Obituary: Lucille M. Grella Dies at 87

NAUGATUCK — Mrs. Lucille Marie De Carlo Grella of Naugatuck died Friday, April 27, 2012 after a long courageous battle with leukemia, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Naugatuck on March 27, 1925, to Louis De Carlo and Lucy Aquavia De Carlo and had been a lifelong resident of Naugatuck. Prior to her retirement, she worked at the Lewis Engineering Co. and later for Naugatuck Public Schools at the Naugatuck High School cafeteria from 1970 to 1987 where she earned the love and respect of both faculty and students.

Lucille was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, class of 1942, where she lettered in basketball, volleyball, and tennis. She served as captain for all teams for three years. She was also an active member of St. Mary’s Altar Society and a communicant of St. Mary’s Church. Her other interests included music, dancing, the Naugatuck Women’s Club, and the UCONN Huskies.

Besides her devoted husband, Albert M. Grella, Sr. of 66 years, she is survived by daughter, Lucia Noel and her husband Peter of Middlebury; son, James Grella and his wife Rose; son, Louis Grella and his wife Barbara, all of Naugatuck; son, Albert Grella Jr. of Waterbury; and son, Michael Grella of Glastonbury. Lucille also leaves eight adoring grandchildren, Chris Grella, Nikki DeNote, Matthew and Eric Grella, Allison and Alex Grella, and Katie and Becky Noel, and her two sisters Antoinette Keating and Jeanne Johnson of Naugatuck. She was predeceased by a sister, Lois Guisti.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday May 2, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 338 North Main St., Naugatuck for a mass at 9 a.m. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday May 1, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Lucille, with her compassionate, generous heart and zest for life was loved by many.  In grateful appreciation for the care provided to Lucille in her illness, donations may be made to the Harold Leaver Cancer Center of Waterbury, Glendale Center of Naugatuck, and Waterbury VNA Hospice.

The Grella family expresses sincere appreciation to Dr. Bowen and Dr. Huebner for their compassionate care.

For more information and online condolences please log on to www.buckmillerbrothers.com.

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