Lucille Villanova

Sr. Lucille (Lucy) Villanova

(Name in Religion: Sr. Mary Eugenius)

Sr. Lucille (Lucy) Dorothy Villanova died on June 2, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA, at 103 years of age, after 83 years as a Sister of Providence. Vigil Service: Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 3:30 p.m., St. Joseph Residence, Chapel, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Funeral Mass: Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m. St. Joseph Residence, Chapel. Burial: Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Calvary Cemetery, Seattle WA, at 1:45 p.m. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, Seattle, WA, is in charge of the arrangements.

Sr. Lucy was born in Clearing, IL, on February 26, 1923 to Anthony and Rose (Koscierzyna) Villanova, and joined her two older sisters, Rose and Helen. When Sr. Lucy was eighteen months old, her mother died of tuberculosis, leaving three little daughters to a grieving father. Her father was a stone mason and because he never remarried, much of the children’s care was given to relatives. When she was nine, she was sent to a center for children and then to St. Mary’s Training School, which later became Maryville Academy in Des Plaines, IL. It was there that she became acquainted with the Sisters of Providence. After high school graduation, she moved to Chicago for a job at a hotel and she stayed with her aunt and uncle.

Sr. Lucy graduated from high school, Maryville Academy in 1941. In 1956, she received a BA degree in Education/English, College of Great Falls (now University of Providence), Great Falls, MT. And, in 1963 she received an MA degree from University of Notre Dame, IN.

While at Maryville Academy, Sr. Lucy became drawn to the Sisters of Providence community because she observed a certain free-spiritedness that appealed to her. What led Sr. Lucy to enter the community was a desire to share the abundance of love she received while growing up. Her earliest memories of her childhood are vivid ones of her being loved and deeply cared for, especially by her grandparents. She entered the Sisters of Providence community in 1942, became a Novice in 1943, received First Vows in 1944 (taking the religious name, Sr. Mary Eugenius), and Final Vows in 1947.

Beginning in 1944, Sr. Lucy taught almost every age pupil. Her teaching ministries included: Providence Academy, Vancouver, WA (1944-46, 1949-50); St. Catherine School, Seattle (1946-48); Holy Family School, Seattle (1948-49); Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School, Sun Valley, CA (1950-58); St. Finbar School, Burbank, CA (1958-60); Blanchet High School, Seattle (1960-64); Catholic Junior/High School, Anchorage, AK (1964-67); and John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, Burien, WA (1968-72). After her teaching ministries, Sr. Lucy went to work as a staff artist for Catholic Communications Northwest, Seattle (1976-79). In 1979, Sr. Lucy arrived at Providence High School, Burbank, CA for a one-year stint which led to 16 years. She worked as receptionist, artist-in-residence, alumni director, assistant public relations, and assistant director of development. She retired in 1996 and continued volunteering in Burbank till she moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle in 2010.

Sr. Lucy loved being creative and teaching others to be creative. Sr. Lucy’s artwork was her trademark and some of it serves as a lasting reminder of the presence of the Sisters of Providence in the lives of others. One of her largest projects was a mosaic she designed for the baptistery of St. Finbar Church, Burbank, commemorating the Sisters’ contribution to education in the parish, 1945 to 1984. The mosaic took more than 700 hours to complete, made from Byzantine glass tiles, and which she estimated is about 12 feet by 6 feet. Sr. Lucy also had a flair for banners, calligraphy and stitchery.

Sr. Lucy lived a full life, sharing her beautiful smile, numerous gifts, intellectual wit, and always curious spirit. She never stopped learning new things, especially keeping up with the changing computer technologies. She was an avid reader, a master at jigsaw puzzles, and loved a good cup of Starbucks coffee. Sr. Lucy remarked, “I would like to say that I have been loved and cared for by a Provident God, by a loving family, and by the constant companionship of my Sisters and friends along the way. I leave you, knowing that I am going home and I will await your arrival with a warm and loving greeting and with my gratitude and love.” We will miss you, Sr. Lucy, and will always remember your compassion, your artistic talents, and as an advocate for others.

Her parents, Anthony and Rose Villanova, and her sisters Helen Villanova and Rose (Villanova) DeCillo preceded her in death. She is survived by her nephew, John DeCillo, her extended family, and her religious community.

Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, M1-C, Renton, WA 98057-9016. To view Sr. Lucy’s obituary and picture, and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com.