Obituary of Lucy Varrone

Lucy M. Varrone was born in Yonkers, New York 102 years ago on Valentine's Day to Nicola and Victoria Varrone. She was the second of four daughters; sisters Ursula, Louise, and Evelyn - all now deceased. She was born and grew up in Yonkers, close to her extended family and friends. She graduated from Yonkers High School Class of 1937. Lucy was also a devout Catholic having been a parishioner at St. Mary's and Mount Carmel, both of Yonkers. Lucy has seen a lot of history in her long lifetime. She was just 10 years-old when the Great Depression hit. She had various jobs, and also dealt with tough times during World War II. Lucy worked in administration and walked daily to the CIT office in downtown Yonkers with her sister Louise until it closed. She soon got her driver's license and purchased her two-tone, late 1950s Chevrolet long before most women did. She then moved up to a position at Ciba-Geigy in Ardsley until retirement. On Thursday evenings, she, her mother, and sister Ursula would visit Evelyn to share a cup of tea and cake. Family news and magazines were exchanged, and plans made for the next holiday or family occasion. Lucy always ensured Italian pastries from Café Puglie were on the dessert tray. Each summer, she and her sisters would drive to Lavallette, New Jersey to spend time with sister Evelyn's family at the shore. Lucy bowled with a local league for many years and proudly displayed her numerous trophies and awards. At Christmastime she enjoyed taking her niece and nephews to see holiday lights and decorations. She ensured that all her family and friends received chocolates and goodies at holiday times. She and her sisters would make Christmas magical with stockings on the mantel and the tree decorated with grandma's beautiful Christmas ornaments. As the years passed, Lucy aged gracefully, never losing her smile and cheerful disposition. After helping care for her parents and then sisters Ursula and Louise, Lucy needed help. She was fortunate to have her nephews, Leland and Keith, along with special caregivers, Mary and her daughter Jackie, who came into her life, cared for deeply and treated her like family. Two days before her 102nd birthday, Lucy was unexpectedly hospitalized with difficulty breathing; she tested positive for COVID-19 and passed peacefully one week later during the evening of February 20th, 2021. Lucy will always be remembered as the sweet and caring Aunt everyone wished they had. Lucy is survived by her niece Laurie Allen, nephews Keith and Leland Cerra.