Lucille Maffei passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2026, just weeks after her 91st birthday.

Lucille was a vivacious woman who had a true love of life. Born to Vito and Josephine Piccininni (nee Cazzarini) in New Jersey on March 11, 1935. She was their second child after her brother Bartholomew. The family lived in multiple locales in New Jersey and Brooklyn before settling in Corona, Queens, where Lucille graduated from Newtown High School in 1953.

After marrying the accordionist Victor Maffei in 1956, Lucille was a resident of Bayville, Locust Valley, Laurel Hollow, and Oyster Bay.

Lucille was the model "1960s homemaker" creating a warm, loving home for her husband and two sons. At the same time, Lucille was constantly engaged and involved with multiple pursuits and avocations. She was passionate about orchids and for decades raised hundreds of different specimens in her greenhouses in Locust Valley and Laurel Hollow. She participated in many plant shows and competitions, with the family playroom becoming more and more adorned with ribbons and awards she received for her prize-winning orchids.

Deeply involved in her community, Lucille was a long-time member of the Locust Valley Women's Club, and later elected President of the Locust Valley Garden Club and the Matinecock Orchid Society. A seasoned bridge player, she hosted frequent bridge luncheons poolside at her home every summer.

Lucille was an ardent lover of opera, and was admired for her beautiful singing voice. She performed with Long Island's Lyric Opera Company, and frequently attended performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City with her sons. Lucille frequently sang with her bandleader husband Victor, entertaining at affairs and club dates.

Lucille was a fine swimmer, as well as an avid bowler who competed in leagues for many years. She and her sons Eric and Glenn ice-skated regularly at Roosevelt Field and Rockefeller Center.

Two-week winter vacations with her husband and the boys were a family high-point each year. Later, Lucille and Victor traveled extensively, together visiting five continents.

Lucille spent her final years living serenely at the lovely Christian Fellowship House in Syosset, as did her husband Victor.

Lucille is survived by her sons Eric and Glenn. She is predeceased by her husband Victor, her brother Bartholomew, and partners Michael Scicutella and Tony Scali.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 8 at 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Francis P. DeVine Funeral Home, 293 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY. Phone 516-922-6700. Funeral service Thursday, April 9 at 11am at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Brookville Cemetery.