Lucille Charlotte Haddock

Lucy was born and raised in Pearl River, New York, the same small town where Tom Haddock lived. They both attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, sang in the choir, and they became high school sweethearts. Lucy studied elementary education at Cortland Teachers College and taught 3rd grade. After Tom returned from active duty overseas, they were married in 1955.

Lucy continued teaching until they started a family in 1958 with the birth of daughter Susie. 1960 brought Tom’s work transfer to Georgia along with the arrival of second daughter Cathy. Lucy spent the rest of her life in Atlanta, partnering with Tom to give her children happy childhoods, making lifelong friends, and serving others in countless ways.

We, Lucy’s daughters, lost our father Tom in 2022 and shared his story. Now we complete that story for our mom Lucy.

Mom had many gifts. She was an artist, musician, and she loved to sing. She was a leader with a kind heart. She was intelligent but humble, and modest, as she embodied the idea of "down to earth". She used all these gifts to enrich our lives, to foster our own creativity, and throughout her very active volunteer career. When we girls were growing up, Mom was an extraordinary Girl Scout leader, always coming up with creative craft projects, taking us to ukulele lessons and on camping trips. She volunteered at our schools. Mom and Dad attended St. Matthew and St. Mark Lutheran churches, and Intown Community Church. Mom was involved with the church council, Sunday school (Mom made Sunday school fun!), choir, women’s groups, outreach ministries and more. She was a volunteer at FODAC for many years and at Crossroads Hospice, starting at age 70, for 17 years.

Mom’s culinary talents are legendary. Holiday and celebratory meals were eagerly anticipated by the family and many guests. Her gravy and stuffing were divine. Growing up, we considered her homemade cereal mix an essential food group. When attending Braves games and on road trips, Mom would pack an amazing array of beverages, sandwiches, snacks and desserts. Although Mom was a type 1 diabetic and had celiac disease, she routinely made things she couldn’t eat for the enjoyment of others. She regularly brought meals to those who needed them. Mom loved her vegetables and most of all her hot tea.

One of Mom’s superpowers was her green thumb. She was an excellent and very knowledgeable gardener who made it official when she became a Master Gardener. Her yard always looked like a mini Callaway Gardens. She helped to keep the neighborhood and church grounds beautiful as well.

When we were growing up, Mom and Dad enjoyed playing bridge with and entertaining their friends. They loved the outdoors, sports, and starting in their middle years they took up tennis, playing together and with their own teams, staying fit and building lasting friendships.

When grandchildren started arriving, Mom’s maternal instincts kicked in once again. She tirelessly entertained four grandsons on many, many occasions and lovingly supported them as they grew up. She called herself “TG” (Tough Grandma), but the boys only remember the many adventures they had with her.

As Dad’s Parkinson’s progressed, Mom became his primary caregiver for several years until he died in 2022. She was Dad’s partner, coach and cheerleader throughout his illness. Mom didn’t have much left in her after Dad passed, and her health declined fairly steadily.

Lucy was the most wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She dedicated her life to all of us, or at least it seems that way. She always had a great sense of humor, was compassionate towards those in need, choosing to spend her “retirement” years as God’s servant. She always seemed to be most happy at home, or in the company of friends and family. We like to think that she’s now in the company of angels.

Lucille Charlotte Haddock is survived by children Susan Brown (Brad) of Lawrenceville, Catherine Shirah (Tim) of Tucker; grandchildren Duncan Shirah (Tyna), Kyle Brown, Logan Shirah, Evan Brown; great-granddaughter Nora Shirah, all of the Atlanta area.

Mom expressed to us that she did not want a public memorial service. She felt that the one we held for Dad was for her as well. Instead, the family will gather privately at Honey Creek Woodlands Natural Burial Ground in Conyers, where Lucy and Tom’s remains will be commingled and interred.