Lucy C. Siracuse

Lucy C. Siracuse, 1936 ~ 2026

Lucy C. Siracuse passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026 at the age of 89. She was beloved wife of the late Joseph Siracuse; devoted mother of Sylvia (late Robert) Davis, Gina (Tim) Halbur, Ann Marie (Vincent) Salerno, Nicholas (Renee) Siracuse, and Anthony (Colleen) Siracuse; loving grandmother of Anthony, Stephanie, Jennifer, Rachel, Vincent, Sarah, Victor, Thomas, Matthew, Michael and Collin; great-grandmother to Francis, Lucia, Leo, Cecilia, Vincent, Charlie, Lily, Philomena, and Christopher; dear sister of the late Raffaela (Michele) Lupo, Josephine (Luigi) Santonato, Mary (Giovanni) Bin, Joseph (Angelina), Salvatore, and John Giardina; also survived by Leo and Carole Siracuse, Sadie Giardina, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Lucy was born in Buffalo, New York, to Michele and Concetta Giardina, immigrants from Pozzallo Sicily. She was the youngest of seven children, where strong family bonds, Sicilian traditions, and a deep Catholic faith shaped the values she carried throughout her long and blessed life. Her cherished childhood memories include summers at the Wheelock Turnbull Farm in North Collins, NY where the family lived in the summer months picking strawberries and beans, and spent evenings around the campfire listening to stories about her parents’ life back in the homeland. She and her siblings enjoyed many adventures on the farm with the highlight at the end of August going to the Erie County Fair.

She attended Grover Cleveland High School where she excelled in secretarial skills and later attended D’Youville College studying social services. During her sophomore year of college she met the love of her life, Joseph Siracuse. In 1959 they were married, beginning a life devoted to family and shared purpose. Together they raised five children, Sylvia, Gina, Ann Marie, Nicholas, and Anthony. Lucy was a devoted homemaker while her children were young and she gave generously of herself. She returned to the workforce as a social welfare examiner for Erie County in 1974.

The family moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1977 due to the closing of the Western Electric plant in Buffalo where Joe worked. With the sudden and unexpected transfer, Lucy gave her time helping her husband and five children get settled into their new lives in Omaha. Lucy returned to the workforce in 1978 with US West where she worked various jobs including executive secretary, office manager, and human resources placement consultant. Being a lifetime learner, Lucy earned a professional studies degree in human resources from Bellevue University. She retired fully in 1998 and took on the roll of full time grandmother.

Lucy’s love language was food and she never missed an opportunity to prepare a meal with her famous sauce, meatballs, homemade bread, scaccia, fuatzi, and her biscotti cookies to anyone who came to visit. She treasured family gatherings and celebrations, even cooking and baking this last Christmas season. Her kitchen was the heart of the home, always filled with delicious meals, lively conversation, and stories that will be remembered and retold for generations.

She had a special love for babies and children and built an extensive collection of vintage baby bottles. During retirement, she and Joe traveled together to baby bottle collector conventions, sharing a hobby that brought them great joy. She was such a hands-on grandmother hosting endless slumber parties. She loved vegetable and flower gardening, painting birdhouses and traveling with Joe to New Orleans, Wisconsin, Buffalo, and the east coast. Lucy cherished her Sicilian heritage and was blessed to take a once in a lifetime trip to Italy and Sicily in 2010 where she visited her dear sister Raffaela and family in Pozzallo after nearly 30 years apart.

During these past six years, Lucy was beyond thrilled to have the new title of “Gigi” as she welcomed 9 great-grandchildren into her life. Lucy will be remembered for her unwavering faith, generous spirit, and the love she poured into her family. Her legacy lives on in the traditions she passed down, the stories she told, and the countless lives she touched.

FUNERAL MASS: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 1:30 pm, with VISITATION one hour prior to the service and an ROSARY at 12:30 PM, all at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church (16701 S. St.)

Following the Mass, please join the family for an “Italian Luncheon” at the church to continue celebrating Lucy’s Life.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM at the Omaha National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial’s to St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church or Sienna-Francis House. These memorials may also be mailed to P.O. Box 150 Glenwood, IA 51534.

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services, 6505 S. 144th St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400