January 13, 1943 - December 6, 2024
Bradenton, Florida - Lucy Francis Kemp of Bradenton, Florida died peacefully at home on December 6th, 2024 at the age of 81.
Born on January 13th, 1943 and raised in Buffalo, New York to Russell and Adele Francis, Lucy spent her career as a dedicated elementary school teacher. She attended South Park High School and graduated in 1960. After high school she earned her degree in education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and later returned to school to complete her master's degree through Clarion State College in Pennsylvania.
Lucy met her high school sweetheart, William, in her sophomore year of high school. They married in 1964 and shortly afterwards moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan where she and Bill started their family. Lucy and family relocated to Clarion, Pennsylvania in 1972 where she worked as a Reading Specialist at Boundary Street Elementary School. After moving to Bradenton in 1981, Lucy worked for the Manatee County School District at Prine Elementary School, primarily as a first-grade teacher, however she spent some time at the 4th grade level due to her ability to be a "strong but fair" disciplinarian. Lucy and Bill returned to Pennsylvania in 1998 where she continued her education career teaching in Ambler until her retirement in 2008.
With her children and grandchildren in Bradenton, Lucy and Bill returned to Florida after retirement to spend their golden years with family. Lucy could always be counted on to share her love of scrapbooking and making greeting cards with her grandchildren while she attended as many music performances and athletic events that she could to cheer on her favorite participants. Lucy also served on the Board of Directors for her condo association and volunteered on Fridays at the church office. Lucy and Bill were able to travel throughout the world and she found pleasure in documenting their travels with photos and mementos. As an avid animal lover, Lucy would talk to anyone about their pets and her own dogs brought some of the greatest joys to her life.
Lucy is survived by her son Scott of Palmetto, daughter Tracy (Andrew) Jordan of Bradenton, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 20th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch, Florida (12705 SR 64 E, Bradenton - 34212). The service will be live streamed at www.YouTube.com/c/PeacePresbyterianChurch.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts in memoriam be made to Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center (4951 Lorraine Road - Bradenton, Florida 34211); online at www.nateshonoranimalrescue.org, Peace Presbyterian Church, or to a charity of your choice.
