Elizabeth Luetzel Lacy

Elizabeth Lacy, aged 98, died on June 8 at her home in Croasdaile Village, Durham, NC. She was the daughter of the late William and Anna (Raven) Luetzel and raised in Forty-Fort, PA. Betty, as she was known to many, graduated cum laude from high school at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA. In 1947, she married the love of her life, F. Prentice Lacy.

Betty was proud of her role as mother, providing her three children with excellent educations and broad exposure to arts, literature, nature, and different cultures. She encouraged their individual pursuits while instilling high standards and the importance of work, caring for others, and contributing to society.

Betty began her college career before marriage, continued coursework while raising her children, and completed a BA in English at College Misericordia in Dallas, PA. She received an honorable mention from the Atlantic Monthly’s nationwide student creative writing contest.

Professionally, Mrs. Lacy was a business owner, a free-lance public relations specialist, and an office manager for Mr. Lacy’s consulting engineering firm. After moving to Durham, NC, in 1979, she was a real estate broker and later worked at Duke University library. Her civic engagement included volunteering with her church, the Junior League in Wilkes-Barre, PA, public libraries, Duke Museum of Art, and Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement.

Betty studied the visual arts, taking courses towards a commercial art degree in PA and continuing to paint in NC where she enjoyed the company of fellow artists. Her love of nature’s beauty was expressed in exquisite drawings and paintings. She delighted in the flowers and birds that graced her garden. She enjoyed outings and parties with family (human and canine) and her life-long friends, quiet canoe rides, sunrise beach walks, mystery novels, classic movies and public television, bridge, and Scrabble.

Surviving are her sister Nancy Boyea, daughter Gail Lacy (Donald Hughes), grandchildren Sean Lacy and Brooke Stephens (Justin), four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her husband F. Prentice Lacy of 53 years, son David F. Lacy, daughter Anne Lacy Trevor, and brother William G. Luetzel.

The family would like to thank friends, neighbors, staff and caregivers for their support and care in her later years. A service will be held at the Few Interfaith Chapel at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community in Durham on Saturday July 26 at 2 pm. 

Contributions in her memory may be made to Friends of the Durham County Library, Animal Protection Society of Durham,  Transitions LifeCare, United Methodist Retirement Homes Foundation, or another charity of your choice. Arrangements were made by Endswell Funeral Home.