Luisa (Lucci) Albino DelMonaco

Luisa (Lucci) Albino DelMonaco of Rocky Hill, died unexpectedly surrounded by her loving family on July 19, 2016 at Hartford Hospital. She was 80 years old. Luisa was a vibrant and charming woman who took great pride on being a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, zia, comare and friend. Her family and God were everything. She lit up a room like sunshine and made everyone with whom she spoke feel special – because to her they were. She was born June 28, 1936 in Pacentro, province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo Italia, beloved daughter of the late Alberto Lucci, Adele Tollis and Fragolina D’Amore. She was raised in war-torn Italia surrounded by family and friends in beautiful Pacentro – her “paese” that had a special place in her big heart. In 1957, she met a charming and eloquent boy from another part of the peninsula – the late Michelino Albino from Campodipietra. They were married and later moved to Hartford’s South End, and together they made a home for their two devoted children. She later moved to Rocky Hill on the “family compound” on Barry Place developed by her father. There, she relished in being surrounded by homes owned by her parents, sister and two brothers, and doting nieces and nephews. Luisa is survived by her two children and her two grandsons: Silvio Albino of Wethersfield; Adele (Albino) Gali of Rocky Hill; Michael Albino of Wethersfield and Michelino Gali of Rocky Hill; and she is predeceased by two amazing men who made her very happy – Michelino Albino and then after he passed, Dino DelMonaco. She was also predeceased by parents in-law Saverio and Angela Maria Albino, brother and sister-in-law Giuseppe and Sarah Albino and brother-in-law Pietro Lucente. Luisa is also survived by loving and dedicated siblings and their spouses: Iole Lucente of Rocky Hill; Venanzio Lucci and sister-in-law Lucy of Rocky Hill; Adele Mancini and brother-in-law Antonio of Montville, NJ and Mauro Lucci of Broadbrook. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, extended family and friends. Luisa retired after a long career working as a seamstress and clerk at numerous shops in Hartford and Wethersfield. She then went on to her second career as full-time “Nonni” to Michael and Michelino – running after them and wearing them out for naptime with her boundless enthusiasm and driving them to games, birthday parties, the library and Friendly’s. The boys always came first, but she was energized by the company of her friends – going to club luncheons, church, religious festivals, and the casino.

Luisa loved company. People visited frequently because she made them feel special and because she made the best sauce and meatballs on the planet. Everyone was welcome into her kitchen and her life. Her generosity of spirit was reciprocated last month when 80 of her closest family friends celebrated Luisa’s 80th birthday. She was a devout communicant of St. James Church. She was also a faithful member of the St. Anthony Society, Italian-American Ladies Society and South End Wellness Senior Center. The family will receive relatives and friends from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 24 at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Funeral services will begin Monday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m. at the funeral chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 767 Elm St, Rocky Hill. Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1141 Stanley St., New Britain, where she will go to her eternal rest beside Michelino -- and with her mother, father and brother-in-law down the street like the old days. Luisa’s family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Hartford Hospital for its professionalism and Father Moran for not only celebrating the last Mass she attended but for breaking police lines and running to her aid to provide Luisa with the Sacrament of the Sick. To share a memory of Luisa with her family, please visit www.desopo.com.