Obituary of Lucy Ann Parsons

Lucy Ann Parsons, age 83, of Old Hampton Road, Boone, passed away Friday morning, October 4, 2019 at Watauga Medical Center. Lucy was born to Dorothy Haight Parsons and Roy Parsons on May 12, 1936 in Staten Island, NY. She wished her whole life fort sisters and brothers, so instead devoted her generous spirit to being wonderful lifelong friends and mentor to so many. She remained close with her extended family members and delighted in calling them, sending cards, and visiting when possible. Lucy graduated Port Richmond High School when she was only 16, and completed her course at Lutheran Bible Institute before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work at Wagner College. Lucy said she paid more attention to socializing than studying, but that was her modesty speaking, because she was an extremely bright and accomplished person, one of the finest you could ever know. On graduating, Lucy worked in a variety of capacities for the Lutheran Church, including canvassing neighborhoods to help begin a new church in Commack, NY, serving as a Church Secretary, and teaching Vacation Bible School. Lucy's father died too young, and she relocated with her mother to Florida, living in Boca Raton, Miami, Margate, Sunrise and Coconut Creek before completing her "half back" track by retiring to the beautiful mountains of Boone, NC. Though she had said as a young woman that she would not follow her mother's footsteps to be a Librarian, in midlife Lucy's destiny indeed drew her to those treasured centers of lifelong learning. She was an integral member of Florida Atlantic University Library's Administrative Team and also enjoyed two adventurous years at Arizona State University Library. At Broward County Library in the Fort Lauderdale area, Lucy was indispensable for the 25 years of her tenure. She was the Film Librarian, a Cataloging Librarian, Regional Circulation Services Manager, and the Library System's one and only Deaf Services Librarian. Lucy's father was deaf and hard of hearing people. She partnered with other library leaders and members of the Deaf Community to earn several extensive collection of videos and print materials in American Sign Language and on deafness. She was instrumental in drafting the American Library Association's first Guidelines for Library Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. If you knew Lucy, you will never forget her generosity as a babysitter, friend and mentor. You will not forget her sharpness in every game you enjoyed with her, from Canasta, Gin and 500 Rummy to Scrabble, Kindle Mah Jong, Sudoku and Dominoes. If you are fortunate to have some of Lucy's quilting or other needlework, you know she was a talented artist who can't be blamed for not teaching her best friend to knit, though dear lord, she tried so many times. Lucy was the consummate cocker spaniel mama to four merry fur babies, three eagerly greeted her at the Rainbow Bridge with our beloved "Sport Model" in the lead. She loved sweets, the color blue, and anything lemon. Lucy leaves many loved ones behind, but since she was the youngest one in her group for much of her life, she has some great tour guides to show her around in heaven. Though she never married nor had children, she was loved til the very end and beyond by her newest cocker puppy, her friend of 40+ years Peggy Matheson; dearest friends Joan Belfiore, Ronnie Kowal and Nancy Richardson; all the Domino Girls; newest friends, Miss Lora, Lennis and family, Chaplain Melanie Childress; Pastor Laura Weant and Vicar Christopher Shealy; and her best friend with whom she lived as a sister for 35 years, Debbie Passalacqua. Lucy loved Debbie's family like her own, and they, her. She is survived by her beloved godchild Kara Lynn and cousins Ellie, Nancy and Doug, as well as their families. Many thanks to Deerfield Ridge Memory Care for their help during her brief stay, to Doctor Suzanne McAdams and the staff of Watauga Medical Center for their compassionate care , and the angles of Medi Home Hospice, too numerous to list here. Memorial services for Lucy Ann Parsons will be conducted Thursday morning, October 10th, at 10 o'clock at Grace Lutheran Church. A Mass in Lucy's memory will be at a later date at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Donations may be directed to dementia research, to hospice care, or the dog rescue of choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Parsons family.