This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath158 Surnames: Luchini, Barton Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5173/mb.ashx Message Board Post: LEE BARTON LUCHINI, 93, passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice Facility in Las Cruces, NM of natural causes. Lee was born in Goldthwaite, Mills County, TX on September 8, 1917, as the second daughter of Alfred (Fred) and Leora Barton. She was the third child of six born into this hard working Texas family. She attended school in Goldthwaite and Lubbock, TX and after high school graduation in Lubbock, completed business school training to qualify her for general office management responsibilities and secretarial/para-legal duties in the legal profession. Concurrent with raising and caring for her family, Lee worked throughout her adult life in public school systems, state engineering offices, oil and gas industry offices and private law offices, including over 8 years as executive assistant for the Superintendent of Schools, Public School System, Truth or Consequences, NM, and over 30 years as executive legal secretary for various law firms in Truth or Consequences, Farmington and Las Cruces, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; and Long Beach and Los Angeles, CA. She retired in 1981 and relocated to Sun City West, AZ, where she resided from 1981 through 2009. She relocated to New Mexico in 2010 due to health issues. Lee's life and accomplishments epitomize what has been called America's "Greatest Generation", an honorarium signifying the American generation that was born shortly after the turn of the 20st century to a world in chaos, who endured the horrors of two world wars, the hardships of the 'Great Depression/Dust Bowl' period of the 1930s, the post WWII regional conflicts around the globe, and whose dedication and commitment to the ideals of freedom, personal sacrifice, and hard work ultimately led to the rise of the United States of America as the eminent world power it became. During her entire life, Lee never lost sight of her humble origins as a poor but proud sharecroppers' child, while applying her required hard work ethic and determination to eventually rise above her humble beginnings to have a highly successful business career while simultaneously caring for and raising her loving family. Lee is survived by a daughter, Bita Lee Phillips of Scottsdale, AZ, two grandchildren, Leesa and Jennifer, and three great grandchildren Kristopher, Cassandra and Donovan; and a son James Barton Luchini of Las Cruces, NM; four grandchildren, Shaun, Tony, Sarah, and Levi; and six great grandchildren Dylan, Savannah, Dallas, Luke, Olivia, and Sophia. Service arrangements are with Sunland Memorial Park and a memorial service for Lee will be held at 2:00PM, Friday, February 18, 2011 at Sunland Memorial Park Chapel located at 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City West, AZ. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff at La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, NM for the excellent and loving care provided to their mother / grandmother / great-grandmother Lee Luchini during her final days. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on February 12, 2011 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.