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Former party officers remember Deb Lucal

Deb Lucal
Photo: Deb Lucal

Former Party Chair Karen Prelipp

From Norwalk Ohio News, our former party chair Karen Prelipp speaks about Deb Lucal, our beloved fellow party member who passed away on Dec. 23rd.

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"Deb came from a family of dedicated Democrats, which helps explain her ability to see the unseen. She had the unique ability to recognize when people needed assistance and was ready to help in any way she could," said Karen Prelipp, former chairwoman of the Huron County Democratic Party.


"When her sons were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy she was determined to enable them to live a full life in spite of their disability. She was determined they not miss any of the joy of life. Nathan was very involved in Artists' Open Studio and Mathew was close with firefighters, participating in many parades and other public activities," Prelipp added.


Prelipp said Lucal's positivity "endured to the end."


"Always the loyal friend, she joyfully visited with her many friends who came to visit or called on the phone during her illness," Prelipp said. "Her dedication to helping others brought her many accolades from the Huron County Democratic Party, including The Chairwoman's Award. She challenged herself to raise a $1,000 during our annual silent auction. She missed by just a few dollars this year. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and loyalty will be greatly missed by all who knew her."


Former 2nd Vice Chair Dennis Stieber

Former 2nd Vice Chair Dennis Stieber sent a letter to the editor of the Norwalk Reflector:

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"Every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings."


When I heard the news of the passing of my former neighbor and good friend Deb Lucal the line above from the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" came to my mind immediately. The moment her soul left her body and ascended into heaven a cacophony of bells rang out loud and clear, I'm sure, from many places.


The life and struggles of the Lucal family are well documented in Norwalk. Ray and Deb's two sons Matthew and Nate were both afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy since they were young boys and died from complications associated with that disease. Ray was dealt with a debilitating illness a few years back and died shortly thereafter. Through all the struggles of dealing with these situations, Deb was the one who kept it all together.


She told me once, as she may have to others, that she definitely had her moments of asking God how she was going to handle all these setbacks. She would have her moments of personal breakdowns but always found the strength to rise back up and move forward with life. She did more than move forward, she threw herself headlong into whatever community or church related project she could get involved in. The list was long, and she never did anything half-hearted — it was always with everything she had within her.


I believe it's fair to say that her life embodied what God asks of all of us — a life of service. Service to her family. Service to her church. Service to her community. She never hesitated to raise a hand and be the first to volunteer for a project she believed in.

Deb's energy and enthusiasm for improving others' lives should be a model for all of us. God created us to make a positive difference in this world and Deb did just that. She certainly has influenced me in that direction.


At Catholic funeral masses, it is customary that a slow mournful toll of bells are rung just before the deceased and the families enter the church. On Jan. 2 at Deb's funeral mass, the bells of St. Mary's Church will be rung signalling symbolically that another angel has gotten her wings. And on those wings, she will rise far into the heavens, I'm quite sure. May we also ride those wings one day based on the life of service that Deb exemplified for all of us.


Rest well, good and faithful servant. Your love of life and life of service will be missed by many.

Dennis Stieber

Terrell, Texas, formerly of Norwalk



 
 
 

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