Margaret Lucenti

MONTPELIER - Margaret Lucenti, 93, of Greenfield Terrace, Montpelier, died unexpectedly on May 20, 2015, at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. Margaret was born into a large, Irish-Catholic family in Manchester, New Hampshire, the daughter of Bridget Louise Cullity and Martin Joseph Foye. She graduated from the St. Joseph High School for Girls in Manchester, New Hampshire. During her childhood, her parents and other family members, including Margaret herself, worked in the shoe and textile mills of New Hampshire. Millwork had a significant influence on Margaret's social activism later in life.

In Manchester, she met and later in 1943, married Sal, a young soldier from New York City. As a young mother of a career military man, she raised her five children. She bonded her family together as she followed him in his career or as she waited and maintained the household while he was on duty elsewhere in service to his country. In 1960, Sal retired from the military and they moved the family to Barre. She was an active member of St. Monica's Church. They later moved to Marshfield and eventually to Montpelier. It was in Barre that Margaret began her career in the insurance industry working for agents in both Barre and Montpelier.

It was in central Vermont in the early 1960s that Margaret found her voice for social justice, community betterment and service to the community. She became a dynamic leader and activist for social justice and equal rights. In 1975, she was appointed by Gov. Salmon as the first chairperson of the Vermont Human Rights Commission. She was also chairperson of the Vermont delegation to the 1976 Democratic Convention in her role as a Vermont National Democratic committeewoman, a candidate for the Vermont House of Representatives and the Washington County Senate seat in 1978. She was also the first woman to run in a Democratic primary in Vermont for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. Her commitment to civic participation by continuous active involvement on town, county and state Democratic committees, often serving as an officer, was most admirable. This included her long tenure as a justice of the peace. Margaret also served as board member of the Washington Electric Coop from 1976-1978.

When many would be thinking of retirement, Margaret maintained her active civic participation and pursued a new career as a committee assistant at the Vermont General Assembly. There she worked with the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for over 25 years.

Upon her retirement at age 90, the Vermont General Assembly in a joint resolution of appreciation of her work stated, "It was a fitting assignment for a woman dedicated to the rule of law as an avenue to achieve social justice." In recognition of her efforts over many years for promoting social justice, she was awarded the David Curtis award in 2004.

During all Margaret's years of social activism and community participation, her office was her kitchen. Many Vermont politicians and activists passed through her kitchen to engage in discussions on the issues of the day. But no matter whether you agreed or disagreed with Margaret, she found each and every individual worthy of respect and caring. Those who knew Margaret will always remember her smile, her humor and her stories. But most of all, those who knew her will remember her strong voice and commitment to civic participation and concern for individual, family and community well-being.

Margaret's love and active caring for family and community was an example to follow for all who knew her.

Survivors include sons and daughters, Eileen Blake and her husband, Paul, of Waterbury Center, Vermont, Martin Lucenti and his wife, Candy, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Robert Lucenti and his wife, Laine, of Berlin, Vermont, Marianne McNamara and her husband, Robert, of South Burlington, Vermont, James Lucenti, of Montpelier, Vermont; and a sister, Anne Campaiola, of Methuen, Massachusetts. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by siblings William Foye, Mary Lynch, Anthony Foye and Alice Burke; her grandson, Damien Lucenti; and her husband, Salvatore Lucenti, who died on April 4, 2015.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at the Guare & Sons Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Church in Montpelier.

A committal service for Margaret and Sal will be held immediately following the Mass in the Berlin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the Vermont Food- bank, in care of Melissa Baptiewright, 33 Parker Road, Barre, VT 05641; or Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.