It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lucy Hutcherson (Bill and Fred Sabatine's mother). She passed away at home, in Lake Forest, California, peacefully, on September 1, 2020, after a short illness, two days after her 93rd birthday.
Lucy was born on August 30th, 1927, in Brooklyn New York, where she lived with her parents Joseph and Stella DeBartolo and brothers Albert and Salvatore. She married William J. Sabatine on July 2nd, 1950, and worked in various bookeeping and financial jobs until she retired in Las Vegas, NV, in the 1980's.
Following William Sabatine's death, Lucy later met and married Charles Hutcherson on April 20, 1999, in Las Vegas. After Charles Passing, Lucy relocated to Southern California in 2009 to be closer to her family. Lucy's hobbies included arts and crafts, playing and calling bingo, and watching sports on TV - especially golf and baseball. She was also an avid stamp and coin collector, enjoyed reading and listening to books on tape, and loved her cats dearly.
Lucy was loved by many and survived by her brother Albert Bart, her son Bill Sabatine and daughter-in-law Adelina Hughey, son Fred Sabatine and Katherine Homan, and grandchildren Nick and Stephanie Sabatine, and Joey, Jordan, and Justin Hughey.
Proceeding her death were her parents Joseph and Stella DeBartolo (Ebetino); her first husband William Sabatine and second husband Charles Hutcherson, and her daughter Luanne Sabatine, who passed away due to a heart condition at age 7 on April 5th, 1961.
Services were held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California, on September 7, 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the 70th Infantry Assocation (https://www.trailblazersww2.org/).
Eulogy give at Lucy's funeral service, September 1, 2020, by Bill Sabatine
We often say to family and friends of loved ones that have passed that they are in a better place. But the assuredly of that is very important. It is difficult enough with the passing and loss of a loved one.
But to be concerned that their soul is not at rest, can add significantly to this difficulty. Heaven, Lucy’s final destination, is spoken of in the Bible. So, what of this Bible?
For one, there are many archeological evidences; such as evidence of flood world-wide, that some people thing was mountains that some people think were on the ocean floor and were lifted up, but were actually under water as mountains.
Also, many, many archeological digs, such as the locating of Sodom and Gomorra, and may cities in Israel that were mentioned in the Bible but ruins only located recently. David and Pontius Pilot were thought to be fiction because of no evidence, except for archeological evidence in the past 30 or so years
Prophecies such as over 300 prophecies of Jesus Christ predicted before Jesus was born and verified by many documents, such as the dead sea scrolls that the Lord hid until Israel was a nation and would not destroy them. And hundreds of other prophecies of the future, only now coming to pass, as the Bible laid out thousands of years ago.
So what does the Bible say about Heaven?
John 14:2-4 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be any mourning, nor crying, not pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
NDEs, where people tell of meeting relatives, unbounding love, meadows, streams, and peace. Cannot prove these, but the sheer volume makes these stories unique and timeless.
Common threads speak of rolling meadows, quite rivers, happy reunions, and an entire universe to explore. Interesting thing about NDEs is that, unlike dreams, NDEs result in changed lives.
And what does the Bible say About loving The Lord?
John 6:47-50 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And finally, the Bible about loving Israel?
Genesis 12:3 - And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curse thee, and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Psalm 122 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they that love thee shall prosper. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will say now, peace be within thee. For the sake of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
Amos 9:15 I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the LORD your God.
So, what of Lucy?
In October, of 1973, a number of Arab countries surrounding Israel, such as Egypt and Syria, attacked Israel in surprises attack, with the intent to destroy the country and remove the Jews from the land. The Yom Kippur war had begun. 20 days later the war ended is a cease fire with Israel gaining much land, including the Golan Heights and full control of Jerusalem.
I remember having a discussion about the war with Lucy and Lucy stating emphatically that Israel would not lose the war because God would not let that happen. Lucy understood Amos 9:15, that The Lord would not display the Jews again from their land.
Later in life, in 2009, when Lucy lived in Las Vegas with her second husband, Chuck, I had the occasion, shortly before Chuck died, of asking both of them if they believed in the Lord as their savior. Both Chuck and Lucy said they did and they were both sincere about their convictions.
So is Lucy in a better place?
With the Bible as a sure foundation of truth, an understanding of Israel and a love for the country that comes from God, and an understanding of the way to heaven, we can come to definite conclusions.
With Lucy’s love of the Lord, obvious knowledge of things unlikely anyone but a believer would know, such as God’s plan for Israel, it is clear that Lucy loved God and understood some at least of Gods desires for our life.
The thief on the cross in the Gospels asked Jesus to remember him and Jesus answered that that day, he would be in paradise. And yet, how much more understanding did Lucy have then he?
So is Lucy in a better place? We can say resoundingly, based on the evidence; yes.
So where then is Lucy now? Where there are streams, meadows, rolling hills, no tears, happy reunions, a universe to explore, Gods infinite love, and light in heaven by the Lord himself.
And Lucy can now claim for herself, that portion of that peace, that passes all understanding.
Here is a beautiful audio and video tribute to Lucy Hutcherson, created by Adelina Hughey. It is a celebration of her life and a reminder of the beauty, inspiration, and love, that was her nature. We are inspired by her and our souls are filled with joy for having her involved in our lives. Please enjoy this life review - a tribute to this amazing woman.