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Lucille C. O'Dwyer passed away on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, VA at Virginia Hospital Center. A visitation will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2020 from 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM at The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Westhampton Beach, NY. Burial will follow at Westhampton Cemetery.
To Our Mom,
Mom, we love you so much and you have been the greatest mother in the whole world.
You are a beloved wife, mom, sister, daughter, relative and friend to so many.
You have been a bright light shining your whole life to all who knew you.
You are today, as always, in our hearts and beside us, along with your beloved husband Jack. We were lucky enough to have had your tremendous love and support for 56 years (for your daughter) and 52 years (for your son).
As you passed and entered Heaven on December 30, my birthday (daughter), I know you did everything to make it to that day because we were together almost every birthday of my entire life, as you were with your son’s birthday.
Mom, you did so much for your children and husband all your friends and relatives. Your grade school students loved you so much. I was always amazed with how many presents they used to make and give to you for Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
You are the smartest and creative and most beautiful mom in the whole world!
You helped your husband Jack so much with the business and his success was because you were such a rock to him and gave him so much support and contributed so much to the company.
Everything you did for the business and your students and your household was done perfectly and with ease. You were a fabulous cook and we were blessed with all of your tremendous meals.
Everything you did was done with a smile and with love.
All you did for the family was perfect. You were so organized, always on time, always looking so beautiful and so well-dressed, just an amazing mother. Your love for us knew no boundaries.
Your friends loved you so much and Jack and you had such wonderful times with your friends and family.
Mom, this is a heavy, heavy loss for us, as we were so hopeful for the Spring and we were so looking forward to all the things we have been doing together our whole lives, the car rides, going out to dinner, getting together with friends, enjoying the outdoors, attending music events and your beloved ballet.
We want you to know that you are with us today and always. You and Dad will always be by our sides as we continue our car rides and all of the fun things in life that we all did together, which were so special because they were with you both.
You and Dad will forever be with us in spirit and in our hearts and minds.
Mom, your tremendous love of life and all you have done for myself and John and all your family and friends will never be forgotten and will always be celebrated until the end of time.
We love you and Dad so much.
Heaven is a happy place now that you are there with Dad!
Love Christine and John O’Dwyer
LUCILLE, My Sister
There is a bond that is born out of being almost consubstantial with someone. There is a bond of fidelity. There is a bond of forgiving. There is a bond of sharing. There is a bond of deep love. There is a bond of goodness.
I always felt my sister’s presence. I am 4 years younger; and, as I started to realize who I was when just a tot, it was my sister who would become my mentor. She knew so much; she would lead me into the world because as she was discovering, I observed and by watching I learned.
She was special in that she shared her friends with me; and, they showed what I would encounter, when older.
Lucille often took her little sister with her. We played together; we dreamed together. We planned our lives together. It was a journey that eventually took us into new worlds, somewhat different.
No matter, Lucille was still a rock; a mentor.
LUCILLE CATHERINE SPINELLI O’DWYER
Lucille was born to Lillian and Michael Spinelli on March 1, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York.
She went to Our Lady of Angels Elementary School in Bay Ridge; Fontbonne Hall Academy; and, St John’s University, studying English and Education. Upon graduation, she took the summer off for a trip south to New Orleans with Gloria and Eileen. By September of 1959, she was ready to take a job as a teacher of first graders in Brooklyn. It was the start of many wonderful years as a teacher, loving her students all the time. They loved her back with hearts, gifts and ‘love’ notes. This went on with all her classes, over the years.
Lucille had a fantastic single life! There were many dates; and, fun nights in Manhattan. In 1963, Jack O’Dwyer entered her life and that began a new life and marriage that lasted over 55 years. They were a couple who loved music, sports, and New York City. Their first three homes were in Bay Ridge where daughter, Christine; and, son, were born. Later they moved to Greenwich, Connecticut where they flourished with a host of new friends. Lucille loved it there; but, always held a special place in her heart for Bay Ridge. During the over thirty years in Greenwich, Lucille became an excellent bridge player; and, she and Jack were an excellent team.
They both loved it when they bought a condo in Manhattan for the weekdays as Jack worked at his office on Madison Avenue, while Lucille taught school. Their weekends were spent back ‘home’ in Greenwich; and Christine and John finished school and started to work.
Summers were spent in Westhampton Beach, Long Island where Lucille’s sister, Gloria met her husband, Dan Bohan. Gloria started a travel business; and, took many memorable trips with them. They also loved golfing together; and, always played by the ‘O’Dwyer Scoring Method’ which assured that the game magically ended in a tie.
Lucille met friends wherever she went. Jack would always say that she ends up talking to everyone. She was always very comfortable with new people throughout her life. She was an excellent student; had a knack with a story; and, able to express a deep emotion without hesitation. She had the final speech at Fontbonne’s graduation in 1956 when she recalled her four years there while ‘Moments to Remember’ by The Four Lads, played in the background. Tears were flowing, Gloria recalls.
Gloria had to call on Lucille to take her place when she was late for an award at Marymount Manhattan College. Lucille stood in for her sister with the sweetness and memories that they shared growing up.
Lucille’s life was all about her love for Jack, Christine, John and her family and close friends. She brought us many ‘Moments to Remember.’
Love,
Gloria Spinelli Bohan
For the complete booklet about Lucille from Gloria, copy and paste the link below into your browser.
https://www.omegatravel.com/lucille/
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