Lucille "Boo" H. (Cavanaugh) Lutgen Obituary (1930 - 2023)

Lucille (Boo) Lutgen, age 93, was born in Seattle, WA on April 7, 1930, to her parents Ann and Garrett Cavanaugh. She passed away next to her husband, Will Sr., early in the morning of November 17, 2023 at Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle. Boo's original nick name, given by her grandfather, was "Booster". Booster always encouraged others to be their best selves. She lived up to the shortened moniker "Boo" her whole life! The staff at Mount St. Vincent called Boo and Will's relationship a "love story". It was a love story for over 73 years of marriage. They provided everyone they met with an example of what it truly means to love, un-selfishly take care of, and be dedicated to a spouse for your entire life. Boo grew up near and attended St. Mary's Grade School, in Seattle, where she met Will in the seventh grade. According to Will, "sparks didn't fly" until they were about 17 years old. Boo graduated from the Immaculate Conception High School and waited for Will to come home from a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. They married on July 28, 1950. They purposely created a loving, happy and stable home for their children. They were always very generous with their time and resources for their family, neighbors and friends. At 50 years, they marked a life well lived with a big party celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary with their children, grandchildren, their sisters, nieces and nephews, friends from their childhood neighborhood, and friends they met along their road of life. Boo was the matriarch's matriarch. She firmly believed that not only did the children born to her come under her sphere of influence and guidance, but every grandchild and great grandchild were ultimately and directly "hers" as well. Boo's primary occupation was being the best Mom in the Wedgwood and Assumption neighborhoods of Seattle during the 1950s and 60s. She helped in her boys' classrooms, with their Cub Scout dens, hauled her boys to baseball and football practices, was their biggest fan and booster at their games and took them to Saturday morning CCD classes. Boo sold more Blanchet H.S. Chocolate Bars to family, friends and neighbors, than her student sons. During their child rearing years, Boo and Will took occasional trips to Reno, NV with sister Molly and her husband Jack. Summer weekends at sister Codge's and her husband Dick's three story log cabin on Spencer Lake created a life time of great memories for all three Cavanaugh girls, their husbands and their kids. They were best of friends. Boo and Will loved to dance. They were members of a West Seattle Dance Club called the Mid-Nighters. Boo always looked the most beautiful, to her boys, when dressing up for Saturday night at the dance club. Transitioning from a full time Mom, Boo worked as an assistant manager of a Bingo Hall charity and then for Dr. Raymond Clark as his receptionist and bookkeeper for nearly 20 years. As Boo transitioned again to grandmother and great grandmother, her attention turned to acquiring just the right Christmas gifts for all of her children throughout the year. And at Christmas, she and Will turned out professional platters of delicious cookies, fudge, divinity and caramels for family and friends. Boo left a legacy of spending time with her granddaughters by sharing her recipes and making these goodies at Christmas time. Boo also made sure to give her hand knitted bed blankets to each of her great grandkids...something by which to remember her. Boo frequently prayed the rosary and asked God to protect or heal her family and friends. She believed in the Holy Trinity and all that it means. Boo was preceded in death by her sister, Codge Brooks. Boo leaves behind her husband, Will Sr.; sister, Molly Sohns; three sons and spouses, grandkids, and great-grand kids: Will Jr. and Sue their family: Son, Garrett (Tress) - Cole; Kenna, Caden; Daughter, Natalie (Brad Parker) - Addison, Luke; and Son, Matthew (Morgan) - Lincoln, Zach John and Becky their family: Son, Jeff (Gaby) - Alaina, Camden, Gabi, JJ, Gio, Axel; Son, Brad (Yolanda) - Milan, Leena, Ascher, Harper Paul and Monica their family: Daughter, Robin (Nate Gepner) - Evie; Son, Jay (Natalia); and Son, Paul Jr. Nieces and nephews. A very few close friends and lots of friends and neighbors. Boo loved her family above all else. Her family will always love her. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Boo's Life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at noon at Providence Mt. St. Vincent Chapel 3rd Floor, 4831 35th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126. Reception to follow the Mass on the 2nd Floor of St. Vincent. Please note PARKING on the St. Vincent Campus can be difficult at times. Ample parking is usually available on 37th Ave SW just west of the campus, and other side streets adjacent the St. Vincent Campus. The family very much appreciates the kind and compassionate care of the Mt. St. Vincent team that guided Boo and her family through her final months. The family suggests remembrances in Boo's name to the Mount St. Vincent Foundation - Mount St. Vincent (providence.org).