Lucille ‘Lucy’ Bannister Pizzi - In Memoriam
Lucille Bannister Pizzi was born on February 12, 1944, to Frank and Rae Bannister. Lucy, as everyone knew her, was born and raised in San Antonio along with her four siblings: Barbara, Francis, Linda and Leo. She graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1962 and went on to San Antonio College. While studying there, she worked at the Oblate Missions along with her sister, Barbara, and later in the gift-wrapping department at Joske’s Department store. In 1964, Lucy married her first husband, Lawrence, and stayed home to care for her home and growing family. Once her girls were older, Lucy worked at Handy Dan, Ingram Park Bank, and then USAA Federal Savings Bank where she would retire. After her retirement, she worked a part-time job and cared for the children at Mother’s Day Out at Crossroads Baptist Church.
Lucille Bannister Pizzi
February 12, 1944 - November 25, 2024
Aside from her career, Lucy was a very talented seamstress and made many, many things for her friends and family including curtains, blankets, Halloween costumes and everyday clothes and even beautiful communion and wedding gowns. The list of items she made is endless, but she loved making each and everyone, and many without a pattern. Lucy enjoyed cooking and learned how to make authentic Mexican food from her family and would become known for her beans, rice, menudo and tortillas. Lucille made tortillas nearly every week for her family and used her ‘specialized rolling pin’ (a broom handle) to make them perfect. She dabbled in all kinds of things like painting, wallpapering, and canning fruit and would later be taught how to fish after she married her second husband, Blas. They would travel to the beach whenever they could to go fishing and share each others company.
Lucy was a Christian and spent time learning God’s Word by attending Bible Study Fellowship. She was also a dedicated parishioner of San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church, where she actively participated in church events and volunteered her time as a member of the Altar Rosary Society. She was an example of kindness and generosity by helping those in need throughout her life.
Lucy was an incredible mother to her four girls and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she took great joy in spending time with each of them and helping them when she could. On October 14, 2024, Lucy and Blas celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary with a renewal of vows. Blas cherished her and cared for her so beautifully. On November 25, 2024, a little over a month afterwards, Lucy passed away peacefully at the age of 80. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Blas, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and many, many friends that were blessed to know her.
Lucy is survived by her husband, Blas Pizzi; her daughters, Melissa Villarreal (Chris), Denise Saathoff (David), Pam Peters (Steve), and Stephanie Gordon (Billy). Her grandchildren: Jessica, Matthew (Marissa), Jacob (Kaitlyn), and Laura Villarreal; Abigail (Chris), Landry (Caity), Danielle (Jacob), and Baily Saathoff; Emma (Ben), Westley, and Benjamin Peters, and Christopher Ramos-Flores and her great-grandchildren, Hailey, Lawson, Rynlee Lucille, and baby Eleanor, who will be here in a few weeks. She will also be missed by her in-laws Anthony and Gloria Pizzi and their children as well as numerous extended family members and a lifetime of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rae and Frank Bannister, and brother, Leo Bannister.
The family will receive friends for visitation at 6 p.m. and a Rosary at 7p.m. on Thursday, December 12,
2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024
VISITATION (with friends and family)
6:00 - 7:00 P.M.
ROSARY
7:00 PM
PORTER LORING MORTUARY
1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TX 78212
MASS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024
10:00 AM
SAN FRANCESCO DI PAOLA CATHOLIC CHURCH
205 PIAZZA ITALIA, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78207
Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lucy’s memory to San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church or a charity of your choice. Lucy’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love of God.
SOource: https://www.porterloring.com/obituaries/Lucille-Bannister-Pizzi?obId=33901801