Hornell, NY
Lisa M. (Fucci) Smith – 51 – of 7391 Russell Road, Hornell, died Monday, October 23, 2023 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Hornell on October 23, 1972, she was the daughter of Michael & Linda (LaVerde) Fucci.
A lifelong Hornell resident, Lisa graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1990). Having a love of flowers, she earned a degree in Horticulture from Alfred State College and was involved in horticulture throughout her adult life. She also earned a degree in Business & Marketing.
She enjoyed making flower arrangements for outdoor landscapes as well as for weddings, funerals, proms and other events. For a time, Lisa owned and operated The Petal Pusher and was also employed at Swackhamer’s Florist in Hornell and Way to Grow Greenhouse in Alfred Station. Lisa was employed by the City of Hornell as secretary in the Code Enforcement office before dedicating her time as a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. While tending to her family at home, she pursued a career in medical transcription. When her son, Blake, started kindergarten, Lisa began working in the office at North Hornell School. Most recently, she was employed as a secretary at the Department of Transportation in Hornell.
Lisa was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a lifelong communicant of St. Ann’s Church.
Having a love for decorating and flowers, Lisa’s favorite season was fall, and her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas. Family was the absolute most important thing in her life, and she loved hosting large family gatherings and celebrations. She was a wonderful wife, mother, & homemaker who always made gatherings special and full of love. Lisa was a fantastic cook, often creating big Italian meals from scratch, replicating many of her Grandma Fucci’s and her mom’s delicious recipes – everything from homemade pasta, meatballs, and sauce, to pizza, breads, and her dad’s chicken wings. She was loved by all and will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
Lisa was married on November 6, 2004 to Aaron Smith who survives. Also surviving are her son, Blake of Hornell; her mother, Linda Fucci of Hornell; brother, Tony (Lisa Perry-Sagona) Fucci of Charlotte, NC; mother- and father-in-law, Bonnie & Lowell Smith of Hornell; sisters-in-law, Alise Smith, Heather (Chris) Passero, and Lindsey (Dave) Bailey all of Hornell; nieces & nephews, Gabriella & Marrionna Passero, Dominic & Olivia Fucci, and Kayla & Morgan Sagona; aunts & uncles, Lenny (Diane) Fucci of Hornell, Amelia “Mimi” Dempsey of Buffalo, Pam Harwood, Shawn LaVerde, & Joanne LaVerde all of Hornell, Mike (Kim) LaVerde of Connecticut, and Arlette Lecceardone of Georgia; many special cousins, and canine companion, Bruiser.
She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Fucci who died February 8, 2012; grandparents, Mary & Anthony Fucci and Naomi LaVerde; aunts, Clara Fucci, Maria Ormsby, & Marjorie (Jim) Blowers; uncles, Larry Dempsey, Ron LaVerde, Don LaVerde, Robert “Bobby” LaVerde, & Jim LaVerde; cousins, Jimmy LaVerde & Michael Dempsey; her beloved dogs, Harley, Bailey, & Oakley.
To honor Lisa’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. Family and Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, November 1st at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with Father Stan Kacprzak officiating. Final interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Funeral Arrangements are in care of Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church Street, Hornell, NY.
Lisa’s family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Sully and the Ladies in Pink Foundation, 9605 Nunda Dalton Road, Dalton, NY 14836 or by visiting https://sullyandtheladiesinpink.com/contact-us.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com or www.facebook.com/dagonfuneralhome.
Thoughts and prayers don’t seem like enough anymore, although I continue to send them. I wish I could hug you all. I will always remember Lisa as my first little cousin best friend in Hornell. I’m thankful for Facebook so that we were able to reconnect and stay in touch over the years. Rest in peace, Lisa.
When I heard the news of Lisa’s passing, I felt so sad. I was in disbelief. My prayers and condolences to her family and friends. I only knew Lisa from when she worked at North Hornell School and when I’d go pick up my grandkids or have lunch with them. She was so friendly and she always talked about Disney with me, especially if we had plans on traveling there. That’s the first thing, I asked my daughter when I heard about her passing, it isn’t the Lisa who loved Disney? I am so sorry for your loss.
Life is truly a gift from God and can be so fragile…… Lisa , you lived your beautiful life to the fullest and your smile blessed so many people. I was blessed to have known you, even if for a short time. I pray for your family to hug those precious memories. Jesus is holding you all in the palms of his hands. God bless you all, my love and prayers.
I am overcome with grief at the loss of you Lisa! I’ll never understand why the Good Lord would need to take you now. God bless your Mother, your husband and Son along with all the rest of your family and friends.
Rest in piece my dear friend, I’ll never forget you or your smile….Patty
Lisa was such a beautiful woman with such a big heart and a giant smile. She will be forever missed and remembered for her constant kindness and caring. It was an honor and pleasure to know her. God’s Blessings to her entire Family and may your memories of Lisa bring you love and laughter.
I am still in disbelief since I heard you passed. You were such a good person to everyone. I will always think of you when I look at my signs you made me for my porch. Prayers to all the family
I was in disbelief at your passing. You were so creative and had so much zest for life. I will always look at the pictures you made me and think of you. Prayers and condolences to the family.
Prayers and condolences go out to the family. Donation was made to Sully and the Ladies in Pink.
Linda and family I am so sorry to hear about Lisa. My sincere condolences to you all. Many prayers and blessings are sent to you during this difficult time and may the memories sustain you.
I still shake my head and can’t believe this is true.I have wonderful memories of going to your house over the summers to swim and have sleepovers. I wish we had our cousins weekend like we were trying to plan before you left us. I’m thankful we kept in touch thru fb and text. I’m going to miss you very much. Rest in peace dear cousin.
Love,
Kimmie