Leonora DeLuca, who brightened lives

Leonora R. DeLuca of 67 Olmstead Lane, a lifelong Ridgefielder who enjoyed helping others, died Monday, March 12, at Danbury Hospital. She was 81 years old and had been the wife of James P. DeLuca for 59 years.
Mrs. DeLuca was born in Ridgefield on Feb. 2, 1920, a daughter of the late Alexander and Faustina Berluti Roberti. She attended Ridgefield schools and graduated from Ridgefield High School with the Class of 1937.
So did Mr. DeLuca, and the two high school sweethearts were married four years later. In 1941, the year of their marriage, they built their home on Olmstead Lane and have lived on the property ever since.
“We did everything together,” said Mr. DeLuca. “If someone saw just one of us downtown, they knew something was wrong with the other.”
Mrs. DeLuca worked for a while as a bookkeeper at the old Branchville Garage and also took care of the infirm. She belonged to the Italian American Mutual Aid Society Ladies Auxiliary, the OWLS, the American Association of Retired Persons, and St. Mary’s Church.
She enjoyed playing the piano and traveling. “We did a lot of traveling with the AARP and the OWLS,” said Mr. DeLuca, recalling, for instance, that they had visited Italy several times.
Mrs. DeLuca also enjoyed gardening and landscaping their home. “She loved to work outdoors,” Mr. DeLuca said. “She’d rather work outside than in the house.”
Mr. DeLuca said his wife was always concerned about the welfare of others, and often assisted people in need. “Even when she was ill, she was always making sure I was taking my pills,” he said. “She liked to help people.”
“She brightened the lives of so many people and will always be remembered for her caring heart,” said her close friend, Kathryn Bergquist of North Salem Road.
Besides her husband, Mrs. DeLuca is survived by a brother, Remo Roberti of California, as well as nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Robert P. Morrissey, pastor, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions in Mrs. DeLuca’s name may be made to the St. Mary’s Church Development Fund, 183 High Ridge, or to the Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah Street.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.