Lucille M. Loomis

Lucille Martha (North) Loomis, 89, of Westborough, MA passed away on Friday, April 17, 2020, at Notre Dame Health Care in Worcester, MA.  She was the wife of the late Robert “Bob” M. Loomis to whom she was married for 65 years. Lucille is survived by her children Donald Loomis and fiancée Diane Michlig of San Jose, CA; William Loomis and wife Cait of Mount Holly, NC; Jeannie Smith and husband Ronald of Westborough, MA; James Loomis and wife Hsing-Mei of Las Vegas, NV; Garry Loomis of Lansing, MI and David Loomis of Okemos, MI, as well as 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and many caring nieces, nephews and friends.  She is also survived by her twin brother, Donald North and wife Marianna of Roseville, CA, and predeceased by her brother, Robert North of Redondo Beach, CA.  Lucille was well loved, and will be greatly missed by all.

Born in Jackson, MI, Lucille was the daughter of the late John Rainsford North and Martha Olga (Sauer) North. She enjoyed rollerskating, biking, swimming and many other outdoor activities with her brothers during childhood and continued these activities with family throughout her life.

Lucille met her future husband Bob at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  They were married in Prineville, OR, where Bob initially worked for the U.S. Forest Service in timber management.  They moved a number of times due to Bob’s  reassignments to other ranger districts of national forests and his eventual transition into forest-fire research at universities.

Lucille had a lifelong interest and career in education.  She received her BS in Education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI.  Additionally, she earned her MA in Education and Education Specialist degree in Gifted and Talented Education at University of Missouri-Columbia.  She taught kindergarten through middle school, as well as all levels of special education at schools in Salem, MO, Columbia, MO, East Lansing, MI, Morehead City, NC and Beaufort, NC.   Also, she served as president of the teachers’ organization in Columbia, MO, and was principal at a University of MO residential hospital school for children with mental health issues.

Lucille enjoyed incorporating creativity, science and the latest and greatest technology in her classroom.  She worked with students to put on various Shakespeare plays and took students outside to participate in model rocketry experiments.  She received teaching-in-excellence awards for her Young Authors program and her chess club, and a “Teacher of the Year” award in NC.   She conducted language arts workshops at national teachers’ conventions with children’s book author Bill Martin, Jr.  While on a sabbatical leave, she established computer use in the elementary classrooms of East Lansing. 

Lucille and Bob loved the outdoors and visited many parks around the country.  Lucille was an avid photographer and videographer, recording her students, family, and travels.  Her varied interest in music included playing the flute and piccolo in high school and college, and seeing Elvis in concert.

Lucille and Bob moved to Pine Knoll Shores, NC in 1989, where the living was relaxing near the maritime forest and Atlantic Ocean.  Lucille enjoyed cooking and organizing meals and programs in her community and church. Following retirement, she joined the Carteret County Literacy Council to tutor adults in basic reading skills, and volunteered at Head Start - animating story time with puppetry.  She and Bob delivered Meals on Wheels, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity - she made sandwiches for the crew, while Bob painted.  

In 2012, Lucille and Bob moved to The Willows in Westborough, MA, where they were warmly welcomed.  They enjoyed participating in many activities, including the Willows Walking Club.  Lucille liked being with people and was the photographer for their “Wind in the Willows“ publication.  She loved baking and delivering pastries to residents and staff. 

Lucille’s family would like to thank the Notre Dame Long Term Care facility in Worcester MA, where she thrived by participating in the music, art and game activities.

Lucille’s services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Pickering & Son Funeral Home of Westborough is assisting with arrangements (www.westboroughfuneralhome.com).  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Memorial Fund of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 183 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581, the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, Harmony Village Activity Fund for Entertainment, 559 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605 or a charity of your choice.