Obituaries

Velma Lopez Lucente of Clarksburg went to heaven peacefully on a Friday afternoon with her family by her side. After a wonderful 90 years of life, she passed away in her home, built with love by her late husband of 62 years, Joe Lucente. They lived in several states throughout their marriage due to the fact that Joe served in the United States Navy for 22 years. Velma’s strong Catholic faith was instilled in her through her parents, the late Sam and Rose (Scott) Lopez; she loved praying the rosary and saying her daily prayers. Velma was a gracious, gentle woman who lived her faith by loving others. Waiting at the gates of heaven along with her parents and husband was her daughter Teresa Lucente, sister Anna Marie Lopez Madia, brother Frank X. Lopez and his wife Rose Marie Lopez, son-in-law Clyde Thomas, in-laws Frank and Daisy Lucente and many Lucente in-laws. She is survived by her four daughters, Jo Anne McNemar, Regina Lucente, Maria Bailey and husband Tom, and Valerie Kubancik and husband Roger, her brother Tommy Lopez and wife Sheila, and brother-in-law Dick Madia. She helped raise and adored her six grandchildren, Kelli Jo McNemar, Jamie Jo Bailey McDonald and husband Randen, Thomas Michael Bailey II and wife Valerie, Marissa Bailey, Xavier Kubancik and Gianni Kubancik; she was a beloved Nunnie. Her two great-grandchildren, Joseph and Bailey Rose McDonald, made her smile every day. Her many nieces, nephews and cousins say how Velma’s smile and kind heart made them each feel special and loved. Velma’s Italian heritage was monumental in her life; she attended every WV Italian Heritage Festival since its inception. She was honored as the WVIH Festival Mother of the Year in 2011 and was a member of the Festival’s Honorary Council. Velma loved riding in the trolley during the festival parade. She joyfully hosted family spaghetti dinners every Sunday. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and the Ladies Auxillary VFW. Her favorite traditions included baking Italian Christmas cookies like galettes and pita piata, playing cards with her close friends in “The Card Club,” or singing her favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine.” A graduate of Victory High School, she was on the girls basketball team, and was later the president of the Catholic Daughters of America. Anytime one of her loved ones said, “Velma, I love you,” she would reply, “I love you more!” Family and friends may call at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street in Nutter Fort on Wednesday, July 17 from 2 to 8 p.m.; a vigil service will begin at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church with Father Benny Kapa and Father Patsy Iaquinta as Celebrants. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.