Lucy Pettapiece

Lucy Wilson Pettapiece was born March 19, 1926 in Sebring, FL, one of 4 children of Ruth (Turner) Wilson and John E. Wilson.

Lucy grew up in the south, Georgia and Florida moving many times to accommodate her father’s job as a Civilian Conservation Corp manager.

Lucy skipped both first grade as she could already read and her senior year of high school as she had enough credits and WWII was looming.

At the age of 16, she attended college at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, becoming a Civil Engineer. After graduation, Lucy was offered a job working for the Bureau of Reclamation in Great Falls, Montana.

She eventually attained the highest rank in her office, Project Manager. Making her the first woman state project manager in the United States. At that time the main project of her office was a Dust Abatement project at Canyon Ferry for which she designed supply Canals. Lucy also worked on Tiber Dam irrigation project, an irrigation project at Two Medicine for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, irrigation projects for the East Bench and Helena Valley Units, among many others.

In 1949, Lucy married Vance Pettapiece. To them were born three daughters. Susan (Jim) Wootton of Atlanta, Georgia, Patricia (Les Williams) of Cascade, Montana, and Ruth (Rob) Hartman also of Cascade, Montana. Lucy had two grandchildren, Susan and Jim’s children, Matthew and Stacy, and one great grandson, Ethan.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and John, two brothers, John A. and David, her husband, Vance, her son in law, Les, and her great grandson, Ethan.

Lucy was Mayor of Cascade, Montana for four years beginning in 2002. During her time as mayor, she spent much time working on the town’s infrastructure and water projects as well as the town hosting a fun project the Smithsonian Institution “Barn Again” exhibit.

She was a long time member of Soroptimist Club in Great Falls as well as Daughters of the American Revolution. She also served as Urban Supervisor for the Cascade County Conservation District.

For over 40 years Lucy was part of an aerobics exercise group in Cascade. Her family credits this and the close friendship she made with these wonderful ladies as helping towards her long life.

Lucy was an avid reader focusing mostly on murder mysteries, often reading several books a week. She was also on the Wedsworth Library Board and Friends of the Library.

Lucy had just celebrated her 98th birthday (with three parties) passing away on April 14th.

Lucy’s family would like to thank everyone who helped make her life so rich. We would like to say a special thank you to her good friend Sally, the wonderful aerobics ladies, and the many caregivers who helped keep her well cared for in her home these last years. Also a special thank you to Mary who went well past the status of caregiver.

A funeral will take place for Lucy at Cascade Methodist Church on Saturday, April 20th at 3PM followed by a short graveside service at Hillside Cemetery in Cascade and then a luncheon at the Methodist Ed Building. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a remembrance to Lucy please send it to the Wedsworth Library Box 526 Cascade.

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