Carmela DeLucia

Carmela (Millie) DeLucia, 99, formally of Savannah, GA and Bethpage, NY passed away August 15 in Watkinsville, GA. Born to Luigi and Raffaella Panico, Italian immigrants who entered the U.S. and were married at Ellis Island in 1920, she was a child of the Depression, the eldest of five children. Her strong work ethic and love of family were passed on from her parents.

She met her future husband, Armando (Monty), when he came to “repair” a broken doorbell which was really not broken at all, but a way to meet a sweet, attractive, 17 year old girl. They were married in 1944 while Monty was on WWII active duty. Things were always “active” with Monty around, but Millie was the true constant, the family matriarch. Monty passed away suddenly in 1992 after 47 years of marriage. To this day, the family just laughs when a “Monty” gets fixed and turns into a “Millie”.

In addition to her husband, Millie was predeceased by her parents, brothers Mike, Sal, Dom, and Joe.

Millie worked for Grumman Aerospace before retiring to Stuart, FL and then Savannah, GA. To us she was Mom, Grandma, Nona, Aunt Millie. Her constant smile was contagious and her stories were famous and non-stop.  Her lessons included learning how to cook Italian food, creating the perfect meatball, and those delicious butter cookies. We may all have the recipes and practice, but we may never perfect the art of her techniques.

She was short in stature but mighty in all of life.

To all her Savannah friends and neighbors, you enriched her life and made her smile each and every day. For Millie, living on Wilmington Island was wonderful. Days on Tybee were serene.

Millie is survived by her son Armand, daughter Camille, grandchildren Steve (Brooke) DeLucia, Suzanne Renz, and her greatest treasures, great-grandchildren Ellie, Mara, and Jane DeLucia.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at St. Mary’s Highland Hills Village, Watkinsville, GA.

Arrangements will be handled by Lord and Stephens Funeral Home in Watkinsville and Chapey and Sons Funeral Home in Bethpage, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please support the charity of your choice.

Visitation: Chapey and Sons Funeral Home

Funeral Mass: St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Bethpage, NY

Burial: Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville is in charge of arrangements.