AMELIA “LU” LUCY PINKERTON
It is with unimaginable sorrow, that we announce the passing of our precious mother, Amelia “Lu” Lucy Pinkerton, on May 8, 2021, at the age of 95. The youngest of 4 children, she was born on January 18, 1926, to immigrant parents, John Daniel Herceg and Mila Julka Pejkovic Herceg. Lu grew up in a modest ranch home in Lockeford, CA, where she learned the value of hard work and developed a lifelong love of the outdoors and the peacefulness of country life. Lu lost both parents when she was a very young adult, but with the loving support of her siblings, she grew to become an independent, determined, and selfsufficient young woman. She personified the “Women’s Lib” movement before it became mainstream. More importantly, she exemplified the values of her generation: honesty, humility, integrity, loyalty, graciousness, generosity, empathy, and compassion.
Education was extremely important to Lu. She attended Lockeford Grammar School and Lodi High School and then earnestly worked her way through college with a variety of jobs including car hop and cannery work. She attended Modesto Junior College and subsequently graduated from the College of the Pacific with a major in zoology and a minor in psychology. After graduation, and before marriage, she worked in the office of Dr. Luckey and at the Probation Department in Stockton.
Lu married James W. Pinkerton, Jr. in a civil ceremony in Carson City, NV, on July 5,1953, and they made their home in Lodi, where Jim operated Pinkerton Foundry. A shy, introverted woman by nature, Lu was a stark contrast to her husband’s dynamic personality, but she blossomed into an accomplished hostess with a keen eye for detail. She was known for hosting elegant parties for all his military, business, and political endeavors. A very devoted wife, Lu literally wore out the soles of many shoes while walking precincts in support of Jim’s various political campaigns. She was his greatest asset. Early in her marriage, Lu was a member of Marc Club and AAUW. She was also a perennial room mother and field trip chauffeur/chaperone during her children’s grammar school years.
Lu and Jim were fortunate to have traveled extensively to business conventions at beautiful resorts and historic hotels throughout the United States and Bermuda. They also enjoyed long summer vacations in Capitola with their children, as well as wonderful trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and a historical tour of the thirteen original colony states and New England. Lu was happiest at home though, “puttering” in her yard, tending her flowers, and watching over the neighborhood children that congregated at her home. Everyone admired her well-kept white house with pink shutters, pink iron chairs on the porch, and matching pink flowers.
But her most passionate energy was always focused on family and her three children. She was the consummate mother. No task, no hardship, no sacrifice was too great when her children needed her. There are no words to convey what we have lost in her passing. She was our most diligent teacher, our fiercest protector, our most fervent advocate, our most exuberant cheerleader, and our abiding inspiration. She celebrated our smallest successes and encouraged us to reach higher. Her insight and encouragement gave us confidence to confront any obstacle. We felt her love in every breath and never had any reason to doubt it. She was our greatest treasure and our greatest blessing — our angel on earth. Yet she asked for nothing in return. When asked “what can I do for you, Mom?”, she consistently replied “nothing, darling, just take care of yourself”.
Lu spent her last 21 years living in the Woodbridge home of her eldest daughter and son-inlaw, who cherished her love and companionship every day. Lu delighted in the fact that her son-in-law loved to cook for her, since cooking was one thing that she never enjoyed. She playfully referred to him as her “chef”. But nothing that he prepared could ever compete with her favorite Dove Dark Chocolate bars that she always kept within reach in her pocket or purse.
Lu is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jadi Pinkerton (Roger Smith), James Pinkerton, III (Patti), and Jana Pinkerton (Dan D’Orazio). She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; her three siblings, Olivia S. Farmer, Leona D. Herceg, and John D. Herceg; her nephew, Dr. Raymond E. Farmer, Jr.; and her beloved uncle, Mathew D. Herceg. To honor her wishes, there will be no public service. Interment will be with her family at St. Joachim’s Cemetery in Lockeford. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association or the Salvation Army.
“All that I am, or hope ever to be, I owe to my mother.
God bless her.” ~Abraham Lincoln Please sign the guest book at lodinews.com/ guestbook.