Heartbroken to learn of Lucia's passing. She was a truly gifted therapist, empathic, intuitive, and always kind. She saved me during a dark and difficult time and I think about her often. I am deeply sorry for her family and friends having to navigate this loss, and am grateful I was lucky enough to have known her.
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I have been sad since I learned of Lucias passing, and glad to offer condolences to Hal and her family. Such a loss for us all and for the psychoanalytic community.
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She was an incredible teacher and mentor for so many, and I'm certain that her work with patients and students will continue to resonate care and recovery into the world.
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I just learned of Lucia's passing this morning and am reeling from the news.
I first met Lucia from taking a class she taught at the New Center for Psychoanalysis. I was so drawn to her that I later sought her out for consultation and have stayed in touch with her for about 20 years. Lucia's exuberance, energy, warmth and loving spirit are what I'll remember about her. She was a beautiful person and a fantastic mentor. Lucia was an intelligent and skilled clinician, as well as educator. Her guidance was so valuable to me.
I feel so fortunate to have known her, and will miss her greatly. I love all the photos posted here of her, which really capture her joie de vivre.
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To Lucia, my magical Sister-Elf,
Thank you for over 50 years of connection, love, and memories. We bonded in our college years through dorm misadventures, political protests, consciousness-raising groups and days in the Chatham library writing our senior tutorials (yours was philosophical, deep and meaningful; mine was on the history of physical education). You introduced me to New York City in January, 1971 when we stayed in Nick's efficiency apartment, ostensibly taking ballet classes for college credit. I learned more from that month than I could have learned in a classroom.
After some good travels and wild times you made California your home; I stayed in Pittsburgh. No matter. The connection never faltered. In 1993 we both earned our PhDs in Psychology - you a whole month ahead of me.
You were one resilient elf, transforming life's challenges into strengths and empathy. When you finally met your soulmate, Hal, your energy took on a new shimmer. I was sure the three of us would have more rendezvous in the future.
Thank you, Lulu, for never getting too old to address your correspondence "Sister-Elf". You always honored that Peter Pan energy we shared. And there is no sound that will ever replace that Lucia exclamation "Ooooo Chubb".
I love you, Sister-Elf, and I will carry you with me forever, wherever that is.
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I will so miss Lucia’s glow. Her warmth and consideration always lifted my spirits. I had lost touch with her over the years, and it was the bizarre blessing of COVID that reconnected us through the Chatham Zoom calls. She will always be a sister elf/hobbit. Hal, please share the love that I am sending your way, and to Lucia’s spirit that will always be with us when we think of her.
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Hal, I don't know you and honestly Lucia was so professional she never talked about you. But when she called to tell me she was sick I asked if she had good support and she laughed and said, in that warm voice, My wonderful husband is here with me. Lucia was so loving. I would not have made it through the last 30 years without her. Our last conversations before she got sick were about Naples and we could not stop thinking about the latest season of My Brilliant Friend and how Naples would look in that context. I never imagined life without her. I will miss her very much but always think of her with gratitude and that sort of squeal of joy she emanated. Lynn Sacco
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Hal, when you called me about Lucia’s passing, I think I was in a state of shock - it seemed she went so fast. I really loved Lucia and enjoyed her thoroughly through our younger years. We both learned the twist together and laughed together, with our Aunt Kay, many many times at her parents house in Belleville, NJ. She really was a great person and I will miss her. I enjoyed our many phone conversations and reminiscing with her on our childhoods. I can’t even imagine how devastated you are. I know enough about Lucia to know she would want you to try and make some sense out of all this and keep moving as best you can. Again if you ever need to talk I can lend an ear. I’ll always remember Lucia and with a smile. Your new cousin. Rick
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Hal, I am so saddened by this news of Lucia’s passing. Lucia lived next-door to me on Frederick Street in Belleville. We grew up together playing in our backyards and swimming in our pools. I have the best and fondest memories of her. Her parents, Grace and Frank and her brother Nicky were lovely people and wonderful neighbors. She was such a good friend. We reconnected on Facebook and kept in touch over the years. I found these pictures that I kept over the years that I wanted to share with you. Lucia is in the middle and that’s me and my sister on either side. Lucia was three years older than me. My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this very difficult time. May she rest in peace in paradise in God‘s loving arms.
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I'll always remember Lucia as a kind, thoughtful, warm, loving and incredibly fun person to be around. She was my third cousin, and I have so many fond memories of time spent together with our families in NJ when I was growing up. In recent years I loved keeping up with her on Facebook, especially seeing her travels with Hal. And we had the chance to get together last year in LA, a memory that I'll treasure. Sincerest condolences to Hal and to all her friends and family.
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I am so sad. I was friends with Lucia in high school and enjoyed following her on Facebook. She was always a joy to be around. Rest in peace Lucia. 💙
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Lucia was a force of nature in a world that needed her. She was fun, loving, kind, an admirer of sweat hogs and her brother Nick, proud of her family, smart as a whip...........I was in awe of her since 1969. Thanks to Hal for putting this memorial together - even in your pain, you thought of others who would want to be able to remember her publicly and lovingly.
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Lucia was a light in the world. She will always be remembered with love.
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Sending my sincere condolences to her beloved Hal and her family. We went to high school together and she was always a happy, cheerful and very sweet and friendly girl. I hear memory be a blessing to everyone who knew her. Lucia Rest in Heavenly peace. 💔🙏🏻🥲
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Will never forget Lucia, Belleville High School cheerleader, devoted daughter and sister to my classmate, Nicky Melito. Will remember her professional service to those needing her wisdom and her love of family, especially her special brother, Nicholas Arnold Melito. Rest in peace, my friend from Belleville, New Jersey.
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Lucia—— My beautiful cousin. So loved and full of joy. A lover of art and great music. Yes- the Beatles. She lived in Cali but she was born in New Jersey. So yes- Doo-wop and the 4 Seasons. Smart. Funny. A ready smile and a sense of humor. Always ready for an adventure. Paris. Rome. New York. Anyone in Lucia’s life was blessed by her genuine love and care. My condolences to Lucia’s steadfast husband, Hal. Game. Set. And match. How lucky are we to have been touched by our angel. Love you cousin- Vicki
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