Lucille Durso, CSJP (1935-2022)

Lucille Jean was born on December 10, 1935, in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, to John Leonard and Jean Cecilia (Adair) Durso. She was the second of two daughters. As a child growing up in North Bergen, New Jersey, she enjoyed life to the fullest and found the foundation of her faith at the knee of her mother and in her parish church. She attended the local public school and graduated from Union Hill High School in Union City, New Jersey. Lucille was encouraged to explore life as a religious sister by two special teachers in elementary and high school as well as her aunt, Sister Mary Daniel, CSJP.

Sister Lucille entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace at St. Michael’s Novitiate, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on June 29, 1955, and pronounced final vows there on August 22, 1960.

Sister Lucille earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Caldwell College and a Master of Arts in Religion and Psychology from Fairfield University. As a teacher, counselor, and co-partner in opening the Academy of Professional Hypnosis, she served in various parishes in New Jersey and California. Sister Lucille also served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Peace Care St. Ann's, Jersey City, New Jersey, for 25 years.

In her written reflection on the occasion of her diamond jubilee in 2015, she wrote “…life as a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace has brought me more joy, personal development, enlightenment, opportunities for serving others in so many varied ways with a sense of camaraderie along my life journey for which I am eternally grateful.”

Sister Lucille died peacefully at Holy Name Medical Center on December 17, 2022. Visitation was held on December 28th at St. Michael Villa. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was held on December 29th at St. Catharine's Church in Glen Rock, New Jersey, with visitation prior to the Mass. Sister Lucille was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.

Sister Lucille is survived by her sister Joan Viccaro, niece Lucille Sarno, and nephew Michael Viccaro.