Lucy Harty

Lucille Annette Ferland Harty Died Sep 2, 2024 TRAVERSE CITY - Lucy Harty, age 89, of Traverse City, died peacefully Monday September 2, 2024. Lucy was born to Eudore and Annette (Piette) Ferland in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on January 16, 1935. She was the third of four daughters, growing up in a French speaking household. She was bi-lingual from an early age and remained fluent in French and English her entire life. She was a proud Canadian citizen and O’Canada was a favorite song. Lucy graduated from Assumption College in 1955 with a degree in Laboratory Technology. She was qualified as a Medical Technologist in 1956; and worked in this field until her retirement in 1998. After that she worked as a bank teller, at an elder care facility, and lastly as a grocery food demonstration person. She also found time to teach at Northern Michigan College and start L & H Woodcraft with her friend Bill. She met Kenneth Harty on St Patrick’s day in 1962. They were at Brady’s bar during the pub crawl, where Ken was standing on a table, leading the singing. Lucy and Ken were married on Feb 2, 1963, at Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City. They raised five children: Michael (Paula) Harty, Matthew (Kara) Harty; Maureen (Mike Foster) Harty, Margaret (David) Kjeldgaard and Monica (Ken) Sandridge. Lucy was a proud grandmother of six: Eric Harty, Alyssa Harty, Patrick Finn Harty, Maris Harty, Dana (Luke) Trombley, and Aaron Kjeldgaard. Lucy’s great-grandchild Lucille Kay Trombley was born July 31, 2024. Lucy is survived by her sisters Claire Grondin and Claudette (Don) Scamehorn; her sister-in-law Phyllis Mowen, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Lucy had a strong Catholic faith; and expressed her love for God in her many volunteer activities. She was a Girl Scout leader, volunteered for the Northstars hockey team, processed church collections, was a Eucharistic Minister, and participated in many fundraisers such as making cinnamon rolls and Christmas wreaths, and working at bingo games. She housed Beach Bum (Pit Spitters) baseball players and formed long relationships with many of them. She was part of the first initiative to save the historic barns at the TC State Hospital back in the early 1990’s. Lucy spent over 16 years volunteering for Munson Hospice and Palliative Care. She served as hospice patient support, worked spaghetti dinners and was the newsletter editor. Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization recognized Lucy as the Michigan State volunteer of the year in 2003, which was a huge honor. She truly loved to help people which is obvious by her devotion to others and their well-being. Her personal mantra was “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Lucy was independent, athletic, adventurous, and a great friend with a sharp sense of humor. She loved to roller skate, and her first job was as a carhop was at age 14. She was a cheer leader and played basketball, volleyball and baseball. As a mother, she made sure her children could skate by the time they were 2. Her love of downhill skiing initiated her move from Windsor to Traverse City - by herself - at the age of 23. She entered the VASA and White Pine Stampede Nordic skiing events many times. She rode bicycles and enjoyed inline skating. She bowled for many years, even going to the Michigan State Championships sponsored by Little Bo’s bar and grill. She loved going to hockey games and attended all of Mike and Matt’s games, starting with the outdoor ones at 14th and Pine, where the parents had to shovel the ice between periods. She was a fan of the Red Wings and Tigers. She made sure every player could hear her encouragements or critiques. She made life long friends during her years working at Beaumont Lab near Munson. These friends joined her in many adventures. She made her mark as Ella Sue, an “Elderberry Lady” who, along with Bertha (Loretta Ludka) would crash all kinds of parties. They always brought along carefully curated gifts for the guest of honor such as balloons, half eaten or stale candy, dead flowers and liquor. This city girl wanted to have a bunch of animals and she achieved that dream! She started with her dog Mickey. Early in their marriage when Lucy was bowling, Mickey had puppies. Ken called the bowling alley to report each birth. Their farm house came with a big white tom cat appropriately named Cat who delivered white kittens to all the local farms. There were many more dogs and cats - the Widge series of Samoyeds, Mugsy the herding mutt who pinned down all the loose chickens when they got out, small brained golden retrievers, house cats, barn cats, mice, hamsters, etc. Chickens, turkeys and ducks were with the tractor in the little corn crib. Horses, cows and pigs were in the pole barn. A garden was put in every year to provide snacks for any animals that got out of their pens. She and her friend Vada rescued a pinto named Snowflake who arrived at our home with ribs and hip bones sticking out. A few months later, Snowflake gave birth to Flicka, the only horse born at the farm. Flicka had a pretty brown coat with a white star, and didn’t grow very big. Gladys the milk cow was a long time favorite, a legend, really. Long Lake county lore includes the cow who got stuck in Coffield Lake and finally got extracted by some big farm boy neighbors. Many of Mom’s co-workers and friends received home made butter and eggs thru the years. Her collection of pets was rounded out with Lucy the goat after she was widowed. Visitation will be at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday September 6 from 5 pm to 7 pm, with the Rosary being said at 6:30 pm. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11 am, with visitation starting at 10 am. Burial will be at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens on Veterans Drive on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10 am. Memorial contributions in honor of Lucy can be directed to Munson Hospice and Palliative Care or Alzeheimer’s Association.

Lucy Harty

January 16, 1935 - September 2, 2024