Hildegard Lucarelli

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mrs. Hildegard Lucarelli of Blairsville, who passed away on February 3, 2017. She was born Hildegard Anneleise Scharn in Sorau, Germany (now Zary, Poland) to the late Erich and Frieda Scharn on November 2, 1921. The idyllic childhood she enjoyed with her younger sister, Margot, would be marred by the advent of World War II. Ultimately, the family would lose their home and business. Hilde would later recount the family's close calls and hardships in two memoirs. She was particularly proud of her parents' secret defiance of Hitler, which included the feeding of starving Polish prisoners who were forced to work in her father's textile mill.

Amidst the disruption of war, Hilde would fall in love and become engaged to Alexander
Daehne, an air force pilot. Tragically, he died in a plane crash shortly after their engagement. After the war, Hilde was able to use her English language skills to find work at a U.S. Air Force base. Her boss was a Master Sergeant named Raymond Gasser. Work evolved into romance and marriage. They returned to the United States and lived Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and finally Stanwix, N.Y. where Mr. Gasser worked at Griffiss Air Force Base. They raised three children there, and Hilde, now a U.S. citizen, entered the work force. Sadly, Raymond passed away in 1972. Hilde would marry once more and spend many wonderful years with her second husband, Frank Lucarelli. Frank and Hilde retired to the warmer weather of Blairsville, Georgia in 1995. They made many new friends and became members of the United Methodist Church. After Frank's passing in 1999, Hilde continued to volunteer and participate in church activities. As a member of the writer's club, she was encouraged to write about her life and the struggles of life in a war zone. At the age of 92, a catastrophic fall would compromise her health and independence. She was working diligently to regain her ability to walk and resume her active life, but an illness in 2016 led to a period of declining health. Our family will always remember Hilde as the most loving mother and grandmother one could ever hope for. She would always put the comfort of others above her own. We will forever be inspired by the strength and determination that carried her throughout her most extraordinary life.

In addition to her parents, Hildegard Lucarelli was preceded in death by her sister Margot, stepson, Douglas Lucarelli, and son-in- law, Richard Smith. Left to cherish her memory are children, Monika Smith, Rome, NY, Burton Gasser, Blairsville, GA, Kristine (Paul) Leonard, Big Canoe, GA, stepsons, Ralph (Mary Rose) Lucarelli, Hilton Head, SC, Craig (Donna) Lucarelli, Longmont, CO, James (Marie) Lucarelli, Berthoud, CO, and stepdaughter, Linda (Jack) Holloway, New Bern, NC. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Michael (Elizabeth) Smith, Cicero, NY, Tiffany (Logan) McCrady, Escondido, CA, Allison (Daniel) Cochran, Huntsville, AL, David Lucarelli, CO, Christopher (Meghan) Lucarelli, Longmont, CO, Nick (Pheakna) Lucarelli, Longmont, CO, Rachael Lucarelli, Berthoud, CO, Samantha (Cole) Murch, Oklahoma, as well as great-grandchildren, Aidan Smith, Alexis Lucarelli, Hailee Lucarelli, Séamus Lucarelli, Charlie Murch, Liam Murch, and Crosley and Ryan.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., to be held in the chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, with Rev. Bill Schakat officiating. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Burton Gasser, James Lucarelli, Michael Smith, and Daniel Cochran. Serving as honorary escort to the family will be Paul Leonard. Burial will be in Union Memory Gardens Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Frank. The family will meet with friends on Friday evening, February 10, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and fond memories of Mrs. Lucarelli with her family on our website, cochranfuneralhomes.com.