Lucy C. (Papia) Wallace

Lucy C. (Papia) Wallace of Framingham, formerly of Waltham, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Oak Knoll Healthcare Center in Framingham. She was 86.

Born in Waltham on October 21, 1938, Lucy was the daughter of the late Pietro and Assunta (Cannistraro) Papia. She was raised in Waltham and graduated from Waltham High School.

Along with caring for her family, Lucy worked in various industries as an administrative assistant and professional typist/data entry specialist. In the days before word processors, Lucy was an exceptionally fast and accurate typist, a skill in which she took great pride.

In her earlier days she enjoyed ballroom dancing at Moseley’s on the Charles in Dedham. She had the opportunity to sing Connie Francis’ “Who’s Sorry Now” on stage at the Monticello Dinner Theatre & Night Club in Framingham, which was recorded on vinyl. 

She loved the large Italian family gatherings, especially the Denaro summer cookouts. It was there that, accompanied by Tony Denaro on double bass, Lucy would eagerly sing Lou Monte’s “Lazy Mary.”

She loved many types of music. Some of her favorite artists included Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Engelbert Humperdinck and Josh Groban. 

Throughout her life Lucy loved playing cards, most recently at her weekly poker games at the Heritage at Framingham assisted living facility. Some of her other hobbies included sewing, cross stitching and bowling, the latter earning her a spot on her company bowling team in the 90s.

She was a member of the St. Jude’s Parish Couples Club and a generous supporter of the MSPCA and other animal sanctuaries.

Lucy enjoyed cooking, passing down her love of food to her own kids. Among some of her specialty dishes were her homemade lentil soup, eggplant parmigiana and Italian wedding soup.

Lucy loved to shop. In her later years, while she was still able to drive, she enjoyed her independence by frequenting her favorite clothing stores at the Burlington Mall, especially Macy’s. She equally enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren with high-end toys and clothing. 

She took many bus trips to shopping outlets, casinos and dinner shows. One of her favorites was attending the performance of well-known Italian singer Patrizio Buanne, whom she had the opportunity to meet. 

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Lucy absolutely adored her cat, Tux, who became her surrogate companion after her husband passed away. She showered him with much love and deeply mourned his passing in 2010. 

Lucy was predeceased by her husband, John G. Wallace and her sister, the late Sarah Grant.

She leaves her children, Arlene W. Lonergan of Framingham, John W. Wallace and his wife, Kim, of Winchester and Brian J. Wallace and his wife, Becky, of Manchester, Connecticut; her grandchildren, Timothy, Benjamin, Henry, Kayla, Ella and Grayson; her siblings, Serafina Denaro of Lowell, Stephanie Ferlazzo of Natick, Stephen Papia of Framingham and many nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Lucy‘s life by gathering for an afternoon wake on Sunday, November 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham and again at 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main St., Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the MSCPA or your local animal shelter.