A kind, thoughtful, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She filled her family’s hearts with love, stomachs with homemade cooking and life with joy. She spent her childhood in Bari, Italy, raised her family on Long Island, New York and retired in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Lucia Chimienti Picicci, 83 of Jacksonville Beach, Florida died peacefully on January 17, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Lucy was born in Sannicandro, Italy in 1942 to Oronzo and Stella Chimienti who instilled the importance of hard work and education into their six children. She shared her childhood with her brothers, Sabino and Giuseppe and sisters, Angelina, Giuseppina and Marilena. They shared stories of picking olives and almonds in their father’s fields, getting dressed up to go into town, sneaking samples of their mother’s homemade desserts and her brothers making her laugh. She told stories of the neighbors gathering at her house to watch the newly invented black and white television, raising chickens with her nonna, listening to her father play the saxophone and watching her mamma sew their beautiful clothes.

Lucy met her husband, James in Italy. Together they went on an adventure to America to begin a new life with love, family and tradition. They dreamed of living near a beach, a place that reminded them of their childhood. They traveled the country and found homes in Anaheim, California; Oakdale, New York and Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She spent her time raising her children, gardening, cooking and entertaining family and friends. Her home smelled like a restaurant with the aromas of freshly baked bread, tomato sauce, braciole, meatballs, chicken parmesan, panzarotti, pizzas and more. She would say: “Chi mangia bene, vive bene!” Her mantra: “Enter as friends, leave as family” was expressed in the way she was a mother to all who knew her. Everyone who entered her home felt welcomed and loved.

When Lucy first came to America, she worked as a seamstress, making beautiful clothes like her mamma once did. She had dreams to work for the US government. She took classes and training to earn a position at the Internal Revenue Service where she worked for over 20 years. She received numerous awards for her ability to connect with people, offering guidance and understanding to everyone she served. Whatever she did, she did it with grace, humanity and compassion. She enjoyed learning new things, especially as technology advanced. She is remembered for her gift to connect with people.

Lucy was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, James and her oldest sister, Angelina. Lucy is survived by her children and grandchildren who were the center of her world. Her children- Mary of Oakdale, NY; Vinnie (Dee Dee) of Mobile, AL; Larry (Jen) of Albany, NY and Stella (Yonnu) of Ballston Spa. NY. Her grandchildren James (Brittany) of Myrtle Beach, SC; Kyle (Alison) of Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; Jake, Maggie and Luke of Mobile, AL. Her youngest grandchild is Lucia of Ballston Spa, NY, her nipotina whom she doted on and adored. She always said: “La famiglia è tutto"e “Amor di madre, amore senza limiti!”

Lucy was part of a bereavement group, sewing club, lunch group and the church store all at St. Paul's Catholic Church. She had friends who epitomized the saying: “Friends are the family you choose for yourself.” Her neighbor Joanne was like a daughter to her. Her friends, Jane, Lilia, Kathleen, Kathy, Lea, Margarita and Judy were like sisters who shared common interests such as sewing, crocheting, baking, socializing and their love for God. These friends and many more were a cherished part of her heart. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00am, Friday, March 27th at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach.