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Lydia DiScuillo Obituary
Born in West Warwick, R.I., she was a daughter of the late Theodore and Rena Smith.
Lydia was the owner of Lydia S. DiScuillo School of Dance in Mystic, from 1972 through 2012, when she retired to spend time with family and friends.
Her presence will be missed tremendously by her loving husband, Peter DiScuillo III; her three sons, Harold F. Chappell III, Peter DiScuillo IV, and Scott DiScuillo; her many grandchildren; her sisters, Theresa (Smith) Cahoone, Jeannette (Smith) Dennett, Victoria (Smith) Williams; and her brother, Arthur Smith; along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her brothers, Theodore W. Smith, Alfred F. Smith, and John L. Smith.
Her spirit continues to live on in her family forever, and her ever ready smile will be shining down upon her family always. Rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord and dance gracefully with the angels. You are loved by all.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today, Sept. 18, at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary's Church, 95 Main St., Stonington. There is no procession from the funeral home to the church. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck.
For online condolences, please go to www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lydia DiScuillo
C p
October 12, 2013
Sorry for your loss. Our hearts go out to your family. Lydia has touched so many young lives.
Sherry Cutler
September 22, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. Ms. Lydia taught more than dance. She taught confidence and self esteem. In your grief, I just wanted to let you know I am thankful that she was an important part of my daughter's life.
Larry and Kay Hirsch
September 21, 2013
Dear Peter and Family: So sorry to hear of the passing of Lydia. She was a wonderful individual who will be sorely missed by all her family and many friends. Our hearts go out to you during this most trying time. Sincerely, Kay and Larry Hirsch
Lisa Noonan
September 21, 2013
Pete & family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Miss Lydia was an inspiration to Brittany & taught her everything she knows. She will always have a love for dance. Miss Lydia touched all of our hearts. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
~ Lisa, Brittany, & Barbara Noonan
Theresa Dudley
September 21, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss thought's and prayer's are with you and your family...
Anne Fisher
September 19, 2013
Pete & Boys,
I will treasure all the times we came over to pre-celebrate the holidays and admire Lydia's Christmas village. I will also never forget the trip she made with my dad to Chicago so he didn't have to drive alone to see me. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Wendy Merckel
September 19, 2013
To Mr. Pete, and Lydia's family,
Our hearts are with you, thinking of Miss Lydia. She taught so much more than dance. She taught her students about life through dance - to respect themselves and others. Lydia showed my daughter how to let her inner beauty shine and grow. She lives on when our kids dance, but also when they make the right decisions. We remember her laugh most. She was a tremendous person, and a huge influence on us. We love you very much.
September 19, 2013
Dear Pete and family, Our hearts go out to you. Lydia was a wonderful teacher and fun lady. The kids really enjoyed their dance lessons with her and I loved that she was actually teaching them life lessons too. So many wonderful memories made in the basement of a church in Mystic. Will always have special memories of a very special lady. Love and thoughts from Beth, Nicole and Shannon Backhaus
Pat and Fred Moody
September 19, 2013
Dear Pete, Harold, Peter, Scott and families. Fred and I are deeply sorry to hear about Lydia's passing. It was nearly 40 years ago she taught us and several of our friends how to dance "Swing"...We still are moved to get up and dance to the strains of the big bands "In the Mood" or Jim Croce's "You don't mess around with Jim". When our daughter, Stacy was born, we couldn't wait to get her into Lydia's tap and ballet classes...so at the age of three, there she was, learning from "Mith Widia" and excitedly earning her sticker at the end of each class for a job well done. You will all be a part of our thoughts and prayers. May your memories bring your hearts comfort in the days and weeks to come. With much love and respect, Rest peacefully Lydia, you have earned it for sure. God Bless.
carole ornberg
September 19, 2013
to lydia's family. my warmest sympathies to a very graceful lady..fondly, carole giorno ornberg
Betty Springer
September 19, 2013
Dear Pete, Harry and family,
Lydia was a warm and generous person. She always made you feel welcome. I know she has a special place with God and before you know it the angels will be "dancing". My heart goes out to you all. Much Love, Betty S
Arthur W. Smith
September 19, 2013
My sister Lydia will always be in my heart, she and I live in the second half of 8 children. She was the rock I would lean on as I travel around the world servicing in the military and after! Our last meeting was brief and it was fun but as always to short. I will miss you more than words.
September 18, 2013
Pete and Chappy, Hearing about Lydia brought back many memories of Stillman Ave. You lived upstairs from us (Ron and Joanne). Lydia was always smiling. I wish you the best. Joanne (Porter) Searcy
Kristyl Crowe
September 18, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Miss Lydia. I was a student of hers for almost 10 years. She will be missed. She not only taught me to dance but she also taught me life lessons that have stuck with me thru the years. She was a wonderful woman that loved her students. I know I loved her as a friend and a teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this rough time.
September 18, 2013
Peter and family: We were saddened to read of Lydia's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Irene and Russ McDonough
Rebecca Desiata
September 18, 2013
I may not have known you Great Aunt Lydia but I did love you and I will always carry you in my heart. You where a great women. I love you.
September 18, 2013
Pete and family, I was so sorry to hear the sad news! You are in my prayers! I will hold in my heart the wonderful times we spent together on land and at sea! Peace be with you my friend!
Betty Lynch
September 18, 2013
To Peter and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Lydia's passing. She was truly an icon, and not only because of her dance knowledge, but of her infusing many of life's lessons into her instruction. She will be sorely missed.
Warmly, Patti Nugent
September 18, 2013
Words seem inadequate. She made a difference in so many lives. One person can make a difference and she had a huge impact. Without her influence in my life, I don't know if I could've made it through my childhood. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Kelly J. Todd (Mather)
Billy Quirk
September 18, 2013
Miss Lydia - you gave me many wonderful years of tap dance lessons and were my first artistic outlet. Without you I may have never developed a deep and lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. Please look down on us all from heaven, watch over us and know your legacy lives on in so many people around the world. A beautiful woman through and through. To her family - my sincere condolences. How lucky to have such a gracious and lively person in your family - she must be sorely missed. God bless!
Jennifer Prete Wasfy
September 18, 2013
Dear Mr. D., Scott, Harold and Pete, I am so sorry for Miss Lydia's passing. I spent many wonderful times with her and you all and I will always remember her encouraging me to teach dance. She was a wonderful lady whom I loved very much in so many ways. May she rest in peace. My heart will always have a special place in it for her. Love you Miss Lyd. xo
Pat Herbert
September 18, 2013
My condolences to Peter and family. My daughters took lessons from Lydia from early grade school through high school. She loved each of her students as though they were her own children. She will always be remembered, rest assured. Pat Herbert
Pat Herbert
September 18, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Lydia's family. She was a lovely women who loved each and every one of her dance students as if they were her own children. My daughters Maureen and Monica took lessons from her from the time they were in early grade school through high school. She left many happy memories and dreams to many young "dancers". She will not be forgotten. Pat Herbert
Kelsie Roy
September 18, 2013
Miss Lydia, you taught me so much about dance I will miss you so much, you will always be my favorite dance teacher and will always be in my heart forever and always
Michelle Jacobson
September 18, 2013
The staff and students from Michelle's Lecole De Danse in Westerly send our deepest sympathies.
Lisa Smigiel
September 18, 2013
Pete and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Lisa Smigiel
September 18, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to Miss Lydia's family. She was a wonderful woman. We enjoyed watching Christina dance at the yearly recitals under Miss Lydia's . She taught Christina so much. Miss Lydia will be greatly missed.
Fred Oldfield
Judy Oldfield (Lynda Boucher's aunt)
Susan Host - Portofee
September 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Miss Lydia was my dance teacher and friend for many years . She was at my wedding and many other special life events. She will be missed terribly yet the angels up in heaven are dancing with a beautiful woman . With much love
Sue Host Portofee
Joyce (Cahoone) Rookstool
September 18, 2013
Aunt Lydia,
I feel the loss of your presence already in my heart and I will always treasure every moment that we talks and spent together. AS your tribute states, your smile was always ready and beautiful and your heart was always generous with all. Dancing with the Angels you will be. The lord took another Angel home to be by his side. Your new journey begins as your spirit lives on forever here on earth with the wonderful family you left behind. I love you very much Aunt Lydia.
Theresa (Smith) Cahoone
September 18, 2013
My Sister, Lydia,
I will miss you and our many long talks we had and the times we shared when growing up in Clyde. Rest peacefully with Ma and Pa, and our three brothers, Ted, Fred and John. You have gone home to live with the lord, but your spirit will always live on here with your loving family. I miss you very much and Love you.
Your Sister,
Theresa (Smith) Cahoone
September 18, 2013
To Peter and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss, she was a good person. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Larry & Judy(Cozzolino) Bridges Florida.
Shana (Pendola) Hill
September 18, 2013
My sincere prayers for comfort for all of your family at this time. Miss Lydia was more than a dance teacher to me. She taught me about life and I will always be grateful. I am sure she is dancing in heaven right now!
September 18, 2013
Peter and family - Needless to say we were saddened to hear of Lydia's passing. With sincere sorrow.
Kathy and Bob Kress
Maryanne Whitford
September 18, 2013
Dear Mr. D,
Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Miss Lydia was a much loved woman and leaves behind a wonderful legacy. She will be very missed!
Michelle Beaudoin Edwards
September 18, 2013
Mr. D, Harold, Peter & Scott,
I'm so deeply saddened to hear about Ms. Lydia's passing. She was an amazing lady. I have so many wonderful memories of our dance classes and recitals. My fondest memory was having the opportunity to dance with her at one of our recitals. My deepest sympathy to your family. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynda and Christina Boucher
September 18, 2013
Dear Pete and Family,
Ms. Lydia will always have a place in our hearts. She was so good to Christina. We will all never forget her thoughtfulness, her love, and admiration. Miss Lydia's love for dance shined through onto her every class. Thank you Miss Lydia for all you taught my daughter, Christina and for your friendship. You have touched our hearts tremendously. Rest in peace. You are now a dancing Angel in heaven.
Jackie Cobb
September 18, 2013
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Lauren Nixon
September 18, 2013
Miss Lydia will forever remain in my heart for she taught me from the time I was two years old, practically taking my first steps and from the time i graduated high school. You will forever be misssed and I will share all of the wonderful story's and memories that we made with my children someday. Rest easy Miss Lydia. My thoughts are with you Peter Discuillo and your family. Love you all <3
Carol Porter
September 18, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family. I danced with Miss Lydia when she first had her school in West Mystic and continued lessons for over 10 years. She was an amazing person and teacher. May you find peace in your hearts knowing that she'll be eternally dancing and smiling in heaven.
September 18, 2013
Miss Lydia was a wonderful and graceful woman. She helped my daughter bloom on stage and off.. we will miss you
September 18, 2013
To Peter and Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. My daughter took dance from Lydia until she graduated from high school. She was a great teacher and wonderful person
Lois Correia
September 18, 2013
My daughter took lessons from Lydia from 4th grade until she graduated from high school. She was a wonderful person as well as a great teacher. Condolences to her husband, Pete, and her sons. She will be truly missed.
Laurie Harrison Lewis
September 17, 2013
My deepest sympathy to you, Peter, Harold, Peter & Scott. I loved Miss Lydia from the first day I walked into the Sachem building and some of the sweetest memories of my childhood are intertwined with memories of her. I will always cherish being her very first student. Love to you all. Laurie
Linda Price
September 17, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss . Lydia was a great person and will be missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family may she rest in peace. Bob and Linda Price
Christine Barnes
September 17, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr.D and Mrs. Lydia's whole family. I new Mrs Lydia for about 10yrs she was not only a dance teach she was A friend and I always have and always will have a special place for her in my heart... I only wish that you were able to meet my twins, I will be showing them pictures and telling them alot about you Mrs Lydia thank you so much for the baby blankets you made them. We Love you and Miss you. Love always Christine, Tom Sarah and Gavin Barnes
Laura Ellal
September 17, 2013
Our deepest condolences go to "Mr. D" and the rest of your family. My girls danced at Ms. Lydia's for 12 years. She not only taught them how to dance but some valuable life lessons they will carry with them forever. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. I have now doubt she has taken her wonderful talents with her and is teaching the angels how to dance.
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