Lucille A. Grattan (nee Zak) was called to Heaven by God on Friday, April 5, 2013.
She died peacefully in her sleep at home with members of her family present. She was 96 years old, a proud member of “The Greatest Generation.”
Lucille was born in Green Island, New York, the daughter of Eva Jamrog and Alexander Zak. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, New York and New York State College for Teachers at Albany (currently New York State University at Albany, New York), having earned a B.A. in mathematics and business. She taught business courses at the high school level in the towns of Crown Point, Southampton, and Ossining in New York State.
Lucille married the love of her life, Jerome F. “Jerry” Grattan, in 1944, and shortly afterward she left the work force, becoming a devoted wife and mother of six children.
Lucille enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, swimming, ice skating, shopping (she was thrilled to find a real bargain!), and other activities around the home. She had a number of interests and activities outside the home, including membership in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), serving on the Board of Directors of Zak Incorporated (a company of large machining and copper welding specialists – the family business), volunteering for church activities, and dancing with her husband. She was an avid golfer, both with women partners and with her husband. She was a member of both the Tamarack Golf Course Women’s Golf Association (East Brunswick, New Jersey.) and the Peddie Golf Club (Hightstown, New Jersey.). She often golfed locally with her husband, and the two golfed extensively in North America and the Caribbean, both during vacations and when she accompanied him on his many business trips.
Lucille was predeceased by her husband; a son, Jerome Ronald, and a grandson, Brian Montes. She is survived by five of her six sons and daughters, James, David (Elzbieta), Timothy (Alexandra), Nancy Parisi, and Bernadine “Deenie” Eisler (Frank); six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 11 from 10 to 11 A.M. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Lucille’s honor to the BrightFocus Foundation, Macular Degeneration Research, Attn: Development Department, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, Maryland 20871.
