Zita Lucas, longtime resident of Cicero and a beloved sister and auntie, passed away Dec. 31, 2025, in Berwyn, Illinois. She was 82.

Born on April 24, 1943, to Estelle and Stanley, Zita lived a life that valued family, faith, and tokens and mementos that made her and others feel special.

Zita was a valued office manager for 4 decades at Midwest Time Recorder. She extended her comfort with numbers to St. Anthony's Catholic Church, where for many years she counted the collection money after Sunday services. Music was also a strong presence in her life: she sang in the church choir and was known to play records and watch musicals with her nieces and nephews. At one point in Zita's life, she took frequent cruises to explore the world, developing a love for Italy along the way. Her stories and photos from these trips inspired her nieces and nephews to travel too.

In her more recent daily life, she surrounded herself with the color purple, figurines of butterflies and angels, and QVC jewelry shows. She liked to join family dinners and was known to run errands every week with her sister. She had a notable love of pasta and would bring the orange sugar-free Jell-o mold on holidays.

For years prior to her passing, Zita did her best as she managed cancer and other health issues. She was also a breast cancer survivor who inspired her family members.

Zita is survived by the "Lucas girls," sisters Loretta (late Harold) Hudik, Diane (late Donald) Dybala, Mary Ellen (late Joseph) Zailskas, and Bernadette (Frank) Kolar.

Although she didn't have her own children, she influenced 11 nieces and nephews and their families—David (godson), Paul, Lisa, Kristin, Debra, Melissa, Donna (also Zita's caregiver), Nicole (goddaughter), Andrew, Rebecca, and Sara (goddaughter)—and was also godmother to Victoria Ruadonis.

Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral at 9 a.m., proceeding to St. Domitilla Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment St. Casmir Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, masses are appreciated. For funeral info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.