Lucille Farazakis

LUCILLE FARAZAKIS (nee GIORDANO) age 79, passed away surrounded by family October 17, 2023. Dearest mother of Sally Lemmo (Chris), Mary Jacobs (David Sheck) and Angelo “Tony” Farazakis; devoted grandmother-YIA YIA-of Anna Zarlinga (Brock), Peyton Lemmo, Megan Lemmo, Caleb Lemmo and Jackson Sheck. Dearest sister to Joe and Madeline Giordano, Louis (Gee Gee) Giordano, Linda and Tony Spitalieri and Laura and Robert Clemente. Her parents were Louis and Sally (Tobak) Giordano.

Lucille was born in Cleveland, OH growing up in Little Italy. She graduated high school from Our Lady of Lords and went on to study communications. She went to work at Channel 8 for many years while helping to raise her brothers and sisters as their mother passed away when Lucille was only 22. Lucille being the oldest stepped in and was truly the matriarch of their family. One thing that was never doubted was Lucille’s love for her family. She passionately loved her siblings and would simply glow with pride whenever she talked about any of them.

She married Anthony Farazakis September 19, 1970. Although they divorced over thirty years later, they remained the best of friends and continued to raise their children together. They lived in Boardman, OH for over 20 years creating beautiful memories and friendships along the way. She wrote for the local paper, The Boardman Leader and was very active in their church St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church. Lucille was raised catholic and converted to Othodoxy when she got married.

Lucille was a mother/grandmother above all. Her unwavering love for her children and grandchildren exuded from every cell in her body. She loved her children very much…but stepping into the role of grandmother was her truest joy. She was lovingly called Yia Yia by her grandchildren and most everyone that knew her- because she was everyone’s Yia Yia.

If she knew you…she loved you. And you KNEW it! She was probably most known for the cards she would send—countless people for many years continued to receive birthday, anniversary and thinking of you cards from her. Many even received them from her anonymously just to be reminded that somebody cared and “saw” them. That was her truest calling…letting other’s know that they matter and that she saw them, maybe when no one else did.

Growing up she always wanted to be Jewish. Her mother was Jewish. But they were raised Catholic and she believed in Jesus. She had no idea that you could be BOTH! When she found her family at Tikvat she finally felt that she was home. She became an active member there for many years helping to take care of the hospitality and the children in the nursery. Always, everyone’s Yia Yia!

We look forward to sharing in the beautiful memories of her life with her loved ones on Saturday evening for a memorial service at Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Synagogue at 6:00pm. Doors will open at 5:30 and a dinner reception will immediately follow. Please join us as we would love to hear how she blessed your life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lucille’s memory to Joy’s Place—the non-profit group home that provides housing, care and love for not just her son Tony but many others living with the effects of mental illness. They exist so that no one, no matter their diagnosis, has to be alone. Please make all checks payable to Joy’s Place. Or click the link here to add to send a donation electronically through her daughter Sally.

Funeral Services 6:00 PM Saturday October 21, at

TikVat Israel Messianic Synagogue,9319 Mayfield Rd. Chesterland, OH 44026.

Online condolences www.diciccoandsonsfh.com