Natalie Carbone Mangini

Natalie Carbone Mangini , 93, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022. Her zest for life and wise, creative, and generous spirit left an impression on all who knew her, and with her unfailing determination and remarkable intelligence, she opened new doors for women in science.  Born in Long Branch, NJ on August 24, 1928. she was raised and resided in Crabtree, PA for 91 years of her life. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy, received a BA in Chemistry with minors in Mathematics and Physics from Seton Hill University, and completed graduate coursework at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (today Carnegie Mellon University). Her parents offered unfailing support and encouragement throughout her academic and professional careers.  Breaking the glass ceiling, she gained worldwide renown upon becoming the first woman scientist employed at the Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Division. Among other projects, she worked on the development of the nuclear reactors of the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear submarine, and of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the first peacetime use of nuclear energy. One of the four scientific papers she co-authored was the first technical procedure used on atomic submarines for detecting and disposing of radioactive materials.  In 1958 Natalie was asked to go to New York City to participate in ceremonies celebrating the return of the USS Nautilus from “Operation Sunshine,” the first submerged transit of the North Pole. Acclaim for her accomplishments grew as the country and the world got to know her through news articles and television features, including an interview on The Today Show and a memorable appearance on her thirtieth birthday on the game show What’s My Line?.  Among the many awards and commendations she received for her work as an atomic chemist included: the Mademoiselle Magazine Award of Merit in Atomic Science (1958); the AMITA Signal Achievement Award in Atomic Science, an award for distinguished Italian American women (1958); recognition from the American Chemical Society Affiliates of Seton Hill University (1959); Seton Hill University Merit Award (1961); the Distinguished Alumnae Leadership Award for Seton Hill University (1994); a feature on the “Women of Westmoreland County History” website; and the Natalie Carbone Mangini Most Aesthetic Bridge Award, given in her honor at St. Vincent College’s Annual Pasta Bridge Engineering Contest.  For 80 years she also worked at Carbone’s Restaurant, which was founded by her parents in Crabtree in 1938 and closed in 2018. Before she retired at the age of 90 as the restaurant’s owner, she could be found performing nearly every role there, from making gnocchi to drying silverware, and from waitressing to bookkeeping. But she is best remembered for greeting customers in Carbone’s dining rooms, where she loved to strike up conversations with everyone who came through the doors. Many who entered Carbone’s as customers or employees left as her lifelong friends.  In addition, she co-owned and managed Crabtree Oil Company for 25 years with Vincent Mangini, her husband of 32 years. Partners in life and in business, she and her husband set an example for their four children of the importance of hard work, family, faith, and living an impactful life. Beyond these many remarkable accomplishments, she was most proud of her role as a mother to her children, who she called her four “precious gems.”  She was an active member of her community. For many years she volunteered as a proud alumna of Seton Hill University. A lifelong parishioner at Saint Bartholomew Church of Crabtree, she volunteered in many facets including Parish Council, Eucharistic Minister, and lector. She also was involved with or served in leadership positions for several voluntary and charitable organizations, including the YWCA of Westmoreland County, the Greensburg College Club, the American Lung Association - Westmoreland Chapter, and the Westmoreland Public Health Association.  Natalie was a firm believer in the power of positive thinking and one of her mottos was, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right,” which propelled her to pursue her dreams, regardless of societal expectations. She had a deep curiosity about the world around her and a lifelong passion for learning, both of which fueled her clever wit, good sense of humor, and love of traveling with her family. Her ongoing love of experiments and desire to try new things prompted her to discover a passion for Cheetos in her 90s.  Natalie would often state, “I’ve had a good life,” and enjoyed reflecting upon her remarkable experiences and accomplishments. She participated in two interviews looking back on her life and achievements: an expansive conversation with the Collective Legacy Project, and a feature on the Pennsylvania Cable Network’s program featuring exceptional Pennsylvanians, PCN Profiles.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Natale J. Carbone, Jr., and Mary Skodak Carbone; her husband, Vincent Mangini; her sister, Rosalie Carbone; father-in-law Attilio Mangini; mother-in-law Anna Gabriel Mangini; brothers-in-law Anthony, Mario, Emedio, Louis, and Rudolph Mangini, John Ruscin, Tony Ipavec, and Philip Sabato; sisters-in-law Mary Ann, Ann, Mary, Ann and Anna Mangini, Elizabeth Ruscin Ipavec, Edith Sabato, and Elizabeth Carbone; and nephews Louis Mangini, Natale Carbone IV, and Dennis Mangini.  She is survived by her four children: Vanessa Hooper (Timothy) of Ambler, PA, Natalie Stefanick of Crabtree, PA (former son-in-law Mark), Vincent Mangini of Crabtree, PA, and Melissa Orlosky (Douglas) of North Huntingdon, PA: her grandchildren Rosalie and David Hooper, Patrick and Daniel Stefanick, and Donovan and Evangeline Orlosky; her brother, Natale “Buz” Carbone III of Greensburg, PA; sister-in-law Josephine Mangini of Crabtree, PA; and a loving network of extended family and friends.  Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Natalie, Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home, Inc. 409 W. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 837-0020 .  A  funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Bartholomew Church, Crabtree with Fr. Justin Matro, OSB, celebrating, *everyone please go directly to the Church.  The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland/Promedica Hospice, especially Charlotte, Lisa, Shari, and Susan, and the staff of Senior Helpers, particularly Ali, Michelle, and Lori, for their care, compassion and support during her brief illness. We would also like to thank the many friends, family, and former customers who sent cards, well wishes, and lottery tickets to Natalie, especially since the closing of Carbone’s. Your kind messages brightened her days, filled her heart, and really meant the world to her.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in her memory to Saint Bartholomew Parish Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box A, Crabtree, PA 15624 or to Seton Hill University, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1 Seton Hill Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 or https://alumni.setonhill.edu/GiveSHU. Please put Natalie’s name in the check memo line, or if donating online, please use the Tribute Information fields. For questions about donating in Natalie’s memory to Seton Hill, please contact Molly Robb Shimko at 724-830-4620 .  Natalie’s family has entrusted her care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg.  For online condolences / directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.