Loving wife and cherished mother and grandmother Lucila Buoye (née Valcos) passed away peacefully on May 6, 2023 at Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains. She was 78 years old.
Visitation will be in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Thursday, May 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 22 Lakeside Avenue, Verona on Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m.
Lucy was born in Maronquillo, San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines, the eldest of three daughters to Alejandro and Leonida Valcos. She moved to Canada in 1969 to further her career in nursing, and then the U.S. in 1972, where she would meet the love of her life and future husband, John. They eventually settled in Verona in 1974.
She graduated from Baliuag Academy in Bulacan, the University of the Philippines School of Nursing, Manila Campus and the College of St. Elizabeth in New Jersey. Lucy had a long and successful career in healthcare, working at Columbus Hospital in Newark and Montclair Community Hospital in Montclair before pursuing her dream and starting LB Quality Plus Nurses Inc., an agency providing staffing to hospitals and nursing homes and home care services, in Verona in 1987. She later served as the director of home care services for St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville and also held positions at Green Hill Senior Living and Rehabilitation in West Orange and Mountainside Medical Center in Glen Ridge.
“Luz” was well known for her generous and selfless personality, as well as her always fabulous appearance, characterized by perfectly matched ensembles, impeccable accessories, and of course, flawless hairstyles. She was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Verona, attending mass and involved in the Prayer Group. She was also an avid tennis player who could be found on the court well into her seventies. In addition, Lucy was also an accomplished bowler, amassing an impressive collection of Top Scorer trophies from league play at Eagle Rock Lanes in West Orange.
Lucy was immensely proud of her two eldest sons having graduated from the University of Notre Dame and shared in the family’s joys and sorrows in following the fortunes of the Fighting Irish football program. Lastly, she sacrificed much personally to dedicate her life to providing loving care to her special needs son, Jason.
Lucy is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, John J. Buoye, Jr.; her loving sons, Alexander (Arleen), Brian (Yvonne) and Jason; dear sisters, Lolita Bruneau and Esmeralda DeLa Rosa, MD; and cherished grandsons, Xavier and Brandon.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to the Verona Rescue Squad or to Special Olympics would be appreciated.
