Page 4 • Wednesday , May 19 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette
HHS , SJA readying for upcoming commencements
OBITuARIES
Lucille Ricciutti
Lucille Ricciutti ( nee Comuso ), 89 , of Hammonton , N . J . passed away peacefully on Thursday , May 13 , 2021 surrounded by family at her home .
Lucille was born in Philadelphia where she lived most of her life until she moved to Hammonton , N . J . in the 1970s . She attended Little Flower School where she was proudly appointed “ May Queen ” in her eighth grade year .
Her life in Hammonton began as a young girl when she would accompany her mom and sisters to work at a local farm every summer . Her roots in the town grew deeper after her sister married the farmer ’ s son . Eventually , they would build a home alongside each other and raise many children , grandchildren , nieces and nephews ’ side-byside .
The last surviving member of her nine brothers and sisters , Lucille was known for her strength and unmatched devotion to her family . She held many jobs throughout her life , including as a soda jerk , records keeper at Temple Hospital and lunch lady – though her proudest job was as a mother to many .
Lucille is predeceased by her loving son , Stephen Rooney ; parents ; brothers ; sisters ; and husbands , Louis Gene Ricciutti and George Rooney .
Lucille is survived by her daughters , Marilyn Garvey , Cindy Neduchin and Gina Mertis ; daughter-in-law , Nancy Rooney ; grandchildren , Jen Waltimeyer ( Russ ), Chrissy Berthel ( Gary ), Eric Neduchin ( Lindsey ), Holly Bock ( Ken ), Stephanie Pistone ( Chris ), Sara Verrillo ( Rich ); and Emmanuel and Stephen Mertis ; great-grandchildren Sophia , Jackson , Mason , Nicholas , Daniel , Matthew , Gia , Christopher , Violet and Oliver ; and her many loving nieces , nephews , family and friends .
Family and friends attended her viewing on Tuesday , May 18 , 2021 from 9:30 a . m . to 11 a . m . at St . Mary of Mt . Carmel Parish – St . Anthony of Padua Church 285 Rt . 206 Hammonton , N . J . A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a . m . Burial followed in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 124 S . First Rd . Hammonton , N . J .
In lieu of flowers , donations may be made to the Stephen Rooney Memorial Fund , 55 Plymouth Rd . Hammonton , NJ 08037 . To share a condolence , visit marinellafuneralhome . com . Arrangements entrusted to the Marinella Funeral Home .
SENIORS , from Page 1 school year . We felt it was the best choice to provide them with inperson instruction along with hybrid and remote options if necessary ... We were happy to provide them a sense of normalcy . Our students came into school in the fall unsure of what to expect in regards to the student life and school events they were looking forward to ; therefore , our staff worked as hard as possible to make sure that they had a fantastic year ,” Nicola Howard , SJA president , said .
Thomas Ramsay , the principal of Hammonton High School , said that he was “ happy that we were able to offer five days a week instruction to students and their parents who chose to take advantage of it .”
“ It ’ s very nice having the kids in the building five days a week from what we started the year at , with the hybrid program and only seeing them a couple days a week ... The kids have been wonderful . The teachers have really gone above and beyond throughout the year . The parents have been very supportive and very understanding . We know they want what ’ s best for their kids — and all kids — and so do we ,” Ramsay said .
At each school , the administration has prioritized the notion that the end of the school year , particularly for seniors , be as fulfilling as possible .
To that end , SJA held a Student Appreciation Day on May 6 .
“ That day we had a SJA scavenger hunt , basketball and football games , kickball , lunch provided — hamburgers , hotdogs , chips , Kona Ice and fun snacks — plus a great game of powderpuff football ... Our students have worked very hard this year . Recently , we held a Senior College Day where seniors wore their college gear . We also presented them with certificates to congratulate them on all of their accomplishments ,” Howard said .
Similarly , Ramsay said that Hammonton High School held Spirit Week during the week of April 26 , “ when the kids returned to five days a week for in-person instruction .”
“ That was a really nice week ; that ended with a senior celebration on the football field , kind of like a senior pep assembly . We See GRADuATION , Page 18