Nita C. Vicari

Juanita M. “Nita” Cretini Vicari passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the age of 93. We will forever miss her but found comfort and peace in being able to be with her when she passed at her home - where so many memories as a family were made. Nita was born on August 5, 1932, in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Pierre M. Cretini and Datile Naquin Cretini. A 1950 graduate of Lake Charles High School, it was while receiving her education that she met the love of her life, Frank Joseph Vicari, her husband of over 55 years. She was a member of the Kilties and often shared stories of her time on the all-girl marching drum corps, even performing at the Sugar Bowl!

Nita is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; their beloved son, Jeffrey Brian Vicari; her brothers, Wilbur and Corky Cretini; and her sister Dianne Cretini Beeson.

She is survived by her devoted children Pam Vicari (Bill), Frank V. Vicari (Roberta), and Tina Vicari Grant (Richard); her fifteen grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Grannie”, Jennifer Wingate Robertson (Shaun), Brandon Wingate (Leah), Joseph Vicari (Shannon), Jessica Vicari, Jean Vicari Moore (Daniel), John Vicari, Aaron Vicari (Amber), Kristin Vicari (Nicolas), Michael Vicari (Courtney), Katie Vicari, Stephen (Trisha), Matthew Vicari, Austin Vicari, Abby Grant Toohey (Kieran) and Daniel Grant; her eleven great-grandchildren Dillon Wingate, Brianna Vicari, Josie Moore, Zachary Vicari, Zoe Vicari, Myka Vicari, Courtlyn Vicari, Sasha Levant, Sandro Levant, Frankie Vicari and Liam Toohey. She is also survived by her sister, Dot Stelley; as well as numerous other loving family and friends.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice Care, and Deborah, Demetria, Kendra and Tammy, the amazing caregivers who have blessed our family by the care they provided Nita. Your compassion was above and beyond anything we could have asked for

Nita was a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church for over 65 years, filling many roles at the church over the years, including working as a coordinator for the altar servers. Her commitment to church was evident to all that knew her, and she was faithful in attending Mass daily. She often joked that she maintained her 30-year tenure in the workforce to ensure that her children received the best private education. The hard work shows in all their successes.

She was an avid reader, became a den mother with the Cub Scouts when her sons joined, and learned needlepoint – making a Christmas stocking for each of her grandchildren. Frank and Nita traveled, enjoyed regular Friday date nights and rarely missed an opportunity to watch the Tigers play football, especially if tailgating precluded it. After Frank passed in 1988, she began to dabble in gardening and as with everything she did, she excelled and had others marvel at her green thumb capabilities. However, all these adventures paled in comparison to her most cherished hobby…her grandchildren! She attended every grandparent’s event, and she hosted slumber parties for them at her home, creating unique and cherished quality time with each of her grandchildren and providing them with a special bond that can never be broken.

To her children, Nita was epitome of a mother - funny, loyal, sweet and independent. She was faith-filled, a friend to everyone she met, compassionate and helpful…our mother was a saint to us all. We will miss her smile and are confident that we will see her again in heaven, where she will greet us with a ‘let me put a pot of coffee on.’ Until then mom, it is us who say, ‘we love you more.’

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Avenue in Baton Rouge. A Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Honoring Nita as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons and granddaughters.

For those so desiring, memorials in honor of Juanita M. “Nita” Cretini Vicari may be made to Our Mercy Catholic Church and School (giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/f2ccc1ee-4038-46a5-8e22-8aa5f8ca0cb2)

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com