Obituary for Lorene Ann (Lory) Garrett
11/25/47-6/7/22
Our friend and sister, Lory, passed peacefully on June 7 after a brief but valiant battle with cancer. Her husband of 42 years, Chuck Luke, and her sister, Betty Reisch, were at her side.
She touched many lives in so many ways. Those who knew her were always amazed at the countless dimensions of her personality and were immeasurably touched by her friendship and love. She was generous beyond generosity, loyal beyond loyalty, honest beyond honesty, and loving beyond love. Her heart was as big as the Texas sky.
Lory was born in Hoxie, Kansas and grew up primarily in California, graduating from San Fernando High School in 1966. A few years later, she moved to the Fort Worth area where she met Chuck in 1979. For several years, she was a successful saleswoman in a commodity industry dominated by salesmen.
Lory was fortunate to have lived all over the United States with Chuck. Besides the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex, she lived in Los Angeles and San Diego, Chicago, Ohio, Tampa and Miami, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Houston. Lory made life-long friends everywhere she lived, and by the force of her personality, made each of those friends better people.
In 1987, Lory earned her Bachelors Degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington. She was a writer for the school newspaper, The Shorthorn, and had articles in Texas Monthly. She was an avid reader and enjoyed discussing the books she read. Andrew Greeley was one of her favorite authors, among many others.
She pursued numerous hobbies with her signature intensity and enthusiasm. Calligraphy, crocheting, Ukrainian Easter eggs, stained glass, and quilting; she was a perfectionist. Her artistic abilities and creativity were unbounded.
Lory liked to host large luncheons, parties, and dinners in her home, especially at Eastertide and New Years. She liked to focus on friends who did not have families nearby, exhibiting her qualities of love, generosity and thoughtfulness.
Her favorite colors were purple and lavender. Her favorite groups/singers were Abba and country women such as Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, and Kelly Clarkson.
A lifelong Episcopalian, Lory retired to the Fort Worth area and joined St. Stephens Church where she volunteered as a greeter and lesson reader. She also enjoyed the church’s Bible Study group. Lory walked the Way of a Christian every day.
She is survived by her husband Chuck Luke, sister Betty Reisch and her husband Bill, her brothers David Garrett, Drew Garrett, and Drew’s wife Julie, her “children of the heart” Juan Carlos and Lore Pearl-Aguilar, their daughters and Lory’s “grandchildren” Andy and Pau, plus many nephews and nieces, and godsons, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lory’s favorite charity, WomenforWomen International, Womenforwomen.org.
Lory’s memorial service in Fort Worth is Saturday July 2, 10 AM at St Stephen’s Episcopal church, 463 W Harwood Rd, Hurst, TX 76054. The service in Houston is the next Saturday July 9, 2 PM, at Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, Texas 77025. Everyone is welcome and asked to wear something lavender or purple, Lory’s favorite color.