Trailblazing Nurse From Bloomfield Dies At 90: Adelphia Lucas

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A longtime Bloomfield resident who worked as a trailblazing nurse in the 1950s and 1960s has died at the age of 90.

Adelphia Lucas integrated several hospitals during her career as a nurse. She was also a popular Election Day worker at Demarest School.

“My mother was a trailblazer in many ways and continued to help so many relatives, youth and senior citizens in need,” said her daughter, Caryl Lucas. “She was an encourager to many and always lent a helping hand even in my Unstoppable Girls empowerment organization.”

Funeral and visitation services were held last week. A scholarship and Unstoppable Girls luncheon and awards will be held in the spring in Lucas’ memory. There are also plans to create a legacy scholarship for a nursing student to raise awareness about COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Lucas’ family provided the following obituary to Patch, which recounts some of her many contributions to the community:

“Adelphia M. Lucas, a longtime resident of Bloomfield, New Jersey and one of the pillars and Election Day workers at the Demarest School, has passed at 90-years-old. She resided on Bessida Street, where Mrs. Lucas was a dedicated neighbor, mentor and ‘go-to’ for many youngsters and families since 1970.

“Mrs. Lucas, a retired nurse, helped to integrate several hospitals in Passaic, New Jersey, during the 1950s and 1960s. She departed this life on Thursday, October 26, 2023 after a long battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

“She was remembered during a celebration of life recently and honored by her family, neighbors and friends.

“She is the mother of Caryl Lucas, a lifelong Bloomfield resident, former Star-Ledger newspaper reporter and founder of Unstoppable Girls Foundation, and James Lucas, a retired award-winning chef and veteran. Both graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle School and Bloomfield High School.

“On September 19, 2023, Adelphia Lucas celebrated her 90th birthday at her home proudly joining her sisters Mintha Marshall, 94, of Passaic, NJ and Christine Smith, 91, of Clifton, NJ in the Golden Girl circle. She was Bessida Street’s oldest neighbor and resident, known by many for her outgoing personality, feistiness and Election Day appearances manning the sign-in book.

“A miracle in every sense of the word, Adelphia Lucas’ resiliency over the years has been an inspiration to many in her community, church, family and even among her followers on social media who welcomed seeing her live streams on her daughter Motivational & Youth Speaker Caryl Lucas’ social media pages. She was a health advocate for COPD and raised awareness about her challenges.

“A Passaic native, Adelphia, affectionately known as ‘Duffy,’ was raised in the neighboring city and moved to Bloomfield in 1970, where she raised her children.

“She worked for 42 years as a registered nurse at several hospitals, including Passaic General Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in her hometown. Adelphia also was employed as a private duty nurse specializing in palliative care and loved nursing.

“She graduated from Passaic High School in 1952 with top honors. Mrs. Lucas went on to study nursing at Fairleigh Dickinson College. After graduation Adelphia began her nursing career and was among a handful of African American nurses who integrated hospitals across New Jersey. She later further her studies at Bloomfield College.

“Mrs. Lucas remained active in her civic interests and Union Baptist Church of Passaic. She was a devoted member and senior missionary who visited the elderly, as well as prayed for the sick and shut-in members at area nursing homes. She also was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Nutley, NJ.

“In recent years, she also was a longtime volunteer with the Unstoppable Girls Foundation and served alongside her daughter in her anti-bullying work to empower girls at schools and colleges.

“She is survived by one devoted daughter, Caryl R. Lucas; and one son, James B. Lucas. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Lucas; a beloved son, Daryl C. Perry; brothers, Willie B. Perry, Dr. Calvin Perry and Jessie Lee Perry. Adelphia leaves to cherish her memory two sisters Mintha Marshall, Christine Smith; two daughters-in-law, the late Esther Mitchell Lucas & Yvonne Dames Perry, Ph.D; grandsons, Ira Perry, Isaiah Perry, Jordan Perry, two great grand-daughters, and Alaia & Kenzie Graffe Perry. She was the proud Godmother to the late Tyshawn Ray, Poppi Mathis, Ibn-Michael Thomas, a great nephew; and three goddaughters Belinda McMurray, Travar Booker, Cynthia Walker and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.