Maureen Lucas

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Maureen Lucas, 90, of Ann Arbor, died Sunday, March 16, 2008, in Ann Arbor. She was born in Coleman Township, Wis., the daughter of the late William and Clivina Monigal on April 9, 1917. She attended Messenger Creek School (a one-room school house) near Klondike, Wis. In 1923, she moved with her parents to Iron Mountain. She grew up in the midst of the Von Platen Fox Co. lumber operations, where her father worked. She graduated from Kingsford High School with the class of 1936. She was employed by the Abe Sachim Co. in Iron Mountain as head cashier until 1942. Through Michigan Civil Service, she was sent to Flint to work in the Secretary of State office where she eventually became branch Manager. She attended evening art classes at the Flint Institute of Art for more than seven years. On Sept. 9, 1950, she married Robert D. Lucas of Ann Arbor. Her husband, Robert, preceded her in death in March of 2002 In 1968, she received her bachelor's degree and in 1974 her master's degree, both in art education from Eastern Michigan University. Her career as a teacher began at Pinckney High School in September of 1968. She was always proud of the quality of her students' work and loved the pleasant atmosphere of this rural community. Robert Sabuda, Mark Welser, Bill Dunaj, and Randy Waltz were among her students who gave her much joy. There were many fine art students she nurtured but lost track of over time, whom she wished successful careers in art. Maureen was a member of the Ann Arbor Women Artists, the Chelsea Painters and the Michigan Watercolor Society, and held board membership in the Ann Arbor Women's Painters and the Michigan Watercolor Society for some years. She is survived by daughters, Mary Martha Lucas of Rutherford, N. J. and Gwen Lucas of Ann Arbor, and by four grandchildren-Samantha Lucas, Garnet Lucas, Sean Lucas and Gage Lucas, all of Ann Arbor. She is also survived by her sisters, Magdelen Gustafson of Iron Mountain and Rosemary Lewis of Palm City, Fla.; her brother, Robert Monigal of West Allis, Wis. and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters, Samantha Monigal, Gwen Daly, Lela Oberthaler and Thelma Conery. Her gifts for developing talent and for cultivating friends even in her later years and her gentle surety will be remembered and quietly missed. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. A rosary service will be held on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Deacon Don Christy will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Condolences to the family of Maureen Lucas can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with arrangements.

Maureen Lucas

March 16, 1918 - March 16, 2008