Lucy (Kempner) Schaal, age 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and resilience.

Lucy was born on April 15, 1929, in Alexandria, Egypt, to her loving parents Marie and Wilhelm Kempner. She grew up in a close-knit family with her sisters Elizabeth (Betty) and Anna, attending the Swiss and French School in Alexandria, where she mastered seven languages. Italian was the language of home, spoken between her mother and sisters.

Lucy was the last of her family to leave Egypt, waiting patiently for her visa before finally beginning her new life in the United States.

While still overseas, Lucy met her future husband, Raymond J. Schaal, a World War II veteran who had worked with her sister, Anna. They became pen pals, and through their letters, a deep and lasting love was born. When Lucy arrived in America, they were married on February 11, 1956, beginning a life together filled with laughter, adventure, and devotion.

The couple spent their early years in California, living what friends fondly called a “Hollywood” kind of life — full of joy, road trips up and down the coast, and wonderful gatherings with friends and family. Later, they settled in Delaware, where Lucy built a fulfilling professional career. She worked as a translator for DuPont, then with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, and later as a paralegal at Connolly, Bove, Lodge & Hutz, where her intelligence, charm, and meticulousness shone through every task.

At home, Lucy was a gifted cook and baker, sharing Greek, Egyptian, and Italian recipes that became treasured family traditions. She was also a talented needleworker, creating intricate petit point embroidery and hand-knotted quilts, each one a labor of love.

Lucy’s greatest joy was her family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Raymond J. Schaal, her parents Marie and Wilhelm Kempner, and her sister Elizabeth (Betty) Chandler.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Laura (Schaal) DelPercio, and her husband Fred; her granddaughters, Jennifer Morris and Christine Carnwath (Teddy); and her five great-grandchildren, Kaylee, TJ, & Will Carnwath & Ethan & Aubrey Morris, who she adored. She is also survived by her sister Anna, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Words like sassy, resilient, honest to a fault, loving, and worldly describe her perfectly. Lucy lived a life full of courage, humor, and grace — and her memory will continue to warm the hearts of everyone who knew her.

A service will be held to celebrate Lucy’s extraordinary life on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11AM at St. John the Beloved Roman Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Family and friends may begin visiting at 10AM. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Foulk Living, who cared for Lucy during her rehabilitation stay, and to her loving care team at Accent Hospice, who supported her during her final months at home. Special thanks to her nurse Christine, aide Janell, Pastor Bill, and music therapist Adrianna — your love, compassion, and support were truly heaven-sent.