Lillian Robustelli

Marie Denise Lillian Vachon, 90, of Fort Pierce, Florida passed away peacefully on July 3, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

Lillian was born on November 3, 1932 in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, Canada to Alcide and Rose Vachon and moved to Fort Pierce in 1936. Lillian attended St. Anastasia Catholic School in Fort Pierce, where she learned English. She graduated in 1951, having earned straight A’s throughout her schooling. After high school she attended St. Mary’s Nursing School in West Palm Beach, where she graduated at the top of her class. After nursing school Lillian worked at St. Mary’s Hospital on the TB ward, where she was unafraid for her own safety, only caring about the well being of her patients. Two of her most proud accomplishments were being the first nurse to administer the Polio vaccine in Palm Beach County and that she helped implement the first recovery room at St. Mary’s.

Lillian first married Robert Langel and had five beautiful children. She was a kind and loving mother who was patient and never raised her voice. On January 25, 2002 Lillian married the love of her life, Dante Robustelli. They loved life together and you could feel their love when you were around them. They shared a love for traveling and speaking French together. After Dante’s passing she met Ray Mancini in a grief support group after both losing their spouses. They spent 16 loving years together with the family affectionally calling him Grandpa Ray.

Lillian loved all things history, and was especially proud of her own family history, A. Vachon Groves in St. Lucie County. Lillian shared her love of orchids and many are enjoying the beautiful fruits of her labor today. She loved her family immensely and was especially proud of her great-grandchildren who lovingly called her Gigi. She loved to play bridge, take walks down the Jetty, and was a loyal friend. Lillian found much comfort from her adoring friends Nanette, Dawn, Beverly, and many others.

Lillian is survived by daughter, Kathy Royer; son, Jeffery Langel; daughter, Theresa Langel (Stephen Nogay); daughter-in-law, Carla Langel; brother, Ovide (Toni) Vachon; grandchildren, Jessica (Michael) Rankin and Roxanne (Shawn) Peters; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews that she adored; and former sister-in-law, Mary Ann Reeves. She was predeceased in death by her parents, Alcide and Rose Vachon, brothers, Hank and Gus Vachon, sisters, Theresa Field and Denise Robinson; husbands, Robert Langel and Dante Robustelli; sons, Bobby and Jamie Langel; and chosen family, Simone Saleeby-Applebee.

Graveside services will occur Friday July 7th, 2023 at 11AM at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Ft. Pierce, Fl. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycock-hillcrest.com for the Robustelli family.