Lucy Elizabeth Reed was born the oldest of four children to Louis and Adela Duarte on April 11, 1929 in New York City. She passed away peacefully on January 28, 2021 in Lorton, Virginia at the age of 91. Lucy will be remembered for her loving, generous spirit, work ethic, her vibrant, fun loving personality and her deep faith.
Lucy is preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Adela Duarte, husbands, Edward Martinez, Frank Phillips, and John Reed and brothers, George and John Duarte.
Lucy is survived by daughter Linda Martinez Lacot, (Antero Lacot); Richard Martinez, son; Daniel Duarte, brother; Gregory Lacot, Dennis Lacot and Jacqueline Lacot Maldonado (Andres Maldonado), grandchildren; and Diego Maldonado, great grandson. Lucy is also survived by her sister-in-law Frances Duarte; Francesca Duarte, Christine Cummings (Frank Cummings), Laura Hazan (Steve Hazan), nieces; George Duarte and Anthony Duarte, nephews; and several great nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Aquinas High School in the Bronx, she married Edward Martinez in 1951 and raised two children, Linda and Richard Martinez. Once the children reached school age, she resumed her career as a secretary and Spanish translator in the unionized garment and fashion industry in New York City.
After the untimely death of her husband at age 47, she married Frank Phillips and continued to work until retiring to Roanoke, VA in the early 1990s to be near her parents and youngest brother Daniel. Throughout her life she was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed big family gatherings and social occasions where she could express her individual fashion sense and vibrant personality by sharing stories, love and laughter. She was an avid reader, loved to travel to new places and explore the art, culture and foods of the local areas. When her son moved to California and her daughter married a career Army officer, she traveled everywhere to remain close to her children and grandchildren.
Lucy was a longtime member of the Roanoke Newcomers Women’s Club, enjoyed volunteering at the Circle in the Square and other civic organizations. She was also a longtime parishioner of Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church, where she married John Reed in 2002, after the death of her second husband from Alzheimer’s disease. Lucy and John shared ten very happy years, taking cruises, enjoying concerts, lectures, and traveling to varied craft shows, where John would sell his amazing hand-made wooden bowls.
Lucy moved to Lorton to be near her daughter and family after John’s death in December of 2012. Though she struggled with dementia for the last ten years, she continued to enjoy family visits, reading, participating in discussions, arts and crafts, games and activities. She would sing along, knowing all the lyrics to whatever musical entertainment was provided. She was a wonderful dancer in her time and her love of music and dance remained to the end.
Her faith sustained her through the many ups and downs of her life and even in her last days she could recite her prayers and follow the Holy Rosary. Her legacy is a faith-filled life imbued with love, laughter, sorrows and joys. She will live on in all the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved her.
Thank you, mom for the gift of faith and the example of a life well lived. May you rest in God’s eternal peace.
To view the Livestream for the Funeral Mass at Nativity on Friday February 12th at 1:00pm click the link below:
http://youtube.com/NativityParishBurke
