Lucy Antonelli Villani passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at home following a brief illness.
Lucy was born in Tercio, CO on May 27, 1909 to Pietro and Cristina Antonelli. She attended school in several mining camps, graduating from Berwind High School in 1928.
Upon graduation she traveled to Denver to begin a retail sales career that would span 83 years. Yes, she worked 83 years and loved it! She started at S & H Kress in Denver, then Lucy came home to work at Moses Department Store on Commercial St. From there, she began a 40 year sales career at Montgomery Wards as a clerk and manager of the lingerie department. When Wards closed, she tried staying at home for a brief time, but quickly found that she disliked retirement. She went to work at Teri’s Hallmark for the next 17 years. Now 90 years old, but not ready to quit, being full of vitality and still enjoying people, she applied to be a greeter at Wal-Mart. She retired after 11 years and was the 2nd oldest Wal-Mart employee. Not quite finished, she joined her daughter at Francesca’s Unique Gifts and Furniture for a few more years. As she said, “Hard work never hurt anyone.”
Her life was rich with family and friends. Her home was the gathering place and open to all including her children’s friends. She lived independently in her family home, maintaining it and cooking her own breakfast of bacon, egg, toast and grapefruit every day until 3 weeks before her death. Often on Saturday afternoons she could be found at Francesca’s visiting with friends both old and new and enjoying a bowl of strawberry ice cream.
Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, John Antonelli, Clotilda Vecchio, and Beatrice Niccoli; her son Franklin Villani.
She is survived by her children, Albert (Barb), Francesca Mae and Bob (Sharon), grandchildren, Tony and Dominic Villani, Nicolina Villani-Martinez, Melissa Villani Gill, Vince Villani, and Stephanie Villani. She also has 5 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her very special “pal”, Glenn Davis who brightened her day, every day.
A Rosary will be recited Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Comi Funeral at 12:15 PM. Memorial Services for Lucy will follow at 1:00 PM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, she would be grateful for donations in her name to Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare. Her cats gave her daily companionship and purpose.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
