Obituary of Phyllis LoPiccolo

November 24, 1924 - November 9, 2018

Phyllis LoPiccolo. Age 93 of Lincoln Park.

Beloved wife of the late Carlo LoPiccolo. Loving mother of Josephine (John) Cloud and Joseph (Mary) LoPiccolo. Also survived by 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Phyllis was the sixth child born to Angelo and Geroloma LaFata on November 24, 1924. The LaFata family lived on Heidelberg Street, on the East side of Detroit. She had 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

Phyllis was close to her family, and loved to be around them. Her family enjoyed entertaining relatives and friends by singing, dancing and performing for each other, especially at Christmas time. Phyllis would participate in the fun and was proud of her family. Italian was the primary language spoken in the home, but the children spoke both Italian and English. Her older sisters were married as she was growing up and she was closest to her sister Angeline. Her best friend Rosemary was her closest confidant. They especially enjoyed going to the movies together and listening to Frank Sinatra records.

Phyllis graduated from Miller High School in 1943. After graduation, she got a job doing clerical work at US Rubber on East Jefferson in Detroit.

Phyllis’ brothers would bring their friends to the Lafata home, and this is how she met her Husband Carl LoPiccolo. Carl was a good friend of her brother Sam. Carl got to know Phyllis when visiting his friend Sam at the LaFata home. Phyllis could not date Carl because her parents were extremely strict. Their dates were always chaperoned by her parents. After getting to know each other, they fell in love and Carl asked Phyllis to marry him. Their wedding took place in August of 1946 with a grand wedding party and a huge reception. The wedding cake was made by Phyllis’s father Angelo who was a baker by trade. The LoPiccolo’s made their home in a small apartment on the East side of Detroit and about one year later, they were blessed with their first child Josephine, named after Carl’s deceased sister.

In 1953, the LoPiccolo family was blessed with the birth of a son, Joseph. Shortly after the birth of Joseph, Carl got an opportunity to work in real estate in the Downriver community of Lincoln park and the family moved.

Phyllis helped out with Josephine’s Girl Scout troop, and later became a Den Mother for Joseph’s Cub Scout troop.

When Josephine married in 1971, Phyllis found a job at Crowley’s in Dearborn Michigan. Being outgoing, she enjoyed working in sales and buying gifts for her home and her family. She retired from Crowley’s after 22 years of service and was given a retirement party by her Managers and co-workers.

Carl and Phyllis liked to travel when they could, taking trips to New England, Florida and Northern Michigan. They enjoyed concerts and going to the movies. Phyllis loved vegetable gardening, flower gardening, cooking and baking. She made great apple pie!

Phyllis especially enjoyed being a Grandmother. She was blessed with 6 wonderful granddaughters that loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. Her granddaughters loved her apple pie and chicken soup. Grandma would love to take them to the Belle Isle Zoo, to the local swimming pool in Lincoln Park, shopping and going out to lunch. She would attend all their activities, like recitals, plays and competition.

Phyllis loved to read and would visit the library weekly where everyone knew her by name.

2010 was the year Phyllis was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. Her life began changing as she was becoming more confused and forgetful. After years with Alzheimer Disease, Phyllis tried to find peace from her confusion and memory loss, with Prayer. She would try to participate in activities at their facility but especially liked the performers who would play their guitars and sing songs that she could remember. She would clap her hands and be inspired by the songs that they would perform. Her favorite activity was when one of her family members would visit and spend time with her. They would always bring along her favorite treats for her to enjoy. Her family would often take her to Tiger games, outdoor concerts, and dinners at their homes.

She loved music, especially Frank Sinatra, dancing with Carl, and going to the movies. She will be remembered for being a caring daughter to her parents, visiting them weekly. A kind sister, always ready to listen. A mother her children could rely on, and a wonderful Grandmother with so much love to give.

Many of the caregivers at her facility commented on her kindness, her strength, and how she would always say “Thank you” when someone would help her.

She will be missed by all the people in her life that loved her. It would make her very happy to know how much we all appreciated her life and how hard she tried to be kind to others.

Memorial Contributions Appreciated to the Alzheimer's Association of Michigan