Virginia R. LeDuc Lucas

LUCAS, Virginia R. LeDuc
of Kalamazoo, MI
Formerly of Detroit, MI
and Stuart, FL Virginia Ruth LeDuc Lucas, age 95, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor on Wednesday, December 4, 2013. She was born on June 2, 1918 to Harry and Genevieve McNally LeDuc in Detroit, Michigan. Upon her mother's early passing in 1924, she was raised by her grandmother, father and step-mother Alyce. In 1941 Virginia married the love of her life, Carleton B. Lucas, who preceded her in death in 1986. Virginia attended St. Mary's business school in Detroit and worked as a secretary at Ford Motor Company. Later she served as the University of Michigan's Program Director at the Henry Ford Estate in Dearborn, Michigan. In retirement, Virginia and Carl moved to Stuart, Florida where they owned a children's clothing store. Following Carl's death, Virginia moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan to be near her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of the Kalamazoo Area Newcomers Club and of St. Catherine of Siena. When she moved to Kalamazoo she volunteered for the Sisters of St. Joseph at Nazareth. Virginia loved her work at the Portage Community Center where she volunteered for 20 years. She had numerous long-term friendships, loved to entertain and was a great cook. She enjoyed golf, dogs, travel, fashion, reading, painting and gardening but closest to her heart was spending time with her family. Virginia is survived by: a son and his wife, Robert Lucas and Kay Agney of Grosse Pointe, Michigan; a daughter and her husband, Diane Lucas Schrock and Steve Burness of Kalamazoo, Michigan; five grandchildren, Derick and Amy Schrock Prins, Adam and Melissa Lee Schrock, Stephen and Chrissy Kaibni Lucas, Meghan Lucas and Libby Hinsley, and Peter Lucas; two great grandchildren, Elizabeth and Nathan Schrock; two sisters, Carol LeDuc Chisholm and Donna LeDuc Lamond; a brother, Harold and Helena Ballou LeDuc, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 West Centre Avenue in Portage, Michigan on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11 am followed by a luncheon at the church. Friends may visit with the family from 10 am until time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to one of the charities meaningful to Virginia: the Portage Community Center, the Sisters of St. Joseph/Nazareth, or an animal rescue organization. Funeral arrangements have been made through Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave.