Read more
about Lucie. . .

She's one of our heroines of service.

Look at the plight of persons who are disabled.

Words that Lucie likes--
From the back of 
Mother Teresa's business card

· The fruit of silence is prayer 
· The fruit of prayer is faith 
· The fruit of faith is love 
· The fruit of love is service 
· The fruit of service is peace. 

A Song For Lucie

A few days after her death we all met at her favorite restaurant, the Olive Garden, to celebrate her passing. Near our table that day a group was celebrating a birthday and all the waiters sang a non-traditional birthday  song—one that would apply to any occasion. So I asked for a song. 

At first our server was perplexed, until I told her we were there to celebrate. She and six other waiters came near the end of our meal and sang a song for Lucie. 

L ucie Halleck, age 62,  died peacefully Sunday night, June 29, 1997, at Integris Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City. Her diseased kidneys just gave out. She had previously determined not to take dialysis. Lucie was a faithful servant of Christ and a good friend of In His Name Ministries.

Terri Nashert, now deceased, who had been Lucie’s homebound patient for many months, first informed us of Lucie’s financial distress soon after a disabling stroke in 1990. She had no disability insurance. A small savings had been quickly depleted. She had to let a car go back, sold prized antique furnishings. 

We have known many people who faced financial disaster, none of whom handled the scaled down life style as graciously as Lucie. In fact, as she grew closer to God, he helped her make that adjustment. Even though her income had been sharply reduced, down to about 17% of her former income, she always helped others. She wrote letters, made timely phone calls to encourage, and earnestly prayed twice a day for a long list of special needs. Lucie was our main person to call when we needed prayer back up.

A friend of IHNM gave her $200 per month until she was eventually given a regularly SSI check. Other ministry friends sent payments to the utility companies, delivered her groceries and gave money for her incidental expenses. Her family also helped. It was a small group—a cousin in town, a brother in Michigan and a step-father in Tulsa. 

Soon after the stroke her friend, brought her to IHNM’s monthly luncheon. This was a time of personal spiritual renewal for Lucie, and she heartily participated. Our speakers were representatives from ministries who shared their stories, or updated us about their programs—organizations such as Habitat For Humanity, Infant Crisis Center, Labor Link Center, Prison Fellowship, International Student, Inc., and other local ministries. Our topics centered on serving neighbors.

Lucie developed a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She and I personally talked many hours on the phone and in person over lunch about things of God. There were people in her life who she had not forgiven. I pressed hard about this. Later she made an important decision to forgive her mother of some things just before her mother died.

Those meetings seemed to have run their course so we canceled them. Lucie protested loudly and was very persistent about it. We talked on the phone every few days and she never failed to remind me "how important those luncheons had been." About that time we learned of a monthly meeting at Applewoods Restaurant that was put on by a Putnam City Baptist church. Lucie and a few other friends began attending. She loved it. 

There were about eight of us who met there, sharing a large round table. At other times we met at various restaurants just for the fellowship. We celebrated Lucie’s last birthday at Steak & Ale last August. 

A few days after her death we all met at her favorite restaurant, the Olive Garden, to celebrate her passing. Near our table that day a group was celebrating a birthday and all the waiters sang a special song—one that would apply generally to any occasion. So I asked for a song. At first I could tell our server was reluctant, until I told her we were there to celebrate. She and six other waiters came near the end of our meal and sang a song for Lucie. 

She had been hospitalized since June 6, following a stoke. She called IHNM for help: "I don't know what's the matter, but I need help, please come quickly." I called 911 for her, then Margaret and I drove to her house. Our home/office is only five or six minutes from her apartment. We arrived just after the EMSA people did. 

She has had a long bout with kidney disease The deterioration was extensive so the prognosis for recovery was not good. 

She has told us more than once that she would not take dialysis, nor submit to resuscitation if her heart stopped. She is very strong willed about this. Perhaps as a Registered Nurse, she had seen many people prolong death in exchange for a limited existence. We talked to her about considering what God may still have for her to do. We prayed that God would be merciful.

At the hospital we got to know her cousin, Julia. She remarked how grateful the family was for the new friends Lucie had met through IHNM.  She said, "These past few years have been the happiest times of her life."

 --Dee Stribling