Carla Nseem Penque, 32, of North Tonawanda, NY, passed away unexpectedly on November 8, 2015 at Brooklyn Woodhall Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Born in North Tonawanda, NY, she was the loving daughter of Richard and Rita (Simon) Penque.

Carla graduated from North Tonawanda High School in 2001, where she was a percussionist in the school's Marching Band and percussion ensemble. She had a strong sense of justice and caring, earning her Bachelor's degree in Political Science, with a concentration in Public Law and a B.A. in Women's Studies, as well as a Certificate of Paralegal Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo, graduating in 2006. Carla was selected to participate in Georgia State University's Historical Preservation Master's program later graduating in the Summer of 2015. While attending Georgia State University she also interned at The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Carla was then accepted into the Placzek Fellow Program at Landmarks Preservation Committee in New York City where she later accepted a full time position as a preservationist. She was also currently working at Mohawk Valley Collective where she was dedicated to the restoration and adaptive reuse of the area's historic architectural buildings.

While attending high-school and college, Carla worked in all facets of the restaurant business. She began as a prep-cook at Pizza Junction in North Tonawanda and later worked as a server locally at Oliver's Restaurant in Buffalo. She then moved to Atlanta, GA, and was a server in several upscale restaurants including Canoe and 4th and Swift Restaurant. She was very instrumental in the opening of the well known Local Three Restaurant in Atlanta, GA where she became the manager. Carla also served as an assistant director for a premier hospitality service, catering to upscale venues including the Master's Tournament in Augusta, GA. Although she was very successful in the restaurant field, she decided to pursue her dreams in becoming a Historic Preservationist and enrolled into Georgia State University to obtain her Master's degree.

Carla was known for her quick wit, sweet smile and huge love for friends and family. She was passionate about animals and especially loved her dog, Coco and cat, Velvet. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed vacationing with her family in the Old City of St. Augustine, FL. Carla will be remembered greatly for her loyalty and care for others and is described by her friends and family as "loyal to the end."

In addition to her parents, Carla is survived by one brother, Anthony Penque; aunts and uncles, Maria Cicciari, Joseph (Gina) Penque, Kellyann Simon, Mary (Karl) Buryta, as well as her great-uncles Dominic Colamarino, Guido (Antoinette) Fontanarosa, Albert Fontanarosa and Raymond Simon. She is also survived by her loving boyfriend Matthew Lathan and her godmother Laurie Montante. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Kelly and Carmella Simon and her paternal grandparents Joseph and Emily Penque; and will also be greatly missed by her many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 14th from 4 – 8 P.M. and Sunday, November 15th from 2 – 7 P.M. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, where funeral services will begin on Monday, November 16th at 11:00. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Carla's name may be made to Niagara County S.P.CA., 2100 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 or to Preservation Buffalo-Niagara, 617 Main Street, Suite 201, Buffalo, NY 14203 or to The Georgia Trust,1516 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 or New York Landmarks Preservation Committee, One Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004.