Grace Leebody Luney

Grace Leebody Luney (Gaye) was born Grace Leebody Morrison on October 9, 1935, at home, 18 Island Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, to George and Mary Morrison. She lived through WWII, where Belfast was a target of bombing due to its shipbuilding industry. She was moved to the countryside with other children and endured the rationing imposed during and after the war.

She joined the Royal Air Force after being the first in her family to complete secondary school and trained as a Radiographer. Apparently, she was one of, if not the first, female radiographer trained in the WRAF. After training in England, she returned to Belfast, where she met the love of her life, John Edward Luney (Jack). They were married on March 8, 1960, and had three children, the youngest of whom was still a babe in arms when they immigrated to the USA. Jack was an aeronautics engineer and was among a contingent of British immigrants who worked for the Lockheed Corporation developing the C5A Galaxy transport plane. They became naturalized US citizens in 1974.

Unfortunately, she lost Jack to heart disease at a far too young age and was left a single mother of three in an adopted country. To support her family, she worked as an X-ray tech, medical assistant, and Medical Office Manager. She saw all three children complete a college education and become successful, which brought her great pride.

She loved to knit, and her Afghan blankets were a perennial favorite at auction to raise money for the high school band. She could easily knit and talk at the same time, which was fortunate because talking was also a great passion of hers. She could knit quite quickly, which her children found out when they met their first snow in Georgia. We were not allowed outside to play in the fresh snow until she had knitted each of us a hat, which she did in a matter of minutes.

She had a beautiful, trained soprano voice that she enjoyed sharing with the church choir. It was the church family at St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta, GA, that encouraged her to begin acting in community theater. She appeared in multiple productions with the Polk Street Players and Theater in the Square in Marietta, eventually earning her Actors' Equity card. She was also an active speaker with Toastmasters International and reading the news for the blind on public radio. After moving to NC, she appeared on stage at the Hickory Community Theater and the Green Room.

She was a self-taught baker, having taught herself to cook and bake at age nine when her mother had to go to work. Her shortbread cookies were a coveted gift at Christmas, and she always kept a supply for visitors who came for a cup of tea or to take with her for doctor visits, as she hated to present empty-handed.

She had a great sense of humor. She loved to tell jokes and had an incredible memory that allowed her to recall any stories that she heard and an actor's sense of timing to present them well. That memory allowed her to remember phone numbers and addresses that were years old or rarely used. It even allowed her to learn street names and be able to navigate by them here in Hickory, NC, a feat which by itself should have qualified her for an appearance on Jeopardy, her favorite TV show.

She survived the Blitz during WWII and the rationing that followed. She overcame the challenges of being widowed with three young children, alone in an adopted country. She was a cancer survivor. She suffered, as did many of her generation, from the damage caused by cigarette smoke, but was able to defeat that addiction. She struggled with back pain caused by injuries associated with her X-ray work.

She was able to see all three of her children and her six grandchildren together on the occasion of her 86th birthday. Just before Christmas last year, she was able to hold her first great-grandchild, Jack.

It is a great irony/tragedy that after a life filled with challenges, it was her incredible memory and intellect that failed her in the end. After years of declining health, she died peacefully at home on the morning of her 90th birthday.

Her family would like to acknowledge the comfort and companionship provided by Tina Beshears and Betty Spencer, who spent many hours listening to her tell the stories of her life. We would also like to thank Dawn and Savannah and Carolina Caring Hospice service for their caring and compassion in her final months.

She is survived by her son, Derek Luney, and wife Sandy, of Hickory, NC; their sons, John Luney and wife Lydia of Charlotte, NC and their son, Jack Luney, and Michael Luney, and wife Katie, of Wilmington, NC; her son, David Luney, and wife Tammy, of Hartwell, GA; and their daughters, Madison, Savannah, and Abigail Luney; and her daughter, DebraJane Kirkaldy, and husband Scott of Flowery Branch, GA; and their daughter, Molly Kirkaldy.

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, her family intends to continue her support for institutions she felt deserved her assistance. She donated to local service groups such as the Hickory Soup Kitchen and CCM, as well as Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society. She was a supporter of NC public television and NPR, as well as national and international environmental groups. Those who wish to honor her memory are encouraged to contribute to these or similar organizations.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Luney family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.