Obituary of Lucy Vanacore

Lucy (Lombardi) Vanacore 96 of East Haven, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 13, 2018. She was born August 24, 1921 in New Haven to Anthony and Anna Lombardi. She is survived by her three loving children, Frank Vanacore (Doreen) of Warwick, RI, Gail Rosenthal (Mickey) of Milford, Tom Vanacore (Kitty) of East Haven along with ten grandchildren, Gina Vanacore, Dana Gulati (Jason), Adam Vanacore (Candace), Devlin Healey, Sean Healey, Marla Rosenthal (Brian Dermody), Thomas Vanacore Jr., Tara Vanacore, Kelley Vanacore and Kaitlin Vanacore. Lucy is also survived by three great grandchildren, Sophia Gulati, Giordian Gulati and Silas Vanacore and a sister, Cecilia De Palma of Hamden. Lucy is preceded in death by her parents, husband Albert Vanacore (1985) and six siblings.

As a young girl, Lucy would help her brothers and sisters sell vegetables from her family farm. Lucy lost her mother at a young age, and was then raised by her older sisters. They often tried to keep her in line when she became a little mischievous, but it didn’t always work. She was married to Albert Vanacore in November of 1941. Albert was in the US Army and after Pearl Harbor was sent overseas where he did not return home until after the war. Lucy contributed to help the war effort while at home. During Lucy’s life, she was always a person that would do anything to help someone. She was a devoted wife and mother, and always had a smile on her face. Lucy was a devout Catholic and taught religious classes at her church, St. Vincent de Paul. She was also a member of the Catholic Women’s Guild. Lucy was a member of the Annex Club and the Women’s Auxiliary, the club whom her husband Albert was one of the original founders. Lucy was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for years and helped save many lives with her efforts. She could be seen driving the big white station wagon with the Red Cross on it throughout the years, and when she was driving you would want to jump out of the way. She was an avid bowler and played in leagues for many years. Lucy collected many trophies, which she was very proud of. She also learned to play bridge as a young adult, and continued to play until she was 95. As her three children got older, Lucy worked at Friendly’s and was a counter lady at the old Metcalf’s Drug Store where she became known as “Mrs. Metcalf”. Lucy loved to dance and at any moment she would stop what she was doing to “bust a move,” especially when she heard Frank Sinatra. She had a flair for style and fashion and collected intricate clothes and shoes. She took pride in her appearance right into her final weeks of life. You could often catch Lucy glancing at herself in the mirror before she left the house. Lucy and her husband Albert travelled all over the world and she loved to share her glamorous traveling adventures with all of her grandchildren. Lucy lived a beautiful life, and she lived it to its fullest. She always put others first, and was most especially grateful to be so close with her children, grandkids, and great-grand-children. In her later years, Lucy often talked about her “trip”. “When I go on my trip, I don’t want any tears! Put on the music and let the party begin!” Lucy, the party has started.

Family will receive friends from 2 – 5 PM on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, (Clancy Funeral Home) 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Her funeral procession will leave Clancy-Palumbo on Monday, March 19 at 10:45 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Taylor Ave., East Haven with Committal to follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Branford. On behalf of Lucy and her entire family, we would like to express our immense gratitude to all of the nurses, aids, and therapists who helped over the past year. The hospice staff, and most especially her home hospice nurse, Theresa, were vital in showing Lucy comfort, grace, and dignity in her final moments. We cannot thank you enough for making a difficult time that much more peaceful. God Bless.