Tsveta A. “Tootsie” Lambo
Age 94, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2023. She was born November 8, 1928 in Lansing to Arger and Lenna Valcanoff and was a graduate of Lansing Eastern High School Class of 1946. Tootsie was a founding member of St. Andrew Orthodox Catholic Church and was also a member of the American Bulgarian Macedonian Association and the Garden Club of Greater Lansing. She was a 40-year volunteer at Sparrow Hospital, was an excellent cook and baker of Macedonian dishes, especially her world-famous baklava, and loved to play Bridge.
Tootsie is survived by her daughter, Maria (Michael) Daly; son, L. Mark Lambo; 4 grandchildren, Bianka Daly (Greg Kepreos), Nathan (Katie) Lambo, Zachary (Becky) Lambo and Joshua Lambo; 2 great-grandchildren, Miles and Leah Lambo; brother, Alexander (Margo) Valcanoff; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous very close friends she considered family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband of 59 years, Louis; and 3 sisters, Mary (Theodore) Dines, Nevenka (George) Dines and Zorka (Chris) Alusheff.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at St. Andrew Orthodox Catholic Church, 1216 Greencrest, East Lansing, with interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Her family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, with a Panikhida Service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to her church. Online condolences may be left for her family at www.EstesLeadley.com.
17 Messages to “Tsveta A. “Tootsie” Lambo”
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Stephanie Samaras-Allen
November 5, 2023 at 11:53 amAll my love and heart goes out to you and Mark at this sad time.
Richard Banker
November 5, 2023 at 12:01 pmOn behalf of the Banker family Wendy and I send our condolences to the entire Lambo family.
Rick and Wendy Banker
Jack and Denise Stein
November 5, 2023 at 5:06 pmTootsie and Lou were two of the finest people we’ve ever known. They sponsored me into St. Andrew’s
when Denise and I got married, and I was so proud to have them as god parents.
To Maria and Mark; we are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your entire family and we know God will take care of “Mom”.
Love, Jack and Denise
Nancy Vasiloff
November 5, 2023 at 5:13 pmScott and I send all of our love to the family and her friends. Teta Tootsie was such a kind and loving person, and just a joy to be around. She will be deeply missed.
Keith Petovello
November 5, 2023 at 5:20 pmOur deepest sympathy to all of your family. We know that now our lovely moms will be partners in bridge through eternity. Love to all from the Petovello family
Diana Quintero
November 6, 2023 at 8:03 amMark and Maria, Tootsie was the epitome of a good neighbor. From the moment Andres and I moved into the neighborhood, your mom embraced us and made us feel like family. She was a wonderful person, with great stories to tell, gardening tips to offer and wisdom to share. She was a gem and I am honored to have known her. I am so sorry for your loss. Love and prayers to you,
Diana Quintero
Mary Black
November 6, 2023 at 11:12 amTootsie was such a fun, vibrant person, ready for adventures, loved her family and friends, opinionated/feisty (loved that) , role model with forty years of service to Sparrow and, oh, yes that baklava. Loved watching she and Lou dancing. A role model for many of us. Condolences and love to all of the family.
Dave and Jean Long
November 6, 2023 at 12:31 pmMaria and Mike, we are so sad to hear this. Tootsie was something special. We will miss her.
Dave and Jean Long
Teresa murray and Dave Gilbert
November 6, 2023 at 4:16 pmIam so sorry for your family’s loss. Sending prayers for your aching hearts, that you find comfort soon knowing she has her wings and will be soaring around you for the rest of your life. Hugs to you all with sincere love.
Jeri Potter
November 7, 2023 at 5:10 pmI knew your mom to be creative and kind, with SO many talents. She was so gracious to me when Mark and I were friends in catechism during highschool.
God bless her, your wonderful dad. Bless all of you that morn her.
Jeri Potter
Former St Andrews member
Barry Crassweller
November 8, 2023 at 6:17 amRIP sweet Tsveta Tootsie. You will be greatly missed by all. Give a great big hug to your Lou for us all. I will miss all our gardening talks. Till we meet again in heaven. Barry
Carl and Juleen Evanoff
November 8, 2023 at 7:35 amMaria, Mark and all the family, our condolences, Teta Tootsie leaves us with a legacy of good memories. Kind, hard working, devoted, funny, a charter member of the Macedonian “Old Guard” of ladies who raised and guided (sometimes sternly) our baby boomer generation. It’s a comfort to think of her once again with Uncle Lou and her old gang. Memory Eternal…
Carol Skala
November 8, 2023 at 11:46 amI am deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Tootsie. I will say peaceful prayers today as we honor the birthdays of both she and my mother, Christine…best life friends. Know that our family sends love and condolences in the wonderful memories she gave to all of us. She was a light in this life. Carol Westwood Skala
Sharon Wey
November 8, 2023 at 8:38 pmMy Deepest Condolences to the entire Family for the loss of a Beautiful,Sweet Woman. I meet Tootsie while We worked at Sparrow. I cleaned the floors and she was just so kind always trying to move things for me. I would stop an chat with her and she just beamed with pride about her Family and she would talk about her Grandson playing Football, she was so thrilled to go see him play. One day as we talked about her youth an where she grew up we discovered she was best friends with my Aunt! We developed a special bond an when the pandemic hit I was sad not to see her anymore, but I thought of her often. She even made me her famous an sooo delicious baklava. Thank you for that Tootsie. Rest Ever so Peacefully Tootsie you will be loved and missed forever.
Nancy Mahlow
November 8, 2023 at 10:58 pmTootsie, I just Loved talking about ENO, the park and all the history you shared.
To Maria, my you be blessed with many wonderful memories.
Jan Munk
November 10, 2023 at 7:34 pmI was so sorry to hear of Tootsie’s passing. She never grew old! Her love and laughter will forever be in my heart. May her memory be eternal!
Jan Munk
Daniel D
December 21, 2023 at 3:40 pmMark & Maria – so sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a great woman. She was so proud of you both. May your memories hold on tight during this holiday season.