Sarah Lucille Chelf, “the lady known as Lu,” went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, September 19 at Gila Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in 1922 in McLeansboro, Illinois, the daughter of a railroad foreman. Her father’s work on the L&N Railroad required them to move frequently, and Lu lived in every small town and village between East St. Louis, Illinois and Evansville, Indiana by the time she was in high school. She went to business secretarial school, a field that she worked in her whole life. She married at the age of 19 and had her first and only child, Pam, a few years later. Lu left the Midwest and started a new life in San Diego, California in the 1950’s, and she lived there for 40 years until her retirement from Kaiser Permanente at the age of 73.
Upon retirement, she moved to Silver City, where she volunteered extensively, including with the Hospital Auxiliary, the Silver City Museum, the living history events at Memory Lane, the Town & Country Garden Club, and the group she formed at First Baptist Church, Angels in Deed. In addition, her birthday card ministry was dear to her heart. Lu loved to be around people, the true definition of an extrovert. She had a zest for life and could always surprise you with the things she was interested in, including karate, belly dance, and clowning, among others, and many of those were in her sixties and beyond. She was also an avid Chargers fan, until they moved to Los Angeles. Even during her last years at Millie’s, she made many friends and left a lasting impression with her love of laughter and joy for life. She will always be remembered for her hugs, her smile, her laugh, and her entertaining stories. She made a friend of everyone she knew, and she never knew a stranger. Her family attributes her long life to her adherence to the motto, “Live, Love, Laugh,” and we were all blessed to have had her in our lives until she was 96. Today she is dancing in heaven with her beloved parents.
She is survived by her daughter, Pam Donohue and husband Frank of Silver City; three grandchildren, Lewis Todd Kitting and wife Wendy of Evergreen, CO; Ami Kitting Vinson and husband Eddie of Silver City; Wendi Kitting Oliveira of Silver City; seven great-grandchildren, Hannah, Lily, Sawyer, Isabelle, Sophia, Lena, and Samuel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Lewis Chelf and Amy Elizabeth (Harper) Chelf; one great-granddaughter, Leah Grace Kitting. Visitation will be Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10-11am at First Baptist Church. A Funeral Service will follow at 11am with Pastor Robert Brasier officiating. Concluding service and interment will commence at Memory Lane Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank Donohue, Eddie Vinson, Todd Kitting, Dean Bearup, Bryan Grabbe, and Sawyer Kitting. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Dunlap, and David Crosley.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.