Nicole “Nikki” Marie Calzaretta, age 34, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 6:32 pm at WakeMed in Raleigh after a struggle with congestive heart failure which lead to a cardiac arrest. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020 from 1:00 - :003pm at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615

Nikki was born in Belleville, New Jersey on January 4, 1986. She was the granddaughter to the late maternal grandparents, Philomena Gianetti and Stephen J Shepherd Sr. She was the granddaughter to paternal grandparents, William and June Pekrol. Nikki was the daughter to the late Thomas Richard Pekrol. Nikki is survived by her husband, Christopher Calzaretta; her mother,Joanna McCluskey; her brother, Thomas J. Pekrol and his wife, Amanda Pekrol; her sister, Melissa Phillips and her husband, Danny Phillips; and sister, Vanessa Pekrol. Nikki also leaves behind nieces and nephews whom she loved so much as if they were her own children. They include Lexi Phillips and her son, Colton Byrd, Jeremy, Mason, Andrew, Taryn, Adley, and Talon. Nikki also has three aunts, one uncle and many first and second cousins in New Jersey that she leaves behind.

Nikki was working at Baker Roofing in Raleigh NC as Account Management Support. She learned many trades in different fields of working and also obtained a bachelor’s degree. Nikki had a strong work background and displayed amazing work ethic in any profession she worked. Outside of her driven personality to always succeed in the work world and always displaying her hard working abilities, even in the most stressful of times or situations, Nikki always did it with a smile on her face. This for sure is one thing that all of us can never forget about her. That smile and loving personality. She had this contagious smile and ability to lighten the mood during any time by making you laugh with a joke or just simply being in the company of her beautiful personality. She was very unique and no one could compare. Anyone that had the pleasure to know her or even come in contact with her for even a short time, was truly blessed and lucky to be in the presence of such a beautiful woman as Nikki. She had the kindest, warmest heart, would always do whatever she could to make others happy any way she possibly could, and would always be there for you when you needed her most. Nikki’s love and warm heart didn’t stop with us. Her love extended beyond us and she had such a profound love for animals.

We will forever miss her presence and the times we had with her. Nikki left us early in this life and only stayed with us for a short moment in time but what a priceless imprint her footprints have left on our hearts.

The family would also like to extend their gratitude and appreciation for the employees and staff at Baker Roofing. Her coworkers and friends there came together after her passing and are having a memorial bench placed in the Raleigh Rose Garden in her honor. We appreciate them for keeping her memory alive by placing this memorial in such a beautiful place.

At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, make a memorial donation in Nikki's honor to the American Heart Association