Lucille Marie Burgess

Lucille Marie Burgess
February 26, 1942 - August 26, 2025

Lucille Marie Burgess, 83, of Michigan City, IN passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, cherished grandmother, and dear friend to many.
She was born in Alton, IL to Angelo and Loretta (Yourichick) Guccione. They moved to South Bend, Indiana where Lucille grew up with her two younger sisters, Sharon and Linda. She attended Perly Elementary school and South Bend Central High School. 

Lucille worked several jobs throughout her career. She was most proud of the more than 20 years she worked at the University of Notre Dame. During her time at the University, she held several positions in different departments of the University including Student Accounts, Graduate Admissions, and the Registrar’s Office. She made numerous friends while at Notre Dame and was respected for her dedication and hard work. She approached every task with diligence and integrity, leaving a lasting impression on all who worked with her. She had a special knack for continuous improvement and improved countless processes. While at the University, her first priority was ensuring students and their families had a good experience while at Notre Dame. Many families kept in touch with her after she retired. 

In her free time, Lucille enjoyed crafting such as cross-stitch and quilting and watching sporting events, especially the Fighting Irish. Her passion for quilting resulted in countless hours creating beautiful quilts which she shared with her family and friends. Lucille believed in the power of education. Throughout her life, she took various classes at the local community college. Lucille embarked on a bachelor’s degree from Ivy Tech in her late 70s, earning an associate degree at age 80. She enjoyed talking to the professors and staff as well as interacting with the younger students. She was a few classes short of her bachelor's degree. 

Lucille was the happiest when she was around her grandchildren. She was always doing something focused on them: watching their sporting events, concerts, and performances; reading; painting and coloring; and listening to all of their stories.

 
Lucille will be dearly missed by her beloved husband, Jerry D. Burgess who survives in Michigan City. They were united in marriage on May 27, 2006, in New Carlisle, IN and combined their families to include three surviving adult children, Billy (Heather) Beaver Jr. of Edwardsburg, MI, Colleen (Gerald) Fahling of Kalamazoo, MI and O’Ryan Burgess of Michigan City, IN. She is also survived by her grandchildren Elizabeth Fahling (Ben Kines), Daniel Fahling (Amy Lopez), Michael Fahling, Johanna Fahling, Faith Beaver, Grace Beaver, and Bree Burgess; her great granddaughter, Zoe Lopez-Fahling; and her sisters, Sharon Guccione of California and Linda Biltz of Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents. Lucille touched many lives and will be remembered for her beautiful smile, joyful spirit, and her selflessness. 

Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. (CST) to 4:00 p.m. (CST) at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St, Michigan City, IN. A funeral service will be directly after the visitation at 4:00 p.m. (CST) with Pastor Lee Mose officiating. 

Lucille was passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which plagued her father, and would appreciate contributions being made to: Alzheimer’s Association, PO BOX 96011, Washington DC, 20090-6011.

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