Lucilda (Thornell) Armstrong

Lucilda Armstrong passed away on May 6, 2017.  She was born in Bocas del Toro, Panama on November 24, 1929. She was one of 10 children born to Blandford Thornell and Ruth (Young) Thornell who were of AfroCarribean decent. Lucilda lived in Panama for the first thirty six years of her life and raised 8 children before immigrating to the United States in1965.  She was later joined by her late husband Rupert Armstrong and their eight children Alberto, Laura, Lydia, Jose, Dolores, Alfonso, Alfredo and Aura.  Lucilda eventually settled at 47 Superior Street in 1967 and resided at this address for the remainder of her life.  

47 Superior Street would go on to become the headquarters for this Panamanian American family for four generations.  The family has remained extremely close-knit ever since the day Lucilda first planted roots in America.  Family gatherings were a weekly occurrence at her home. She never missed a single holiday or special occasion without the company of her family. 

Lucilda's life in this country was spent with four generations of her offspring by her side. Her strength, care and love bound her family together throughout the decades. In Addition to her biological offspring and descendants, Lucilda is also indirectly responsible for the immigration of several other families from Panama to Rhode Island who have since branched off and planted roots across various areas of The United States.  She created a chain of events that transplanted her family from Panama to the United States and in turn afforded opportunities and experiences that wouldn't have been available to them had she not taken the journey here. Her impact will be felt and experienced for generations going forward.

Lucilda was a hard working and reliable employee of Saint Joseph Hospital for 25 years before retiring in 1992.  She is survived by her brother Frederico, her sister Olympia, all 8 of her children along with 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

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