Lucia P. Forthofer

Lucia P. Forthofer suddenly and peacefully passed from this life on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the age of 89.

She was a native of Durham, NC, a 1954 graduate of Durham High School, and a 1959 graduate of High Point University. She began her 45-year elementary school teaching career in Durham before moving to Florida in the late 1960s where she continued teaching in the Melbourne, Fla. area.

She met her late husband, Carl Forthofer, in Florida, marrying him in 1972. They enjoyed a busy life of living, traveling and shaping generations of children through their respective teaching careers. In 2016, they moved to Croasdaile Village of Durham and resided in an independent living apartment, meticulously decorated by Lucia, until their deaths.

Lucia was a gentle and gracious person who always had a smile on her face and cared deeply for her family and friends. She kept a busy schedule and many to-do lists. While in Florida, she participated in garden clubs, cooking groups, educational and church groups and a Red Hat group. She enrolled in classes in different areas of interest throughout her life. Her favorite past time was shopping with her friends in Florida and her sister-in-law Jackie Porcelli. She cherished time spent with family at dinners and reunions.

Lucia was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Carl, in 2019 and by her brother Andrew J. Porcelli in 2020. Her parents, Carl and Lena D. Porcelli, lived in Durham until their deaths, owning Durham businesses, notably the Royal Ice Cream Company.

She is survived by her brother, Joseph A. Porcelli and by her sister-in-law, Jackie Porcelli; nephews Carl J. Porcelli, Mark Porcelli, Michael Porcelli; great-nephew Drew Porcelli; great-niece Anna Rae Porcelli; niece Tina Porcelli (Dean Juth); great-nephews Grant Juth (Dana); great-great-niece Juliet; and great-nephew Logan Juth; also by several Damiano, Colletta and Forthofer family relatives.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on December 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Croasdaile Village Few Interfaith Chapel, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham NC 27705. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.