Margaret Elizabeth Richer
Margaret Elizabeth (Lucas) Richer died peacefully on February 2, 2023, surrounded by her family after an extended illness.
Margaret was born on June 28, 1947, in Dalhart, Texas. Her parents were Grady and Margery Lucas. She was raised in Clayton, New Mexico, along with her sisters and brothers where she graduated from Clayton High School in 1965 and spent her formative years. During her time in Clayton, Margaret learned the value of family and friendship, honesty, hard work, humility and modesty, which she practiced throughout her entire life. After graduating high school, Margaret attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where she graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. During this time, she met and married the love of her life, Donald A. Richer, and after graduation, the young couple spent time living in Dayton, Ohio, Los Alamos, New Mexico and then Albuquerque, where she maintained her home for the remainder of her life.
First and foremost, Margaret was a mother, and she devoted her entire life to this endeavor raising her children, John and Jennifer. Margaret never missed a school event or athletic competition involving her kids, and the family loved to travel throughout the country and enjoy family vacations together exploring new places and experiences. During her life, Margaret was also a loyal friend who loved to laugh and share a good joke. Margaret was a dedicated member of P.E.O., Chapter AU, for most of her adult life and enjoyed the many opportunities for sisterhood, fellowship and philanthropy that this organization provided. In her free time, Margaret enjoyed reading, Dr. Pepper from a fountain (not a can or bottle), watching sporting events, indulging in native New Mexican food, playing bridge with her friends and lending a hand wherever needed. She loved visiting her grandchildren, generously sharing her time, her sense of humor and her wisdom. Her happy place was spending time with friends and family at any place with a sandy beach and beautiful sunset. Indeed, the beach is where Margaret found much of her joy and peace in life.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Grady Lucas, her mother, Margery Baxter Lucas and her brothers, Eldon “Luke” G. Lucas and Ellis “Jay” J. Tallant, along with many cousins, aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband, Donald A. Richer of the home, her son John T. Richer of Tulsa, Oklahoma, his wife Lesley and their children, Ashley Richer and Owen Richer. Margaret is also survived by her daughter, Jennifer B. (Richer) Duffy of San Anselmo, California, her husband Steve Duffy, their daughter, Hannah Duffy, her lifelong friend Judy (Brown) Schuster and her family and Margaret’s sister Martha Bradford along with many cousins and loving friends who were her constant companions during her life. Margaret was proud of her family, and her legacy is the success, happiness and joy she created in and shared with her husband, her children and her grandchildren during her life.
A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of Margaret’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.