Lucy R. (Ciccarone) Serafini

Lucy R. (Ciccarone) Serafini, 105, of Winsted, CT. and Vero Beach, Fl., passed away, peacefully, Saturday, September 19, 2020, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fl. She was predeceased by her husband Valentine F. Serafini, who passed away in 2005.

Lucy was born February 6, 1915, in Norristown, PA, the oldest daughter of Sue and Luigi Ciccarone, immigrants from Palmoli, Italy. She graduated high school during the Great Depression, one of only three Italian women in the graduating class. The other Italian women had left high school in order to help support their families during this difficult era.  However, Lucy’s father, Luigi, insisted that she complete her high school education. After high school, Lucy worked for the Chatlin’s Dept. Store and the Chicco Beverage Company, both in Norristown.  She became an assistant clothes buyer and accompanied her boss, Mr. Chatlin, to the garment district in N.Y. to help select fabric.

On July 5th, 1941, Lucy married Valentine F. Serafini and moved to Winsted, CT. to begin her married life. World War II interrupted.  While Val was serving in Europe, Lucy returned to PA to live with her parents for 2 years.   However, after the war, both she and Val resumed their life together in Winsted.  During their marriage of over 60 years, Lucy helped Val in the Strand Restaurant on Main St. and then at Pete’s Steak and Lobster House, a restaurant Val co-owned with his brother Benjamin Serafini and his brother-in-law James Casey.  In 1973, when Pete’s closed, Lucy began working for the Department of Revenue in Farmington, CT, from which she retired at age 70.

Lucy loved activity, playing the piano, cooking, hosting friends and family.  She was active in politics, several women’s clubs, and enjoyed bowling and playing Bridge with friends. One of her favorite activities each year was driving with her women friends to NYC to see a Broadway play and enjoy dinner afterwards.  This tradition, facilitated by Evelyn Cornelio, lasted for many wonderful years. Lucy and Val sharing their lives with the Hubbard Street neighborhood, often hosting or attending cookouts with dear neighbors and lifelong friends. She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Winsted, where she was always active with Church bazaars and other projects for St. Anthony School.

Lucy was predeceased by her brothers Ralph and Anthony Ciccarone and her sister Marie Ciccarone.  She is survived by her daughter Susan DiGiandomenico (Richard) of Vero Beach, FL, her two granddaughters, Gabi Conklin (Todd) of Bisbee, AZ, Elena DiGiandomenico of Vero Beach, Fl, and several nieces and nephews from the Ciccarone and Serafini families.

An intimate family memorial service will be held at the Cox-Gifford Funeral Home in Florida on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. and will also be live streamed (https://everloved.com/life-of/lucy-serafini/)

At a future date, there will be a celebration of Lucy’s life with a Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Winsted, with interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Winsted, CT.

In lieu of flowers, friends or family may contribute to the Visiting Nurse Association of Vero Beach, FL, (vnatc.com)  or St. Joseph’s Church, Winsted, CT.( www.stjoseph-winsted.org/)