Lina Louie

She was born on April 9, 1950, in Palermo, Sicily, and immigrated with her family to New York in October of 1962. Lina held deep gratitude for becoming a naturalized American and cherished the opportunities this country provided for her and her family.

Lina was the fifth of six children in the Boccone family. She graduated from Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, New York, in 1968. Immediately after graduation, she began her career as a Human Resource Administrative Assistant in an immigration law office, where her attention to detail and exceptional translation skills set her apart.

In the 1970s, her family relocated to South Jersey. After briefly working in the family business, La Conca D’Oro Italian Bakery, Lina continued her professional journey as a Human Resource Administrator at Whitehall-Wyeth Pharmaceutical Company, where she dedicated many years before retiring in 1995.

After retirement she enjoyed meaningful travel back to Italy to spend time with family and in her last years enjoyed cross country travel in USA which was a lifelong dream of hers. She built and maintained strong meaningful relationships with family and friends which left an impact on all those who were fortunate to know her.

Lina took immense pride in her Italian heritage and will be fondly remembered for her extraordinary talent and passion as a singer. She was a beloved performer at Columbus Day festivities in Vineland, New Jersey, and shared her gift of music for decades with the Sicilian American Club and the Italian Cultural Foundation.

Through her voice, she brought joy to countless audiences and played a meaningful role in preserving and celebrating Italian culture. She will also be remembered for her love of cooking, her unwavering devotion to family unity, and the warmth she extended to all who knew her. Lina embodied strength, kindness, unconditional love, and remarkable grace throughout her life.

She was a member of the Italian Cultural Foundation, Lodge 2817 Triangle Sons and Daughters of Italy, and St. Rosa of Lima Church.

Lina is survived by her loving daughter and devoted caregiver, Monique Andrews; her dedicated son-in-law, Dale Andrews; and her cherished grandsons, Grayson and Reed of Apex, North Carolina, who brought her immeasurable joy and pride. She is also survived by her sisters, Rosaria Vivirito of Millville, New Jersey; Rosa Marolda of Vineland, New Jersey; and Clorinda Blasse of Clayton, North Carolina, with whom she shared an especially close and meaningful bond.

She leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews for whom she was a beloved role model, cousins, extended family members, and lifelong friends across the United States and Italy who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pietro and Epifania (Pirello) Boccone; her sister, Providenza Riccobene; and her brother, Joseph Boccone, who undoubtedly welcomed her with open arms.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Apex Funeral Home.

A second visitation will be held on Friday, July 31st, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Michael Church Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, 504 S West Ave, Minotola, NJ 08341, with a mass to take place afterwards.

Lina's ashes will be returned to her home in Italy following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

St. Jude Cancer Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Duke Home Care & Hospice at 321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Duke Hospice Care Team for their compassionate support and dedication, which provided Lina with dignity and comfort during her final journey. Their kindness and care over the past two years, as Lina bravely battled cancer, will never be forgotten.

Lina’s life is a reminder of the power of love, resilience, and the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer.