Helen Eleanor (Zappa) Lucas

1924 - 2010

In Memory of
Eleanor Zappa
Lucas
12/7/1924 - 8/6/2010


Helen Eleanor (Moore) (Zappa) Lucas was born on December 7, 1924 in Hoopeston, III and passed away August 6, 2010 in Carmichael, Calif. She was born in a little white frame house in Hoopeston to John H. Moore and Helen E. Moore, and when her mother passed when she was 7, her father took her and her siblings to East Lynn, III. and raised them on a farm. Her favorite of all their animals were goats and she loved goat's milk!
Better known as Eleanor to family and friends, she will be remembered for her inspiring self-initiative, love of learning, and generosity.
Eleanor was a self-trained artist of various medium, who had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout her life she skillfully sewed, crocheted, knitted, quilted, made dolls, and doll clothes, dresses, formals, suits, blankets, duvet covers, table cloths, and even office organizers. For a period of time, she had a leather-working studio where she crafted saddle bags, belts, and purses with her intricate and well-known Eleanor precision. When her hands could no longer work the leather, she quickly discovered computers, which she used to not only email, journal, and do research, but to create original and personalized greeting cards.
At the same time, Eleanor was a gifted gardener, who grew just about everything. She loved fresh tomato sandwiches off the vine, and she canned and froze excess vegetables and fruits to stock her pantry or more often than not, to give as gifts. She also had a love for roses and always had rose gardens in her front and back yards. She was an avid reader and birdwatcher. Eleanor was also an unrelenting genealogist. She spent a number of years researching and meticulously tracing her ancestry back on the Moore side to 1426, and the Zappa side back to 1856. Her album of photographs and her journals are invaluable to family who survive her.
Eleanor was consistently generous with her church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, after moving to Lincoln, Calif., and becoming a member in 1959. She proudly helped to fund the building of the new Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lincoln. She was an integral part of the funeral ministry (Lazarus Society) and gave of her time freely by acting as President from 1987 to 1999. Eleanor was also an active member of the Altar Society and served as secretary for a year. She belonged to the church Quilting Club as well. She used her computer and graphic art skills to create numerous sympathy cards, and was instrumental in the annual church Christmas Boutique, and also made beautiful items to sell. One of Eleasnor's greatest joys as a devout Catholic was her participation in a special mass, officiated by Pope John Paul II, held at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., in 1987.
Eleanor was preceded in death by two husbands, Stephen Zappa and Willis Lucas; two brothers and two sisters, John (Jack) Moore; Kenneth (Kenny) Moore; Mary (Betty) Moore; and Dorothy Moore Foote. From her first union, she is survived by three children, David Zappa (Lucy); Kenneth Zappa (Patty); and Bonnie Kyser (Duane). From her second union, she is survived by four stepchildren, Dennis Lucas (Valarie); Donald Lucas; Cynthia Cummings (Tom); and Andrew Lucas (Earlene). From both marriages, she is survived by a large and loving family of 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Eleanor's love for her family, unyielding faith, and curiosity about the world are her legacy, and these attributes will continue to inspire those of us who loved her to be life-long learners, as was she.
A memorial will follow at a later date.
Contributions in Eleanor's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.