I was deeply saddened when I heard the news about Lucy.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Susan, Lucy's family & friends.  She will be deeply missed.  Lucy Lahr "PRESENTE  !"    
Paz,

~Guadalupe Quinn
CAUSA 

Lucy, you showed us how to work with spirit, compassion and energy. From the
workplace, to ESSN meetings, union rallies and the volleyball court, your
enthusiasm and positive energy always helped others become stronger. I will
remember your many lessons with love and admiration.

~ Margaret Hallock
Director
Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics

My memory of Lucy is simple and vivid.  She always had a wonderful smile and her positive attitude infectious.  We all have challenges in life.  Lucy had a way of always looking on the sunny side.  I will miss Lucy.

~ John Lorang
Three Rivers UniServ Council

Her incredible smile and good humor that she brought along with commitment
and dedication to social justice – I so loved getting to know her and
getting to work with her – we have all lost someone very special to this
awful accident. I’ll pledge again today, not just to be there 5 times for
someone else’s struggle but to do it with a smile like Lucy did.

~MB Maxwell

I feel so privileged to have worked with Lucy in ESSN for the last 3 years.
She exemplified the best qualities and values of an activist and leader:
compassion, determination, selflessness, hard work, character and integrity.
She was never judgmental and always appreciative of members at whatever
level they were able to participate and contribute.
In addition, she had the ability to interact and connect with folks in a way
that somehow made each one feel as if they had a special relationship with
her. Last but not least, she was a heck of a lot of fun and possessed a
wily and whimsical sense of humor without every seeming jaded by the
injustices she encountered in the world.
Lucy, you were the greatest and I only hope you realized how much people
loved and cared about you.

~Jeff Jackson, EEA rep. and ESSN/JwJ Steering Committee

The Lane County Labor Council donated $100 to ESSN last night in Lucy's
honor. We miss her so much.

~Pat Riggs-Henson

Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I just learned about the tragic loss of Lucy Lahr. I wanted to express my
sad condolences to all of my friends at ESSN. Lucy was a vibrant part of
JwJ in the west, and her leadership – and friendship – will be missed far
beyond Eugene. My thoughts are with you.
In solidarity,

~Paul Bigman, Union Representative, OPEIU Local 8

I can't remember the first time I met Lucy, either at a Jobs with
Justice event or at the Summer School for Union Women. But I will
always remember her kindness, willingness to be silly, her commitment to
social justice and the leadership she gave to ESSN. The last time I stayed
in Eugene I stayed with Lucy and her partner Susan. What I remember most
is being struck at how loving and adoring their relationship was. Lucy was
well loved in her home, work and community. We all miss you Lucy.

~Nancy Haque

Remembering Lucy
“A woman of valor who can find? For her price is far above rubies.” From
Proverbs 31

Three days before Lucy’s death, I had met with her in a coffee shop to
discuss our work on the membership committee for ESSN. I had forgotten
where the coffee shop was and called Lucy’s cell phone to check with her.
She apologized profusely for being late (it was only by five minutes) and
assured me she was on her way.

I bought Lucy a cup of coffee, and we talked for about an hour. On full
display were the qualities that she consistently exhibited: a warm smile,
gentle humor, quiet competence, infectious enthusiasm, and a cheerful,
optimistic spirit. We’ve been going through some challenging times at ESSN,
and Lucy’s calm, resourceful demeanor was invariably reassuring. Whenever I
was in a room with Lucy (and I had many such occasions over the past five
years), I always felt comfortable, secure, focused, and relaxed. She was
one of those people in whose presence you knew problems would be addressed,
issues resolved, and momentum sustained.

As we left the coffee shop to go to the larger ESSN Steering Committee
meeting, Lucy asked me how my kids were doing. This was typical of her, to
be interested in you as a total human being, to make a personal connection
independent of shared political beliefs and commitment to the cause.

Lucy was a mainstay of ESSN and tirelessly devoted her time, energy, and
passion to making it an effective organization. She became quite
knowledgeable about workforce development issues and served capably as a
union and workers’ advocate on the local workforce board. Her work at DHS
was all about improving the quality of life for children and families. And
in her union, SEIU Local 503, she insisted on fair treatment and respect for
her fellow workers who often toiled under difficult circumstances while
doing vital work.

In 45 years and in a life that tragically ended all too soon, Lucy leaves
behind a proud record of good works and tangible achievements. Even more
importantly, she was a model of engaged citizenship and thoughtful activism.
She knew how to make principled compromises, never succumbed to sanctimony
or self-righteousness, and refused to denigrate her political opponents or
fellow activists. Her rare combination of personal goodness and political
savvy is all too lacking in our often polarized public discourse, and these
skills will certainly be missed within the many communities whose causes she
championed so effectively.

At the time of her death, Lucy was spearheading ESSN’s emerging community
standards effort aimed at establishing clear obligations for contractors
that do business with the city of Eugene. One fitting tribute to Lucy would
be to continue her work on this campaign as well as to rededicate ourselves
to ESSN and the values it stands for.
I know that Lucy would say, in that classic labor refrain, “don’t mourn,
organize.” However, I do need to continue grieving for a while. I’ve lost
a friend, a union sister, a shining example of what it means to be a good
citizen and an effective activist, and a “woman of valor.”

All of us who walked in the light cast by Lucy were warmed and comforted by
her luminous glow. The world is a colder, darker place without her, and the
chill is just beginning to set in for me as I more fully recognize the
magnitude of our loss. But then I see Lucy’s smile, hear her quick wit, and
know that in the words of that old civil right movement song, I will find
the strength, like Lucy, to “carry it on.”

~ Bob Bussel, ESSN/JwJ and LERC

" I was absolutely devastated when I received my copy of the ESSN newsletter yesterday and learned, rather late, that Lucy had passed away.  (The) piece about Lucy was wonderful, though, and gave a good, solid sense of Lucy's incredible energy, dedication, and love for all those around her. I want to thank you for the wonderful tribute to Lucy in the newsletter, which had Scottie and I in tears, to offer heartfelt condolences, and to share in the grief. " 

~ Dan Shea

"Last year when I was struck by a vehicle in a Seattle pedestrian
cross walk and badly injured, I got a caring and warm note from Lucy.
How typical! She was a person with an extraordinary big heart and
spirit of caring for the world, healing ills, and make a difference.
I characterized Lucy as one who always seemed to light up a room when
she walked in. While I am terribly saddened by her death, I also
celebrate the wonderful way in which she lived and how she touched
others. She made a big difference in the world. Lucy Lahr Presente!"
From Seattle, in solidarity

~Steven Deutsch