Lucille was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 19, 1941, the third of four siblings to Madeline and James Shand. Lucille attended Hunter College, where she obtained her B.S. in Elementary Education. She then advanced her education by obtaining her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College. Lucille began her illustrious teaching career in education shortly thereafter, starting as a classroom teacher.

From the beginning, Lucille dedicated her professional life to the improvement of learning in all aspects. Following her years in the classroom, Lucille became a reading specialist. In that role, she dedicated her efforts towards the students' reading comprehension skills. She took pride in her achievements in that area.

In time, going beyond her master’s, Lucille earned the required credits in administration and supervision and obtained an administrative position as an Assistant Principal, where she served for over a dozen years.

Upon her “retirement,” Lucille worked in the Chancellor’s District, where she was part of a team of people working towards achieving improvement in some of New York City’s poorest performing school districts.

In her later “retirement” years, she joined the Executive Leadership Institute, the professional development arm of the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators (CSA). There, she served as Borough Coordinator for Staten Island, where she was responsible for the training and professional development of newly appointed assistant principals.

Following this role, Lucille was elected to and served on the Retiree Chapter Executive and Advisory Boards of CSA. Within that organization, Lucille was the Regional Unit Leader for CSA-Central NJ.

Professionally, Lucille never really retired. She was a dedicated professional with a true love for education.

Lucille was an extremely devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

She is predeceased by the love of her life and husband of 57 years, Dominick Vecchiarelli, as well as her three siblings: Mickie Levy, Theresa Carvelli, and Thomas Shand. 

She’s survived by her daughter Maria Derasmo (and son-in-law, Jim) and her son, John Vecchiarelli.

Lucille was blessed with four loving grandchildren: Brett, Susan, Victoria, and John. She was loved and cherished by many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Lucille was the matriarch and the rock of her family.

She resided for nearly 30 years in Staten Island and moved to Howell, N.J. in 2001. Together with her late husband, she maintained a home both in New Jersey and her beloved Martha’s Vineyard. Lucille loved and is loved by many and will forever be missed by all whose lives she touched. Forever in our hearts.

Viewing will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35, Wall, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, February 18th at 10:30 a.m. at St. William the Abbot RC Church, Howell, followed by the interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Millstone.