Laura Lopez Lucas

It is with deep love and gratitude for her long and beautiful life, that we announce the passing of Laura Lopez Lucas (known by her loved ones as Pat), on March 26, 2026, at the age of 97. She was adored by her family, and will be missed every day.

Pat was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 27, 1928 to William and Rosa Lopez. She was a proud daughter of New Orleans, and passed her love for its culture, spirit and food on to her posterity all throughout her life.

Pat grew up shooting marbles, roller skating, and playing in the streets of New Orleans with her brothers. The neighbor kids called her “The Babe,” because she could crush in stickball. She was active and athletic her whole life.

As a young adult, she met Richmond Joseph Lucas. He was instantly smitten with her, and told everyone at the dance club that she was “his girl, so hands off!” With her signature independence and strong will, Pat insisted that she was “nobody’s girl,” and proceeded to date and dance with other guys. It took Richmond months to convince her that he was the one for her, but once he won her over, he was her only true love for the rest of her life. They were married in New Orleans on January 6, 1949.

Elaine Louise was born in November of that same year, and when Michael Rhodes arrived 11 months later, Pat declared that “his name’s caboose!” and their family was complete.

In search of more steady electrician’s work, the Lucases moved from New Orleans to Denver in 1960, and to Las Vegas the following year. They put down roots in Vegas, and purchased the home where they would live for the rest of their lives. In Vegas, Pat worked at the Election Department as a Voter Registrar until she retired in 1994.

Pat was a life-long lover of her husband “Whitey,” her extended family, all animals, ballroom dancing, swimming, bowling (she saved her PR score card from 1972: 254), reading mysteries (Agatha Christie), and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She loved watching the Los Angeles Angels play baseball, possibly because she had a little crush on Mike Trout. And she found immense joy in supporting each of her grandchildren in whatever sport or activity that were part of. (She also loved dressing up for Halloween, but insisted that “going door-to-door begging for candy never was a smart idea.”)

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, her beloved husband, and pretty much everyone else she ever knew (occupational hazard of living to the age of 97)! She is survived by her children, Elaine and Mike, and generations of family who will spend their lives missing her New Orleans accent, her laughter, her sense of humor, the warmth of her love, and her tremendous and hard-fought wisdom. When asked a few months ago, “Gran, what’s your life’s advice?” she didn’t miss one beat: “LIVE. Enjoy life. What you can change, you change. What you can't, you don't worry about.” With the accent.

Her loss is truly profound, but we find peace and comfort in knowing that she is with her Whitey again at last. May we forever make her proud.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 1:30pm at the Palm Downtown Mortuary and Cemetery (1325 N Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project or the World Wildlife Foundation in her name.