Lucretia Marie Campagno McGowan Davie Chase passed away March 24th, 2023. She was born August 31, 1929, in Rochester, NY to Stephen & Minnie Campagno. She attended Sacred Heart Academy & Lake Forest College. In 1951, she married Charles J McGowan. While living in Pittsburgh, pregnant for her fourth child in 1961, Lucretia was widowed when Charley was in a fatal car accident. Now the mother of 3 sons and a daughter, Lu moved to Pittsford, after finishing her master’s degree in art education, to be closer to family. In 1966, Lu married Francis Davie, a widower with 3 children, making a blended family of 7 children, follow by 2 more children in 1967 & 1970.
Most people who knew Lucretia knew her as a creative, enthusiastic, and productive fiber artist. Her home and closets were filled with many works of art, including rugs, bedspreads, tapestries large and small, fiber screens and numerous dresses, coats, skirts, and tops. She had as many as 12 looms along with several spinning wheels and a room filled floor to ceiling with all colors and types of yarns. She taught lessons, trained apprentices and spoke at length about weaving and art to anyone in close proximity. She was a member of the Weavers’ Guild both in Rochester and later in Massachusetts and participated in numerous shows, including the Clothesline Festival. Her work was hung in hotel lobbies, corporate board rooms and church altars, including Glastonbury Abbey, in Hingham, MA where Lu became a regular at Mass & many retreats. Her passion for her craft continues in the art world and education as her former apprentices work in the arts and teaching.
After a divorce, Lu took up real estate and joined Rotary, along with continuing her weaving. She also spent a good deal of time on Nantucket, visiting her children. She gathered many friends during her stays and also produced many island inspired landscape tapestries that incorporated natural elements such as grasses & dried flowers. It was also there where Lu met Freeman Chase. She & Freeman were married in 2003 and Lu settled in Scituate, Ma. She continued with her weaving and had a studio near her home. Freeman passed away in 2012. In 2018, Lu returned to Rochester and resided at Valley Manor. Her artwork filled her home and was shown on many occasions in her building.
Lucretia had her pilot’s license and liked to tell stories about racing cars in Watkins Glen. She was gregarious and loved to socialize. She leaves behind many friends and admirers spanning her high school years to present day.
She is survived by 6 natural children: Steven McGowan (Trisha), Portland, Or; Kevin McGowan (Emily) Houston, Tx; Marty McGowan (Holly) Nantucket, MA; Mary Catherine McGowan (Pat Gillespie), Buffalo, SD; Bruce Davie, Rochester, NY; Andy Davie, Rochester, NY. Her devoted Niece and Nephew, Patty Schmid (David) Phoenix, AZ Steve Camp (Linda) Coconut Creek, FL 6 grandchildren and 2 great grand daughters.
Private interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester. A Celebration of Lucretia’s life will be held later in the year. In Lucretia’s honor and in gratitude for the great care of her son Andy, donations may be sent to Heritage Christian Services of Rochester, NY.
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Lucretia was very loved and she will be dearly missed. I loved the way she embraced life and her constant enthusiasm for her weaving, art books and travel. She was a very inspiring woman and I feel so lucky to have been part of her family and life. Love you Lu! 🥰
In Memory of Lucretia Chase, as I knew her in her later years. She took me under her wings to reteach me the art of weaving. Her many clothes and nature scenes she weaved were amazing! First class quality Fiber Artist! My time spent with her is a treasured time of my life. A woman of determination, creativity, and caring.Thank you for being you!
Lucretia
What can a son say? She always said to me are you happy? And when I said yes, she said that everything will be fine. Have fun. Her smile and warmth will be with me every day. Many memories, Marty.
I am so saddened hearing the news of Lucretia’s passing. She entered my life when I met her at a Weavers’ Guild of Rochester meeting in 1988. I knew there was something very special about her when she stood up at one meeting and showed her wonderful handwoven rainbow raincoat complete with a parasol she created with yarns. The kicker was the pot of gold purse handwoven with gold yarns! I knew I had to get to know her. I loved her “out of the box” thinking. She was a brave and adventuresome woman who I admired greatly. Nothing stopped Lu! She was not only a friend to me but also a great supporter of my work. She had nothing but positive things to say and always encouraged me to push forward. She was a woman of great faith and we would talk about how important that was in our lives. We remained friends even though moves and distance separated us. I will miss our talks over long phone calls. I will carry her spirit with me always. Live with God. I’m sure she is enjoying the story of the rainbow raincoat. You have found your “Pot of Gold” .