Lucy Ellen Wayco

Lucy Wayco (Bird), age 96 ½, passed away on June 11, 2025 at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, WY

Lucy lived independently for 91 years, only needing help in the last years of her life when she moved from Port Huron MI to Casper in 2020 during the COVID epidemic.

Lucy was born January 11, 1929 to Ford and Ruth Bird and grew up in Almont, MI. We all sang the Almont High School fight song with great gusto. She shared many stories of the impact The Great Depression had on her family, from wealth to farm living without modern conveniences, (she accidently locked her Mother in the outhouse for 3 hours). She loved living on the farm and walking to and from school 1½ miles every day. She milked the cows twice a day when both of her brothers went overseas to fight in WWII. Her Dad was a WWI veteran and she sang many songs from both eras.

Lucy loved nursing and was remembered by all for her good cheer and loving touch. She attended Alma College and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Henry Ford Hospital. She worked as an RN at the Sandusky Hospital for 17 years and specialized in OR nursing at the McKenzie Memorial Hospital for 21 years. She was specially trained to test children’s hearing for the Sanilac County School System for 5 years.

Lucy’s love of music matched her exuberant personality and she sang in the Port Sanilac Choral Club for 30 years and was a member of the Sanilac Co Community Symphonic Band, playing first Fr. Horn and then learning Saxophone when in her 80s. When she moved to Port Huron, Mi, she played in the New Horizon Band.

She married Kenneth Wayco on Oct 4, 1950 and they raised their family of four in Sandusky, MI. Upon retirement, they enjoyed 26 years living on Lake Huron in their cottage on the bluff.

Many friends remember their “Moonie” parties, which included beach bonfires, s’mores and howling at the full moon as it rose over the lake, casting a beautiful reflection. A giant ‘Strawberry Moon” shone over Casper Mountain the morning she passed.

Lucy was an avid reader and was committed to being an informed citizen and standing up for what she felt was right. She clipped newspaper articles to inform, inspire and amuse and was a special lover of the Free Press artist, Buechel. She was an avid rock hound, the Michigan Petosky stones being among her favorite “finds”.

Lucy understood how to find joy in life and lived with the song “What a Wonderful World” as her mantra. She started each day anew and had a never-ending appreciation for her good life.

She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be remembered and admired by her 4 children, Jeffrey (Loralyn) Wayco, Cathy (Jimmie) Bailey, Kaye (Bob) Sumners, and Heidi (Jeff) Berden, grandchildren, Briggs, Brianna, Joshua, Tamika, Taylor, Wayco and Myah, and 4 great-grandchildren, Harper, Hudson, Chloe and Zoe. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Ford, Joe and Carolyn (Laarman) and her husband Kenneth.

Lucy suggested a memorial could be planting a tree or reading a story to a child in her memory.

To share a memory of Lucy or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.