Teresa Della Lucia

Della Lucia, Teresa, May 24, 2022, age 95. Beloved wife of the late Alex. Dear mother of Michael (the late Marie). Loving grandmother of Ben and Cathy. Sister of the late Angelo Zilio (Viola).
Dear aunt of Paul, Sandy, and Diana. Survived by many loving god children, cousins, and friends.

Teresa Zilio was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1927 to Antonio (Tony) and Caterina Zilio. When the depression hit, Teresa's parents returned to Italy with their children during the depression. So from a young age, Teresa was raised in Romano d'Ezzelino, a small town in northern Italy. Antonio returned to the United States to work and save enough to bring his family back to the USA. However, Teresa lived in Italy through the 2nd world war along with her mother and older brother Angelo, during which time the Nazi's occupied their home for a time. She had several stories about the war. At the age of 18, she took a transatlantic voyage back to the USA and returned to live in Detroit. Her brother followed later. Her family then lived in a house with multiple tenants where the Zilios made some wonderful friendships with other families. She became a member of the Venetian Club and made many friends, joined a bowling league, and attended dances (as she loved to dance). Teresa's family later moved to a single family home in northeast Detroit (built by her father). She would go on to meet Alex Della Lucia at an Italian dance, after which Alex took 3 buses each way to court Teresa. The two wed in 1954 at St Anthony Church in Detroit and lived with Teresa's parents until they passed.

Teresa and Alex welcomed their only child Michael into the world in November 1955. So there were three generations in the Zilio/Della Lucia house until Michael moved out to attend the University of Detroit. This allowed both Teresa and Alex to work while raising Michael, with the assistance of Tony and Caterina.

Teresa worked for general contractor Darin & Armstrong for many years, where her father worked as a mason, and her brother Angelo worked in project engineering and management. She eventually worked her way up from a secretary to a payroll administrator and eventually Secretary of the firm. She continued working for Walbridge Aldinger for a short while after they acquired D&A, where her son Michael eventually completed his career.

Family life and friendship were both very important to Teresa. She and her family attended many weekend picnics at Dodge Park, where she and many other extended family members and close friends would prepare meals on charcoal grilles, take walks through the nature trails, and play many competitive bocce ball matches. Many weekends were spent visiting family and friends in Michigan and Ontario. Teresa attended countless baptisms, weddings, and parties, and enjoyed catching up with everyone. In addition to extended family and in-laws, friends were like family for Teresa.

Teresa was a wonderful mom to Michael and a devoted Nonna to Ben and Cathy. Besides sometimes babysitting for them, she and Alex stayed involved in their lives, sharing many meals, attending many school events, and graduation ceremonies. She was always so proud of both Ben and Cathy. Teresa always kept up with them and what was happening in their lives.

She was a devout Catholic who attended Mass regularly as a parishioner at St Raymond's in Detroit and later at St. Martin de Porres in Warren. Teresa and Alex volunteered for many years for Meals on Wheels to deliver food to the homebound. At St. Martin's she sang in the funeral choir and joined the Active Christian Women's Club (ACWC). Teresa had a special devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother of Christ. Besides attending Mass frequently, Teresa said many daily prayers (including the rosary twice per day). On her refrigerator, were several prayers, including the Morning Offering, Serenity Prayer, and Prayer of Abandonment (which is included on her holy card). She kept a list of everyone who asked for prayers, were sick/injured, or had other issues. She prayed daily for everyone on her list. Her faith, hope, and love were rooted firmly in Jesus Christ.

She will be remembered for her quick sense of humor and her generous nature. She maintained a positive attitude and rarely complained about anything even when she was going through health issues. She will be missed for her beautiful smile that lit up a room and her thoughtfulness, love, and care for others. Family and friends will remember her well through her many stories, both humorous and serious.

Teresa had a sharp mind and lived independently in her own home, with a some help from her son Michael with shopping and chores, until she returned home to Our Lord at the age of 95. Hers was a life well lived. She will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by many.


Visitation at the Sterling Heights Chapel of the Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 13650 East 15 Mile Road, Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm.

Funeral Thursday, June 2, 2022 at St. Martin de Porres Church, 31555 Hoover Rd, Warren, MI. Instate 10:30 am until time of Mass 11:00 am. Entombment Mount Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Teresa be made to either:

Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Development Office
1820 Mount Elliott Street
Detroit, MI 48207
https://www.cskdetroit.org

Or:

St Martin de Porres Church
31555 Hoover Rd
Warren, MI 48093