Michele Lombardo

1942 - 2026

OBITUARY

Michele Lombardo, the beautiful and strong matriarch of our family, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026, at the age of 83, after a long battle with dementia. She was surrounded by family and by the same endless love she had given so freely to others all her life.

Born in Siracusa, Sicily, Michele (Michela) immigrated to the United States and truly built the American dream. Though Italian was her first language, she won an English award in grade school, an early sign of the determination that defined her. She and her devoted husband of 63 years, Salvatore, made their home in Brooklyn, then Queens Village and later New Hyde Park, raising four children, all first-generation Americans. Always sharp with numbers, she worked briefly in banking in NYC before devoting herself to her true calling: her family. A loving wife, mother, Nonna, sister, aunt and friend, she found her greatest joy in being a mother and sacrificed so much so that her children could build their education and their futures. She and Salvatore opened their home and their hearts to anyone who needed them; there was always a seat at their table, and Michele never refused someone who needed help.

She helped raise not only her own children and grandchildren but also her siblings, nieces and nephews. She was fierce, wise and fearless. She was in charge of everything and somehow always knew everything; when she put her foot down, you knew she meant it, and she was usually right. In our big Sicilian family, she was the one everyone turned to for advice and comfort, and she worried about all of us the way only someone who loves you completely can. She kept the family's traditions alive and threw the best parties, hosting countless holidays and celebrations around her table.

She was a phenomenal cook, and the aroma of her Christmas lasagna and Thanksgiving rice stuffing still lingers in our memories. Full of wit and sarcasm, she was always ready with a joke, and her hilarious banter with Salvatore kept everyone laughing. In her later years she lived by two simple mottos: "As long as you're happy" and "One day at a time." She loved her coffee dates and her sweets, bowling, her soap operas and Dancing with the Stars, and she always had an eye for beautiful jewelry. A devout Catholic, she was a devoted member of the Rosary Society at St. Joachim & St. Anne Parish in Queens Village. 

She drove everyone everywhere in her GMC Jimmy with complete confidence, like she owned the road, and brought the family together on trips to the Catskills, Florida and Italy. She was always checking in on the people she loved, and no matter how old you were, you called Michele (and Sal!) when you got home safe.

She is survived by her husband and soulmate, Salvatore; her children, Michele (Chris) Kerr, David Lombardo, Joseph (Laura) Lombardo and Salvatore (Stacey Stern) Lombardo; her grandchildren, Amanda Lombardo, Stephanie Lombardo, Darien Lombardo, Donavan Drummond, James Kerr and Ella Kerr; her sister and best friend, Marie Lombardo, and sister-in-law, Maria Lombardo, who were by her side every step of the way; her devoted younger siblings, Corrado "Jay" Zuccarello and Joann Weinstein, whom she helped raise; and countless nieces and nephews she treated as her own.

Michele is now resting in peace, reunited in heaven with her parents and all of our beloved family who have gone before her, watching over us all.

- Written by her loving niece and "other daughter," Joanna Williamson

VISITATION

Friday, October 9 4:00 - 7:00 PM

New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Saturday, October 10 9:30 AM Notre Dame R.C. Church 5 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, NY

ENTOMBMENT

Holy Rood Cemetery 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY

DONATIONS

In Lieu of flowers please consider making donations to

https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNDHYMMBXU