Maria del Carmen Lucas

On August 20, 2022, Maria del Carmen Lucas passed away peacefully at age 82 in Glens Falls, NY.  Born on January 20, 1940, in Redondela, a small fishing village along the coast of northern Spain, Maria set off to work in London at an early age. There, she met a dashing Englishman named Michael, the love of her life.  After marrying in 1963 and having two children, Peter and Anamaria, they decided in 1972 to set sail for America.  Their journey brought them to beautiful Middleburgh, NY where they decided to plant their roots and continue raising their family.   Maria worked at Stiefel Laboratories until she retired.

Through the years, despite the health challenges she often faced, Maria’s unwavering determination to create a secure and well-connected family unit always shined through.   She knew how important it was to keep in touch with family, both near and far.  She was truly the glue of the family, the one who connected us when oceans separated us.  Her homeland of Spain always held a special place in her heart.  She was never one to miss an opportunity to dance the night away at a local festa or dig for clams with her sister, Canducha, along the shore.  England, Australia and France were other very special places where she would visit loved ones whenever possible.

Maria’s dream of a growing family took shape as each grandchild came into the world.  Her heart swelled with pride as she watched each of them grow up to become amazing young adults.  She readily provided those she loved with protection, cautionary tales, and enchanting stories which we were all eager to listen to.

A few years after Michael’s passing in 1995, Maria journeyed to the Lake George region to be near her daughter, Anamaria and grandchildren Amanda and Nikki.  God willing, she would be at their events, whether it was for a performance, a show, volleyball, basketball, or softball cheering them on from the stands.  She was so proud of all her grandchildren as they will always be of her.

Maria inspired us all, even if unintentionally, to be adventurers while holding dear what we have in front of us. We believe that what she wanted to leave behind the most was the wisdom she collected throughout her many lives in one, and for us to take each step with this in mind.

Maria leaves behind her children: Peter (Joan) Lucas and Anamaria Hladik; grandchildren: Ashley (Christopher) Luzinski, Arin (Christopher) Celeste, Taylor Lucas, Sierra (Elijah) Kostick, Amanda Binder, and Nikki Hladik; great grandchildren: Kayden, Astrid, Mace, Adilynn, EJ, and Cole; and siblings: Rafael Pazos Varela and Candida Pazos Varela.  

She was predeceased by her husband: Michael Lucas; parents: Francisco Pazos Lopez and Herminia Varela Lorenzo; and siblings: Herminia Varela Lorenzo, Laureano Pazos Varela, and Carlos Pazos Varela.

A private service is being held at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC in Middleburgh, followed by a second service in Redondela, Spain. 

Her family asks that memorial donations be made to the West Glens Falls Emergency Squad (westglensfallsems.org).

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