Louise "Lucy" Pierce

Louise (Lucy) Seitz Pierce (Please Note: Due to the re-emergence of COVID-19, the Celebration of Life Mass for Lucy Pierce has been rescheduled for Friday, June 10, 2022.) Louise (Lucy) Seitz Pierce died peacefully f her home in Peoria on November 11, 2021. Lucy was born February 22, 1924, in Ironwood MI, the only daughter of the Rev. William Clinton Seitz, Sr. and Florence (Comstock) Seitz. She grew up in Gambier OH. She graduated from Margaret Hall School, Versailles KY (where her nickname was Tiny') in 1942. She excelled academically and was a talented artist and violinist. She earned a B.S. from Mather College of Case Western Reserve University in 1945. In January 1946, Lucy married The Rev. Nicholas Dana Ulmer Pierce in Granville OH. From 1946 through 1970, Nick and Lucy moved as he pastored Episcopal parishes in Sharon PA, Staten Island NY, Milton MA, Pekin IL and Peoria IL. Lucy was active in altar guilds and women's clubs at each parish, while raising their eight children. In 1962, Lucy became an elementary school teacher, working at public and parochial schools in Boston MA and throughout central Illinois. In central Illinois she taught at Peoria's Lincoln Elementary School, Holy Family School, St. Joseph School, St. John and Boniface School and Peoria High School as well as substituting throughout Peoria city and county. She earned her M.A. in special education from Bradley University in 1984 and spent the latter part of her career teaching at Kiefer School of Children's Home Association of Illinois. This job was her favorite as she was a loving, patient, empathic champion of children who had experienced childhood trauma. Nick and Lucy traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada and enjoyed trips to Great Britain and Israel. She enjoyed hiking and frequently explored Forest Park Nature Center, Wildlife Prairie Park and other nearby trails. She was an avid reader, especially of mysteries and British detective novels. She sewed many of her daughters' clothes and made the world's best potato salad. Lucy and Nick enjoyed season tickets to the Prairie Wind Ensemble and Cornstock Theatre. After retiring from teaching, Lucy derived great joy as a volunteer train engineer at Wildlife Prairie Park. Nick and Lucy were members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Peoria where Lucy was a member of St. Martha's Guild. Lucy was an associate of The Third Order of the Society of St. Francis. From the early 1970s until the early 2000s, Lucy accompanied Nick as he supplied at Episcopal parishes throughout west central Illinois including Tiskilwa, Princeton, Preemption, Canton, Farmington, Morton, Galesburg, Lewistown, Kewanee, Monmouth and Macomb. Lucy is survived by seven children: Elizabeth Pierce, Sacramento CA; Sarah Petite (Nicholas Tracy), Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada; Virginia Pierce, Brookline MA; Michael (Linda) Pierce, Sharon MA; Catherine Pierce, Sacramento CA; Geoffrey Pierce, Rock Island IL; and Barbara Pierce, Peoria IL,; 13 grandchildren: Sean Feit (Sara) Oakes, Samuel Petite, Johanna Petite, Claire Petite, Kristina Louise Pierce, Benjamin J. Pierce, Caroline F. Moyer, Daniel I. Moyer, Francis T. Drew, Nora A. Drew, James Pierce Drew, and William J. Drew; four great-grandchildren, Kaia Sequillion, Dylan Sequillion, Ellery Miki-Petite, River Oakes, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Pierce; one daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Comstock Pierce; two grandsons; Nathaniel Cameron and Nicholas Pierce, and three brothers, Rev. William C. Seitz, Jr., George C. Seitz and Rev. Thomas Seitz. Lucy's family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Independence Village, Peoria, and Comfort Plus Hospice for their kindness and care. Private internment at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Schmidt-Haller Burial & Cremation Services is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Louise can be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church; Children's Home Association of Illinois or Wildlife Prairie Park. A visitation is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2022 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Peoria, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be left at www.schmidt-haller.com Events Details are pending.

Louise "Lucy" Pierce

February 22, 1924 - November 11, 2021