LUCY “LUCIA” FERRARA BETTLER
1948-2017
Lucy “Lucia” Anne Ferrara Bettler died on Friday, September 22, surrounded by friends and family.
Born in Houston, Texas on September 17, 1948 to Richard and Tena Ferrara, she was the middle of three children; older brother Richard Ferrara and younger sister Mary Jo Piwetz survive her.
Raised in Houston’s East End, Lucia attended Blessed Sacrament Church and School and graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in 1966. Upon graduation, she was called to a life of faith and entered the convent of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament order in Bellaire, Texas. Concurrently, she worked to complete a degree in English from the University of St. Thomas. It was there that she met and later married (in 1972) her life love, Michael Bettler, who survives her. Lucia worked for 12 years as an English teacher for the Houston Independent School District. Following the success of a small side business that included wreath and potpourri making, herb gardening and cooking, Lucia opened Lucia’s Garden, a gift/ herbal shop and learning center that has been a mainstay in the Houston community for over 30 years. In addition to her work through the shop, she was a member of the Herb Society of America, the Houston Culinary Guild, the St. Anne Catholic Community choir, the River Oaks Business Women’s Exchange Club, a board member for Brigid’s Place, and a past president of the International Herb Association.
Lucia was infinitely curious about the world and she had a unique ability to see beauty in all aspects of life. She was an enthusiastic lover of music, literature, food, herbs, flowers, travel, mythology, folklore, and religion. Her enthusiasm was contagious – she inspired others to follow their passions and to find bliss in the world. She never abandoned the philosophy that was her loving personality – that a positive approach to life and embrace of friends is salve for the soul.
In addition to her husband, brother and sister, Lucia is survived by her brothers-inlaw, Mike Piwetz and David Bettler, and sisters-in-law, Lois Ferrara and Gabriele Bettler; Joel Miles, Sheila Johnson-Brousseau, and Laura Achenbaum, to whom she was a spiritual mother; nieces and nephews, Jessica Flores (husband George), Emily Piwetz, Rick Ferrara (wife Claudia), Lisa Ferrara, Lynn Fagerstrom, Jill Breeze (husband John), Amy Simmons (husband Chris), Brian Martin (partner Michaela), Nicki Creel (husband Ronnie), as well as great-nieces and nephews and extended family members; her women’s group (among her closest friends); and innumerable loved ones.
There will be a Memorial Gathering on Friday, October 20, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 with a Rosary Service at 7:00 pm at Pat H. Foley & Company, 1200 West 34th St. Houston, Texas 77018. There will be a Mass on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Anne’s Catholic Community, 2140 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77098.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “St. Anne Catholic Community” at 2140 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098. Please write “Choir Pilgrimage Fund” in the memo.