Mary Our Queen Church in Omaha, NE

The MOQ Spotlight shines this month on Sam and Lucille (Buda) Marasco
April, 2008

Lucy was born in Omaha and grew up in St. Philomena parish (now St. Frances Cabrini) with her twin brother. Her parents owned Buda's grocery. Later, her father was a salesman for National Biscuit Company. Lucy attended Davis Business College, specializing in bookkeeping. She then worked for Union Pacific as a head clerk in accounting. Her experience came in handy, because she was also a bookkeeper for MOQ for six years.

Sam was also a cradle Catholic, raised in St. Ann 's parish. His family moved to Omaha very shortly after his birth in Des Moines, Iowa. He has one brother; their father worked for Union Pacific and their mother was a homemaker. Sam has a BSBA degree from Omaha University. In addition to pursuing a career in the insurance industry, he and son John provide financial services to clients. Sam is a U.S. Army veteran.

They met in 1957 as members of the wedding party for one of Lucy's cousins. Two years later they were married at Blessed Sacrament Church in Omaha. Six children followed: Chuck (an engineer and shift supervisor at OPPD's Fort Calhoun nuclear plant); Michael (vice president, Genworth Life Insurance.); Maria (director of Events, Skutt High School); John (mortgage broker and financial services); Ann Marie (fraud department with Commerce Bank); and Tom (Media Services; owns three Scooter franchises). All received a parochial education through MOQ, and some of their 17 grandchildren are currently enrolled.

Sam and Lucy moved to MOQ parish in 1963. They have been involved in just about every parish organization that MOQ has, and even started a few of them with other parishioners. They have been chairs or presidents of many: the first Men's Club; president of Ladies Guild; athletic coach; Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee; School Board and Parish Council; EMHC and lector; funeral lunches; choir; Golden Years; Strategic Planning Committee; and co-chairs of the Capital Campaign to build the Kenny Center and add to the school.

Lucy also cooked weekly for the priests for eight years, and did volunteer office work on Tuesdays. She co-chaired the Marquee Dance celebration on two occasions. Sam is also past president of the West Omaha Serra Club, and is involved in other civic activities including Cosmopolitan Club, which has diabetes fundraisers. Both received the first Archdiocesan Stewardship Award. Lucy has been named the outstanding Catholic Woman of the Year at MOQ. Sam's gaining of the professional designation, CLU, came via long study and passing exams.

Regular spiritual activities are central to their life. They participate in daily Mass, daily rosary, adoration hour and daily meditation. Sam has a special devotion to St. Ann ; Lucy has three favorites: St. Lucy, St. Jude, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

They attend to relaxation needs also: both like to golf, play cards and host Sunday family gatherings, and many activities of the grandchildren.

Sam and Lucy, we honor you for your long term commitment to participation in the life of the Church! You set a wonderful example for our younger folks!

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Here's how you can help bring recognition to a fellow parishioner

The MOQ Spotlight is a new feature dedicated to introducing members of the parish to the broader parish community. Spotlight articles will be featured on the MOQ Web site, displayed in the gathering area of the church and summarized in The Steward .

All parishioners are invited to participate. Just choose someone whom you'd like to see recognized. Inform the person and gather a few interesting details about the person's life or faith practices. Be sure to snap a digital photo. And be sure to inform the person that the feature will appear on the MOQ Web site. Assemble the material in a few short paragraphs and email it to The Steward at fpart74465@aol.com to be readied for publication and posting. Any questions may be submitted to the same email address.