Lucille Lee Hedemark

Lucille Lee Hedemark died on February 7, 2013 in Napa, California at age 95 and was born in Saratoga, Arkansas on January 14, 1918 to Dr. Henry Clay Walkup and Esther Ophelia Spates. Always ready for adventure, Lucille enrolled in nursing school immediately after high school, followed her beloved father's footsteps into the medical profession and found her true calling as a registered nurse. Lucille enjoyed glamorous days in her first job in the Hot Springs, Arkansas hospital and served as a 2nd Lieutenant Army nurse in Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas during World War II. Lucille served the returning troops in Army/Navy Hospitals in California, practiced in a Chicago Hospital, supervised nursing homes and continued work as a private nurse well into her 80's. Lucille married the dashing Captain Arden Morris and produced her first son, Michael. It was a great blow to her when the marriage ended in divorce and Lucille struggled for some time as a single mother. In 1949 Lucille wed Earl Orlo Hedemark. He was a Marine who had barely survived the Bataan death march and years of Japanese prison camps. Lucille was his nurse. They had 3 children, settled in Saratoga, California, and Earl had only just developed a brilliant law career at last when he died of lung cancer in 1974. She devoted herself to her children and to helping people generally. The Depression years in Saratoga Arkansas and the values of that community remained with Lucille always. Though Lucille spent most of her life in California, she always retained the dialects of Arkansas and the North Carolina sound of her father. Lucille carried in her voice the sound of an era long gone and was a true southern belle. Lucille and her sisters returned annually to their beloved Saratoga home and old friends until they became too frail to do so. Lucille loved life until the end. Her last 4 years were spent in the California Veterans Home in Yountville, California where she finally felt safe. No one cherished the beauty of nature more than Lucille. She delighted in every breeze, leaf, bird, butterfly and cloud she beheld. She had an artist soul and loved to paint. She never passed a piano without sitting down to play, and she could play any tune at all. She was a wonderful cook and anyone was welcome to supper. Her twin sister, Louise, sisters Lillian and Virginia, brothers Edward and Clark preceded her in death. Lucille is survived by her children James Michael Morris, Charm, Noel and Tamara Hedemark, 2 grandchildren (Christina Morris and Tara Aguayo Hedemark) and one great grandson, Drew Morris. Condolences may be sent to Charm Hedemark, 2071 ½ Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles, CALIF 90068 Graveside services were on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in Saratoga Cemetery under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home, Nashville, AR. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lucille Lee Hedemark please visit our Sympathy Store.