Mrs. Mary L. (McLeod) Lacy

UTICA – Mrs. Mary L. (McLeod) Lacy, age 80, was peacefully received by the Lord when she passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024. She was surrounded by her entire family who were by her side to the very end of her earthly life. Born in Utica on December 18, 1943, Mary was the daughter of the late Baum, Jr. and Flossie (Gregg) McLeod. She lived her long life in the Utica area, attending local elementary schools and graduating from Utica Free Academy. On April 18, 1964, she was united in marriage with John B. Lacy. The family they built was always their priority, and they did their best to provide each of them with a good life. They succeeded with much pride and mutual love. Nearly one week ago, they celebrated 60 years of marriage; although she was hospitalized, all will fondly remember that special day. Mary first found employment with the Utica Mutual Insurance Company. She then went on to work with Foothills Girl Scout Council as an administrative assistant, a position she enjoyed tremendously. She was not ready to give up being in the workforce, thus she accepted a position as a lunch monitor with the Utica City School District, lastly at T. R. Proctor High School, until her final retirement. Mary had kindness in her heart, generosity in her spirit, and a desire to help others in her soul. Her home was her priority, and her children were her pride and joy. Her grandchildren were the benefactors of her boundless love; she bestowed upon them many remarkable acts of kindness and she made sure they were safe in her car while they waited for the bus each day. She was wise, never wrong, and spoke her peace; that is what she leaves as her legacy. You never saw Mary not in full glamour, she never compromised her appearance, and her natural beauty was foremost an admirable quality. She was a wonderful and independent cook – she did the cooking, and you watched. She always made sure there was a plate for everyone; cleanliness was observed, and she made sure that everyone was well served. Sunday meals were a perfect time where everyone gathered and created memories for which they are so grateful. Her spaghetti, chili, and dressing were her staples. She was also famous for her peach cobbler and pineapple upside-down cake. No matter how hard her children observed, her cooking will be hard to duplicate. Mary imparted great motherly wisdom to the next generations, like never to be late and to always take care of family and make one another a priority. To the very last day, she was a doting mother, but in the end, she accepted her family’s care and tenderness. The family voice of reason, she was able to fix almost any problem and kept it all together. These gifts and life lessons she leaves behind to her loved ones will never be forgotten and will be held close as examples of the way they will live their own lives. Ever one to have a good time, the casino was her happy place, often accompanied by her late sister-in-law, Susie Mills, and her niece, Tarita Mills; they were a great team and the slot machines never saw them coming! She was constantly together with her daughter, Linda Lacy, who was her “GPS” when they went to “every store” and made sure she arrived at all her appointments; as well as John who was treated with the same tender care and respect. A member of Hope Chapel for many years, she had a personal relationship with her Lord, and would often watch St. Matthew’s Temple COGIC’s weekly livestream of Sunday services. Mary is survived by her devoted husband who made sure she had a good life, John, Sr.; her children, John Lacy, Jr., Kenneth and Diane Lacy, Patricia Anne Lacy, Michael Lacy, and Linda Lacy; her grandchildren, Giavonna, John III, and Devon Lacy, and Elijah Hanna; Kenneth “Kenny” Lacy, Jr. and fiancée Ashley Pape, and Dante Lacy; Mykayla Lawerence; Keshawn, Kevown, and Kyzere Brown; Brandon, Joshua, and Tajh Lacy, and Alexis Lee; and her great-grandchildren, Kailynn, Alessia, Jaylianne, Liana, and Azariella. Her loss is also felt by her brother, Ret. Hon. James A.W. McLeod; and sister-in-law, Pearlene McLeod. She fondly remembered her siblings who preceded her, Harold J. McLeod (2013), Karen Zaneta McLeod (2016), and Marron W. “Butch” McLeod (2021). She will be held in the hearts of a host of nieces and nephews, Jeff McLeod, Darren and Ronda McLeod, Shannon Steward, James Michael McLeod, Brian Thompson, Rodney Thompson, Jamie McLeod, Tiffany McLeod, Tracey McLeod, Susie and Randy Brown, Fred Lacy, Jr. and Jackie Tolbert, Anisah Lacy, Shirley Ann Waltower, Taryn Lacy, Anna Lee Lacy, Maria and Kevin Roux, Jacqueline Lacy, Norris Lacy, Jerome Lacy, William and Latoya Lacy, Walkery Mills III, David Mills, and Kimberly Murray; great-nieces, great-nephews; and sisters-in-law, Aida Santiago, and Martha Lacy. She will also be missed by her neighbors, best friends, and other people who were family through close bonds of love, Melissa Hanna, Francesca Aridou, Tarita Mills, Timothy Brown, Osvaldo Serrano, the Howard Family, the Frazier Family, the Brown Family, the McBride Family, and her lifelong friend, Miss Thelma Porter Blackshear. Mary was additionally predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, David, Sr. and Annia Lee (Sample) Lacy; brothers-and sisters-in-law, David Jr. and Henrietta Lacy, William Lacy, Sr., Susie May and Walkery Mills, Jr., Lee Henry Lacy, Fred Lacy, and James Lacy; niece, Jessica Marie McLeod; and nephews, William Lacy, Jr., David Lacy III, and Willie Lacy. The Lacy family is forever grateful to Mary’s caregivers, Dr. Dilip Kachare, Paulette Anderson, Laura Jones, Andrea Blackshear, Nicole McCovery, as well as the staffs of numerous floors at Wynn Hospital. The special blessing was the time she spent with her daughters and granddaughter Mykayla who opened their home and hearts to care for their mother as she had once cared for them, which was a great honor... rest in peace, Mommy. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at St Matthew’s Temple COGIC, 110 Washington St. Mary’s Home Going Service and Celebration of Life will commence at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Mary L. (McLeod) Lacy

December 18, 1943 - April 22, 2024