M. Lucienne Walker

Marie "Lucy" Walker, 93, formerly of Walnut Creek, CA died January 6, 2004 at Hanover Hill Nursing Home, Manchester after a brief illness.

Born in Manchester on October 9, 1910, she was the daughter of Theodore and Lumina (Turmel) Corriveau. She lived in Walnut Creek for 38 years before moving to Hillcrest Terrace in Manchester in 2002.

She attended local schools and Hesser College, then earned a bachelor's degree from Keene State College in 1955.

During World War II she served in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE recruiter.

Mrs. Walker worked at Continental Baking Company in New York, NY for many years. She was also a published writer and poet.

Mrs. Walker was an honorary member of Sweeney Post and a member of the National Poet's Society and the Historical Society in Oregon.

She was predeceased by her husband, George Walker in 1994, and by a brother, Alphonse Corriveau in 1996.

The family includes a sister, Rita Taylor of Rochester, NY and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A committal service was Saturday January 10, 2004 in Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Manchester.

MORE ON THE LIFE OF LUCY WALKER

Well, Lucy didn't make it to 100, the goal, the wish, she had expressed for years. When people used to ask, "how are you, Lucy?" she'd quickly answer, "I'm still breathing!" Well, the cardiac collapse after 11 days on oxygen for double pneumonia did her in. Coherent to the end, we've never seen her so lackluster and weak. It was frightening to see such an energetic, vibrant woman fail so quickly, but her life up to that point was far from what the debilitating effects had during her brief illness.

She was something, I'll tell you! A pioneer of sorts as a thrice-divorced Catholic woman ((taboo in those days), she was a gold medalist on the piano (she practiced constantly and brought such beautiful music and joy to her mother, family and friends) , was an A-1 typist (numerous awards), and was an office worker for businesses in Manchester. During World War II she became the top WAVE recruiter in the United States, travelling from coast to coast. During this period in the Navy (she felt she looked better in the navy blue uniform than she would have in the army olive color!), she met the governor of California and even had her picture taken on a horse with a movie star to help the cause. After earning a degree from Keene State College, she had a brief stint as a teacher ("it wasn't for me... after all of those hours teaching, spending every night correcting papers!") then left New Hampshire for a career in New York City. She worked long and hard hours for Continental Baking Company and was proud of the fact that she increased the sales of Wonder Bread by one million loaves in one year! Her managers and co-workers cried when she left, but George had popped the question, so, at age 50, she left her home and mother and job to marry George Walker in Walnut Creek, California where she lived for 38 years. She got her real estate license in California, helped her husband write and promote a book about his homesteading days (A Slice of Country Life) and travelled extensively. She said that she had never worked harder in her life in those days as they managed their large terraced garden and harvested all of their produce (George also demanded 3 meals a day...a woman's work is never done! :~) After a series of droughts, they let the garden go, but Lucy kept on drying her persimmons, picking plums for jam and enjoying fruit from her special lemon tree until she moved back to NH in the summer of 2002.

Lucy loved her home on Hillcroft Way and so enjoyed the 360 degree view from her dining room addition. When she and George first moved there, there was only a small road weaving through the valley below. She was constantly amazed (and always commented on) how quickly the area had grown. Barring the traffic and increased population, it was her paradise with Mt. Diablo looming, the twinkly lights she enjoyed through her living room window in the evening and the delightful weather throughout most of the year. Lucy would often reminisce about California and did miss it after she sold her home. There were large pictures of her home on her wall at Hillcrest which she enjoyed sharing with visitors, and when she went back to visit her home the summer after she left, she had this California feeling come over her where she felt like she still belonged there. When Vicki, Lucy's good friend and neighbor, heard of Lucy's passing, she stood on 101 Hillcroft Way and felt Lucy's spirit, and tearfully felt "she's home!"

Lucy remarked to everyone that her husband used to say, "This growing old is no damn good!", but underneath the complaint, Lucy was proud of herself. She was remarkably agile, walked faster and longer than people half her age spent time reading and writing, kept an incredibly positive outlook, rarely spoke unkindly of anyone, talked to everyone and never, ever quit. When travelling, she would go from morning until night without faltering or stopping to catch her breath. On her 93rd birthday in October , Lucy climbed a mountain, then climbed it again two weeks later to show her good friend, Kathy, the beautiful view overlooking Squam Lake. Lucy loved hanging around with younger, more energetic and active people and often scoffed at the other "fuddy-duddies" at Hillcrest who would marvel at her stamina and discipline during her walks. Lucy would wave to the residents watching from their windows and would motor on. Everyone knew and admired Lucy....she had spunk and voiced her opinions and added a spark to the retirement community.

Lucy loved nature. She wrote articles on that subject (some that were published in the local newspaper) and commented on the weather every day. She spent hours in her chair on her porch watching the seasons change, listening to birds, reading and just plain old enjoying the day. It was such a joy to see her appreciation of beautiful days at the ocean, mountains, parks, anywhere. To her, the gift of life was so precious. She would always tell people to "enjoy their lives...it's damn short!"

After the initial adjustment to independent living in New Hampshire, her life became fuller and richer with various activities and daily interactions with family, friends and neighbors. With no more grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, pulling weeds :~), overwhelming paperwork, etc. she felt free to just "be." It was a pleasure to see her with such peace of mind. No, the view and the weather wasn't like California, but the attention she received (she always said what goes around, comes around...she gave and gave all of her life) made this the happiest time of her life because she felt so safe, so warm, so loved and so cared for. When her driver's license was revoked, she decided that it was time to go back home not only because she was close to her family grave, but because she would no longer be alone.

Lucy died quickly and peacefully..how she had wanted to go. There was a full moon, it was freezing cold and the stars were bright against a black sky. We buried her with her pocketbook, her high heels, her keys, a chocolate bar, her lipstick, a note and a picture of Lucy and her sister, Rita, on their last visit together. She deserved 100 plus years and everyone thought that it was a given with her superlative health and attitude. I would have loved to have heard her play the piano and could have listened forever to her delightful stories. She was close to sitting down and writing her remarkable story. We're left instead with precious memories from an extraordinary woman who certainly touched us all. I was so privileged to have been a part of her life, especially in her later years. You're home with Ma-ma' now, Auntie Lucy. May you rest in the peace you so deserve....