Lucille Ann Acquavella Lama was born on Christmas Eve, 1935. On March 15, 2024, she was received into the welcoming arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
A Brooklyn resident nearly all her life, she was a vibrant, fun-loving, and godly woman; she emanated joy and was a relentless and staggeringly generous force of love. She enjoyed baseball, the Bachelor, and all things sweet. She was a dedicated greeting card correspondent, signing off each with her signature “All my love always,” a valediction she embodied. Most of all, she adored and delighted in her Savior, her family, and her friends.
Lucille’s deep faith in Jesus, in whose presence she now resides, inspired and carried her. Her daily prayer regimen—and indeed, posture—were famous. Well into her eighties, Lucille dedicated hours every morning to pray prostrate on the floor, clutching a handwritten prayer list that dated back decades, spanned dozens of pages, and covered loved ones, acquaintances, and strangers alike. For years and generations to come, we may continue to reap the blessings of her prayers (Lucille unwaveringly believed we would).
She graduated from Brentwood Academy, attended St. John’s University, and earned her teaching degree at Brooklyn College. She taught elementary school for many years, completing her career at her beloved Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School. She dubbed her students “chickadees” and nurtured them with her cheerful spirit. Even many years later, former students would recognize her and enthusiastically hug and thank her for her positive impact.
She was an active member of her cherished church, Metropolitan Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children, Alfred Lama and Terri Sanfilippo-Lama and Elizabeth and Robert Myers, as well as her grandchildren (who adoringly knew her as “DeeDee”), Robert and Becky Myers, Ruthanne and Duncan Beard, Hannah Myers, Naomi and Joshua Shaffer, Nathanael Myers, and Sean Lama, and great-granddaughter, Siobhan Beard. She is also survived by her former husband, Hon. Alfred Lama, her sister-in-law Eileen Acquavella, and her nieces and their families, Veronica and Chris Thompson and Audra and Richard Spock with children Ryan and Madison. Lucille was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Hon. A. Lawrence and Constance Acquavella, and her brother, Dr. John Acquavella.
Lucille was widely loved and is deeply missed.
A memorial service to celebrate her life and legacy will be held at 10:45 a.m., July 12, 2024 at Metropolitan Baptist Church. The family will greet guests from 9:45 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lucille’s name may be made to: Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1624 84th Street, Brooklyn, New York, or online at www.metbaptist.com.