Lucia, I still think of you years later. You got me through some really rough patches and saw something special in me. I will never forget that first time when I met you, standing six feet tall in head to toe red and your vibrant nails. You loved the way that I taught from the heart, you made me feel so special. You will be missed, but most certainly never forgotten.

(Continued) ...she inspired me to believe they would be real. After a long and difficult battle with cancer, Lucia is home with the Lord, but present in my heart. Thank you, Lucia. Well done. I love you.

Posted to social media @catherinedangelomeade

My sincere condolences to her family. My husband Tom and I are praying for you all to be comforted by the Lord through this difficult time.

Dr. Lucia Buttaro, my mentor from Fordham University, lived an incredible life of service and devotion to multilingualism, multiculturalism, and education. An extremely capable and accomplished international public speaker, university professor, and wildly vibrant and enthusiastic advocate for the fair and equitable education of language learners and their teachers, Lucia built a career of service that inspired me personally and professionally. Lucia taught me to be the educator and the leader that I am today. Her brute honesty, her quick wit, and her candor born out of her own life as an Italian-American immigrant in Brooklyn, New York gave her the edge and the compassion to continually make a difference. She took me under her wing in 2010, preparing me and setting me up to present at my first conference and get my feet wet as a public speaker. She told me with certainty that I was capable, and even though I didn't know it, I was. She taught by example, led with love, and quickly became a personal friend who understood the unique struggles of being a woman in leadership and an advocate for the most needy in our K-12 schools. Without her influence, I would not have had the confidence to believe in the possibility that I could ever soar to these current heights. She is the first person I called on in 2019 when I needed advice about pursuing a doctoral degree in TESOL Education, and I was met with the joy-filled encouragement that I needed then, too. And today, just days before the official opening of Long Island Languages, it is with deep sadness that I learn that she won't ever set foot inside the walls of the adult learning center she encouraged me to create. She saw the need with me, imagined the way it could operate with me, pushed me to think bigger and keep going when I felt weary. She listened to ideas that felt like just dreams sometimes, and she inspired...

DOI: 10.69117/MOSAIC.15.1.24.002
LUCIA BUTTARO, SERAFINA FILICE
Dual language programs: lessons learned in the trenches
Abstract
This article reports on professional development experiences as teacher trainer in New York City schools, in particular,  with Dual Language (DL) programs. A successful dual language program appreciates and supports the cultural, linguistic, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds of the students in our schools. The curriculum must incorporate these factors to ensure English language learners have the same educational opportunities as their peers (Gathercole 2016; Genesee, Hamayan 2006). Hence, the concluding reflections of the teacher trainer posits that any professional development offered to teachers, administrators, and parents needs to include aforementioned differences to be efficient.
Keywords
Heritage language; English language learner; cultural inclusiveness; language objectives;
content objectives

Lucia, I am so sad in hearing of your passing…you were an amazing, vibrant and awesome educator and woman…  your suffering has finally ended and I know you have found the peace and serenity you so rightly deserved…you will be greatly missed… un bacione… your Italian friend and colleague

Lucia, I am so sorry to hear of your passing. You were a wonderful woman and friend who will be missed.
May you rest in the sweetest peace!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Lucia was very special.  She was brilliant, energetic and vibrant.  Wherever she taught or presented a workshop she was a huge success.  Her work reached countless numbers of educators locally, nationally, and internationally.
With sincere sympathy,
Dr Anita Batisti 
Associate Dean
Fordham University

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Lucia Buttaro, CEI's ESL/ENL specialist.   Lucia was a dedicated and passionate educator who worked in many of our affiliated schools uplifting multilingual learners.  Her pre-k - 12 expertise in bilingual education, multicultural diversity, and Spanish methodology for high school students left a lasting impact across classrooms and communities nationwide.
Lucia's impact is far reaching for us at CEI as well as the many city, state and national organizations she touched.

Michael Kohlhagen and the CEI Family.

I only knew her a short time but she lit up any room she walked in with her amazing energy. But seeing her ill and still lighting up a room with that energy let me know I was in the presence of a fighter. You'll truly be missed~Rest in Paradise Queen 🙏🏿

Dean Bland 
Summit Academy

I had the honor to work with Dr. B at PS. 73. I always remember her upbeat demeanor, and how she made everyone comfortable in her presence.

Lucia was my leadership mentor and a friend. We met while I attended the BETLA program at Fordham University. These pictures were taken in May 2010. She was visiting my class and we had planned a trip to the bowling alley. She hopped on the bus and came along for the ride. It was a fun time. She was so full of life. Although we lost touch the last few years, she was always in my mind and in my heart.

Group of students under Ms. Mangual guidance , honoring and thanking Dr. Buttaro for all her dedication as an educator.

Memory from 2017 at a Christmas party . Here is Lucia with both her parents. I have great memories from that day …

In loving memory of a remarkable educator whose wisdom, kindness, and passion for teaching touched countless lives. Her legacy lives on in every student inspired, every mind opened, and every heart uplifted by her guidance. May her memory be a blessing and her impact never be forgotten

There are no words for the legacy Lucia has left on our family.Her shinning  personality will live in our hearts.

Gracias amiga por tanto !! Tu legado vivirá siempre en los corazones de todos los que tuvimos la dicha de conocerte.

Vuela alto mi amiga! Un beso al cielo . Ya no sufres más.

In Loving Memory of Dr. Lucia Buttaro
Lucia was more than an educator—she was a force of inspiration, a mentor, and a dear friend. From the moment she stepped into our work with bilingual special education, she infused every interaction with passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to preparing educators to serve students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. She made learning contagious, transforming professional development into a shared mission, and in the process, she built lifelong friendships.
Lucia’s brilliance as a professor was matched by her boundless enthusiasm for adventure. Whether we were deep in discussion about best practices for bilingual education or traveling together to places like Tenerife, her joy and curiosity never wavered. She taught us that great educators never truly leave their work behind; they carry it with them, weaving it into conversations, discoveries, and even the meals they share. Who could forget the time she unveiled a special treat wrapped in leaves from the Embera tribe, a token of her deep respect for cultures beyond her own?
Lucia’s presence was magnetic—her elegance, her radiant smile, and her signature "slammin" style made her unforgettable.  Lucia was a shining reflection of her family’s love, carrying forward values of warmth, generosity, and care in every space she entered.
We will miss her dearly, but we carry forward her legacy—the knowledge she shared, the friendships she nurtured, and the joy she brought into our lives. Lucia was and always will be, loved.

Thanks for supporting and touching so many lives.  Your legacy will be remembered.  Fly high to eternity.

I will miss having you give me tips and pushing me beyond my limits... Tus consejos por siempre me acompañara. Mil gracias por ser como otra madre para cada unos de tus estudiantes. Vuela alto mi profe!

Dr. B, there is truly no one quite like you. Meeting you has brought me immense joy and gratitude, and I cannot express how fortunate I feel to have crossed paths with someone as remarkable as you.

My condolences to Lucia’s family and friends.  I’m so sorry for your loss of such a warm, inspiring, courageous woman and beautiful soul.  I feel so blessed to have met Lucia last year at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception retreat.  I’ll not forget how she touched and inspired me, as well as, other retreat participants.  May God grant Lucia eternal life in Heaven and may she rest in peace.

Lucy,

I know you're in a better place with your father and no longer suffering. I know you're in heaven with him and he is taking care of you.

To my Tia
I will miss you so much and I can’t believe you are not here anymore. I will missing Halloween and apple picking  with you which we did every year.

I want to Thank all those beautiful people that were with Lucy during her final moments. To my husband, Richie who has been my rock through this very difficult time. Thank you for taking Lucy to medical appointments, bringing her home cooked meals, making her green tea, and having some great conversations with her. Thank you for being with me planning her funeral, choosing her casket, flowers arrangements and picking her final resting place at Greenwood Cemetary. Thank you also for being there with me at the hospital minutes after she passed. Let’s celebrate Lucy by remembering her adventures, her work ethic and all the people she touched with her smile. Lucy was surrounded by God’s light and love. The people she loved the most were with her during the most difficult and painful moments which is the way she wanted it. As Lucy would always say “ she did it her way”. You will be missed.

To my dog mom. We spent almost a year together and I loved every moment. Thank you for all your love, walks and car trips.

Espero que estes en paz con tu papá en el cielo. Siempre te tendré en mis pensamientos y en mi corazón.

I will miss my travel buddy. We had so much fun and so many fun memories with the family.  I will miss you a lot. I hope you see grandpa in heaven and say hi to him.

At casa Belvedere on Staten Island with the Passalacqua’s and singer Vanessa Racci.

Since we met, a ride was a calming effect and brought out the kid in Lucia. Whether riding the Rockaway, or to Montauk point, Jersey or Connecticut. We’d find a spot, sit by a shore and work for hours.

Sailing around Manhattan, on one of her better days. Brought a light to her face

In every life there are positive people and negative people, Holy people and sinners. Lucia was always a positive in any life she touched. You would always find her in prayer @ St Marks church. My name for her was LadyLucia .net  Hers for me was Lord Giuseppe, our relationship went from business to friends immediately. we were always  looking for different places to write and reflect. I had only known her a few months before she came out of cancer remission. we then spent the next 24 months in chemo, home injections, watching movies. I watched the light in her eyes, slowly dim. While fighting, She loved and respected her Dad, she tried to emulate him in many ways, fairness, fight, and love. Many times shed ask me to her to see him at Greenwood, and we would both talk to him. But now, she is with him,  and now she sees what was in dark corners around her, the light is on many people to LadyLucia, she no longer has to deal with darkness, she is sorry but we are all human. She is with God.

Qué Dios la reciba en su Reino, y brille para ella la Luz que no tiene Fin.

Lucia was light and even when she faced the darkness of cancer and her body had nothing left she still radiated.
I know how much you loved life and wanted to continue here on earth.
Now you are on the biggest exploration of your life and now are totally a part of the light of the world.

Momentos felices. Donde estaba Lucy, siempre había alegría!!!

Living life out loud, full of life, love, laughter, passion, kindness and giving ♥️. I will miss you dearly Lucia. All my love, Diane

I am deeply saddened by your passing Dr. Buttaro on May 13,2025 , a brilliant educator, mentor, and friend returned home to our creator.  Her warmth, intellect, and unwavering dedication touched the lives of everyone who knew her. As a professor, she inspired countless students with her passion for teaching and her commitment to inclusivity, language, and cultural understanding. Dr. Buttaro's legacy lives on through the knowledge she imparted, the hearts she uplifted, and the example she set as a strong and compassionate leader in academia. Her presence was a true gift, and her absence leaves a profound void in our community. You will forever live in my heart and memory. Fly high! No te digo adiós si no hasta luego!

Lucia’s beautiful light that radiated everywhere.  Grateful for Lucia’s authenticity & love for educators.   I know your light will continue to shine over us.

Dear Buttaro Family,
My Deepest Sympathy for the loss of our Lively and eloquent Lucia.
God Keeps her in his Glory.
Sincerely,
Tony & Aida Capua-Ieraci
Mi Corazon y pensamiento siempre  estaran con Lucia

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Dr. Lucia Buttaro

21 mai 1963 – 13 mai 2025

Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home

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