Anna Lucich

Lucich, Anna B., 100, passed from this life to eternal life on December 27, 2024 at her home, having just received the Last Rites of the Church. Anna was born in Umbria, Italy, May 27, 1924, the youngest child of Signorelli Giovanni and Canciarelli Giulia. At the conclusion of the Second World War she married and moved to Egypt. In the early 1950’s she moved to the United States and was granted citizenship in America with the help of President Harry S. Truman. If you were close to Anna, she would regale you with the story of her personal encounter with President Trumann, and how, through his efforts she became an American citizen. Making friends fast and possessing extraordinary talents of taste and culinary skills, she was introduced to Air Force Lt. Col. Stan Lucich. They married in 1954, and eventually settled in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Stan was able to use his gifts in construction to provide a home for Anna. Colonel Lucich headed up the C-130 command at Little Rock Air Force Base. It was there that together they met Monsignor James O’Connell, chaplain of the Air Base. Their friendship deepened quickly, and they invited Msgr. O’Connell to come and live with them at their home on Walton Heights. After the passing of Colonel Lucich, Msgr. O’Connell continued to live there under the care of Anna, and for four decades before his own passing, Msgr. O’Connell was taken care of by Anna. As he approached his own centenary birthday, Anna cared for him. It can be stated in truth that her care of Monsignor was indicative of her love of the Catholic Church, and her love of the Catholic priesthood. She loved the priesthood at least as much as priests loved their priesthood, and she helped preserve the dignity of his life until the end.

Anna possessed many natural gifts: good taste of the things of life, culinary skills and unparalleled grace of hospitality to anyone who entered her home. Her linguistic skills were never perfect, but her ability to communicate love, generosity, and grace in the presence of friends and guests set her apart from most. She and Stan developed a very deep relationship with the Benedictine Monks and Community of Subiaco Academy, and along with Stan were instrumental in the earliest years of the foundation of Christ the King Church, Little Rock, where she remained a member until her passing. The author of this obituary was her pastor for 19 years. He was preceded by Msgr. Hebert, her pastor for 20 years, and consistently over almost 40 years could testify to Anna’s love of the Catholic Church and her priests, some who were her pastors, and some who simply passed her way. It made no difference to Anna whether these priests were epitomes of perfection or examples of frail humanity. She loved them all!

Faithful and friends are invited to Christ the King Church, 4000 N. Rodney Parham, Little Rock, on Thursday, January 2, the rosary at 2:00 pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the funeral, Anna will be entombed next to her husband, Stan, at Calvary Cemetery, Little Rock.