Lucie,

Rose and I miss you. We had so many good times over a 30 year time frame. I will never forget "The Point to Point Race and Carriage Show" in Wilmington Delaware in May 1985 where your beloved husband (my best friend Steve) and I went overboard with the vodka punch. I thought that you and Rose were going to kill us! Rest in peace knowing we all love and miss you both!!

I am writing to you late at night ...the wee hours. A time when you would surely have been sleeping but when Dad and I might have been caught having a good heart to heart.
Your home was always comfortable and welcoming. Thought out for meeting peoples needs and ease. You took good care of us all.

When I last spent time with you it was after Dad's death and prior to your own. You said,"sorry Aim." As if you could have stopped his departure, you would have... still caring for us.

I always thought you would be around for years after Dad left. He had been preparing me for his departure for years... intellectually anyway.
I was not ready for your death. Lucie, I am still caught by the surprise, by my own denial, by the poignant feelings that arrise in me. I expected you to be Grandma Lucie whom we would visit or send photos. I took you for granted.

I treasure the memories of your visits to CA. That you were able to come solo sometimes during visits to your dad. I loved meeting him. I loved knowing you, just you and me. You were fun, loving, straight forward, calm and so real. You took beautiful care of me. Dad thrived with you. You loved us all so much. I miss you dearly.

I make a beautiful space for you. I tell stories of you to my children. You gifted me so much love. I honor you with space for your story and I slowly reconcile my heart with your departure.

I love you Lucie.

Lucie, it is with great sadness that my wife Roseanne and I remember this as the day you left this earth 1 year ago today. We were so lucky to have you and Steve as life long true friends! Just know that we are taking good care of Taka for you and Steve. We miss both of you and think of you often.

Today, June 4, 2014, is Lucie's birthday. She would have been 71. I will always remember her special day because it is also my husband's birthday (he's bit older!). Lucie joined the Winterthur marketing team in 1982 and I took her to lunch on her first day. And we became instant friends. I learned much from her quiet, calm demeanor, mixed with a great sense of humor. She was so capable and did much to add flair to the business we were both involved with. Winterthur's loss was The Villages gain. She loved it there. I was talked with her the day she and her neighbors set out in a parade of golf cards to set a Guinness world record. They did, of course! It was fun to see Lucie and Steve in their Villages magazine cover in their kayaks. Lucie came north sometime prior to her cancer returning. She was on her way to NY state, as I recall, to a special weekend. It was so good to see her. And we did email back and forth. One of the nicest things Lucie did was to present each of us who were fairly close friends at Winterthur with a wooden Joyce Chen mixing spoon, which Lucie had decorated in colored designs and lines, each one different, like each of us. And she said, when you use this spoon, think of me. That spoon is part of the kitchen implements that sit in a container on my counter. And I see and/or use that spoon everyday. And she's right, I do think of her. Often, and with love.

Happy Birthday Lucie!
I send a flower today & remember the many beautiful gardens you cultivated over the years. I remember Miss Brandy sunning at the East Court home & Ginger scheming to jump the fence. I also remember the marvelous days you brought Cec & I to Winterthur with you & we roamed an played. Your spaces were always beautiful. Thank you for welcoming me into your spaces. I miss you Lucie. I love you. XO Aim

"There is nothing to do.
                         Just be.
                       Do nothing.
                           Be.
          No climbing mountains and sitting in caves.
           I do not even say “be yourself” since you
                do not know yourself. Just be.”

This quote from Nisargadatta Maharaj reminds me of Lucie when I read it. She had an inner peace and a quiet strength about her. Like a flower enjoying the sun and rain, she seemed to soak up everything that life had to offer. She was always ready for the next adventure but, she also loved coming back home to her solitude.                                                             
            
             Lucie, thanks for sharing your peace!
                 Love, your “little sis” Jan

Lucie and I worked together at Winterthur and soon became close friends. Lucie and Steve meant so much to Dan and myself and we will cherish all the fun memories the 4 of us shared together. They were such a warm and loving couple. Our last trip together in 2011 when they visited us in Singapore was a treasure we'll never forget. 

Over the years we have sailed together, dined together and laughed together. They touched our lives in a very positive and special way. We love you both and will always remember your beautiful smiles and caring ways. Thank you for your unconditional friendship.

Lucie was my paternal aunt, the older sister of my father (Richard Wong). I did not know her well, but that was my fault more than hers. She and Steve sent holiday cards every year, each time inviting us to visit them in Florida.

Back in 1998 or 1999, I drove out to the east coast. Lucie and Steve invited me to their home in Delaware. They (and their cats) couldn't have been more welcoming to me. In fact, they took me out on their boat for a day.

The last time I saw Lucie and Steve was in Lake Tahoe, when we were remembering the life of Frank (Hsin-Fen) Wang, Lucie's father and my grandfather, who died at the age of 99. Again Lucie invited me to visit. I regret that I did not accept this invitation. Lucie and Steve seemed to be kind and generous people, and I am sorry I didn't know them better.

Lucie's husband Steve was my first cousin, who I knew all my life, as I was born one year earlier then Steve. My wife and I only met Lucie a few times over the earlier years of their marriage as we lived great distances apart. When Steve and Lucie moved to The Villages in Florida, we were able to reconnect after so many years of casual contact. We had moved to Florida in nearby Tampa many years prior. Once they moved to The Villages, we were able to get together with them 3-4 times a year. We played golf together and had many memorable meals and good times reminiscing. We just couldn't believe it when both Steve and Lucie were diagnosed last year with the same type of cancer. At first, it appeared Lucie's had been discovered much earlier and that the treatments and surgeries might cure her. Unfortunately, it was not to be. During it all, however, my wife and I marveled at her upbeat spirit and attitude. It was truly a tribute to see how she cared for Steve, all the while having to deal with her own severe health issues. Lucie was a wonderful person and we shall miss seeing her and Steve.

Lucie, your kindness, and friendship shall forever be missed by Rose and I. Thank you for allowing me into your life with Steve. And most of all thank you for allowing me to support you and get to know you better after Steve's passing. I enjoyed our conversations. Thank you for sending Steve's cat-Taka to us. She is loved by all of us and doing well.

Lucie was beautiful, inside and out. She and I worked together at Winterthur, and I have wonderful memories of her laughter, kindness, and creativity. She and my "boss" Carol Harding were best friends. My heart goes out to Lucie's son and the whole family. She will be remembered by so many of us, with love and affection.

Lucie filled her home and notebooks with metta (loving-kindness) prayers like this one:

May all beings be happy, content & fulfilled.
May all beings be healed and whole.
May all have whatever they want & need.
May all be protected from harm & free from fear.
May all beings enjoy inner peace & ease.
May all be awakened, liberated & free.
May there be peace in this world & throughout the entire universe.
Lama Surya Das

I love you Lucie. Thank you for so many gifts of love.