Lucille Scheffer

Dr. Lucille Scheffer of New Rochelle, NY, entered her eternal rest on May 17, 2021 from natural causes. Lucille was born in New York City, the family's firstborn child and grandchild. Her parents, Angela and Patrick Barbieri, moved from the Bronx to New Rochelle where she attended Holy Family School, graduated from The Ursuline School, and went on to earn her degree at College of the Sacred Heart (Manhattanville).

After college, Lucille worked as a copywriter at J. Walter Thompson on Madison Avenue during the "Mad Men" era, then began her career as a teacher at The Ursuline School before moving to Bardonia Elementary School where she taught second grade. Lucille earned her master's in education at The College of New Rochelle and ultimately received her PhD in Special Education from Fordham University. Dr. Scheffer was passionate about early childhood education, and how vital it was in shaping students' futures. Lucille had many beloved pets throughout her life and adored their "delicious snuggles." She also enjoyed international travel, and spent months visiting her sister in Munich, Germany and Uncle Anthony in Madrid, Spain.

Lucille was an avid reader with a great appreciation of the arts, passing down a love of music, museums and the theater to her nieces and nephew, their children, and many of her young cousins. Most notably, she took them to The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center, and other Broadway plays. Some of her favorite moments were spent at The New York Athletic Club with friends and family, where she was one of the first women members; and charity Galas where she never failed to look glamorous and elegant. Lucille found great joy in spending time with family members and hosted many New Year's Day gatherings—it was important for her to pass down family stories, history, and traditions. In retirement, Lucille taught CCD and was president of her family's real estate business.

Lucille was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Kenan Ozdemir, and her parents Angela and Patrick Barbieri. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Smith; nieces Cheryl Richter and her son Kyle, Lisa Abel (Gary) and their daughter Andy (Michael); nephew Alexander Smith Barbieri and his son Taylor; along with many cousins and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Her sunny disposition, kindness, lively conversations and all-around joie de vivre will be missed terribly and remembered fondly by her family and long-time friends.

A celebration of her life will take place Wednesday, May 26, from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Pelham Manor Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham NY 10803 and a funeral mass on Thursday May 27 at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Family Church, 83 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY 10801. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Humane Society of Westchester at 70 Portman Road, New Rochelle, NY 10801, https://humanesocietyofwestchester.org/donate-now/ (914) 632-2925.