouses, Angela and Biagio Lubrano, Rosaria Schiano Di Cola, Antonio and Angela Schiano Di Cola, and Biagio Schiano Di Cola and his companion, Agatha Russo; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Graziella Mancino, Rosa Mancino, Anthony Mancino, Nicola Mancino, Genardo Mancino, and Biagio Mancino; her aunts, Giuseppina Iaccarino and Anna Cahill; her nieces and nephews, Lisa and her husband, Martin, Maria, Sal, Michael, Eliana, Biagio, Giada, and Vincenzo; her three great nieces, Lilliana, Daniela and Angela; many extended family around the world; and many dear friends.

Lina will lie in repose on Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Rev. Michael C. Saharic, will take place on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of St. Ann, 32 Main Street, Hampton, NJ 08827. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Following mass, Lina will be entombed at Immaculate Conception Mausoleum, located on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Lina’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, via mail to P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”