Verna Rose Lucas, 66, of Boynton Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in Boca Raton. Born on December 20, 1958, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Verna was the beloved daughter of William and Julia Golden. Verna lived a life defined by kindness, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others.

For 20 years, she shared her talents in cosmetology at Caruso’s Hair Cutters in North Plainfield, bringing not only beauty but confidence and comfort to everyone who sat in her chair. She later devoted 15 meaningful years to the mental health and substance abuse community, serving as a case manager for Recovery First, Immersion, and Beach Comber, and as a receptionist for the psychiatry office of Dr. Robert L. Steinburg. Her warmth, empathy, and unwavering dedication touched countless lives.

 A Grateful Friend of Bill, Verna found strength, fellowship, and purpose in her recovery community—a circle of support she cherished deeply. She was also a woman of faith.

Among Verna’s greatest joys was caring for her treasured dog, Lucy “Boo Boo,” along with the many beloved pets she nurtured throughout her life. Her home was always a place of comfort, not only for animals but for friends, neighbors, and coworkers who became family to her.

Verna’s life was filled with enduring love. She shared a devoted marriage with Richie Lucas from 1988 to 2004, and though their paths changed, their friendship remained strong. She also spent nearly two decades with her life partner, Jeffrey Manthy, from 2005 to 2023, another bond that continued in friendship even as life shifted.

Verna was predeceased by her parents, Julia and William Golden, and her brother, Gregory “Billy” Golden. She leaves behind her cherished dog Lucy “Boo Boo,” her cousins Karen and Joy, and many other cousins, friends, neighbors, and coworkers whose lives were forever brightened by her generous spirit.

A visitation will be held at McCriskin Gustafson Family of Funeral Homes, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 4 PM to 6 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 516 W 6th Street, Plainfield, NJ, at 10:30 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home prior to mass, beginning at 9:30 AM

Following mass, burial will take place at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 1734 Clinton Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ.

Verna will be remembered for her gentle heart, her laughter, her courage, and the way she made every person she met feel seen and cared for. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched with love.