Ginny was a very smart woman.  She was beautiful and she had a big heart. I know she felt for people who suffered.  I know she put on a face as if she had not a care in the world, but under it all, she understood suffering and loneliness and loss, and she felt the sadness that the people who came for comfort felt.  She will be remembered.  In knowing that she is no longer a fixture in Northwest Chicago on Belmont Ave. is disconcerting for me, a transplant who is feeling the sun here in East LA, 80 degrees outside, and yet  I felt more warmth in Chicago in the middle of winter from the wonderful trustworthy people there than I have ever felt here in California. A little birdie told me you are dong okay up in heaven and you are still doing your magic to help people who need it. Like Clarence, the angel in "It's a Wonderful Life" produced by Frank Capra, you are finding the souls that are most in need and giving them a new perspective on life.  You are always there for us, Ginny.  You are still in our hearts.

Ginny was my first  boss when I served coffee as a teenager with my twin sister Donna and our neighbor friends Liz and Roseanne at the Montclair Funeral Home. She bought us the most delicious pecan coffee  cakes to serve to the guests who would come downstairs for coffee. She was a tough cookie, but she was so beautiful and seemed to have it together in a way that impressed me in ways that lasted me my whole life. When I heard that she passed away, I was surprised at how  sad I was. I thought I didn't like her because she scared me a little, but on remembering her, I realize that she was my role model.  Her grace and beauty and firm discipline with us, the teen-aged girls in the neighborhood, was an example of what it would be like to be a strong career woman in charge.  We would work after high school and do homework until the people would come down for coffee, but sometimes we would run out of coffee, so we would sneakily mix tea and coffee together at the end of the night so we wouldn't have to make another big pot of coffee, and I wonder if anyone ever noticed.  We thought it was hysterically funny, and 50 years hence, I am still laughing about it. That wasn't nice, but Ginny never said anything about the strange coffee. I miss the idea of her being there even though I haven't been to Chicago in years. I will never forget her. She was my first boss. I was a bit intimidated by her beauty, but she didn't fire me for sneaking all those little pieces of pecan cake to eat instead of leaving them for the mourners. Rest in peace, Ginny. When I think of you, I think of the Bahamas. I hope you are happy in heaven now with all the people you have helped to transition over the years. You made them look so beautiful with your artistic talent with make-up.  You were beautiful too- inside and out.
Mary Lou Kovalic (my maiden name) and Mary Jacobs, now, living in East LA.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Larry and Mary Cirillo, 
Johnson City TN

To Joseph Lucania

Dear Joe my deepest sympathy on lost of your sister Ginny.Like me being youngest of most of my siblings its tough when you loose a sister or brother.My prayers are with you and your family.
                  Tony Cassa

Dear Joe and the Lucania family. The  Ewald-Barlock Family are  extending our sympathy and prayers to all of you at this difficult time. we send our love. when we used your facility you all made us welcome so we could take care of our grieving families. Thank you.

My heart goes out to Joe Lucania and family during this time.  May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Ginny was always good to my entire "Cali" family over the years and especially when my mother passed.  I will always remember her kindness and will miss seeing her time to time when she would come visit the Lucania family plot at Mt. Carmel Cematary where our family "Cali" plot is as well.  They are located right by each other.  God bless and you will be missed and always in my prayers Ginny and family!!

Our hearts go out to the entire Lucania Family.  Virginia was our friend as well as the person to whom we entrusted our loved ones.  She got us through 40 years of loves and losses with grace, style, reverence and humor.  I will be forever grateful for her loving kindness and gracious manner.  We shared many laughs along the way. Til we meet again, my dear friend, I will never forget you.  Karen Cascio Bulski, the Ricotta's, Jerry and Marion Pilas, the Cascio's, Loizzo's and  the Eaton's.  Rest in peace.

The Leonard and Lena Montalbano Family wishes to extend our sincere condolences to the Lucania and Massel Family on your loss. Ginny was a dear friend to our family and helped us many times over the years in dealing with the loss of our loved ones.

Ginny will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered by all of us in our prayers. May she Rest In Peace!  

Sincerely,
Marie Composto, John, Catherine, Linda, Peggy, Denise and Renee Montalbano and our Mother Lena. 

My sincere condolences to Joe and the entire Lucania family... You are all in my prayers.

Dear Joe and Lucania Family, Please accept my prayers and condolences in the passing of Ginny. She was always a joy to be around. May she now Rest in Peace. Respectfully, HC "Bud" Austin, ret.FD

My sincere condolences to Joe and the rest of the Lucania Family. Ginny always shared her life experiences with me when I worked at Montclair-Lucania as a student. She was such an elegant person. 

My deepest sympathies to Joe and the entire Lucania family. I remember many conversations with Ginny when I worked there on Sunday's. She always had a story to tell me. Many of her stories were about her travels. She especially like to tell me of her trips to The Kentucky Derby. God bless.

OBITUARY

Virginia M Lucania

28 June, 1932 – 1 December, 2017

Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home

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