Lucia "Lucy" Jennette Lonardo's Obituary
Lucia “Lucy” Jennette Lonardo (89) of Methuen, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of August 15, 2025. The daughter of Pasquale and Filomena DeCunto, Italian immigrants from the Campania and Catanzaro regions, she was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1936, and is the last person standing of ten beautiful children from their beloved father, who passed tragically in 1948, and their cherished mother, who passed in 1975.
She was predeceased by siblings Antonia (Auntie Anty), Giovanni (Uncle Johnny), Angelina (Auntie Angie), Aniello (Uncle Dominic), Margherita (Auntie Margie), Ramondo (Uncle Pop), Maria (Auntie Mary), Rosa (Auntie Rosie), and Pasquale Jr. (Uncle Mokie). They are all again one (very large) family in heaven, after persevering, surviving, and prospering through some of the worst and hardest of times.
She is survived by sons Mark Lonardo and Bruce Lonardo, daughter Lisa Marie Lonardo, and grandchildren Victoria Lonardo, Michael Piessens, and Larissa Piessens. A list of remarkable nieces and nephews would be too numerous to mention.
With infinite gratitude, the family also mentions an American war veteran by the name of Ralph McCollin (91) and his son Jason, who graciously stepped in after her husband’s passing 16 years ago and cared and provided for her in a manner only seen in a Notebook-esque Hollywood movie, making a lot of memories in the process.
Her final stop in this world, before final arrangements, was just steps away from where she played as a child, matured as a teenager, raised a successful second-generation Italian-American family, and enjoyed some of the most cherished memories of her life in old Lawrence, Massachusetts, before urban development took it away.
The housewife of her husband, Antonio Paolo Lonardo Jr, who successfully served the United States Government in high capacity for 50 years, held down the household with a passion for family and cooking. So proficient at Italian-American gastronomy, learned from her mom Filomena and elder sisters, she would have had you asking for seconds if she prepared shoe leather. Since 1968, they worked hard as a team in the west end of Methuen, insuring future generations would realize the American Dream.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her and our loss is Heavens gain as the angels are almost certainly eating better right now.
There are no immediate services but a Celebration of Life is forthcoming.
Donations may be made with deep appreciation to the Salvation Army, who, on a sad day in 1948, before any form of welfare existed, stepped in and helped a Matriarchal Tour de Force provide for a family of eleven without a father, in the post WWII years.
An epoch in Italian-American history has been closed, but a million memories live on.
What’s your fondest memory of Lucia?
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Share a story where Lucia's kindness touched your heart.
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