Raffaela "Phyllis" Natola

Raffaela “Phyllis” Natola, age 77, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away at Winchester Hospital on October 6, 2025.

She was born in Cerreto Sannita, Italy on November 29, 1947 and was the daughter of the late Michele and Emanuela (Mattei) DeNicola.

Phyllis immigrated from Italy to the United States at six years old with her mother and, at the time, two siblings to join her father. She was a graduate of East Boston High School. Phyllis moved to Wakefield where she raised her daughters and resided for the past 55 years; and where she was a parishioner of the former St. Florence Church. She was also a member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy and was active in the Wakefield Senior Center. Phyllis worked as an office manager and an administrative assistant at local medical offices where she gained many friendships. She very much enjoyed her visits with her daughter Amy and adored spending time with her grand furbabies. Phyllis loved taking trips to North Conway and Cape Cod with her daughters and grandchildren and relaxing at the lake in Maine with her family. Phyllis also loved watching her grandchildren grow up and texted them weekly using many emojis. She recently enjoyed two memorable trips, including a Disney cruise with her daughter Marisa and a trip to Sicily, Italy with her sister Anna. Phyllis found joy in spending time with her family and friends and in exchanging Tootsie Rolls with her nephew.

Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Marisa Laurendeau and her husband Kevin and Amy Natola. She was a cherished Nona to her beloved grandchildren, Emilie and Aiden Laurendeau, as well as her grand furbabies, Serafina, Arabela, Francesca, Amalia Lucia, Loredana Luisa, Mattea, and Amara Teodora, and her predeceased grand furbabies, Timmy, Layla, and Angie. Phyllis was the adoring sister of AnnaMaria King and her husband Wayne, Anthony DeNicola and his wife Linda, and Michael DeNicola and his wife Sandra. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Phyllis was predeceased by her longtime companion, Guy LaTerza.

A Mass will be held at 10:15am on Wednesday, November 26 at the Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine (47 Butler Avenue, Wakefield). Please feel free to wear Phyllis’s favorite color, pink, to honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).