Obituary of Mary Patricia Lucas

Lucas, Mary Patricia Elmira, NY: Mary Patricia Lucas died on December 14, 2012 at Seneca View Schuyler Hospital after a six year battle with Alzheimer's. Pat was born in Auburn, NY in 1925, the daughter of Stella (Bennett) and John Albright. She moved ten times before spending her last two years of high school in Elmira, where she made lifelong friends. After obtaining her nursing degree from the Arnot Ogden in 1946, she worked as a nurse in Schenectady, NY where she met and married Alfred W. Lucas, MD. Pat and Al chose to settle in Elmira and raised their five children here. Pat was the ultimate giving person. In addition to her duties as a busy, devoted mother and doctor's wife, she served several area non-profit organizations. From 1956 to 1964, Pat volunteered at the Neighborhood House, setting up the Chemung County Well Baby Clinic, and served as a member and secretary of their Board of Directors. From 1970 to 1982, Pat was on the Board of the Friends of Steele Memorial Library Board and served as president from 1978 to 1980. She was also on the St Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary Board from 1972 to 1982 and served terms as their president, vice president and secretary. In the mid 1980s and 1990s, Pat was on the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Council, the Board of Pupil Assistance in Learning, and the Board of Visitors of the Elmira Psychiatric Center. Pat enrolled in Elmira College when her children were in high school and completed her Bachelor's degree in 1972. After the flood of 1972, Pat assumed the job of office nurse and manager of her husband's surgical practice until Al's illness forced him to retire. He died in 1983. Pat worked from 1983 to 1993 for the Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Developmental Services, visiting area high risk newborns. She retired to devote herself to grandmothering, playing bridge and traveling with family and friends. Pat was an accomplished athlete, enjoying golf, tennis, and skiing. No one in her family has matched her two holes-in-one. She and Al passed on a love of sports, healthy living, and solid values to their children and grandchildren. She was a devout Catholic. Pat will be remembered as a beautiful and an exceptionally kind, patient, generous, humble and caring person. She loved her family, her friends, and her community and showed it in innumerable ways. She leaves her children Alfred W. Lucas, Jr (Cheryl Holchuk), Jennifer Lucas (John Schweizer), Karen Lucas (Stephen Clarke), Christopher Lucas (Sarah Wells), and brother, John E. Albright and his family. Thirteen grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren also survive her. Son Andrew Lucas and infant daughter Mary Patricia Lucas predeceased her. A private burial will be held in Elmira. There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held in April. Contributions in Pat's memory may be made to the Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital Foundation, 600 Roe Ave., Elmira, NY 14905 or to St. Joseph's Hospital, 555 E. Market St, Elmira, NY 14901, or to Schuyler Hospital, 222 Steuben St, Montour Falls, NY 14865. Condolences may be sent to 6 South Street, Burlington, VT 05401. We wish to thank the staff at Seneca View for the sincere and attentive care our mother received during her stay there