Natalie Carbone Mangini was trailblazing scientist, restaurateur

Natalie Carbone Mangini spent her life as a trailblazer, continually opening new doors for women in science while wearing the hats of mother and restaurateur.

In 93 years, Mangini shattered the glass ceiling when she became the first woman scientist employed at the Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Division, raised four children with her late husband, Vincent, and was a familiar face greeting customers at the former Carbone’s Restaurant in Crabtree, opened by her parents in 1938.

Mangini of Crabtree died Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

She was born Aug. 24, 1928 in Long Branch, N.J. She was raised in Crabtree, the daughter of the late Natale J. Carbone Jr. and Mary Skodak Carbon.

As a child, Mangini had a zest for learning, a trait that stuck with her following her 1945 graduation from Saint Joseph’s Academy. After graduation, she attended Seton Hill University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry withminors in mathematics and physics. She completed graduate school at Carnegie Mellon University.

After graduating from Seton Hill in 1949, she got a job with Westinghouse, where she quickly jumped at the opportunity to work in the Bettis Atomic Power Division.

There, she completed radiochemistry work and used techniques to solve problems in different departments at the facility.

She had a hand in developing nuclear procedures on the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, and creating safety procedures for the nuclear reactor at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the first peacetime use of atomic power.

In addition, 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.

Mangini’s work was quickly recognized, and in 1958 she was asked to go to New York City to participate in ceremonies celebrating the return of the USS Nautilus from Operation Sunshine, which was the first submerged transit of the North Pole.

She also received several awards, including the Mademoiselle Magazine award of Merit in Atomic Science; the AMITA Signal Achievement Award in Atomic Science, an award for distinguished Italian American women; the Seton Hill University Merit Award; and the Distinguished Alumnae Leadership Award for Seton Hill University, among others.

Mangini completed several interviews — one with the Collective Legacy Project and another on Pennsylvania Cable News PCN Profiles program for exceptional Pennsylvanians.

Mangini married her husband in 1957. She eventually ended her employment with Westinghouse when she started her family.

However, she quickly took on a new role — working at Carbone’s.

While she raised four children, Mangini worked as a waitress and hostess at the restaurant. She also helped her husband run the family business, Crabtree Oil Co.

At the restaurant, Mangini did not shy away from trying various roles and often could be found making gnocchi, waitressing and bookkeeping.

“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,” her obituary reads. “Many who entered Carbone’s as customers or employees left as her lifelong friends.”

Carbone’s closed in 2018.

In addition to her various roles over the years, Mangini was an active member of the community, where she volunteered at Seton Hill. She was a lifelong parishioner at St. Bartholomew Church of Crabtree and was involved in leadership positions at the YWCA of Westmoreland County, the Greensburg College Club, the American Lung Association — Westmoreland Chapter, and the Westmoreland Public Health Association.

She had several mottos for life, including, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right,” which motivated her to pursue her dreams.

Mangini is survived by her four children: Vanessa Hooper of Ambler, Natalie Stefanick of Crabtree, Vincent Mangini of Crabtree and Melissa Orlosky of North Huntingdon; several grandchildren; and her brother Natale “Buz” Carbone III.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home, 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Parting prayers will be held at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will follow in St. Bartholomew Church, Crabtree.