 | Lucia "Luci" Marie Rota
Rota, Lucia “Luci” Marie. age 61 of Fredon Twp., NJ passed away Wednesday July 16, 2008 at the Compassionate Care Hospice St. Clare’s Hospital Dover, NJ following complications related to lung cancer. Born and raised in Canonsburg, PA Nov. 9, 1946, Luci resided in Wichita, Kansas as well as Bologna, Italy until moving to Sussex County in 1981. Daughter of the late Carlo D. and Angeline Marie (Broglia) Columbus, Luci was a graduate of the former Sacred Heart College (now Kansas-Newman College) in Wichita, KS receiving her Bachelors degree in Education. On July 26, 1969, Luci was united in marriage to the late Dr. Joseph Douglas Rota who passed away March 19, 2004. A devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt and friend, Mrs. Rota served her community tirelessly. She was a former member of the SCARC Foundation Board, the Office on Ageing as well as the Human Services Advisory Council for Sussex County. Luci was also active with Ginnies House, Meals on Wheels and Senior Quality of life Foundation. Mrs. Rota was awarded the Boy Scouts Patriots Path Council Tribute to Women Award in 1998. An actress by profession, she was an active member of the Dinner Theater Group CC & Co of Andover. She was also a member and officer of Broadway Bound. Pre deceased by her brother Carlo “Sonny” Columbus, Mrs. Rota is survived by her daughter Carla Marie Rota of Palisades Park, NJ, her sons James Anthony Rota of Los Angeles, CA as well as Joseph Michael and wife Sarah Rota of Newton. Luci is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Her enormous capacity for compassion and care will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives she touched. Her energy and spirit will live on in all who knew and loved her. Funeral Mass of Christian Liturgy will be held Monday July 21, 2008 at 12:00 Noon in the Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church Sparta, NJ. Interment services will be private. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 20, 2008 at the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home #156 Main St. (Rt. 206) Newton from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice #400 West Blackwell St. Dover, NJ 07801, Ginnies House #4 High St. Newton, NJ 07860 or Memorial Sloan Kettering #1275 York Ave. NY,NY 10065. |
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Here are some special memories shared by family and friends.
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I remember sitting on the couch with her & the rest of us girls in the room and felt her warmth as she joked around with each one of us. I told George later that evening that I got a dose of why everyone feels she is so special and George told me what an incredible friend and person she was to everyone she knew personally. George spent allot of time growing up at the Rota house & thought dearly of Luci. All that will be missed but not forgotten!! Enjoy your lovely memories. Love, Mr. & Mrs. Wendy & George Danno
Mrs. Wendy Danno |
Our family thought the world of Luci. She was such a joy to be around. She was one of the most caring people I have ever known. She helped me plan and execute Britts' wedding and reception--a task I feared with all my heart. She made me laugh at my fears, offered advice and encouragement and last but not least, offered her home for the reception. When I was pondering the locale for it, she said, "Oh, Linda, this house was made for a wedding. Please use it." What a generous and loving soul she was. We will miss her. Please know that our love and prayers are with each of you. Love, Dale and Linda Buckmaster
Dale and Linda Buckmaster |
Luci, You WILL be missed. Your sense of humor brought happiness to my life. Knowing you is one of the true blessings God has given to my life. I know that the world has lost a true friend, but heaven has gain a true gem. The tears I shed are for the friend I have lost. I love you, Luci. You will forever be in my heart.
Michele Wright |
To Luci's Children,
We are so sorry to learn about the loss of your mother. She was a very admired and respected person in the community, and she will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Judy and George Kaiser |
Oh my darling Luci! I will miss you so much! Your kindness and sweetness will remain within me always. I will always think of you and remember the wonderful times, and laughter we shared in our many years with C.C. & Co. You were warm and generous, compassionate and energetic and a good friend.
Love,
Weenie
weenie friedman |
God couldn't have given me a better Godmother than you Luci. What you have showed and taught me will remain with me forever. The importance of family and spending as much time as you can with them, knowing your family is there to listen in your times of difficulty and knowing you are not alone. Having friends, lots of friends...laughing together, cooking, shopping,, having lunches together, traveling, storytelling, about Italy, picture showing, making the holidays last and count! Making the small things in life count as we so often forget how to do. So much of you is felt in me as I am sure it is in others. We love you! Your Godchild, Lauren
Lauren Broglia |
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. I'm writing from NH, an old, old friend of the Columbus family. It's been many years since I've had the pleasure of seeing Luci. My sister, Joanne Gump, who lives in Canonsburg and knows the cousin of Luci (Broglia) has kept me informed. I had hoped to connect with Luci, but never did. I remember your mother mostly as an 8 to 10 year old. I was close to her brother, Sonny, and would visit their home, especially at times when Carl was suffering from cancer. I lived in Canonsburg until I married in 1966, so I was there for Carl Jr.'s funeral and Angie's (mother) funeral. So sad, so painful. I think Angie died from the grief of losing her son.
Luci was a vibrant, fun-loving, vivacious, and dramatic little girl. I loved her. She'd come right out and ask me if I was going to marry her brother. I remember her beautiful smile and her beautiful gray eyes (at least I remember gray). I would take the local bus to go to their home in East Canonsburg, and she would be there to greet me and to walk me back to the bus when it was time to leave. The memories hurt for lots of reasons. The picture of your mother shows that her face is the same...soft and loving. God rest her soul and give all of you peace.
Angela (Giacobbe) Lepitre
Angela (Giacobbe) Lepitre |
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mom. My names is Micki (Longo) Bruner and I meet Luci @ St. Patrick's Grade School in the 3rd grade. I never think of St Pat's without thinking of your Mom and how much fun we had. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Micki (Longo) Bruner, Washington, PA |
To the family of Luci: Canonsburg has lost a special person. Chartiers Ave. will miss that big smile. I never saw Luc without a smile. When we were at Todd & Marcella wedding in Texas we had a blast with Joe & Luci (you too Carla). But God had different plans, and they are together again. May the Lord give you all peace in your heart and live on her memories. That is what she would have wanted. Love to all Patty & Ray Phillips
Patty & Ray Phillips |
Dear Carla, J. Michael and Jimmy,
First of all.. know that you were wonderful and loving children to your mom. She loved you so much and will always continue to love you and be by your side. It's hard for me to write about your mom(my Luci girl as I called her) and do her justice. How do you talk about a human being who had a spirit as bright, beautiful and strong as the sun itself? When I first met your mom in Marilyn Carr's acting class, I felt as if I had known her forever. Her humor and loving personality just touched my soul. And then I met your Dad and all of you and I said to myself, "Wow what a fantastic family!" Your family will always be connected. I see your mom and dad as two trees continuing to grow together in love in heaven with their roots always and forever connecting to your roots here on earth. Theses roots are connected by light, integrity, strength, generosity, compassion, intelligence, harmony, talent, HUMOR, and LOVE! You are all shining examples of your parent's love. Keep talking about the great and funny memories. They will always be with you just as your mom will be. Love and light, Mary G. Thompson and family
Mary G. Thompson |
My sympathies go out to you Rota kids - well, adults now. I knew both your mom and dad who were both two of the most wonderful people in our community. You can be very proud to be their children, know that they were loved so very much and know that they will always be sorely missed but, dearly reminisced about.
My mom, Gina, along with our friend Anne Carlson went to Body Toners with your mom many years ago. My mom passed away 13 years ago from the same illness as your mom but, Anne and I will always remember all the stories and laughter the three of them shared while trying to get into shape. It was funny just to listen to my mom laugh while telling the stories of she, Anne and your mom.
From experience, you will never 'get over' losing your mom and dad but, with the help of the Lord, you will 'get through' it - give yourself time and always remember the gift that they gave to you and anyone who came along in their life - love, care and friendship. They will be forever in your hearts and in all of those who knew them. May you find comfort in knowing how much they meant to all of us.
Donna Rummel |
Although we never met your mother, it is apparent that she had great compassion and love for her family, friends, and community. Please know that the Rota family is in our thoughts.
Neil and Angela Fallon |
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To Luci's family: I knew Luci at St Pat's and I.C.
She was a wonderful happy girl. She will be missed. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Roberta(Peck)Pietropaolo
Roberta Peck Pietropaolo |
To Luci's daughter and sons:
Although I never your mom or dad, I've heard many a wonderful story of her years on the Sacred Heart College campus here in Wichita and their years together back east. Many of your mom's classmates and friends inquire about her, even now...over 30 years since her graduation in 1969. She left a mark on each person she met here. A Mass will be said for her in St. John's Chapel on campus when school begins in August. Know that our hearts ache for you at this difficult time.
Ann Fox, Alumni Director, Newman University, Wichita, KS
Ann Fox |
Dear Carla, J. Michael and Jimmy...I am so very, very sorry to hear of dear Luci's passing. I have thought of all of you so often since your dad died...my heart goes out to each of you. Know that the college memories of Luci,Joe, and our friendship after graduation, will be in my heart always.
Gerry Killeen |
Yesterday I learned of the death of Luci Rota. I became acquainted with her and Joe when I served as Alumni Director in the early 1990s. How gracious both of them were to open their home and their hearts to several of us as we visited with nearby alumni. I will never forget all the sharing we did in that wonderful Colonial farm house. Then we were treated to seeing both Luci and Joe perform with a local theater group; we laughed and cried all evening. Please accept my sympathy and trust that my prayers for all of the family will be there for many months to come. Blessings, Sister Charlotte
Charlotte Rohrbach, ASC |
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Rota family. I attended Sacred Heart college at the time that Luci and Joe where there and I have nothing but great memmories of my times with Luci and Joe. I roomed with Joe or should I say that I roomed with Luci and Joe. Luci and Joe myself Louie Campasani and Larry Pezza where all involved in the Frank Sinatra trip. Boy we had some great times. I'm sure that Luci and Joe are looking down on us right now with amazing smiles on their faces and thinking that we'll hopefully all get together again.
Dick Whalen |
My deepest sympathies to the family on your loss. My memories of Joe and Luci go back to college days. As I recall, they were the neatest couple - very out-going and fun-loving! They brought many happy times and smiles to faculty and students alike. They will surely be missed. God Bless Your Family Abundantly.
Sincerely - Elaine Ashford Mulcahy Class of 1969
Elaine Ashford Mulcahy |
My deepest sympathies to Lucy's loved ones. I was one year ahead of her at Sacred Heart. We both live on the East Coast and yet I rarely saw she and Joe. I do remember how much fun they both were in college and am saddened that each of them died way too young.
Mary L Aull |
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To Luci's dear family , I send my heartfelt sympathy and condolences. Many fond memories of Luci are flooding my mind and heart as I write this. Both Luci and Joe were former students of mine when they attended Sacred Heart College in Wichita. (I was known then as Sr.Theophane.)
Both Luci and Joe participated in drama productions and were such vibrant, loving "kids".
I love them both and know that they are together now and will watch over you now as they did while they were with you, physically. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Lillian M. Taylor |
Dear Carla, James and Joseph,
My sister Kim and I were in your parent's class in college. We are sad to hear of Luci's passing and extend our sympathies. Your parent's were wonderful engaging people then and I'm sure throughout their lifetimes. Fondly, Lynn Snodgrass-Pilla , Flemington NJ and Kim Snodgrass-Holmes Kona,Hawaii
Lynn Snodgrass-Pilla |
Dear Carla, James and Joseph, Both your Mom and Dad were students of mine when I was their college chaplain back in the '60's. We were friends from the start and remained so until their deaths. They were the perfect complement as a couple: Joe, somewhat quiet and calm and Luci, endlessly energetic, always full of life. And both so much fun to be with. I was privileged to spend Easter 1970 with Luci & Joe at Angie and Carlo's; I'll always treasure the memories, reflected in the pictures I still have of that weekend. Through the years Luci kept me up on you kids as you were being born and growing up. She and Joe were so, so proud of you all. Thank God for both their lives; the world is surely a better place for their being among us. And I know that as part of them you'll carry on their legacy of gracefulness, compassion, and love. Peace, Father Harry
Father Harry Allagree |
My deepest sympathy to Luci's children; I know how vibrant a mother she must have been, and how much you will miss her.
Luci touched my life when I attended college with her. She was someone to whom people were drawn; her personality was larger than life.
Coincidentally, I had some members of my extended family here on July 20 for a family dinner, and we were talking about a relative who had given me some of her "castoff" clothing to take with me as a freshman. She understood the type of dresses I might need for different activities, and wanted me to be prepared. How those outfits were passed around the dorm, and Luci was one of those who shared them with me. I actually mentioned her name that day, because talking about the clothes brought back memories of Luci and it made me smile.
I'm so glad I have those memories, and know that you have wonderful ones that you can keep close within your heart so that she will always be with you.
Evelyn (Carroll) Turner
Evelyn (Carroll) Turner |
Our sincere condolences to the family of Lucia Rota. Your mom was such a sunny personality always smiling, always pleasent and full of fun. She will be missed by all.
A big hug to all of you
Sincerely
The Eisenmenger Family
Trudy and Bill Eisenmenger |
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Luci was the most kindest hearted women, and sweet memories of her kindness towards me shall never leave my heart. She once gave me an African Violet upon the birth of my second son, Ryan Bannon, when I was going through an emotional 'new mommy' time. Her and her wonderful husband, Joseph, will live long in my memory as they have touched many hearts throughout the years I've had the honor to have known them. Bless you in heaven, sweet Luci. You are missed.
Brenda (Bannon) Gehrke
Brenda Gehrke |
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