Priscilla Anne Natale Wolpert Natale,78, passed away at 1:48 pm on March 30, 2026, at home, where her family had camped out in her room in recliners while 70s Yacht Rock played softly in the background.
Priscilla was born on March 18, 1948, in South Amboy, New Jersey, and raised by Herman “Hunky” and Joan (Brown) Troha. She graduated in 1966 from Roxbury High School in Roxbury, New Jersey.
She left the land of pork roll and diners and moved to the Long Beach coast of Lake Michigan in 1969, where she married Tom Natale and received the gift of two bonus sons. In 1970, she gave birth to her favorite (only) daughter.
In 1983, she married Manfred Wolpert, who had to leave Germany to find the perfect life partner. He stayed by her side and cared for her during her three bouts of breast cancer and this last journey of dementia and primary progressive aphasia. Although she lost her ability to talk, you could see how she communicated her love for him through her eyes.
Priscilla loved to be the hostess for many planned dinner parties, impromptu deck gatherings, and fondue in front of the fireplace after a cold day of cross-country skiing with her tight-knit friend group. She could never pass up an opportunity to pet a dog or a kitty that would cross her path. She spent time walking one of her large collies or shepherds down Lake Shore Drive or feeding the neighborhood kitties on her front porch (and unfortunately, the rude opossum and raccoon that would crash the party).
Priscilla will be sorely missed and remembered by her husband Manfred, her daughter Donna Natale (Andrew) Mason, bonus sons Bruce (Becky) Natale and Tom (Nancy) Natale, sister Stacey (Dave) Apgar, and brother Marc Troha.
Priscilla was a firm believer in gifting an experience for her loved ones and not a replaceable item. Her grandchildren, Jack and Molly Mason, would be taken to events in Chicago, their first movie, a trip to the zoo, or a solo sleepover. For her nieces, Erin (Apgar) Daingerfield, Whitney (Apgar) Trujillo, and nephew, Devon Apgar…a horse and sleigh ride at Christmas or a trip to the hair/nail salon.
All who loved Priscilla dearly will remember her beautiful and kind soul to all humans and animals. Please don’t pass up the opportunity for a wet kiss by a big fluffy dog and a hug from someone with open arms, and with this, please consider a donation in her honor to Dunes Hospice in Valparaiso, IN, or the Michiana Humane Society in Michigan City, IN.
A memorial gathering will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, 247 West Johnson Road, La Porte, (219) 362-3100. A visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
