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Obituary: Louisa Wilson Lovett

December 16, 1929 –  December 4, 2018

 Louisa Wilson Lovett of Glenwood Springs, Colorado died peacefully Tuesday December 4, 2018 at Valley View Hospital after a short stay at Heritage Park Care Center in Carbondale, CO. Louisa was 88 years young just days from her 89th birthday.  Louisa was born in Owensboro, Kentucky on December 16, 1929 to the late Robert Wilson and Louise Boyle Wilson. After graduating from Owensboro High School, Louisa earned an Associate’s degree from Ward Belmont College for Women in Nashville, TN. In 1951, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY.  One of the honors for which Louisa was understandably proud was that of being personally selected in 1950 by University of Kentucky President Donavon to be UK’s representative in the prestigious annual Mountain Laurel Festival Pageant in Pikeville, KY.

 Louisa lived a lovely life. She appreciated all of life’s good times with great gratitude for her family, friends and acquaintances. She also faced head-on any challenges life presented. Her personal experience and recovery from clinical depression led her to help many others and their families to understand this illness.

Louisa’s children describe their mother as being a ‘friend magnet.’ Louisa made friends easily because she was genuinely interested in others. She also had a talent for understated humor.  She immensely valued her lifetime/childhood friends with whom she grew up with in Owensboro and college and whose friendships have endured throughout her life; and the wonderful friends she has enjoyed knowing since she and John retired to Glenwood Springs in 1993.

Louisa’s primary interests and where she devoted the most time were entertaining and refinishing furniture. She could have friends at the drop of a hat or entertain several hundred as she did for her 25th high school reunion when she hosted not one but two separate classes at her home in Owensboro. When her husband turned 90, Louisa, despite health challenges, invited more than 90 people to a celebration at their home. In her day, she made all the food herself but thanks to catering she was able to continue entertaining when she could no longer see to cook. She was a fabulous cook as many can attest and she loved cooking for others.

 Louisa was also an accomplished refinisher of fine furniture. The furniture she restored now graces the homes family members and many friends and customers. She also developed a technique for restoring old linens, including the most delicate and hand embroidered table cloths, bed linens and towels.

 She was a homemaker and loved creating a welcoming home. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Owensboro for many years and later joined her husband as a member of Settle Memorial Methodist Church in Owensboro.  In Glenwood Springs, Louisa and John have been active members of St. Barnabas Episcopal church.

In addition to her parents, Louisa was preceded in death by her three siblings, Frances Wilson Hammond, Martin R. Wilson and Roberta Wilson Owen and their spouses.  Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Dr. John Daniel Lovett of Glenwood Springs; daughter, Nancy Wells Lovett of Greencastle, Indiana; sons, John Wilson Lovett and spouse, Jeanne Lovett, of Wilmington, N.C.; Daniel Clay Lovett and spouse, Emily Lovett, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Katie Lovett Butler and spouse, John Butler; Julia Lovett Schaffner and spouse, Reese Schaffner of Portland, Oregon; and great-grandson, Maddox Butler.  Louisa is also blessed with many nieces and nephews (and their families) who reside all over the country. 

The family appreciates the care and love of many friends in the community over the years and extends thanks for their support and love in this time of grieving. To list all those who were beside Louisa on this earthly pilgrimage would take too much space but each of you know you are beloved and appreciated.

A funeral service will be held for Louisa at St Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glenwood Springs at 2 pm on Saturday December 8, 2018, with The Reverend E. Wendy Huber and Chaplain Sean Yeung officiating followed by a reception hosted by the family at their home (details at the funeral).  Burial will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens by James S. Daviess Funeral home and Crematory at a later date in Kentucky. The family requests donations to the charity of your choice.  


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