Zelma M. (Kepple) Lacey, a lifelong resident of Charlestown in her 102nd year who has been a ceaseless advocate for the senior population in her beloved neighborhood of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday, June 17, 2019 at her home in Charlestown.
Zelma was born in Boston on August 4, 1917, a daughter of the late John E. Kepple and Florence A. (Turner) Kepple. She grew up in Charlestown where she was educated in the Boston Public School system and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1935. Zelma furthered her education in her later life and attended Bunker Hill Community College in her 70's. Zelma worked as a receptionist in the Phillips House of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and retired in 1981 following many years of dedicated service. She was a Community Activist a member of the Silver Hair Legislature, C.H.A.D., C.H.A.P. and a Mentor for many ROTC students thru the USS Constitution Museum.
Zelma was active in the Charlestown Healthy Aging Program, which she helped to found, to call attention to the needs of area seniors. She was a recruiter for the Charlestown Inter-Agency, a group of volunteers who run errands and provide companionship for the eldrely. Zelma worked for nearly 15 years to enlist support for the creation of the assisted living facility that now bears her name "Zelma Lacey House".
The Zelma Lacey House of Charlestown, the neighborhood's first assisted living center for seniors. The facility opened in 2004 after Zelma, by her own estimate, battled red tape for 15 years, regularly making her case before Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Charlestown Neighborhood Council.
"You have to speak from your heart or else," she said, a piece of advice she repeated often.
Neighbors knew Zelma for her work with the Charlestown Healthy Aging Program, which she and Sister Ann Rita Sullivan launched to call attention to the needs of area seniors. Many Charlestown residents would spot Zelma carrying goceries on Austin and Main Streets, say, for a senior younger than she.
In 1992, her work in the community was honored with an award from Action for Boston Community Development.
Perhaps Zelma's biggest accomplishment had been pushing for Charlestown's own assisted living facility, so that older adults can maintain a quality of life with some independence. After hearing stories of seniors leaving the neighborhood for nursing homes, Zelma said she just didn't want her neighbors to face the same predicament.
Zelma easily strikes up conversations with new residents at the center. Her family was a favorite topic. Her clothes reflected her youthful drive. On any given day, she would be dressed in jeans and a denim jacket embroidered with roses. When she enthusiastically talks about concerns of the elderly, her cheeks blushed. When she makes a point, she tapped her fist on a table.
Zelma once said, "People would tell me, You are not going to get it. You are wasting your time, she said. If those people could come in and see this place, they would be in heaven."
The late Mayor Thomas M. Menino said of Zelma "She has been one of those heroes in the community." "Zelma Lacey is a person who didn't seek headlines. All she wanted to do was provide affordable housing for the elderly. She is a real gem in Charlestown."
Zelma is the beloved wife of the late Herbert F. "Gus" Lacey. She is the devoted mother of Walter W. Lacey and his wife Marianne, and the late Anne K. Wallace and and her late husband Robert, and Frederick J. Lacey. She is the loving Nanny and Bah to Jeremiah Wallace and his wife Denise, Teresa Wallace, Jo-Anne Wallace, Daniel Wallace and his wife Helen, Erin Tiffany Todd and her husband Brian, Danielle Kiely and her husband Eoin, Padraic Lacey, Brittany O'Leary and her husband William and her great-grandchildren Shauna Kane and her husband Joseph, Shane, James, Madison, Steven, Cameron, Robert, Liam, Ella, Ellie, Ava, William and her great-great-grandson Liam. She is the beloved sister of Elvie Lacey and the late John Kepple, Wilmer Kepple and George Kepple. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Zelma's Funeral on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 9 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown at 10 A.M. Her burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Her visiting hours will be on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 3 to 7 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Zelma's name to the Zelma Lacey House, 9 West School St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129 or The Charlestown Recovery House, 15 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129