Loretta Lacy '77
After retiring from a long and fulfilling career as a teacher, Loretta Lacy ‘77 and her husband Larry now spend their summers traveling and touring as entertainers.
This duo act known as “Larry and Loretta Lacy” travels around the country in an RV to play gigs at fairs, festivals, and other special events. Loretta and Larry met 25 years ago, both with heavy musical backgrounds. Playing music from the 50’s to early 2000’s, country, rock, and even Broadway, the couple specializes in, well, just about everything.
Loretta worked as a teacher for several years and has also served as the Executive Director for the State of Wisconsin National Kidney Foundation, American Cancer Society and Easter Seals. Over the years, Loretta has kept up with her teaching certificates and is certified to teach in Illinois, Wisconsin and also Florida – where she and Larry currently reside. After several decades of teaching full-time, she still works as a substitute teacher when she has time.
“There are definitely difficult days, but for the most part, I still feel the same way walking into a classroom now as I did almost 50 years ago,” Loretta says with a smile. “I must love it if I am 75, retired, and still doing it!”
Loretta was in her mid-thirties and a mother of three children when she began attending Lewis University. “I knew it would not be easy, but it was something I had to do, and quickly,” says Loretta.
In just two short years, she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and had the opportunity to coach the first women’s fast-pitch softball team with an undefeated season.
“Getting my degree from Lewis was the best thing I could have done for myself. I reached a very difficult time in my life after my first husband left, and this degree helped save me and my lifestyle,” adds Loretta.
Loretta and Larry love to travel year-round, not just in the summer as entertainers; two of her favorite destinations are New York City and Costa Rica. In her spare time, Loretta enjoys traveling, embroidering, making jewelry, and painting as well as volunteering at her local health club. She also serves as an IHSA field judge for soccer and as a speech coach.
April 2017
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