Obituary of Lucina Rosita Pinkney

Lucina Rosita Pinkney

May 1, 2017

Lucina Rosita Pinkney of Hyattsville, Md., died Sunday, April 30, 2017, at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Par,Md.. She was 80.

She was born and raised in Dominican Republic. Her father was a pastor for an AME church. Her mother worked in a store and played the piano and sang in the church .Lucina also sang and played the piano at the church. Because of political unrest, her mother brought her and her brother, Guillermo to the United States in 1959 to Tulsa, Ok. She found her husband a church he transferred to. He wasn't happy in the United States so he went back to Dominican Republic where he spent the rest of his life. Lucina moved to Philadelphia, Pa., to live with her Aunt Blanche and worked at Gimbels department store in the bookkeeping department. It was in Philadelphia that she met her future husband, Eugene (Gene) Pinkney, at her aunt's house. Her cousin Richard brought Eugene over for a visit to Aunt Blance. Lucina said " it was Love at first sight". They married in 1961 in Tulsa, Ok, where her mother lived at the time. Their daughter Jacqueline Yvonne was born there in 1962.

In 1963 they moved to Philadelphia, Pa. on Angora Terrace where Eugene Dewitt was born in 1964. Since her husband was a truck driver and would be gone for long periods of time, Lucina was a stay at home Mom and homemaker. Her daughter Carol Denise was born in 1967 on Berks Street in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1973 the family moved to Willingboro, NJ, where Lucina worked as a nurse's aide at Rancocas Valley Hospital. Around 1977-78 the family joined Saints Memorial Community Church in Willingboro , NJ, where she and her husband were charter members. The church was just built and the Pastor asked her to start a day care center and she did. She was the director of the day care center for 13 years and the attendance grew to capacity. She loved her church family and served in many capacities. She started and was president of the Nurses Unit, President and member of the Deaconess Board, member of the Voices Choir where she sang a few solos including "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power". She made sure her family attended church weekly and was involved in the children's and young adult choirs. In the 90's Lucina worked for the ADP and NJ State Insurance Department in Trenton,NJ. Around 1995, Lucina and Eugene took in developmentally and disabled clients into their home as part of the State's Alternative Family Living Program. They cared for three clients for 15 years and became very attached to them. They were part of the family. As Lucina and Gene aged and developed several health issues, they retired and eventually moved to a 55 and older development named Living Springs in Delanco, NJ. Lucina had a series of medical emergencies that ultimately put her in the Lutheran Home in Moorestown,NJ, in 2013. After awhile, Eugene had medical issues that prevented him from being able to sustain himself alone at Living Springs. There was a year waiting list at the Lutheran Home sohe was admitted to the Voorhees Rehabilitation and Care Center. It was tough on them living in two different cities and Eugene had to stop driving so they saw each other maybe once a or twice a week. Lucina moved to Voorhees with him where they were roommates until Eugene passed away on January 19,2016. After his passing, Lucina's condition deteriorated in July 2016 until her passing away. She fought a tough battle until the end where she is at rest. Lucina served her family,church ,community and friends well giving her all to everyone. Her home was a place where all were welcome and where food, laughter and love overflowed. Even at the end with all of her health deficits, she still gave a warm big smile to all who entered the room. Lucina was a loving faithful servant to God and lived out His Charge : " Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments". Matthew 22:37-40. She taught he family to love everybody and do not judge people.She also taught us to serve God by serving our brothers and sisters. What a wonderful legacy to leave behind. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Eugene, Father: Isadore, mother: Gladys, brother: Guillermo, and youngest daughter, Carol.

She is survived by : Daughter Jacqueline Jones (Rodney), Son Eugene Pinkney, Jr. (Beverly), Step Son Timothy Pinkney (Lori), Step Son Douglass Pinkney (Cassandra) and Step Daughter India Medley(Anthony), Grandchildren: Brianna and Jasmine Jones, Brandon ,Seth, and Evan Pinkney, Step Grandchildren: Vivian Warrick(Kerron),Desiree Miles (Marvin),Timothy Pinkney,Jr., Bianca Fontaine, Tyisha Pinkney, Mia Riley ,Kaila Riley, Iesha Pinkney ,Mylon and Anthony Medley, Brooks and Adam Letnum, Great Granddaughter: Millie Pinkney.

Funeral services will be held Friday, 11 am at the Saints Memorial Church,11 South JFK Way, Willingboro,NJ. Relatives and friends may call Friday Morning 10am – 11am at the church. Interment : Lakeview Memorial Park,Cinnaminson,NJ.