Lucille Cerchiaro Gambardella, respected nurse educator
Lucille was born in Nesquehoning, Pa., Nov. 13, 1945. She graduated from Villanova University in 1967, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and proudly sang with Jim Croce in a band called The Haveners. She then advanced to Boston University and earned a master’s degree in nursing in 1969. She ultimately earned a doctorate in nursing from Columbia Pacific University in 1988. In addition to raising two daughters, Lucille took great pride in her career specializing in psychiatric mental health nursing and left a lasting impression on so many of her colleagues and students. She earned numerous awards and advancements throughout her more than 50 years as a nurse educator and clinical nurse specialist. Serving as the president of Delaware’s Board of Nursing for two terms was one of the many highlights of her career. Before her retirement as the chair of Wesley College’s Nursing Department in 2012, U.S. News & World Report named Wesley’s nursing program one of the top 50 in the country. She was one of the most respected nurse educators in the state and was awarded Delaware Today’s Nursing Legend award in 2016.
Her remarkable legacy will be remembered for her ability to help so many overcome hardships and find their passion in life. Most importantly, she was a loving wife of 54 years, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Lucille enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling all over the world, cooking (especially during the holidays), collecting unique teapots, spending time relaxing at the beach, and reading enough books to fill an entire public library. She even published a book entitled “Emotional Bankruptcy” in 2020.
She is survived by her husband, Robert; daughters, Gina and Andrea (fiancé Justin Troise); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of longtime friends. Lucille was preceded in death by her mother, Lucia Panebianco Cerchiaro; father, Frank Cerchiaro; and sisters, Gloria and Loretta.
