Lucia Nichols Calabria

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Lucia (Lucy) Nichols Calabria, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, on May 5, 2026.

Lucy was born on June 10, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Ben and Lidia Nichols. She graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor’s in Business Management.

While at college, she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Bob Calabria. Together Bob and Lucy embarked on an amazing life together. They would have celebrated their 54 wedding anniversary on May 20.

During her beautiful life, Lucy showed a selfless way of living. Her greatest accomplishment was her family. She was proud of her family and was known to say, “It never rains on a Calabria Family gathering.”

Lucy was proud of her Polish and Ukrainian heritage, having two parents who fled to America after World War II to start a new life. Throughout her life, she was a hard worker. She worked for 15 years at JCPenney’s in the jewelry department, held many jobs while raising three kids, including working nights at the Post Office and serving as a security shopper. Lucy was passionate about her civic duty, serving as a poll worker for 25 years.

Lucy was also passionate about her volunteer work, insisting it was her duty to give back to others. She was a volunteer at the UNC Johnston Clayton hospital’s gift shop. She loved being a member of the St. Ann’s Ladies Guild where every February she was responsible for the Valentine Brunch’s gift table, personally selecting gifts for each participant. Lucy was a talented writer and found purpose in writing handwritten cards to family and friends celebrating all occasions.

Lucy loved going to garage sales, doing puzzles, playing cards, having a glass of Amaretto, wearing themed outfits and earrings and going out for coffee. Grounded in her deep faith, Lucy loved fierce.

Lucy is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Calabria; her beloved children, son, Anthony (Tony) Calabria and his wife, Kelly Calabria, daughter, Stephanie Johnson, and son, Brian Calabria and his wife, Sonja Calabria; her sister, Julia Peppersack; seven grandchildren: Kayla Miller, her husband Josh, Ben Calabria, Chris Johnson, Evan Calabria, Nicholas Johnson, Liam Calabria and Josie Calabria; her brand new great-grandson, Hudson James Miller; her sweet pup, Lola; and many adored friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 8 at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Clayton, NC, from 11 a.m. - noon, a funeral mass at noon, followed by the inurnment in the Calabria niche and a reception at 1 p.m.

Flowers may be sent to St. Ann Catholic Church in Clayton, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Ann Catholic Church’s Ladies Guild in Lucy’s honor.