Obituary: Lucille Cassella
Lucille Cassella, 87, of Orange, passed away peacefully at her home on February 8, 2023. Born on July 12, 1935 in Meriden, CT, she lived life fully and on her own terms. She brought love and laughter to all who knew her. There was no greater friend or relative. As a good friend once said, “Where there was a need, Lucille fulfilled it.”
The past owner of the popular Lucille’s Bridal Shop in Orange, Lucille was a guiding light for thousands of jittery brides. Her eye for detail and her good humor made working with her a joy.
She attended the University of Connecticut and was a graduate of the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston. Earlier in her career she worked as a buyer for the Edward Malley Company of New Haven. Lucille’s Bridal Shop was next door to the Racebrook Pharmacy, owned by her brother Robert. These were truly family businesses where the youngsters of the family learned the value of hard work while being with people they adored.
Lucille’s devotion to her family was exemplified by her selfless caretaking of her Mother and Stepfather, an act of pure love.
Her knitted afghans, ham pies, eggplant parmesan and chocolate chip cookies were the stuff of legend. She always made sure the younger kids of the family had the latest toys for Christmas. She was a second mother for many a lucky kid. When you were around Lucille, you just felt special. There’s no greater gift than that. She will be greatly missed. She will live on in the memories of those fortunate enough to have known her.
Lucille was predeceased by her Mother Nicoletta Lender of Orange, CT, her Father Anthony J. Cassella of Wallingford, CT, her Stepfather Hymen B. Lender of Orange, CT and her Sister-in-Law Susan Cassella, of Orange, CT.
She is survived by her siblings, Robert Cassella of Orange, CT, Albert Lender of Fountain, CO, Shirl Anne Robles of Wallingford, CT, Rosanne LaBonia of Wallingford, CT and Tony Cassella of Wallingford, CT as well as her nephews, David P. Cassella and his wife Marilyn of Taunton, MA, Stephen R. Cassella and his fiancée Lori Kiely of Mystic, CT and Kenneth Cassella and his wife Erin of Shelton, CT.
She was also cherished by many “great” and “great-great” nieces and nephews all of whom love her dearly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on March 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Road, Orange, CT to be immediately followed by interment at the Orange Cemetery, 640-646 Orange Center Road, Orange, CT.
In lieu of flowers, it is asked that donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
