Lucy T (Gentile) Parks

Rotterdam – Lucy T. Parks, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 surrounded by her family. Born in Schenectady, Lucy was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Josephine Gentile. She graduated from Mont Pleasant High School, a time which she remembered with great fondness. Growing up in the ‘old neighborhood’, Lucy was very involved in her church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was there she began to develop her deep faith which she carried with her throughout her life. More recently, Lucy was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church. She always made it a point in her day to attend mass and pray the rosary. Lucy married the love of her life, John “Jack” Parks on May 21, 1961 and together they raised their 4 children. While bringing up her children in Rotterdam, Lucy worked at Draper School in the cafeteria. She was an integral part of the community, always making sure each child was provided for and taken care of. She was a ‘team mom’ for all of her kids’ sports teams and could be found working the concession stand at many a game. The ultimate matriarch, Lucy’s family was the center of her world. Whether cooking and baking, hosting the family gatherings and her famous Christmas Eve dinners (where she was always the last person to sit down) or passing down her Italian traditions to her grandchildren, Lucy and Jack’s house was the place to be fed and loved. When not pampering her family, Lucy enjoyed the New York Yankees (especially her favorite player, Derek Jeter) and taking trips to the track in Saratoga Springs. Lucy is survived by her husband of 61 years, John “Jack” Parks; her loving children, Michael Parks (Diana), Joanne Price (Brett), Ronald Parks (Michelle) and Patricia Parks and 8 beloved grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Rose Bove as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by one sister, Jacqueline Weibel. Calling hours will be Friday from 5-7pm at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Avenue, Rotterdam. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10am at St. John the Evangelist Church followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Schenectady. Due to Lucy’s charitable nature, for those who wish, donations in her name may be made to the City Mission of Schenectady, 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady, NY 12305 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org.