Suzette Lucas

1943 - 2018

Suzette Lucas

Phoenix - Suzette Lucas, the longtime Director of External Affairs at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona, died in Phoenix, on March 23 of heart failure at 74. She was dedicated to her work and to the lives and interests of her children and thirteen grandchildren who ranged in age from 2 to 24.

Lucas was born in Lebanon, PA, on June 26, 1943 to Julia and Adam Werni. In 1966 Lucas was the first woman to graduate from Lebanon Valley College with a Political Science degree.

Lucas' involvement with the Foundation began in 1987 when she was hired by the Scottsdale Center for the Arts to help manage the national traveling exhibition of Wright's work, "In the Realm of Ideas." The centerpiece of the exhibit was a full-scale replica of a Usonian House and among Suzette's responsibilities was the erecting and dismantling of the house at its numerous venues, including Dallas, Washington D.C., Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix. Her dedication, intelligence and management skills were soon apparent to the Foundation, which hired her full time after the exhibition closed.

In 1990, she inaugurated the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly, a national magazine devoted to Wright's work and legacy. Under her guidance, the magazine gained the respect of Wright scholars and researchers around the world. She became editor in 1997 and served in that role until her retirement in 2013.

As Director of External Affairs, Lucas preferred to work behind the scenes, but her efforts in promoting the tour program at Taliesin West in Scottsdale saw exponential visitation growth; and she added several new tours to the program including the Insight Tour and the Night Lights Tour. She also oversaw Wright name and likeness licensing, Foundation public relations, and energetically supported development efforts. No one was a more dedicated steward of Wright's legacy and the efforts of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

She loved to read and go to the beach. She was also a champion bridge player. However, some of her happiest hours were spent with her children and grandchildren.

Her love of baseball began with her sons and continued with her grandsons. She also enjoyed her grandchildren's theater and musical performances. Suzette, fondly known as GS, was the grandmother who got down on the floor to do art projects, play musical instruments, put together puzzles, and play endless educational games.

Lucas is preceded in death by her parents as well as her brothers Tom and Mike Werni. She is survived by her sister Jan, sons Ed (April), Hank (Stephanie) and Jay (Kirsten), and thirteen grandchildren: Nicklaus, McKenna, Lukas, Easton, Tatum, Adam, Travis, Branson, Peyton, Grayden, Rilynn, Jackson, and Camden. Private services will be held this summer in Morro Bay, California.