Rita Anne Lucey went out in style on March 7, 2025. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family and dear friends.
Rita loved an excuse to celebrate and be with her loved ones. She was known for throwing an epic annual Christmas party, sending you a card for every holiday, and giving the best gifts. A true woman of the people, Rita’s circle was a beautiful byproduct of her fun-loving spirit. She lived by the sentiment, “Build a longer table, not a higher fence.”
At 11 years old, Rita sensed her purpose and true calling: nursing. She graduated from the University of Delaware and earned her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She began her career at Crozer Medical Center, a job that not only shaped her professionally but also gifted her lifelong friends who would care for her in her final days.
Rita’s career lent itself to an incredible community of nurses, doctors, and other like-minded friends. As a clinical nurse specialist in electrophysiology and implantable devices, Rita spent 20 years with Cardiology Consultants P.A. before continuing her work at Bayhealth Medical Group – Cardiology Consultants until her retirement in 2022. She took immense pride in caring for her patients. Throughout her career, she treated thousands, but in many ways, she cared for all of us. Even in her final days, she generously shared her expertise—just three days before she passed, friends were still seeking her highly valued second opinion.
Rita was an incredible big sister to John, Joan, and many other chosen siblings. She treasured her summers with her best friends at the Jersey Shore and took her second calling, being the cool aunt, very seriously. She traveled the world, bringing back stories and souvenirs for her nieces, nephews, nearest and dearest.
Rita Anne is reunited with her parents, John Anthony Lucey III and Rita Scalea Lucey. She is survived by her brother, John Anthony Lucey IV, and his wife, Guida; her sister, Joan Lucey McNamara, and her husband, Patrick; and her nieces and nephews John Anthony Lucey V; Patrick Russell Lucey and his spouse, Morgan; Emily Rose Lucey; Meghan Elizabeth Lucey; Oaklyn Wren Lucey (great-niece); Margaret Anne McNamara; Eleanor Lucey McNamara and her spouse, Charlie; Bridget Grace McNamara; Christine Catherine Sarah Pearson; and Joseph Thomas Pearson. She is also survived by many honorary nieces and nephews who called her Aunt Rita.
Rita will throw one last party this week. A visitation will be held Thursday, March 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington. Dress comfortably in beach house party attire—Hawaiian shirts encouraged. **Additional parking is available in the back lot of the Brandywine YMCA, 3 Mount Lebanon Road, Wilmington. A eulogy will be read at 9:45 a.m. Friday, March 14, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Road, Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Unite for HER and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cancer Center.
For online condolences visit: www.mcceryandharra.com
