Lucille A. (Dattis) Virzi

Shrewsbury — Lucille Virzi loved any excuse to celebrate, especially if it brought family and friends together. Her greatest joy was Christmas, when her home on Oak Street would come alive with decorations, the smells of holiday cooking and baking, and the sounds of music and laughter. Christmas Eve meant the Feast of the Seven Fishes, desserts, and a home where everyone was welcome. For Lucille, the holidays were about more than tradition—they were about sharing joy, love, and time with the people she cared about most. She also shared her love of baking with her family. With her husband, Vinny, she ran a part-time bakery called The Cookie Connection, and her children often helped. Making and sharing Italian cookies became a joyful family tradition that brought everyone together.

Lucille A. Dattis was born February 11, 1942, in Worcester, the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Palumbo) Dattis. Raised on East Central Street in Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street neighborhood, she learned the importance of faith, family, and tradition from her parents. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy on Saint Ann’s Hill and earned her nursing degree from the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.

It was at a parish dance at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Recreation Center where she met Vincenzo “Vinny” Virzi. They married on September 3, 1966, and built a life together in Shrewsbury for more than 59 years.

Lucille dedicated many years to nursing, working at Memorial Hospital, Worcester State and Worcester County Hospitals, as well as Thornton and Knollwood Nursing Homes, retiring in 2002. She cared for others with the same thoughtfulness and dedication she showed her own family.

Lucille passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, surrounded by her children. She was 84. She is now at peace and reunited with her beloved Vinny, who passed on January 23, 2014.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, John Dattis and Annette Crowley.

She leaves her children: Annette M. Dalbec (Robert) and Christine M. Morris (Eric), both of Shrewsbury; Vincent M. Virzi (Loreen) of Leicester; Michael J. Virzi (Joanne Carro) of Peapack, NJ; and Matthew J. Virzi (Edith Maldonado) of Shrewsbury. She also leaves her grandchildren, Tori Hatch (Michael), Joseph Morris, Allen Maldonado Virzi, Enzo, Olivia, Allison, Emily, and Connor Virzi; and her great-grandchildren, Anthony and Benjamin. Lucille adored her grandchildren and great-grandsons, who brought her so much happiness in recent years.

She also leaves her in-laws, Hon. Vito Virzi (Nancy) of Westborough, Frank Virzi (Paula) of Holden, and Mary Holloway (late Ed) of Texas, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends will honor Lucille’s life at a Morning Wake on Tuesday, March 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., celebrated by her cousin, Rev. Charles Monroe. Burial will follow in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Lucille’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in honor of her devotion to Saint Jude. Donations can be made online at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or by mail to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.