Lucy Diane Hudson

1938 - 2018

Lucy Diane (Nordgulen) Hudson of Juneau, Alaska passed away peacefully in Castle Rock, Colorado on June 8, 2018, her 80th birthday. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, former Alaska State Representative William (Bill) R. Hudson, and her children David Erickson of Anchorage, Alaska, Steven Erickson of Larkspur, Colorado, Karen Hudson of Juneau, Alaska, and Kristin Freng of Renton, Washington as well as Bill's children Joseph Hudson of Juneau, Alaska, Teresa Lair of Blaine, Washington, and James Hudson of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by her siblings, Virgil Nordgulen of Mt. Vernon, Washington, Robert Nordgulen of Spokane, Washington, Carole Bergman of Anchorage, Alaska, and Ray Nordgulen of Kodiak, Alaska.

Lucy was born June 8, 1938 in Missoula, Montana to Lorraine Nordgulen and Joseph Croteau, and lovingly raised by Lorraine and Ray "Shorty" Nordgulen. She spent her youth in Montana, graduating high school in Deer Lodge before attending Montana State University and Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma.

Lucy was one of Alaska's pioneers settling on the Kenai Peninsula in 1962. She lived in several small communities, including Ninilchik, Anchor Point, Seldovia, North Kenai and Soldotna, where she was not only a devoted mother and active church member, but a budding artist who enjoyed creating beautiful oil paintings of Alaska's wild landscapes.

In 1974, Lucy moved with her family to Juneau, Alaska where she and Bill became a strong presence in Juneau's community and political scene. While Bill served the State of Alaska through state government and the state legislature, Lucy worked for twenty years as a Special Assistant to Senators Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski and Congressman Don Young. As the delegation's link to Juneau and Southeast Alaska, Lucy brought compassion, grace, and professionalism to her work with Alaska's constituents.

Lucy was also an active community member who cared deeply about issues facing Juneau and the State of Alaska. She served on many boards and organizations, including Gastineau Human Services Corporation, Alaska Housing Development Corporation, Alaska Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Kenai Peninsula Mental Health Board, Friends of the Alaska State Museum Board of Trustees, Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Capital City Republican Women, League of Women Voters, Juneau Rotary Club, March of Dimes, and the Coast Guard Wives Club. PEO, a sisterhood dedicated to the education and support of other women, was especially important to Lucy.

Lucy retired in 2000, but continued to serve her community and her state through PEO, her church, and the many boards and organizations she loved. She and Bill also began to travel both abroad, exploring Africa, India, Europe and Russia with their dear friends Dick and Delores Smith. Lucy and Bill also enjoyed many road trips in their pickup truck and camper, traveling south through the Yukon, down the Oregon Coast, and back up through her beloved Montana. With 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, they kept busy visiting family all over the United States.

Lucy was beloved by her family and her friends, and touched the lives of all who knew her with kindness and compassion. She will be deeply missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Northern Lights United Church (address) with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to PEO Chapter G Scholarship Fund c/o Bill Hudson, 3379 Meander Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801.