THE TROPICS RESIDENT OF THE MONTH

33000 Almaden Blvd., Union City, Ca. 94587

LUCILLE GONI

Reporter - Charlotte O’Donnell

Lu Goni lives at 352 Tahitian Circle in a lovely home. She is proud of the lovely antique furniture that belonged to her mother. Her home reflects her personality. She has a collection of teacups and saucers that began when she was ten. A best friend’s father brought each of the girls a gift from a business trip. The most prominent collection is comprised of numerous angels. Lu Is an excellent seamstress and has created many of the window coverings and decorations for her home.

Lu was born in Berkeley and attended Berkeley High School. She grew up with three brothers and two sisters. Her mother migrated from Australia. Both her mother and maternal grandmother were seamstresses and her maternal grandfather was a painter. Lu has one of his last works, a beautiful fireplace screen that stands in front of her fireplace.

For a career, Lu planned to become a seamstress. One of her brothers taught her to fly. She wanted to become a stewardess but that brother, a U.S. Navy pilot, gave his life on the battleship Utah. Lu decided to go to Highland Hospital and enrolled in a nursing course. She has been nursing or volunteering care services ever since.

She joined the army as a nurse. While serving Uncle Sam she met her future husband. He lived In Crockett and became a banker with First Western Bank. They married and had a boy and a girl who were born In that town. Sometime after a transfer to lrvington for the Goni family the bank became United California Bank. Lu’s husband eventually was made first vice-president and the family moved to San Francisco.

Lu’s daughter met her husband at Pacific State Steel in Union City. He had been going to college and was waiting for a position in the Santa Cruz Police Department. That happened. He finally was promoted to deputy chief before retiring. Her daughter was a programmer for Sylvania before retiring. Lu’s granddaughter is following in her mother’s footsteps. Lu’s son is a civil engineer for the State of California. Lu speaks of her family with love in her voice.

With a passion, Lu helps others. She has been a member of Country Club of Washington Township and Alameda Healthcare foundation many years. She is active in The Tropics Ladies’ Club. A plaque in her name hangs in the hall of Children’s hospital in Oakland. She has volunteered more than 2000 hours and raised funds and donations for the hospitals. Lu donates time working many shifts at the stores in hospitals. She conducts eye exams for local school districts. She Is Special Coordinator of the Special Kids event. This group provides a special celebration for these special children with various disabilities, and the families of these children.

Some of the other activities this busy woman supports are:

Washington Township Women’s Club, Baby Bags group where she calls on behalf of the Battered Women’s Shelter & Alameda County Presidents’ Club. She is a past president of the group. She was a local coordinator for Kidney Tours. This Is a donation program in their phone support area. She conducts craft classes at the Masonic Home.

Lucille Goni is a rare Individual. She did not let triple bi-pass surgery, over 11 years ago, stop her from participating In all of these activities. She performs her volunteer hours with love and gratitude. Those who she touches feel touched and honored.

I enjoyed our Interview and discovered we have several mutual acquaintances.

Your Reporter,

Charlotte O’Donnell