Lina S. Lucarelli, of Derby, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. She was 92.
Lina was the beloved and devoted matriarch of the Lucarelli family and co-founder of Roseland Apizza in Derby, CT where she worked alongside her husband Nazzareno “Bocci” Lucarelli until his passing in 1980.
She was born in Montebello, Italy on September 30, 1923, daughter of the late John and Adele (Rossi) Scatolini and emigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven to escape Mussolini.
She graduated from Derby High School and was awarded her bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University later in life.
In 2010, she accepted the Dr. John I. Howe Award from the Derby Historical Society as recognition for her legacy, Roseland Apizza.
She was an entrepreneur and real estate investor ahead of her time.
She also enjoyed traveling the world, reading, gardening, drinking tea and cooking Le Marchegian dishes from her childhood.
Lina spent her golden years walking to Roseland Apizza daily and was dedicated to running the restaurant alongside her sons in the kitchen.
Everyone received free bread under her reign, and the wait was never more than an hour even if you sat there for three.
She leaves behind five children, John Lucarelli and his wife, Colleen, Gary Lucarelli, Denis (“Denmo”) Lucarelli, Adele Larsen and her husband, Edward, and Marisa Tascione and her husband, Vincent (“Fez”).
She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, Gary, Jessica, Krista, Kara, Laura, Erika, Carly, Casey, Eddy Joe, Jess, Kirstin, Chloé, Johnny Blake, Elyse, Chelsea, and Riana; seven great-grandchildren, Isabel, Reno, Zachary, Cody, Michael, Carter, and Kash, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Besides her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her sister, Claire Dirienzo, her brother, Reno Scatolini, and her great-granddaughter, Jamie Russell.
We will all miss her passatellis, gnocchis, risotto, cappellettis, and her loving and generous nature.
Nini we will miss and love you forever.
Friends may greet her family on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home 253 Elizabeth St., Derby.
On Thursday her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Jude Church, Derby.
Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery.
Offer online condolences to her family at www.adzimafh.com.
