Claudia Tucceri, age 84 of Carolina Shores, NC, passed away peacefully following a prolonged illness.

Born in Massachusetts, she lived in Wellesley before relocating to Raleigh, NC, in 1983.  She was the 13th child of 14 children born to her parents Joseph and Virginia Tucceri.  Like her parents Claudia was Italian and of the Catholic faith. Though she moved from Boston over 40 years ago she carried the Boston accent with her for her entire life!  She was always delighted to tell everyone how she was going to “pahk the cah!”  Claudia was a huge New England Patriots fan (loved Tom Brady!) as well as a fan of the Boston Red Sox.

If you know a fun person in life, multiply that person by ten and that’s how much fun Claudia was. Those who knew her are thinking of their favorite Claudia story right now as they are reading this and are smiling inside!  Maybe it was from a swim party at her Morrisville residence, or a friend’s wedding or birthday party, or simply from a hilarious conversation at one of the many restaurants her and her lifelong friend Jane patronized.  Most recently she loved going to the VFW in Calabash and volunteering for the bingo and various other events.   She traveled with Jane to Biloxi, Mississippi, to socialize and roll the dice every year!  One can never forget the sound of her laughter nor forget her many shenanigans!

Claudia had a huge heart, as evidenced by how she helped so many people!  If you called her and told her you needed help she’d be out the door on the way to you before you hung up the phone! She would for sure be driving her infamous, white 1998 Ford Ranger pickup truck, which she affectionately called “Trucky!”  Her kindness toward pets was also one of her great qualities.

Before her employment at Glaxo Smith Klein (Research Triangle Park) she owned her own restaurant in the Boston area, so it follows that she was a great cook.  I can smell the aroma of her meatballs on the stove as I’m writing this!  She was also a fantastic Ms. Fixit, as there wasn’t any job she would not tackle.

Claudia is survived by her lifelong friend Jane Rockwell of Carolina Shores, NC, cherished daughter Marie Tarallo (Ron) of Braintree, MA, granddaughter Lyndsey Tarallo of Weymouth, MA, nieces and nephews, and countless friends, all who will miss her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her 13 siblings, and Jane’s son, Mark Grzyboski.

Claudia will have a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church (Shallotte, NC) on Tuesday, July 21st at 10:00 a.m.  She will be interred at Raleigh Memorial Park (Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC) on Wednesday, July 22nd at 1:30 p.m.  There will be prayers at the graveside service and an informal gathering to toast Claudia at Manchesters Grill in Raleigh immediately following.

In lieu of flowers please donate to one of the following in Claudia’s memory:

VFW Post 7288 Auxiliary,  Theresa McMahon Scholarship Fund, 900 Carter Dr  SW, Calabash, NC 28467 or Auxiliary Post 503 Scholarship Fund, American Legion Post 503, 10277 Beach Drive, Calabash, NC 28467.