Lucy B. McAdams

Our beloved Lucy McAdams of Kettering, OH passed away on September 19, 2026 at the age of 84. She grew up in Cranford, NJ and studied psychology at Tusculum College in Greenville, TN. After college she worked at Delta Airlines in downtown New York City and also New Orleans. She married Larry Harris and they moved to Dayton, OH, where she raised her two children. She worked at Trostel, Chapman and Christmas Funeral Home and also Dayton Children's Hospital. She developed grief counseling services, and in later years started her own line of hand-painted watercolor greeting cards. She later married Larry "Mac" McAdams and they enjoyed traveling, clogging, and amassing an impressive collection of beautiful antiques. After Mac's initial severe heart attack and hospitalization in the early 1990's Lucy's superb and devoted caregiving helped him survive for another four years, and they were even able to travel again. She also provided wonderful care for her aging parents after they moved to Ohio.

Lucy was an active member of Al-Anon, mentoring and sponsoring many new members and traveling widely as an Al-Anon speaker. She was also a sought-after motivational speaker for a wide array of audiences.

Lucy had a marvelous zest for living life to the fullest, and survived many difficult life challenges with characteristic positivity and grace. She was charming, so much fun to be with, and was an inveterate storyteller. She was a world traveler who enjoyed nature's beauty and diversity, and also collecting beautiful things. She had an amazing sense of style, and she created a warm, welcoming atmosphere wherever she lived. A lifelong artist, she began painting watercolors even though she had developed macular degeneration in her fifties and had severely reduced vision. She often said that she wanted to show that people with disabilities are capable of doing great things. Lucy touched countless lives and inspired many people through her warmth, caring, compassion and can-do attitude.

Lucy was predeceased by her beloved husband Mac and her parents Olive and Marvin Haltom. She leaves her daughter Debi Harris, son Doug Harris, sister Sally Haltom (Wayne Clapp), nephew Mike Alcock (Racheal Alcock), great niece Lexi Alcock, grandsons-in-heart Jason Boykin (Brittany Boykin) and Zak Rumer along with a host of cousins, friends and admirers to cherish her memory. She was a major supporter of organizations that support and protect wildlife, so please consider donating in her name. Darling Lu, you will live in our hearts forever.

 A Visitation will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 5:00PM until the time of the funeral at 7:00PM at Newcomer Funeral Home - Kettering (3940 Kettering Blvd, Kettering, OH 45439). To share a memory of Lucy or leave a special message for her family, please visit the Guestbook below.