Lucille Finkle, 98, of East Haven, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 25. Lucille was the loving wife of the late John Finkle Jr. She was born to the late James and Emma Franco Sandillo in the Annex section of New Haven on Aug. 26, 1924.

Family was always first and meant everything to Lucille. She adored her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grandnieces more than anything and loved spending time with them, especially at their specific events. She enjoyed traditional holidays, insisting that holidays be at her home, using her special holiday dishes and glassware.

An active member of the Ladies Guild of the Angels of the Sea Ladies Guild, and the American Legion Post 89 Ladies Auxiliary, she was very active in the East Haven community. She was the current secretary for the Angels of the Sea Ladies Guild and had a strong faith. She loved everyone she met, and once you became her friend, you were a friend for life.

Lucille was the first computer operator at Armstrong Rubber but went on to work at various companies, retiring at 80 years old.

Lucille is survived by her sons, James (Katherine) Finkle of Tega Cay, SC, and John (Catherine) Finkle III of East Haven; her grandchildren: Amanda (Matt) Plyler, Jamie Finkle, Jonathan Finkle, Catherine (Christopher) DiLungo and Alexis Finkle; great-grandchildren: Mason, Maddyn and Miles Plyler, Kylie Finkle, Arianna, Peyton, and Cameron DiLungo; her brother James Sandillo; and her special niece who was like a daughter to her, Sheila (Gil) Apicella and their daughters, Sheila and Denise Apicella. Lucille was predeceased by her sister Alice Sandillo.

Mrs. Finkle’s family received friends from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at East Haven Memorial Funeral Home, 425 Main Street, East Haven. Her funeral left East Haven Memorial Funeral Home at 11 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish-St. Vincent dePaul Church, 80 Taylor Avenue, East Haven. She was laid to rest next to her husband in East Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Finkle’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at http://www.Stjude.org.