Joan Pettey Lacey

Joan Pettey Lacey, 90, a retired teacher of 30 years for the Archdiocese of Washington, and a soloist at concerts, weddings, and funerals, died on November 18, 2018 at her home in Leisure World in Silver Spring after a short illness.

Mrs. Lacey was born in Washington, D.C., the youngest of five children of James and Elizabeth Pettey. She graduated from St. Anthony High School in Brookland, and from Catholic University where she majored in English with a music minor, and was also a soloist with the Glee Club.

Mrs. Lacey taught at St. Ambrose Catholic School in Cheverly, MD from 1950-1956, then at Holy Redeemer in Kensington, MD, and finally at St. Jude School in Rockville where she served as the first lay teacher. After her retirement in 1986, she continued to substitute until 2008, and also served as a judge for the Education Contest for the Leisure World Chapter of the Catholic Daughters of America.

At St. Jude, Mrs. Lacey directed the Boys Choir, and later, the Children’s Choir.

She was a member of St. Anthony Choir, and later, St. Jude Choir, singing in concerts and for weddings and funerals.

Mrs. Lacey was a charter member of St. Jude Church, Prefect and Vice Prefect of the Sodality and produced several musical fund raisers for the parish. She was named St. Jude Sodality Woman of the Year in 1994 and in 1998. She was also Co-Chairman for the first parish building fund campaign.

Mrs. Lacey met Maurice W. Lacey at Catholic University, and they were married in 1951. Mr. Lacey died in 2008. She is survived by two children: Maura Meehan in Florida and Brian Lacey in Indiana, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A tireless servant of the Lord, she will be greatly missed by the many friends and students whose lives she touched along the way. Viewing will be at 10:00 am on November 26, 2018 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15661 Norbeck Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joan’s name to St. Jude Regional Catholic School, 4820 Walbridge Street, Rockville, MD 20853.