LUCO, Beatrice

LUCO

BEATRICE “BETTY” MAY LUCO, born October 22, 1917, to Robert and Edith Needs, passed away on June 16th, 2018 at the age of 100. She was predeceased by her parents, husband George Luco, daughter, Betty Hronek (nee Luco) and sister, Mary Thomson. She is survived by her sister, Roberta Stark Chivers (Queenston, Ont.), son and daughter-in-law Robert and Wende Luco, their children Robert (Oahu, HI) and Benjamin (Lethbridge), granddaughter Dawn Weins (Stettler), grandson Barry Hronek (Houston, TX) and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Betty was a talented musician, was the organist at Southminster United Church in her early years, and played piano for the Southminster Sunday School in the 1950’s and 1960’s. She also accompanied many choirs, solo vocalists, and musicians for festivals and music competitions. Betty attended Normal School in Calgary, earned her teaching certificate in 1937, taught for a short period of time in Coalhurst, then married George Luco in 1939. Together they built a successful farming operation west of the Lethbridge Airport becoming pedigree seed growers and winning the World Wheat Championship at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair in 1964. Along with being a hard-working farm wife, Betty found time to teach her two children music and crafts, and lead the local young women’s sewing club, organized many Christmas and Easter School pageants at McNally School with the help of her good friend Evelyn Murray (deceased).

Betty was an avid curler. In 1973, Betty Luco’s Senior Ladies’ Curling team was the first Lethbridge ladies’ rink of any age to win an Alberta championship. The Luco rink captured the Southern Alberta title in Calgary, advancing to the Alberta Championship in Valleyview where they were undefeated. 1973 was the first year a National Sr. Ladies Curling Championship was held in Ottawa with the Luco foursome representing Alberta finishing in third place. The Luco rink included lead Helen Johnson, second Gladys Redfern, third Kay Redding and skip Betty Luco.

Betty will be missed by her family and friends. She has requested no service but a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Lethbridge Harbour House, 604 – 8 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2K1 or the charity of your choice.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com