Lucille A. Bader

Lucille Antoinette Bader (Malizia) age 92 of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022 in her home surrounded by her family.

Born ‘Baby Girl’ Malizia on St. Lucy’s Day December 13, 1930 in Wilmington, Mom grew up in the Browntown area with her parents and 10 siblings. She attended St. Elizabeth’s Elementary and High School and graduated in 1948. She married Dad, George L. Bader, in 1951 and they began their wonderful life together. After starting out in Massachusetts and Alaska where Dad served in the US Army, Mom and Dad returned to Wilmington. Together with the help of family and friends, they built their home where they lovingly raised their children. Our family and home were Mom’s greatest pride and joy, and the focus of her life for the rest of her days.

Over the years Mom worked outside the home, but was first and foremost a wife, Mom and MomMom. Mom was a devoted Catholic and lived her faith. A homemaker by trade, she was a never-ending source of love, laughter, guidance, and support to everyone. Always ready to talk on the phone or over a cup of coffee or a cold soda. She loved entertaining and treated everyone like family. Our home was always beautiful, charming, and welcoming (and spotlessly clean!). She loved music, dancing, and hosting parties in our basement - often with a Manhattan in her hand!

Our Mom was beautiful in every way and will never be forgotten. We thank her for her unwavering love and countless joyful memories that we’ll cherish and carry in our hearts forever.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents Antonia and Dominic Malizia, her husband of 64 years George L. Bader, Sr., her son Michael Bader, her daughter Judith Ann Pelkey and her grandsons Mark and Justin Bader; her brothers Alfred (Marie), Ernest (Ann) and Armond (Reggie) Malizia; and her sisters Theresa Tosi (John), Mary Quill (Joseph), Emily Sylvester (Joseph), Margaret Irwin (Chick), Laura Powers (Ralph), Jean Swift (Sonny) and Johanna Malizia. Her in-laws Alfred (Pauline), Preston and Edward Bader, Dorothy Mazick, Carolyn and Kenny Sutton, Dolores Bader and Michael O’Brian.

Mom is survived by her children George L. Bader, Jr. (Natalie), Mark Bader (Alicia), Nancy McMenamin (John), Matthew Bader (Debbie), Jeffrey Bader (Sherry), Luanne Cotrotsios (Henry) and son-in-law G. Larry Pelkey, Jr.; 17 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren. In addition, Mom is survived by her in-laws Carl Bader, Regina O’Brian, Michael Mazick; Patricia Goble (Farrell) and Christine Bader (Ray Dunton); and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Helena’s Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, in Wilmington on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 11am. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery.  Family and friends may call at Gebhart Funeral Home, 3401 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE on Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 6-8pm.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Helena’s Church. We would like to extend a special thank you to our spouses and families who supported us over the years, as well as the many aides who helped care for Mom. You have become like family, and we are so grateful for each one of you.

To offer condolences, please visit:

Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302.798.7726

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lucille A. Bader, please visit our floral store.