Obituary of Lucy Webster

Lucy Webster, age 106, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, at Bethany Village, Bethany, PA. She was the oldest person ever to reside at the facility, where she lived for almost six years. Lucy was born in Auburn, NY, in 1918, two years before women earned the right to vote. Her parents, Basile and Domenica (Mamie) Terranova, were proud and hardworking Italian immigrants. The second youngest of eight children, Lucy contracted polio as a toddler and underwent many operations on her leg, often at hospitals far away from home. Like many polio survivors, she was independent, determine, and resilient. A diehard New York Yankees fan, Lucy was feisty and had a great sense of humor. She loved books, music, singing, card games with friends, and casino trips to play the slot machines. Most of all, she loved and protected her family. In the mid-1950s, her three daughters were "polio pioneers," among the first children to receive the Salk vaccine. She adored her only grandchild, Travis. A graduate of Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, Lucy worked as a secretary in Auburn, including in the warden's office at Auburn Prison during World War II. After her marriage to Paul in 1944, the couple moved to a farm in Aurora, NY, where they raised their family. After Paul's death in 1987, Lucy lived in Aurora five more years. Then she moved back to Auburn and built her "dream house" on Parkwood Lane, where she lived for 14 years before moving to Pennsylvania to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Lucy is survived by three daughters--Marylou Ambrose (Art) of Tafton, PA; Diane Webster (Terry O'Callaghan) of Narooma, NSW, Australia; and Geralyn DeBruno (Joseph) of Clarksville, TN—and one grandson, Travis Ambrose of Greentown, PA. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by an infant daughter, Anne Marie, and seven brothers and sisters—Flora, Salvatore, Angela, Rose, John, Carmel, and Anita. The family wishes to thank the staff at Bethany Village for the loving, compassionate care they gave Lucy over the years. And to the other residents—a big thank you for always looking out for her. Many thanks also go to Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their care and compassion, especially during the last week of Lucy's life. Private cremation was held at Lake Region Crematorium, Lake Ariel.