Lucille E. DeCristofaro, passed away suddenly, on Monday, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford. The wife of the late Joseph A. DeCristofaro, she was eighty-nine years of age.
Born in Italy, she was the daughter of the late Sebastiana (Martello) and Luigi Moncada. She was raised in Boston and then moved to Medford where she made her home for over seventy-five years. Mrs. DeCristofaro devoted herself to raising her family and in recent years enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Active in her community Lucille was the recipient of Presidential commendation for her contribution to the war effort. She volunteered many hours at Veterans Hospital in greater Boston. She was a past president of National Association of School secretaries, and was active in establishing the kindergarden system in the Commonwealth of MA. A founding member of the Italian Home for Children in Boston, she was also former Venerable of the Santa Maria Lodge of Medford. Lucille also held various licenses and appointments in the Commonwealth. She was known to have hosted one of the first coffee hours for then Congressman John F. Kennedy in his bid to be president of the United States. She was instrumental in establishing the Italian American Women´s League of Medford.
She is survived by her sons Jerry DeCristofaro and his wife Anne, Clement DeCristofaro DVM all of Medford. Also twelve loving grandchildren and sixteen loving great grandchildren. She was one of thirteen children and is survived by her sister Josephine Steriti of Melrose and many loving nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home,306 Main St. Medford, on Friday at 8 a.m., followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High St. Medford at 9. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Visiting Hours will be at the Dello Russo Funeral Home on Wednesday 2-4 and Thursday 4 -8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be sent in Lucille’s memory to the Italian Home for Children 1125 Centre St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 or to the charity of your choice.