Lucille Ruth Witting

Lucille “Lu” Witting, 93, loving mother of 3, of Havelock, NC, formerly of State College, PA, passed away in Havelock on July 23, 2024, leaving a hole in her family’s hearts. 

Born in 1931 to Ralph and Sophie Gerches, she was the oldest of 4 children - Rich (Betty) Gerches, who preceded her in death, Robert Russell (Lynn) Gerches of Ft. Myers, FL, and Joan (Dean) Santis, of Mount Vernon, IA. 

Lu graduated in 1953 from the University of Illinois - Cook County School of Nursing, and went on to a long and fulfilling career caring for others as an RN. Her college roommate’s boyfriend introduced her to his friend, Lloyd Witting, who she would go on to marry in 1956, until his death in 2001. The 1960s brought her 3 delightful children - Sandy (Frank) Arturi, of Havelock, NC, Cindy (Glen Bell) Witting, of Agua Dulce, CA, and Mike (Amy) Witting, of Sarasota, FL. The 80s through the 2020s brought her 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren - plenty of family to love, and who love and will miss her immensely. 

Born during the Great Depression, she witnessed an immense amount of change during her lifetime - WWII, the dawn of television, the tumult of the ‘60s, the first space travel and moon landing, the rise of the internet, and so much more. 

With her husband, Lloyd, she lived in very different parts of the country and traveled the world - from Egypt to Alaska, and many points in between. For all that she saw, she was stable and grounded, and everyone knew her family meant the world to her. 

She loved her pets, outdoors, and birdwatching. She enjoyed church choir and would sing at the top of her voice at home, as if nobody was listening. With Lloyd, she was a reluctant bowler, enthusiastic square dancer, and companion spectator at local community theater productions and Penn State women’s gymnastics meets. She drew the line at playing bridge, however… a woman has to have boundaries. 

It’s often said that everyone has their 15 minutes of fame. Lu, as our mother, sister, daughter, and wife, had just over 49 million minutes of fame. Saying goodbye is never easy, but we, her family, find comfort in the memories we have of many of those 49 million minutes. To her we say, “we love you”, and go on holding our memories in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lu's name to the American Cancer Society, as this was a cause that was very important to her. 

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Cremations, Havelock, NC.