Obituary of Luegina A. Puglia

Luegina "Jean" A. Puglia, RN,BA, CSN, 79, of Pittsgrove, NJ (formerly from Pitman, NJ) surrounded by her loving family, was called home to the Lord on Sunday, November 13, 2016 during her brief stay at the United Methodist Communities (Pitman Manor) facility in Pitman, NJ. Jean was born in Barrington, NJ, to the late Rocco and Anttanate Bellebuono. She was a graduate of Pitman High School, class of 1956, St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing/Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/Philadelphia General Hospital, where she earned her RN, and Glassboro State Teachers College where she earned her B.A. Before her retirement, Jean served as an Operating Room and Maternity Nurse at Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, NJ, a Nursing and Clinical Instructor for Nurses Assistant program & Practical Nurses program at Gloucester County Tech & Vocation School, and a School Nurse at Logan Elementary and Edgewood Regional Jr. High School. Besides her superior nursing skills, she was also an accomplished seamstress, crafter, and a volunteer, past committee member, Block Captain, and currently served as an elected member of the Board of Directors at her beloved Eagle Lake Community, in the Poconos, PA, where she loved to spend her summers. Jean was also an avid gardener. Growing plants, vegetables, and herbs, was a large part of her life. Jean is survived by her husband of 55 years, Nicholas Puglia, Sr., two sons, Nicholas, Jr. (Patty), James P. (Tina), two grandchildren, Rocco and Jackie Puglia, siblings, Nancy Edwards (Matt), Ben Bellebuono (Mary), and Frank Bellebuono (Diane). She is also survived by several siblings-in-law, Sam Puglia (Janet), Anna Chernoch (Erwin), Jennie Kortonick (John), Russell Puglia (Joan), Phillip Puglia (Tracy), and Peggy Puglia. Jean leaves behind a vast number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends that each held a special place in her large heart, but without question, Rick, Karen, and Samantha Bellebuono, along with Pete and Dania Amico, were her "adopted" children whom she took great pride in being both a mother and friend to, and to whom the family is most grateful for their love and care. Besides her parents, Jean was pre-deceased by siblings Rose Homan, Ann Renard, Nick Bellebuono, and siblings-in-law, Joe Puglia, and Carmen and Ellen Puglia. Friends may greet the family on Wednesday 7-9pm and Thursday after 9:30am in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service will be Thursday at 11am. Interment Gloucester County Veteran's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Jean's memory to St. Judes Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.