Obituary for Lucille Ann Ace
On Thursday April 13th, 2023, Lucille Ann Ace passed away at the age of 59 with her husband Bob at her side. Lucille was born in Lakewood, New Jersey to John and Madeline (Cambria) Ace. She grew up in Jackson, NJ and lost her father at an early age. She attended Jackson Memorial High School, graduating in 1981. She met Bob Middlesworth in 1985. They married in 1995 and lived together in Absecon until the time of her death.
Many who read this no doubt will remember the first time they met Lucille. She couldn’t help but make an impression. Her striking beauty, her calm confidence, her fierce but understated individualism and her raw magnetism, which drew many of us to her - all made an indelible impression. She is unforgettable. No one expressed themselves the way Lu did. She could be outspoken, effortlessly humorous and at times downright shocking, but always captivating.
She was loyal, brave, fiercely authentic and unwaveringly accepting of others. She made lifelong friends early in her journey and gathered many more along the way. She was open hearted in her willingness to help others. Many benefitted from her ideas and advice.
She led an interesting life, had interesting stories, and did interesting things. She was loved by many and will be remembered forever by all who knew her.
She made her living as a beverage server at the Claridge and then Bally’s Park Place Casino from 1985 until her passing, but in more recent years she found her true passion as a Union Organizer, who traveled to distant locations on leaves of absence in conjunction with Local 54, to help spread the Union gospel of workers’ rights and self-determination.
She became a political activist at a critical time in our nation’s history who inspired people to live their values. She inspired us all during the pandemic when she spent her time in the south, in Georgia, canvassing for voting rights and equality for all.
Lu was one of a kind. She marched to the beat of her own drummer but connected easily with others. She was simultaneously funny and serious, reserved and outgoing. She was intriguing but never overbearing. She was cool without effort and she was always herself.
Lucille was a lifelong learner, starting at Oglethorpe University in Georgia, out of high school. She subsequently earned credits at the University of Illinois
(Chicago), Stockton University and finally completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She joked, “I was on the 25 year plan.”
Her husband Bob, who worshipped her, left flowers or a potted plant for her regularly for years trying to win her heart. When, after ten years he accepted defeat, she decided to marry him saying, “I knew then that I couldn’t live without him”. They remained devoted to each other for 28 years. Their dramatic and romantic love story was just what you’d expect from Lucille. Now we are left having to figure out how we will live without her.
Lucille is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her brother John Ace and his son John Ace Jr.; her brother Randy Ace, his wife Dawn, their son Chris Ace, his wife Kendell; grandnephews Colson and Cameron; Randy and Dawn’s sons Joe Ace and Matt Ace, Matt’s daughter Hannah and Hannah’s mother Christina.
Lucille gained a second family when she married Bob. She was embraced by Bob’s sister, brothers and their spouses, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, who all loved her and will honor her fierce courage.
Visitation will be held at Wimberg’s Funeral Home, 211 E. Great Creek Road in Galloway Township on Thursday April 20, 2023 at 4 PM, followed by a brief service at 5 PM.
A livestream will be available on Wimberg’s Funeral Home’s website. www.wimbergfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Penn Medicine to support Cancer Research
3535 Market Street, Suite 750
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Roth-Goldsteins’ Memorial Chapel www.rothgoldsteins.com
Many who read this no doubt will remember the first time they met Lucille. She couldn’t help but make an impression. Her striking beauty, her calm confidence, her fierce but understated individualism and her raw magnetism, which drew many of us to her - all made an indelible impression. She is unforgettable. No one expressed themselves the way Lu did. She could be outspoken, effortlessly humorous and at times downright shocking, but always captivating.
She was loyal, brave, fiercely authentic and unwaveringly accepting of others. She made lifelong friends early in her journey and gathered many more along the way. She was open hearted in her willingness to help others. Many benefitted from her ideas and advice.
She led an interesting life, had interesting stories, and did interesting things. She was loved by many and will be remembered forever by all who knew her.
She made her living as a beverage server at the Claridge and then Bally’s Park Place Casino from 1985 until her passing, but in more recent years she found her true passion as a Union Organizer, who traveled to distant locations on leaves of absence in conjunction with Local 54, to help spread the Union gospel of workers’ rights and self-determination.
She became a political activist at a critical time in our nation’s history who inspired people to live their values. She inspired us all during the pandemic when she spent her time in the south, in Georgia, canvassing for voting rights and equality for all.
Lu was one of a kind. She marched to the beat of her own drummer but connected easily with others. She was simultaneously funny and serious, reserved and outgoing. She was intriguing but never overbearing. She was cool without effort and she was always herself.
Lucille was a lifelong learner, starting at Oglethorpe University in Georgia, out of high school. She subsequently earned credits at the University of Illinois
(Chicago), Stockton University and finally completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She joked, “I was on the 25 year plan.”
Her husband Bob, who worshipped her, left flowers or a potted plant for her regularly for years trying to win her heart. When, after ten years he accepted defeat, she decided to marry him saying, “I knew then that I couldn’t live without him”. They remained devoted to each other for 28 years. Their dramatic and romantic love story was just what you’d expect from Lucille. Now we are left having to figure out how we will live without her.
Lucille is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her brother John Ace and his son John Ace Jr.; her brother Randy Ace, his wife Dawn, their son Chris Ace, his wife Kendell; grandnephews Colson and Cameron; Randy and Dawn’s sons Joe Ace and Matt Ace, Matt’s daughter Hannah and Hannah’s mother Christina.
Lucille gained a second family when she married Bob. She was embraced by Bob’s sister, brothers and their spouses, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, who all loved her and will honor her fierce courage.
Visitation will be held at Wimberg’s Funeral Home, 211 E. Great Creek Road in Galloway Township on Thursday April 20, 2023 at 4 PM, followed by a brief service at 5 PM.
A livestream will be available on Wimberg’s Funeral Home’s website. www.wimbergfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Penn Medicine to support Cancer Research
3535 Market Street, Suite 750
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Roth-Goldsteins’ Memorial Chapel www.rothgoldsteins.com