Lucille Conway

Lucille Conway loved the beauty in the world around her. Simple things like a brilliant sunset, the blue ocean, or an iridescent hummingbird could make her day. Lucille was generous with her time, her laughter, and her friendship, and wherever she went she made the world a brighter place. She touched many hearts, and will be deeply missed.

Lucille’s parents, Frank and Mary (Paladino) Rossi, welcomed the newest member of their family into the world on October 6, 1925. The Rossi family lived in the farming community of Center Ridge, Arkansas, where they raised cattle and grew cotton. Lucille had six siblings: Ed, Louise, Gloria, Raymond, Charles, and Marion. She attended classes at the local Catholic school, where Lucille would complete her high school education. When not in school, Lucille helped her mother cook and manage the household tasks. After her mother passed away when Lucille was 15, she also became responsible for caring for her younger siblings.

In July of 1952, Lucille started a new chapter in her life by moving to join her older brother, Ed, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lucille quickly found a job at Southerland Paper Company and was promoted several times until becoming a sales service representative. A devout Catholic and an outgoing, personable young woman, Lucille made many friends in the Kalamazoo area. They often tried to set her up with various bachelors, but Lucille was very picky and stayed single until her thirties. She met her match, however, in James “Jim” Conway, owner of the University Bookstore. Lucille and Jim met on a blind date. They were married on October 13, 1962, at St. Joseph Church of Kalamazoo.

In the years to come, Lucille and Jim were blessed with two children, whom they named Mary Ellen and James Patrick. Lucille stayed at home to raise the kids, while Jim concentrated on developing the business. As the kids grew older, Lucille was actively involved in their school activities at St. A’s and Hackett Catholic Central. She and Jim volunteered their time at St. Augustine Catholic Cathedral. Lucille and Jim were very supportive of Western Michigan University and participated in various groups associated with the University.

In their free time, Lucille and Jim loved traveling and over the years destinations included Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland, Italy, and France. Lucille also loved Leeland, Michigan, where her in-laws had a place, and she looked forward to trips up north as much (or more) than trips to exotic locales. She had a deep appreciation for Michigan’s beautiful autumn season, and loved watching the leaves turn each year. Each year Lucille and her family took a trip to Center Ridge to visit Lucille’s family. Starting in 1976 a “Rossi Reunion” was established, and every five years the whole clan gathered together (Lucille never missed a reunion). The highlight of the reunions was a Mass conducted by Lucille’s brother, Father Raymond Rossi, and a display of fireworks smuggled in illegally by another brother, Charles Rossi.

Lucille, a diehard sports fan, particularly enjoyed watching football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Lucille and Jim had season tickets for nearly every WMU sports team, and Lucille loved attending them all. They had a great group of friends that shared their enthusiasm, and together they would travel far and wide to support their hometown athletes.

In the 1990’s, Lucille and Jim enjoyed visiting Mary Ellen in California so much that they bought a condo themselves at Palm Valley Country Club in Palm Desert, California. They began spending their winters in Palm Desert, and all their many friends had an open invitation to visit. Lucille loved the desert landscape, and the grandeur of the huge mountain ranges that envelop the area. She said that she only truly understood the line “For purple mountain majesties” (from the song “America the Beautiful”) once she had seen these mountains at sunrise and sunset.

Lucille had a lifelong love of music, which began in her youth with the nationalized radio program “The Hit Parade.” She always had the radio on throughout her life. In recent years, while living at Atria Senior Living in Irvine, she participated in all the music-related activities. Some of Lucille’s favorite songs were “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Downtown,” “Danny Boy,” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel. The next time you hear these songs, perhaps you will think of Lucille.

Beautiful, kindhearted, and full of life, Lucille was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Mrs. Lucille R. Conway died on February 13, 2013, at the age of 87. Lucille’s family includes her children, Mary Ellen (Joseph) Stuart and James P. Conway; her brothers, Edward, Raymond, Charles, and Marion Rossi; her sister, Gloria (Rossi) DeSalvo; her sister-in-law, Mary Jean (Conway) Whitmore, and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Conway, in 2001 and by her sister, Louise (Rossi) Crews.

Learn more about Lucille, view her life story film and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Friday, February 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900) where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. that evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Augustine Cathedral. Entombment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit Lucille’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.