Newton lost a beloved member of its community July 27, 2020, when Frances Lucille Urias (Lucy) passed away at the Comfort House in Pella.
Lucy was born April 6, 1933, in Bussey, to Ira and Belle (Sims) VanderLinden. She was a member of the class of 1951 at Knoxville High School. She married the love of her life, Joseph S. Urias in Newton, April 11, 1958, and together they built a beautiful life and family. Her family was her number one priority. Over the years she worked many places including the Maytag Dairy Farm, the Newton Daily News and Newton Senior High School.
Lucy was an excellent athlete who enjoyed playing and watching sports of every kind. You would often find her sporting a Cardinals or Hawkeyes T-shirt and in the crowds cheering on her grandchildren’s games, recitals and plays. She was an avid golfer and also enjoyed basketball, softball and any other sport she could join in on. She was a committed member of The Moose Lodge for more than 50 years, the Elks and the Westwood golf course.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph S. Urias; her children, Mike (Annie) Urias, Ronald Dean (Sally) Urias, Teresa (Kent) Shirley, Chris (John) Heck and Joe A. (Monica) Urias; her 22 grandchildren; her 42 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Edna Nelson; her brother, Dale Vander Linden; and a cousin, Sandra Williams, whom she considered a sister. Lucy was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Pat Urias Parker; her granddaughter, Toni Botello; a great-granddaughter, Morgan Malloy; her parents; four sisters; and five brothers.
Lucy was always the life of the party and brought laughter and joy into so many people's lives. She could make just about anyone feel special and had more love to share than you could ever imagine. She will be sorely missed by so many.
We realize there are so many who would want to honor our mama and her life, but due to COVID 19, there will not be a public service at this time. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 31 at the Pence- Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will not be present. A private family service will be held.
In memoriam of Lucy, a bench will be placed in her honor at the Westwood golf course. Memorials may be made payable to Mike Urias and may be left at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home.
