Lucy Santa Lucia Handfield

Lucy S. Handfield age 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Her passing followed a brief hospital stay and she remained adventurous until the end believing in the motto "staying active was the key to a long life". Her goal for the last few years was to make it to 100 but the Lord had other plans. Lucy was born on December 17, 1919 in Willimantic, Connecticut to parents Carmelo and Mary Ferrigno Santa Lucia who immigrated from Sicily in the early 1900's. Lucy was predeceased by her husband Joseph Remy Handfield to whom she was married in 1947. Lucy grew up in Willimantic and graduated from Windham High School in 1937. After high school she worked alongside her family at Santa Lucia Grocery Store in downtown Willimantic and Hamilton Standard becoming a master machinist during World War II. After raising her five children she was employed as a clerk in the Assessor's Office for the Town of Windham. After she retired she became a snowbird along with her husband Remy and spent her years commuting between Hollywood, Florida during the winter months and Willimantic during the summer. She was a member of the Sons of Italy/Princess Yolanda Lodge, South Florida Depression Glass Club, the Hollywood Antique Club and treasurer for the Hollywood Shuffleboard Courts. Lucy enjoyed venturing out early Saturday mornings searching for that special treasure of collectible glass. She enjoyed duckpin bowling in the league at Lucky Strike Lanes for many years. She was also an avid sports fan and especially liked the UCONN Women's basketball team and the New England Patriots. Lucy is survived by her children, Emma Palladino of Willimantic, CT, Eugenie Torracinta of Conyers, GA, Jay and Linda Handfield of Windham, CT, Greg and Alba Handfield of Jacksonville, FL and Andrea and Ted Bechard of Somerset, CA. She is also survived by her brother Anthony Santa Lucia of Willimantic, CT and sister in law Jeannette Diange of Willimantic, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends between 6:00 and 8:00 pm on Wednesday January 29th at The Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday January 30th at 10:00am, St Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St. Willimantic with assembly in the church parking area at 9:45am. Christian burial will follow at St Joseph Cemetery. The Family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her memory to a charity of your choice. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .