The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Nina Corinne (Camuti) Danielsen, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Meadow Lakes Continuing Care Community in Hightstown on March 22, 2014, surrounded by family.
She was born at home in the Bronx on March 4,1921, the day President Warren Harding was sworn into office. She attended The Ursuline School in New Rochelle and was a 1938 graduate of Mount Vernon City High School, both in New York. In 1942, she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Middlebury College, where she was also a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and the Mountain Club.
She earned her teaching certification in early childhood education from Trenton State College in the 1970s, and spent 15 years enriching young lives as an elementary school teacher at Hillcrest and Conerly Road schools. She also taught English as a second language at the Adult Continuing Education program in the Franklin Township school system.
In retirement she volunteered as a docent providing guided tours at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University and St. Peters University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she often rocked fussy newborns to sleep. Since moving to Meadow Lakes in 2004, she helped manage the community thrift shop.
Nina will always be remembered for her strength and dignity and having an unwavering faith in the Lord that carried her through this long and blessed life. Her greatest joy was being the mother of nine children. She considered it a blessing to be surrounded by so much love. For 47 years, she raised her family on Marcy Street in Somerset before moving to Hightstown.
She was an expert in economizing, a trait that still marvels anyone who knew her.
She held a deep love of all things in nature, was an avid antique collector, voracious reader and had an amazing memory. She taught everyone to live by the rule that today is a nice day. Throughout her life, she was extremely proud to support four generations of family, who served our country in the military.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. Louis J. and Alexandra V. (Landi) Camuti, brother Louis J. Camuti Jr. and his wife Grace (Giorgio) Simone, cousin Dorothy Gladys Camuti, aunt and uncle Grace and Achille Landi, her husband Kenneth P. Danielsen, son-in-law Cary M. Shulman, grandson Timothy Paul Eland and lifelong best friends Margaret (Buscher) Andrews and Helen (Hooley) Young. She is survived by her nine children, including Brian (Ann) Danielsen, Lisa Danielsen, Paula McNamee, Alessandra Shulman, John Danielsen, Nina (Don) Roberts, Ken (Maria) Danielsen, Mary (Rick) Danielsen VanOsten, Joseph (Christine) Danielsen, 23 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and numerous close friends including Helen MacKenzie of Hightstown.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested a donation of time, talent or treasure to either the Fisher House, Cornell Feline Health Center, Franklin Township Education Association (Somerset) or a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be at Barlow & Zimmer Funeral Home, 202 Stockton Street, Hightstown, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on March 28. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 a.m. on March 29 at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church in Hightstown with burial to follow at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.
