PETTY LUCCO July 7, 1930 – Aug. 25, 2024
A bright star has left our orbit. On August 25, 2024 in the early morning dark, Petty Lucco, a past resident of Los Alamos, left this world to join her ancestors. At a remarkable age of 94 years old, she passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Born, July 7, 1930 in Buenos Aires, Argentina she was given the name Teresita Nelly Raynuad by her parents Pedro Raynaud and Diznarda Lidubina Itcea. She was the eldest sibling of 3—her sister Mabel is called “Tia Chicha” and her brother Pedro Osvaldo often called “Poli.”
Teresita went by many names. Most knew her as Petty but to her large family of daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, she was, and will always be lovingly called, “Abuelita” (“Wita” for short). She lived up to this honorific with astounding grace and no small dash of spicy Latin flare.
While growing up in Buenos Aires, she found a love and passion for music and dancing. As a young woman, Petty sang gospel in her church choir which, incidentally, drew to her the love of her life, Gino Lucco. Gino once said, “I kept going across town to her church each Sunday just to listen to her sing.” Petty and Gino got married, had 4 beautiful daughters and lived a long, full, and happy life over 65 years of marriage.
To support herself and her family, she found work at an aerospace manufacturing company assembling black boxes for airplanes; eventually retiring as a supervisor. But, her true passion, the arts, always remained a focus in her life. At family parties, she was known to spontaneously break into powerful Opera arias, her beautiful voice thrumming the hearts of all who heard her craft. She was a square dancer, a master crafter, and an incredible cook. At the peak of her square-dancing practice, she and Gino performed in the opening ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Taking care of her family was one of the great gifts she offered the world. She was fiercely loyal, loving, and willing to do anything to protect and care for her children and grandchildren. She and her husband Gino regularly hosted large family gatherings filled with traditional foods, laughter, music, and joy. At times, these parties could be chaotic, loud, and filled with family drama. But always, Abuelita was there with a plate of bocadillos de aselga or empanadas or homemade gnocchi.
Petty not only had a big heart, but walked through life filled with generosity. This was her love language. If she sniffed out someone in need, she might cook them a special meal, pass on a family heirloom, or take them on a needed adventure. She dedicated a lot of time to bowling with children with disabilities, bringing them treats and cheering them on. Friends and family could scarcely leave her house without pockets filled with candy, bags of food, or other gifts.
This was her compass for navigating life. She was a sheer force of nature. An unstoppable power until her final breath. They say a falling star burns bright and fast, then goes out. But, what do you call something that burns hot and bright but never diminishes? A Comet. Petty “Abuelita” Lucco burned as a Comet in our orbit for 94 years. A force of love, of music, of art, of generosity, and of hot burning fire. Her code for a good life is this: Hold your loved ones close, feed them well, tell them how much you love them – These are act’s that honor Teresita…Petty… Abuelita. These are the acts that matter most.
Petty is survived by her sister Mabel, two daughters Trisha Ancell and Diana Dioli, her 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She will live in our hearts forever.