Lillian M. Vecchio

Lillian Monville Vecchio

October 18, 1936 - January 12, 2025

Lillian Monville Vecchio passed away early on the morning of January 12, 2025 after a long decline related to Alzheimer’s disease. She was 88 years old. Born in 1936 to Daniel and Lillian Monville (nee Mintzer), she grew up in Southwest Philadelphia next to her grandfather’s potato chip factory and then later, in Upper Darby, where she graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1954. Lillian was a lifelong dancer. She studied under Miss Florence Cowanova of the Cowanova Studio and earned a prestigious spot as a Radio City Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. Her years living in New York City and dancing with the Rockettes were a source of many of her fondest memories.

After returning to Philadelphia in 1959 her friend, Felice Hollander, arranged a blind date and within just a few months Lillian married John Vecchio. He proposed at the corner of Catherine and Darien Streets, steps away from his family’s South Philadelphia restaurant. After the birth of their son Chris, in 1964, they moved to Broomall, PA where she lived for the remainder of her life. The couple was deeply devoted to one another and their love only became greater over time.

 After John’s unexpected death in 1985, Lillian, both in spite of and in response to her grief, became more courageous and determined, continuing to fill her life with new friends, accomplishments, and experiences. She supported herself and put her son through college, working as a receptionist at Curtis 1000 for many years. After retiring, she chose to attend college, earning an Associate’s Degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences and then a Bachelors of Arts in America Studies, with a minor in Women's Studies, from Penn State at the age of 72. Lillian took many trips to Europe over the years, went to the gym twice a week into her 80s, and was a member of the Marple Historical Society. She was on the Board of Directors of the 1696 Thomas Massey House, where she took part in 18th century historical reenactments.

 Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Vecchio, and her brother Daniel Monville. She is survived by her son, Chris Vecchio (Kaci), grandchildren Cormac and Orla Vecchio, her sister Lenore Monville Burke, and her long-term companion Richard Burdumy. Lillian will be missed by her nieces, nephews, and their children, and many friends all of whom were touched by her warmth and love. Her grandchildren will always remember the time she fed them cookies for dinner.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate her life on Wednesday, January 22nd, at Saint Pius X Church, 220 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA 19008. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM with a Funeral Mass following at 11:00 AM. 

Interment will be held privately at a future date at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name either to the Marple Historical Society, https://www.marplehistoricalsociety.org/donate  or the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/.