Remembering Lucille Cirese Tutera

The doors of heaven were opened by heralding angels for Lucille Cirese Tutera, 92, on Monday, August 28, 2023, at her former home.

Lucille (Lou) was dedicated to her values of faith, family, and friends. A generous, compassionate, and strong woman, Lou made sure she was just a phone call away for those she loved. She was a loving mother, wife and grandmother who always reminded us that family comes first. She carried her love for family into her career in senior living, treating her residents and their families at the Atriums as her own. Her dedication to her Atriums family was undeniable and she credited them with getting her through some of life’s most difficult times. After the loss of her husband, Dominic, and son, Michael, she immersed herself in work, and many benefited from that commitment. She loved her work and never intended to retire or slow down. Lou was also known for her accomplishments in the community and her countless hours volunteering for her children’s schools (Barstow and Pembroke Hill), along with various charities. She was a great supporter of many causes, whether they were religious, or community based. She had a terrific sense of humor, which always lit up the room and made each person in her presence feel recognized and comfortable. Her home and her heart were always open and she welcomed everyone into her circle.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Dominic Frank Tutera and her son, Michael Tutera, her parents, Mary and Joseph Cirese, her brothers, Michael Cirese and Joseph Cirese, sister-in-law, Patty Cirese, and brother-in-law, Henry Tutera. She will also join her Gargotta aunts and uncles in heaven. Lucille is survived by her children, Connie Mendolia (Anthony), Mary Margaret “Peaches” Cunningham (David), Joseph Tutera (Marian), Lynne Beaver (Jon) and Caran Burnside who she considered a sister and her sister-in-law Josephine Tutera. Saddened for their loss are her grandchildren, Laura Tomlinson (Alex), Mary Rall (Kyle), Hannah Tutera, Anthony Mendolia Jr., John David Cunningham, Dominic Tutera, Joseph Tutera Jr., Cirese Mendolia, Victoria Beaver, and Jonathan Beaver, and her great-grandchild, Giorgia Lucille Tomlinson. Nieces and nephews Tina Flaherty, Anna Marie Tutera (Caleb), Marianne Burton (Steve), Joseph Cirese, Patrick Cirese (Amy), Mimi Cirese, Dolly Latorre, Angela Hudson (Ben), and Joe Latorre. She also leaves many dedicated friends (far too many to list), her caregivers, Patty Riley, Margaret Buchanan, and Dr. Judy Vogelsang along with the many she referred to as her Atriums Family. Many thanks to Sue and Mark Untersee, Barbara and Dr. Richard Muther, Sue and Lewis Nerman, Dru Wilbur, Vilma Vergalito, Georgia and Mary Kaitlyn Cirese, and countless others who Lou loved like family.

Pallbearers: Anthony Mendolia Jr., John David Cunningham, Dominic Tutera, Joseph Tutera Jr., Ben Hudson, Alex Tomlinson, Kyle Rall, Jonathan Beaver and Joe Latorre.

Honorary Pallbearers: Mark Untersee, Bill Dana, Mike Levitt, Lewis Nerman, Jon Beaver, Patrick Cirese, and Joe Cirese.

Services will be Thursday, August 31, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 815 East Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64131. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to The Farmer’s House (P.O Box 1607 Platte City, MO 64079). To donate, please follow this link.

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that peace at close of day.

If my parting left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;