Palma Josephine Buttitta Nowicki

Palma Josephine Buttitta Nowicki, 83, of Jacksonville passed away peacefully after a heroic battle with cancer Sunday, July 26, 2015 at the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring surrounded by her loving family and friends. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was born March 20, 1932 in Bloomfield, New Jersey to Pietro and Julia Livigni Buttitta. After raising her children Palma worked at J.M.Fields, Montgomery Wards, Jacksonville General Hospital before retiring from Memorial Medical Center in 1998 to care for her newly born grandson, Jordan Quaile. Palma was an active member of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she also served as President of the Women's Council, the Alliance of Two Hearts, and the Italian-American Club of Jacksonville where she served as Assistant Treasurer. Palma is preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Mitch Nowicki. She is survived by daughters, Michelle Willis (Allen) of Jacksonville, and Joanne Quaile (Robert) of Vero Beach, FL; sons, Michael (Phyllis) of Madison, MS, and Joseph (Cindy) of Jacksonville. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Lauren Coutu (Alex), Katherine Pentz (Rob), David Nowicki, Joseph Nowicki, Jr., Sarah Robichaux (Erik), Jordan and Patrick Quaile, Nathaniel and Samuel Bishop; by her 3 great-grandchildren, Layla Pentz, Briella Robichaux and Bryson Coutu, and her two sisters, Jenny Kliminski of Bloomfield, NJ and Rosemary (Dolly) Nicolato of Toms River, NJ. There are three words that best describe Palma: affectionate, loyal, and loved. She continuously showed affection to family and friends with kind words, firm hugs and understanding, which continued through her final days. Palma was loyal to everyone with whom she had a relationship and to every cause that she supported. She could often be found greeting and providing parishioners after the 8am Latin Mass and 10am Mass with donuts and coffee. Palma's love was obvious to all who knew her and friends cherished spending time with her. She had a positive impact on the lives of countless people throughout her lifetime and it is not unusual to hear family, friends, and acquaintances talk about how her influence made their life better. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd. S., where a Vigil Service will be held at 6:30PM on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. A funeral Mass for Mrs. Nowicki will be celebrated at 9:00AM Thursday, July 30, 2015 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with The Very Reverent Edward Murphy, celebrant and concelebrant, Father Reverent Rodolfo Godinez and assisting Deacon Larry Geinosky. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Palma's name may be made to Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 121 East Duval Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 or to Community Hospice of NE FL (Hadlow Center for Caring), 4226 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257..VigilWednesday, July 29, 201506:30 PM Chapel of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home4140 University Blvd., So.Jacksonville, FL 32216GravesideThursday, July 30, 2015 Jacksonville National Cemetery4083 Lannie RoadJacksonville, FL 32218FuneralThursday, July 30, 201509:00 AM Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church121 East Duval StreetJacksonville, FL 322024140 University Blvd S Jacksonville, FL 32216 f: 904-739-81594747 Main St N Jacksonville, FL 32206 f: 904-353-0763