Lucy Colaizzi Holmes, of Hughesville, Pa., passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2012. She was born Jan. 7, 1917, in Koppel, Pa., the daughter of Elisha and Blandina (Musilli) Colaizzi. Lucy was the last of nine children born to Elisha and Blandina, who emigrated from the Campobasso Providence of Italy at the turn of the century and settled in Western Pennsylvania.
She graduated in 1935 from Ellwood City High School where she was valedictorian and settled in the Pittsburgh area. On July 24, 1951, she married Irvin S. Holmes of Wampum, Pa. She was employed by Babcock and Wilcox Steel Company for 12 years until the passing of her father-in-law, Irvin V. Holmes. He had retired as school superintendant of the Wampum Area School District and had relocated to his hometown of Hughesville. Lucy and her husband moved to Hughesville in 1960 to help in the care of her mother-in-law.
She worked in the office of the former Anchor-Darling Valve Company in Williamsport for 10 years until the plant downsized in 1974. She then went to work for GTE Sylvania in Montoursville, Pa., in the flashbulb division until she retired with eleven years of service in 1985.
Article Photos
Lucy enjoyed many activities in life including flowers and gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles, reading and good meals spent with her family. She was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Muncy, Pa., for over 47 years. She enjoyed her independence and resided on her own.
Surviving are a son, Richard I. Holmes of Rochester, N.Y.; a daughter, Susan J. (Ron) Smith of Hughesville, Pa.; and a son, Daniel E. (Sherry) Holmes of Hughesville, Pa. Lucy has six grandchildren, Ryan (Rhyan) Smith of Brookhaven, Pa., and Tara Smith, Hali Hambridge, Rachael Sossamon, Danielle and Victoria Holmes, all of Hughesville, Pa. One great-grandson, Adam Smith, was fortunate to have known his great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband and eight brothers and sisters, Robert, Dr. Alfred, James and John Colaizzi and sisters, Clara Colonna, Sarah Ciarimboli, Elvira Paparelli and Lena Evaldi.
The funeral service will be held Friday, July 13, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection in Muncy, Pa., with the Reverend Glenn McCreary officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hughesville, Pa. Friends and relatives may call Thursday, July 12, 2012, between 6 and 8 p.m. at the McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home in Hughesville, Pa., or at the Church of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Hughesville Area Public Library in her honor. Expressions of condolence and memories of her life may be shared with her family at DanielE.Holmes@Yahoo.com.
Submitted by family.
