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Louisa Wilson Lovett

December 16, 1929 - December 4, 2018

Louisa Wilson Lovett of Glenwood Springs, Colorado died peacefully Tuesday December 4, 2018 at Valley View Hospital after a short stay at Heritage Park Care Center in Carbondale, CO. Louisa was 88 years young and just days from her 89th birthday. She was born in Owensboro, Kentucky on December 16, 1929 to the late Robert Wilson and Louise Boyle Wilson. After graduating from Owensboro Senior High School, Louisa earned an Associate’s degree from Ward Belmont College for Women in Nashville, TN. In 1951, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. One of the honors for which Louisa was understandably proud was that of being personally selected in 1950 by University of Kentucky President Donavon to be UK’s representative in the prestigious annual Mountain Laurel Festival Pageant in Pikeville, KY. She was also honored 50 years later as a board member of the Mountain Laurel Festival.

In 1951, Louisa met and married Dr. John Lovett. After being a navy officer’s wife during the Korean conflict, Louisa and John settled back in Owensboro where John practiced medicine for 37 years and Louisa was a member of the Medical Auxiliary and other community groups.

Louisa lived a lovely life and she appreciated all of life’s good times with great gratitude for her family, friends and acquaintances. Louisa’s children describe their mother as being a ‘friend magnet.’ Louisa made friends easily because she was genuinely interested in others. She immensely valued her lifetime/childhood friends with whom she grew up as well as the many friends she made over the years. She also faced head-on any challenges life presented. Louisa’s personal experience and recovery from clinical depression led her to help many others and their families to understand this illness.

A homemaker par excellence, Louisa created a welcoming home for everyone who visited. She could have friends at the drop of a hat or entertain several hundred guests as she did for her 25th high school reunion when she hosted not one but two separate classes at her home in Owensboro. To celebrate John Lovett’s 90th birthday, Louisa, despite health challenges invited more than 90 guests to a celebration at home. In her day, she made all the food herself but thanks to catering, she was able to continue entertaining even when her vision failed and she could no longer see to cook. She was a fabulous cook as many can attest and she loved cooking for others.

Louisa was an accomplished refinisher of fine furniture. The furniture she restored now graces the homes of family members, friends and customers. She also developed a technique for restoring old linens, including the most delicate and hand embroidered table cloths, bed linens and towels. She will also be remembered for her enjoyment of going to auctions and other ‘treasure hunting’ establishments.

A member of Owensboro’s First Baptist church for many years, Louisa later joined her husband as a member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. After she and John retired to Colorado in 1993, Louisa became an active member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glenwood Springs, CO. In addition to her parents, Louisa was preceded in death by her three siblings, Frances Wilson Hammond, Martin R. Wilson and Roberta Wilson Owen and their spouses.

Louisa is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dr. John Daniel Lovett of Owensboro, KY & Glenwood Springs, CO; daughter, Nancy Wells Lovett of Greencastle, IN; sons, John Wilson Lovett and spouse, Jeanne Lovett, of Wilmington, NC; Daniel Clay Lovett and spouse, Emily Lovett, of Steamboat Springs, CO; grandchildren, Julia Lovett Schaffner and spouse, Reese Schaffner; Katie Lovett Butler and spouse, John Butler; of Winston Salem, NC. and great-grandson, Maddox Butler. Louisa also felt blessed with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews along with their families.

A Celebration of Louisa’s Life will occur on Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of James H. Davis Funeral Home, Owensboro, KY. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Private entombment will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens. The family appreciates the care and love of many friends over the years. To list all those who were beside Louisa on this earthly pilgrimage would take too much space but each of you know you are beloved and appreciated. It is requested that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the donors favorite charity. Online messages of condolence may be made at www.davisfuneralhome.com