Laura L. Cavadini

Laura “Lu Lu” Cavadini, age 64 of Pompton Plains, NJ passed Wednesday, July 10,2024 with the comfort of her family by her side. A true hero, loved by everyone who knew her, Laura proved to be the “strongest person you’ll ever know” during her last days and weeks as she fought the battle of her life. In His mercy, Jesus carried Laura home to heaven so she could be at peace once again.

Laura was born to Anthony and Misako Coppla, the third of five children. She was born in Newark NJ and lived in Kearney until she was 9 years old. She and her family then moved to Lyndhurst, where she attended Jefferson Elementary School and Lyndhurst High School. Laura always enjoyed growing up in a big family and took pride in both her Italian/American and Japanese cultures.  Her family was tight knit and she often spoke about how much she enjoyed going on many family day trips and sharing a room with her sisters growing up.

After high school, Laura went on to work for the federal government in lower Manhattan, traveling into the city everyday with her dad and walking “miles” in her high heeled shoes. She then took a job with the Cavadini Insurance Agency, where she met and fell in love with Chuck Cavadini. On her second day of employment there and to Laura’s surprise, Chuck asked her out for a dinner “date” at Angelo’s and the rest is history. They were to be married 2 years later, on March 6,1982. By April of 1983, Laura started her favorite and most life-fulfilling job: being a full-time mom. Laura was born a natural caretaker, which she would continue to do for the next 42 years, first as a mother to her daughters and eventually as a grandmother and full-time babysitter to each of her 4 grandchildren. The relationships and bonds she built which each of her grandchildren were truly special in every day. However, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves….

Laura and Chuck were married for 42 blissful years, first living in Lyndhurst and eventually moving to Pompton Plains, NJ. Their marriage was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Natalie or simply “Natalie Nicole” as they became known as.  Laura and Chuck enjoyed being “young” parents, and as a happy family of four, they were always traveling to Myrtle Beach, the Jersey Shore and to wherever Chuck’s insurance convention was that year. Every day in the summertime, you could find Laura, Nicole and Natalie (and in the evenings, Chuck with a bucket of fried chicken or a pizza) sunbathing or at PV Park in Pequannock, NJ where she loved to sit ALL DAY LONG and talk with her many beach friends.  Most recently you could find the family anywhere in or near the water in Manahawkin/LBI, NJ. In 2013, Laura experienced her second (or third) happiest day of her life: she became a grandmother! She was blessed with four more grandchildren, all of whom she loved more than anything else in the world (even ice cream)!

Laura was the most caring, kind, generous, and loving wife, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and friend to everyone who was blessed to have known her.  She was always there to help a friend/family member in need, whether that was by cooking or baking a special treat for them, babysitting her nieces/nephews/neighbor’s children, or just by listening and talking for hours! Laura loved and was an excellent cook and an even better baker, who was known for her famous Christmas Cookies. Every December, she would bake and then assemble trays and trays of her delicious cookies and Chuck would have the job of distributing these platters to neighbors, friends and family.  Laura also loved shopping, painting, talking (usually on the phone, though in person was even better), beaching, watching television (Blue Bloods and the morning news shows), playing the slots at the Borgata and eating ice cream (yes, eating ice cream was one of her hobbies)! With her friendly demeanor and beautiful smile, Laura made friends with every person she met, whether that was the cashier at the local A&P or the person who sat next to her at her favorite/lucky slot machine. More than anything, Laura loved spending quality time with her family and friends including her many nieces and nephews and especially her grandchildren. She never missed a sporting event, piano or dance recital, school play, band competition, or even a chance to travel with the band to Disney World.  

Laura’s final act of kindness was being a kidney organ donor at the moments of her life. Laura’s legacy will live on forever. She will be missed so. very. much.

Laura is survived by her mother, Misako Coppla; her husband Chuck Cavadini; her daughter Nicole Nguyen (John and their children Grace, Evelyn and Thomas); her daughter Natalie Porcella (Gerard and  their daughter Juliet); her sister Joann Rittersbach (Stephen); her brother Anthony Coppla (Theresa) and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her father Anthony Coppla; sister Martha Defalco, sister Linda Bucossi and grandson Benjamin Porcella.

By family request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to:

•       Vasculitis Foundation at www.vasculitisfoundation.org/make-a-donation

•       St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Note: Please remember to dedicate your gift to Laura (ccavad4@optonline.net)