Lucille T Calafiore

Lucille T. Calafiore, 81, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 22, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so deeply. It is with deep sorrow that we share the loss of a woman whose love, warmth, and generosity touched all who knew her.

Lucille was born on June 20, 1944, in New York City, to Louis and Rafaella Mattera, and was raised in Brooklyn alongside her six brothers and sisters. From an early age, she showed the compassion, strength, and vibrant personality that would define her life.

As a young woman, Lucille pursued her passion for beauty and became a talented cosmetologist, a career through which she would touch countless lives. In 1964, she married the love of her life, Joseph Calafiore, with whom she shared a devoted marriage until his passing in 2012. Together, they built a life rooted in love, family, and tradition. They spent over 20 years in upstate New York before relocating in 1990 to Port Charlotte, FL, where she continued to grow her successful cosmetology business until her retirement.

Lucille was a woman of extraordinary heart—warm, caring, and selfless beyond measure. Her purpose in life was to care for others, and she fulfilled it every day. She would give anything she had to help someone in need, never expecting anything in return. Her kindness was boundless, her generosity unmatched, and her presence a source of comfort to so many.

She was a proud and spirited Italian woman—fun, spunky, and full of life. Her quick wit and signature phrases, often beginning with “Not for nothing, but…” or “I don’t wanna say anything, but…,” were always followed by laughter and love. Her bright smile could light up a room, and her home was a place where everyone felt welcome.

Family was the center of Lucille’s world. She expressed her love through cherished traditions, heartfelt conversations, and, most memorably, her incredible cooking. A gifted cook, talented hairdresser, and creative soul, she filled her home with beauty, often transforming the simplest things into treasured pieces with her signature shabby chic style. She found joy in gardening, shopping—what she fondly called “gallivanting”—and in every moment spent with those she loved.

Lucille is survived by her loving sisters, Rachel DiGiuseppe and Frances Mattera; her children, Joseph Calafiore II (Anna) and Renee Brane (Kyle); and her ten cherished grandchildren. She also leaves behind countless extended family members and dear friends who were blessed to know her love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Calafiore.

Lucille will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL.

Her love was endless, her presence a gift, and her memory will forever live on in the stories we share, the traditions we continue, and the love she instilled in all of us. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.