Lucille A. Sherman

Olean- Lucille A. Sherman, 78, of West Forest Avenue, Olean, passed away Tuesday (August 16, 2022) at home, after a year-long illness.

Born June 2, 1944, in Olean, she was the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Madeline J. Rosia Smucinski. On July 16, 1966, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Olean, she married Robert S. Sherman, Jr., who survives.

Lucille was a graduate of Olean High School, class of 1962. Her concentration on business courses landed her a secretarial job at Beneficial Finance Company while she was still in school. Later, she became a secretary/receptionist for the former American Olean Tile Company until starting a family and becoming a full-time mom. When her children reached school age, she worked part time as a retail clerk at Freitag’s for several years.

Lucille was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family.  It needs to be said that not only was she a trusted advisor, but she was also full of wisdom, kindness, and understanding.

In her free time, Lucille loved to read.  She favored historical romance novels, but she also indulged in magazines featuring home decorating ideas which, along with T.V. programs, led to fun remodeling and/or restoration projects in her home.

Christmas time at the Shermans was very special. Along with her penchant for decorating, Lucille was a wonderful cook. Each Christmas Eve, she prepared a delicious meal for sometimes over 30 family members and friends in her home, a tradition she took up and embellished after her mother could no longer manage it. Her sauce, meatballs, and pasta (especially her gnocchi) became one of her signature dishes. In deference to her dad, each fall, Lucille cooked dozens of galumpki (stuffed cabbage) for an indoor and outdoor picnic, which she would invariably top off with a slice or two of her homemade apple and/or raspberry pie.

Lucille, and her husband Bob were greeters at St. John’s Church. When asked, Lucille often took over a prepared dish to the bereavement committee for one of their kind and generous after-funeral brunches.  She was a woman of deep and abiding faith, genuinely cared for others, and regularly supported and donated to many charities.

Lucille and Bob rarely missed a St. Bonaventure men’s home basketball game, having been ardent fans and season ticket holders for many years. They also took great pleasure in watching their kids and grandkids participate in their sporting events, concerts, and recitals.

Lucille leaves behind her husband Bob, of 56 years; four children, Jennifer (Bruce) Taylor of Corning, Jeffrey (Sandra) Sherman of Allegany, Robert J. (Jill) Sherman of Fruitland Park, Florida, and Jill (James) Nelson of Odessa Florida; nine grandchildren, Michael, Madeline, and Kelsey Taylor, Zachary and Allison Sherman, Gregory and Molly Sherman, and Paige and Kathryn Nelson; one brother, Gerald T. Smucinski; her sisters-in-law, Barbara Smucinski and Judith A. Williar; several loving nieces and nephews; as well as long-time devoted and recently made friends.

In addition to her parents, she Lucille was predeceased by; one brother, Joseph A. Smucinski; and sisters-in-law Carol Foxe Smucinski and Jeanne Sherman Jolley.

Friends will be received at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean on Sunday from 3-6pm.  Funeral services will be held on Monday (August 22, 2022) beginning with a 9:30am prayer service at the funeral home, followed by a 10am Mass of Christian Burial at St. John’s Church. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. John’s Church, 931 N. Union Street, Olean.

If you would like to express a condolence or share a story for Lucille’s family, please visit www.guentherfh.com.