Flora Lucchese

Flora Lucchese, a beloved matriarch and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at her home on October 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 17, 1934, in the Bronx, New York, Flora was the treasured daughter of Anthony and Rose Brutto. She was a beacon of love and kindness, whose life was a testament to the joy of family and friendship. Flora shared a remarkable 48-year marriage with her late husband, John Lucchese, whom she wed on December 6, 1952, at Mt. Carmel Church in the Bronx. Together, they nurtured a vibrant family, raising seven children in a home filled with warmth and laughter. Her children and their spouses—Kathleen Lucchese, Joseph Lucchese, Rosemarie and Anthony Rivicci, Valerie and Joe Salerno, Toni Marie and Richard Kaminsky, Darlene Lucchese and Maria Siopis, and John and Carol Lucchese carry forward her legacy of love. Flora is also survived by her sisters in law Patricia Brutto, Lucille Sozio, Rosemarie Catrama and Katherine Petillo. Flora is predeceased by her loving siblings Marion Aldycki and Joseph Brutto, her mother and father in law Katherine and Joseph Lucchese and son in law Thomas Bezduda. Her family was her greatest joy, and she reveled in the company of her 16 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, eagerly anticipating the arrival of number 32. Her extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Lucchese, Brutto, and Zinzi families, alongside her devoted friends Lucy Krishok and Marlene and Abe Spector, all held a special place in her heart. Flora was a graduate of Central Commercial High School in New York City, and after years dedicated to nurturing her family, she re-entered the workforce with the New York City Department of Transportation. There, she excelled as a computer analyst, managing word processing operations and serving as the Director of Administrative Services for MIS and Deputy Director of the Information Center. A woman of many talents, Flora was a master doll artist and a treasured member of the Staten Island Doll Club for 25 years, where she served as vice president and treasurer. Flora was also a member of the Brooklyn Doll Club and The Wee Little Dollmakers. She has won numerous awards for her artistry. Her passion for doll making was matched only by her love for shopping, especially for jewelry, and her joy in traveling and theater. Flora was an avid reader, especially of James Patterson novels. She loved solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Above all, Flora loved being surrounded by family and friends. Flora’s radiant smile and warm, loving heart touched everyone she met. She was a mother to all, always caring, kind, and generous. The love for her family was absolutely unconditional. Her presence was a constant at every family celebration and milestone, from birthdays to christenings, never wanting to miss a single moment. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Flora’s life at a service on October 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Gateway Cathedral Church, 200 Boscomb Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10307. In lieu of flowers, donations in Flora’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Flora Lucchese lived a life rich in love and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten, as her spirit continues to inspire those she loved so dearly.