Born Lucia Betes on April 29, 1922 in Inglewood, California, to Juana (Ainsa) Betes and Geronimo Betes, "Lucy" was the youngest of their three children. She and her brothers, "Frank" (Franciso) the eldest and "Manny" (Manuel) remained close throughout their lives. Lucy was born at the family home on Beach Street. Despite a physician being present, her upper left arm was broken during delivery. She was told the doctor wrapped her arm in plaster (no x-rays!) and everyone who saw her would say "pobrecita" – poor little one.  Her upper left arm remained noticeably misshapen and shorter. She would later participate in sports, especially volleyball, to strengthen her arm.

Lucy's parents immigrated from Canfranc, Spain, a small town high in the Pyrenees Mountains on the border with France, to America during WWI. They crossed the Atlantic on a Spanish ship, with German U-boats around them.  As Spain was neutral in the conflict, they arrived safely in New York after an arduous crossing, settling in California, never to see Spain again.  Geronimo worked as a farmer, leasing land in the Palms/Culver City area. He joined his brother-in-law and purchased a farm with a big house for the two families in Perris, California. Before moving, Geronimo was in an accident and found to have cancer. He underwent radiation treatments in Los Angeles but died at the age of 40.  Juana, who did not speak English, was to raise their three children alone. Lucy was 3 years old. Juana managed to use the money for the farm to buy a small house in Hawthorne, California.  She did all she could to support her family, raising chickens, rabbits and goats, growing vegetables plus receiving aid from the County for widows with children. It was homemade clothes and hand-me-downs for her children. Lucy and her brothers did all they could to help their mother.  Juana's dream was that all three children would graduate high school - and they did!

Lucy attended St. Joseph School and was taught by the Sisters of Providence, as later did her three children.  She went to Leuzinger High School, Home of "The Olympians". Lucy excelled in all she did.  Serving as editor of both the school newspaper and the yearbook, she participated in many other clubs and activities. Lucy graduated in 1939 and was class Salutatorian.  Her graduation speech was titled "Women in the Workforce".  Receiving scholarships to UCLA and Compton College, Lucy turned them down, choosing to attend Metropolitan Business School. She took a course which allowed her to get a good job to help support her mother. After one year she landed a job in the Trust Department at Security Bank in downtown Los Angeles.

After WWII, still working at the bank, Lucy remained socially active, attending dances, movies, taking trips to Catalina on the Big White Steamer and being a member of the Catholic Singles group at St. Joseph's, The Amecians.  All of the Catholic Churches had these groups after the war. On a side note, a group of these young women remained life-long friends.  Of the fifteen "Girls" that continued to get together, have "secret pals" and picnics, Lucy was the longest surviving member.  It was while bowling in a Catholic Singles league she would meet the love her life, Donald "Don" Joseph Lambi Adams. Don, a bowling fanatic, saw Lucy at Windsor Bowl and says for him "It was love at first sight".  Lucy says she thought he was "good looking". Don was there on his night off from the Post Office to fill in if any team needed a "sub" bowler.  Don asked for Lucy for her phone number and Lucy told him she would be there every Tuesday for the next five months. He said with his rotating days off it would be weeks before he would be there on a Tuesday night.  But, Lucy held firm – he did not get her number. The following Tuesday, there was Don. He had called off sick but this time he got her number.  Their first date, a Notre Dame vs USC football game at the Los Angeles Coliseum, was on December 1, 1951.  That Saturday it was pouring rain and the field was covered by fog.  Notre Dame was losing, when Don asked Lucy if she wanted to leave. She meekly nodded yes. Later, listening to the radio in Don's car, Freshman QB Ralph Guglielmi, somehow threw a winning pass for ND.  Don had a large wager for ND to win and they celebrated by purchasing a bottle of champagne at the Zamboanga South Seas Club. The ND vs USC rivalry would become a family favorite, attending in person or watching on TV.

Don & Lucy married on September 19, 1953 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hawthorne, California.  Lucy Mary, Robert Michael Joseph and Donald Joseph Gregory were born over the next 3 ½ years. Their lives were busy with church, school, scouts, car-trip vacations and visits with extended family. It was a wonderful life and a great place to live.  Lucy worked part-time in the evening when Don was home to care for their children.  After all three children were in grammar school, she went to work full time at the Centinela Valley Union High School District as a secretary to various counselors, vice principals and principals. Over her 30 year career, she worked at three high schools, Lennox, Hawthorne and Lloyde. Lucy thoroughly enjoyed her work. She made many friends, administrators, faculty and students alike. Working at the high schools, Lucy knew the various college requirements, SAT dates and application deadlines.  She would bring the forms home for her children to complete. Her goal was that her three children all earned college degrees - and they did!

Don retired before Lucy, but by then she had summers off.  They took road trips, including a cross country bus trip and visited Hawaii three times.  In 1983, Don & Lucy moved to Huntington Beach, leaving behind their life in Hawthorne. Don got involved at Sts. Simon and Jude, Catholic Church, transferring to the newly formed Knights of Columbus Council 8338 and joining the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Lucy enjoyed meeting the people and activities in both groups, easily making many new friends.  Lucy retired from CVUHSD on July 1, 1998, returning to cover for staff on vacation or on leave for another five years.

Lucy loved God, her husband, her children, her family and friends. She enjoyed shopping, going to the movies, working in her garden and her People magazine subscription. She always dressed to look her best, putting on lipstick when visitors were coming or she was going out. Lucy had true grace. She was beautiful inside and out. Supportive, a good listener, and hard-working. Lucy was a strong person, yet genuinely kind. And yes, Lucy had the most beautiful smile.

Lucy went home to God on May 22, 2024 at the age of 102. She was preceded in death by her brothers Frank & Manny. She is survived by Don, her beloved husband of over 70 years, daughter, Lucy Hickey (David), and sons Bob (Marilyn) and Don (Karen). Her faithful companion and guardian, Benjie, never left her side.  Her compassionate caregivers, Tessie, Maria, Susana and Mary helped her to stay in her home where she was happy, a true blessing for us all. Lucy, along with her beautiful smile, will be missed by all who knew her.

A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, located at  20444 Magnolia St, Huntington Beach  CA  92646.  The Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am followed by Mass at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.

Charities Lucy & Don supported include:

Knights of Columbus

Missionaries of Charity

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Veteran's Charities, such as The Gary Sinise Foundation