Lucille Anne Marsala

Surrounded by so much love, Lucille Rispole Marsala passed away peacefully after a short illness on October 6, 2024.

The world became a brighter place on November 1, 1940, when Lucy made her appearance.  She was born and raised in New Rochelle, NY, to Pasquale Rispole and Anne Goral Rispole.  Lucy is survived by her daughters Connie Marsala (Enzo Reale) of Ridgefield, CT, Lynne Basche (John) of Castle Pines, CO, three grandchildren, Lily and Sophie Reale and Jack Basche, and three nieces who were more like daughters: Pamela Merritt Nilsson (C. Michael Nilsson), Julie Merritt Pacaro (Anthony D. Pacaro, Jr.), and Karen Marsala, and many great nephews and a niece.  Her parents and her sister, Sue Ann Merritt, and her husband, Joseph Francis Merritt, preceded her in death. 

Whether you knew Lucy from her days in New Rochelle, Harrison, or Danbury, you’ll agree she was the definition of small yet mighty. She was a 5-foot (and that’s being generous) dynamo with the biggest heart and strongest work ethic and a bit of a competitive nature.  Just weeks before her passing, she was still driving her prized silver VW Beetle convertible to volunteer every Wednesday at Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury.  Mom lived her life giving to others through her deeds and actions.  Whether she was volunteering as the UNICEF Lady at Parsons Elementary School, serving as Connie’s Girl Scout Leader, or mentoring a young girl in Danbury, Mom was always thinking of others and she instilled her love of volunteering and service to her family.   

Lucy enjoyed many hobbies.  She loved to cook and entertain and bring people together. Our holiday table and Sunday dinners were filled with family and friends. There was always a seat available at her table. She spent countless hours with her grandchildren reading to them, taking them to the park and just being together. She loved playing canasta and Mahjong with her many friends. “I played, but I didn’t win, so it doesn’t count,” she recently told us. She never met a plant she couldn’t coax back to life or a ball of yarn she couldn’t knit into something spectacular for someone in the family. In her typical selfless fashion, Lucy left behind hand knit sweaters for her future great grandchildren because she believed a baby should not come home from the hospital without one and she wanted the newborn to be wrapped in the warmth of her hug. 

She loved fiercely, and when asked if she wanted visitors during her hospital stay, she said, “Yes, but only if it’s not too much of a burden to them.”  And, even on her most difficult days, when asked to “give me a grateful,” she always had one to share.  One of her last gratefuls was that so many people loved her—and they absolutely did.

Following Lucy’s wishes, there will not be a service.  However, all are encouraged to raise a glass and have a drink in her honor—and most importantly, think about something you’re grateful for just like she would.

The family extends our deepest gratitude for the outstanding and compassionate care Mom received while at Regional Hospice. Donations in Lucy’s memory may be made to Regional Hospice (regionalhospicect.org), the Danbury Animal Welfare Society (daws.org) or a charity of your choice.

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