Cornelia Ann (Spencer) DeLuca

Cornelia Ann DeLuca (Spencer), "Ann", age 84, a resident of Wilmington since 1969, passed away unexpectedly at home on May 29, 2023.  She was the cherished daughter of the late William and Mary (Sullivan) Spencer, who each immigrated to America separately from Ireland – Counties Cork & Kerry, respectively.  They married after being introduced by Willie’s sister, Anna, who Mary met on the boat to America.  Cornelia Ann was their 3rd child in 3 years and named after her mother’s uncle, Father Cornelius Cremin.  She was raised in Malden where she attended Catholic school graduating from Girls Catholic in 1956.  Ann was the first in her family to attend college.  She graduated from Emmanuel College in 1960 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After graduating, “Miss Spencer” started her 10-year teaching career in the Wilmington Public Schools.  She started as an Elementary Teacher then became an English Teacher at the North Intermediate School in 1964.  Ann was a beloved teacher as she always made sure each student felt comfortable, especially when reading out loud.  Any student that made fun of another would be told that they were the next up to read.

It was during her time teaching that she met the love of her life, Tony DeLuca, the Principal of her school who had very stringent rules.  They didn’t fall in love until years later when they worked with the Wilmington Teachers Association putting on the musical, Pushcarts, to raise scholarship money for the students.  From then on, they knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.  They were married on July 19, 1969, the day before the man landed on the moon and honeymooned for 3 weeks traveling through Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Venice, & Milan. Ann retired from teaching when she had their daughter, Joanne.  During their almost 31-year marriage before Tony’s passing in July 2000, they enjoyed spending time together whether it was reading, watching sports (Bruins, Patriots, and Red Sox), boating, camping at Westward Shores in Ossipee Lake, NH & then at their cottage on Loon Pond in Acton, ME.  They loved hosting gatherings, a good Italian or seafood dinner out, and most especially dancing together.  Their family was in awe of how they moved so smoothly and effortlessly in unison that one would think they had been together their entire lives.  They shared a great love for music and people.  They were a great team on and off the dance floor.

Even though math was her least favorite subject in school, Ann had Tony teach her how to do payroll, bookkeeping, & taxes so she could stay at home with their daughter while helping him run his part-time public accounting business.  She continued helping him to grow it to a full-time CPA practice after his retirement as Business Manager from the Town of Wilmington in 1980 completing 30 years of service.  After Tony passed, their daughter continued the business and Ann worked until her retirement in 2016 at age 78.

Ann had many interests including reading mystery novels, knitting/crocheting, baking, playing card/board games, traveling, and shopping.  In 2004, she took on the task of knitting a fun fur scarf for each of her 12 nieces & Joanne having them completed for the Spencer Christmas Party she hosted every year on the 1st Sunday in December.  She enjoyed several trips with her daughter – Maui, Las Vegas, Cape Cod – visiting family in Michigan and 4 trips to see her Spencer relatives in Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland. 

Ann had a charm and ease about her that people loved from the moment they met her.  She had a joy and zest for life and relished every opportunity to laugh and have a fun time.  She loved her friends & family very deeply.  She enjoyed gathering with them whether it was for birthdays, holidays, cookouts at Joanne’s pool, or game nights especially with the Walsh girls.  Ann would quote her mother saying “There is no guarantee on the back of your neck.  You don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring and when it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go.”

Her daughter, Joanne, wants to thank some people.  First, Ann’s Primary Care Physician, Dr. Arslanian.  In an overburdened health care system, he is a rock star who gives great care and compassion to his patients & their families.  PeopleFit & PeopleFit at Home, especially Jim, Liz, Karen, & Arielle for keeping Ann strong and mobile through the past 17 years.  Our neighbors Paul & Geri Szymanski for their love, help, & support.  The Wilmington Police & Fire Departments for the lift assists through the years and their amazing care, kindness, and compassion especially on Ann’s last day.  Therese, Paula, & Lenny Dunn for keeping in constant contact with their Aunt Connie. Arlene Friel, Janet Fahey, & Doris Ross for always sending cards.  Lastly, to JoJo & Kara Dunn.  Without you two ladies, I wouldn’t have been able to care for Mom by myself in her home, as she wanted, for the past 3 years.  You were my left and right hands, whether it was picking up groceries, coming up on a Sunday for a visit and bringing Mom & me lunch, helping decorate her house for the various holidays, or folding laundry.  I cannot Thank You enough.

Ann was the beloved wife of the late Anthony "Tony" DeLuca, devoted mother of Joanne DeLuca of Wilmington.  She was preceded in death by her siblings, Tony’s siblings, and their spouses – Mary Spencer Dunn & Leonard G Dunn Jr., J. William H. Spencer & Catherine Greene Spencer, Charles (Emily) DeLuca, Joseph (Anne) DeLuca, John DeLuca, Donald (Catherine) DeLuca, and Melena (Freddie) Faro.  Most of her 1st cousins in America predeceased Ann.  Ann is survived by many generations of loving nieces, nephews, and their families.  Affectionately called Aunt Connie by her sister’s family – Therese, Patricia, Joanne, Lenny, Payton, Delaney, Michael, Nicholas, & Kara Dunn.  Paula Dunn Costantino, her husband, Richard, and their kids Kara & Guido.  Known as Aunt Ann by the rest of the family including but not limited to: Susan (Kevin) O’Connor, Chrissy (Ed) DiMarzio, Caroline (Bobby) Catinazzo, Carol & Daniel King, Alfred & Stephen Faro, Arlene & the late Dan Friel, Janet Fahey, Dan, Louise, Patrick, Alexander, & Kevin Friel, Kerri, Dan, Kaitlyn, Kiera, Hannah, & Alyssa Walsh.  Dear cousin of Agnes (Peter) Carleton, Jane Carleton and her boys Breixo, Peter, & Rhys, Mary (Pat) Murphy, Maureen (Peter) O’Sullivan-Greene, & Greta (John) O’Connor all of Ireland.  Dear friend of Kim Leonette of NY, Patricia Kussman of Quincy, Rosie, Sean, & Ellen Boyle of Wayland, Iris McSweeney of Ireland, Marv Fry of NH, and Bill & Doris Ross of Andover.

Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Wednesday, June 7th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Thomas Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.  Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 6th from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann's memory may be made to Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library, 175 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA  01887.

Ann believed that life should be celebrated, all are encouraged to wear something bright in yellow or orange, they were her favorite colors.