In Memory Of Lucy Zanardi

Lucy's Candle (What does the candle mean?)

05/08/02: Lucy Zanardi passed away Wednesday May 8 at Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver.

We intend to have a gathering for friends and loved ones in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask that donations be made in Lucy's name to the American Diabetes Association and United Cerebral Palsy.

We know that Lucy has been in all your thoughts and prayers. She loved the people of SFR as her own family.

- John, Chris, and Chuck Zanardi

05/24/02: I just opened up our website and was shocked by the news of the passing of great, wonderful, gregarious lady.

I will always remember her asking me to take Earl for a ride in my car at Laguna several years ago. I hung him out of the trunk of my IT car for the race, and we won. I still have the picture of us exiting old turn 9, Earl almost horizontal, still hanging in there. I will forever cherish that picture.

Rest in Peace, You Will be Missed!

-Jerry & Nadine Casini

05/22/02: We both can remember in the 70's having Lucy stop by our pits to visit and discuss the day. Her exuberance and dedication to our club
was unmatched. Her pioneer hat was her trademark...along with her "flat cat"! Who could forget either one.

We were so lucky to see and visit with her last fall when she came down and worked a race at Laguna Seca. Along with that silly hat!

She will be sorely missed by all of us who knew her.

As I can remember she was one of the many minstrels on a Saturday night, along with Vinnie and Lynn Rosenol, to name a few, who would walk around visiting the drivers. Sometimes they even serenaded a pit, then "mysteriously" a red candle may appear on the driver's car, a sign of good luck-a safe race, then they were off...So it is befitting that we remember Lucy with her candle at this time.

God bless you Lucy, you will always be One in a Million.

-Brent and Patty Milner

05/20/02: It was quite a blow to hear of Lucy Zanardi's passing. I still feel like I'm in shock and wish it wasn't true. I feel tremendous sorrow and pain for the loss and trauma that Chuck, Chris and John must be experiencing.

Lucy was a special, warm-hearted, caring, funny, zany, witty person who had an undying, child-like quality that made her fun to be around. She was like a real, live cartoon character, her blue bonnet and Earl the race cat made her persona.

Lucy loved her cats, although I'm not sure they loved Earl like she did. Lucy's Earl certainly did stand the test of time, I can't even begin to count the number of lives that cat lost by being run-over by racecars.

Lucy loved to make people laugh. She was the life of the party. Get Lucy and Chuck together and they were like a comedy duo.

Lucy will be very much missed by everyone who had the good fortune and pleasure to know her.

I have only fond memories of Lucy and I will miss her tremendously.

-Carla Chamberlain

05/19/02: Oregon Region has had the pleasure and privilege of Lucy's help in the last few years. We join you in mourning her passing.

-Jeff Zurschmeide, Oregon Region Board of Directors

05/16/02: I want to thank personally, everyone that took the time to know my mom.

I can remember that she would make friends with people wherever she went, and that includes the people of the SFR.

She made new workers, drivers, crew members, guests, or whoever feel welcome and part of the group.

I can only think: what an amazing person. Maybe I'm being biased.

Again. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers

-John Zanardi

05/14/02: What can I say? The tremendous support from all who knew my mother has been nothing short of staggering. As I read all of the e-mails my mind and heart are flooded with fond memories. Not only of those from the track.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has offered condolences and support. Her spirit had touched many of you.

Her bonnet, her laugh and her compatriot, Earl were often the keynotes of many a race weekend.

-Chris Zanardi

05/14/02: Our hearts are sorrowed today with the loss of Lucy. Her memories will last for ever.

-Mike Lawler

05/14/02: Photo Tribute To Lucy Zanardi............Prepared by SFR Member Gregg Schlaman

05/13/02: What a tremendous loss for all of us.

I am so lucky to have shared so many wonderful times with Lucy, filled with laughter, thanks to her.

I will cherish these memories and laugh again as I remember them but with a heavy heart.

-Barbara Baldwin

05/08/02: What a shock to hear of Lucy's passing.

In recent year's we have only been able to enjoy her special spirit on Grid at a few events and she was looking forward to being with us again this season for the Winston Cup and Monterey Historics.

Lucy kind of kept us on our toes, and those of you who knew her know what I mean. I remember the year she gave Jimmy Cox, one of the Winston Car Series officials, his very own blue bonnet. He promptly put it on and marched right through the NASCAR garage to show it off.

Another lasting memory was viewing Lucy from behind as she did a split for one of the groups at the Monterey Historics last year. With her blue bonnet on, "flood" length white pants, and some sort of baggy overshirt, she reminded me of Carol Burnett's cleaning lady character. And I guess that is an appropriate linkage for Lucy, who made us all smile with her sense of humor and good nature.

Peace be with you, Lucy, and with your family.

-Susan Dynarski

05/08/02: I heard tonight of the passing of Lucy Zanardi, beloved wife of Charlie Zanardi, mother of John & Chris and for many years one of the best-known and best-loved of all of the members of this region that there ever were.

Lucy was, with Charlie, my best friend, favorite target, sister and I have a large, grinning empty spot in my heart as I write this. Lucy passed away today from complications after surgery and I'm gonna miss her even more now that I never had a chance to say goodbye, much less see her again.

Always ready with the heartiest laugh and some marvelous joke or jibe about her husband "Twinkeltoes" latest exploits or joke in the worst taste, I looked forward to seeing her and her next blue bonnet every time I came near a race track.

We'd known each other since about 1970 or so, (I never paid attention - it seemed like she had always been there) but the three of became friends during the working party at SPIR (second awakening) when we cleared out the mud and put up the first tire wall under the old tower together.

I cannot forget her occasionally wandering off into space on occasion or her marvelous "flustration" when I'd catch her daydreaming on a corner somewhere; I won't go into detail about the CART Laguna turn 8 incident (1993 or so)...some of you know who were there.

She and Charlie and I (together with the two kids) became even more like family when I lived not far away in San Francisco in the 70's and the two of them have been brother and sister to me ever since.

I will miss her forever. Charlie, my house is yours.

-Dave Dodds

05/08/02: She was one of the kindest and goofiest flaggers we have ever had in the San Francisco Region.

What else can you say about Lucy?

Memories of Earl the dead cat will live forever!

-Alan Mertens

Email The Web Team to share your memories of Lucy and we will do our best to pass them along to the family. If you would like them posted on Lucy 's page, then let us know that too.