Lucy A. Mantz, 96, a lifelong resident of Nesquehoning, passed into eternal rest on January 3 at her home. She was the wife of the late Joseph P. Mantz, who had died in 2009. Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Alex and Teresa (Ouly) Ficocelli. She was a caretaker for members of her family in their later years.

An active community presence, Lucy was a member of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in the New Columbus section of Nesquehoning, where she served as Organist and Choir Director and formed the 1st Young Girls Choir and taught them to sing in English, Latin and Italian. She was in charge of the roses for many years at the Saint Therese celebration at what is now known as The Shrine of St. Therese of Lisieux. Lucy is depicted as St. Cecilia (the patroness of music) on one of the large stained glass windows in the church. She also served as organist and choir director of the former Sacred Heart Parish in Nesquehoning. She also served as a past-president of the Daughters of Mary of the Panther Valley and was a charter member and past-president of the Nesquehoning Woman’s Club and also volunteered for the American Cancer Society. She was a current member of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church of the Panther Valley in Summit Hill.

A graduate of the former Nesquehoning High School, she was employed at Taub’s Jewelers in Lansford where she worked her way up from clerk to manager to owner until retiring.

One of six children, she is survived by one sister, Louise Donahue and husband Patrick of Clementon, her godchildren Patrick, Teresa, Maria, Tom, nephews Joseph and Michael, and nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Lucy will be private. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in the New Columbus section of Nesquehoning. Online condolences and remembrances of Lucy can be expressed at www.nalesnikfh.com. Services and arrangements have been placed in the care of the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 West Center St., Nesquehoning.