Former long-time Lompoc resident, Lula (Lu) Luce died Wednesday, February 24, 2010 of Alzheimer's Disease. She had been a resident of the Cabrillo Care Skilled Nursing Facility in San Luis Obispo for the past five years.

Born in Buckingham County, VA, on September 27, 1920 she joined the Army in 1941 and was stationed in Florida.

After her military discharge, Lu took a job with the Air Force Security Service in San Antonio, Texas. It was there that she met and married Richard Luce, a radio engineer, in 1950. Their twin daughters, Karen and Sandra were born there.

The family was then transferred to Shiroi Air Force Base, near Tokyo, Japan in 1955 where they were stationed until 1958. Lu was very influenced by the Japanese culture. During this time she became a professor of Ikebana.

The family was transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base following their tour of Japan. Their daughter Michelle was born there.

Lu became active in the Alpha club, winning Best of Show many years in a row at the Lompoc Flower Festival and sharing her knowledge as a 4-H leader.

Her love of antiques and the history behind them led her to obtain a dealer's license. She became active in local antique clubs and helped manage some local antique shows and fairs. She was an avid reader on the subjects of lighting devices and furniture.

In the early 1990s, Lu was a member of the Santa Barbara County Commission on the Status of Women.

Predeceased by her husband, Richard, Lu is survived by daughters Karen (of Grover Beach) and Sandra (of Sebastopol) Luce and Michelle Stevens (Chicago) and four grandchildren.

Her daughters will be hosting a memorial tea on Monday from 2-4 at 394 St. Andrews Way. Anyone is welcome to stop by to remember Lu. For more information call 454-5188.

Lu will be inurned with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on May 20th, 2010 which would have been her and Richard's 60th wedding anniversary.