Helen Lucia Obituary

Helen L. Lucia, 91, of Chaplin, and formerly of Somers, and widow of Merrill Lucia, Sr., passed away Tuesday (December 3, 2002). She was born April 21, 1911, in Holyoke, MA, to the parents of Louis Andrew LaBombard and Elzina Ann (Gonyea) LaBombard. Helen was a resident of Somers for over 50 years and worked as Eastern District Food Concession Manager for Topps Department Stores. She took pride in her French and Native American heritage and conducted extensive genealogical research. As a young adult, she became an accomplished piano and guitar player, played drums in the Girl Scout band, and was a member of both the Girl Scouts and Junior Achievement. A brother, Eugene A. LaBombard of Holyoke, MA, and a daughter, Louise Joan Redmond of Manchester, preceded Helen in death. Helen is survived by a sister, Ralphine LaBombard Rainville of Holyoke, MA; a son, Merrill R. Lucia, Jr., and his wife, Carole Steen Lucia of Chaplin; and two daughters, Rose Helen Baker and her husband, John Baker of Brodhead, KY, and Melissa Jean Allen and her husband, Milton Ramsey Allen of Broken Arrow, OK; nine grandchildren also survive Helen, Larry Redmond of Tucson, AZ, Laurie Redmond Harmond of Lebanon, Linda Redmond Santiago of Willimantic, Louis Redmond of Chicago, IL, Clarissa Dawn Lucia of Norwich, Wesley Thomas Perkins of Somers, Heather Prescott of Broken Arrow, OK, Kali Lucia Allen also of Broken Arrow, OK, and Melissa Lena Allen Pete of Tulsa, Ok. Also surviving are 16 great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter. A funeral service will be held Monday, December 9, at the Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers, at 1 p.m. Calling hours will be from 12 Noon - 1 p.m. preceding the service. Burial will follow at Somers Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations to be made to the nonprofit organization that helped care for Helen: Community Companion and Homemaking Services, 90 South Park Street, Willimantic, CT 06235.