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Birth name
Lucette Clementine Marie Biver
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Place of Birth
Elizabeth City, Virginia, US
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Place of Death
Newport News, Virginia, US
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Burial Place
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Columbarium, Newport News, Virginia, US
Born 21 May 1924, Elizabeth City, Virginia – 5 July 2021, Newport News, Virginia
Early Life in Phoebus, Virginia
Born into a French-speaking family in the coastal town of Phoebus, Virginia, Lucette’s early years were shaped by the values of her parents, Clemens and Mary Biver, both immigrants from Lorraine and Brest, France. Lucette’s home was filled with warmth, language, and a deep respect for their cultural heritage. Alongside her younger sister, Muguette, Lucette grew up in a world where family ties were everything, and love was nurtured in every moment.
A Blossoming Young Woman
As the Biver family settled into the rhythms of life in Elizabeth City, Lucette came of age with an unassuming elegance. By the time she was 16, Lucette was living at 53 North Kelly in Phoebus, where she enjoyed the close-knit community and the many opportunities of her youth. With her beauty, grace, and charm, Lucette was the picture of youthful promise, beloved by family and friends alike.
The Wedding of a Lifetime – 30 September 1944
On a cool autumn day in 1944, Lucette’s life took a momentous turn when she married the love of her life, Thomas Edward Witty, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Fort Monroe, Virginia. At 20 years old, Lucette was a clerk at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), while Thomas, 24, was a Merchant Seaman. Their union, a blend of two distinct families, was not just a marriage, but the joining of two hearts, setting the stage for a lifetime of love, family, and shared dreams.
Building a Life Together
After their marriage, Thomas and Lucette set up their first home at 1365 Roanoke Avenue in Newport News, Virginia. Here, Lucette’s role as a loving wife blossomed. Her devotion to creating a nurturing and loving home grew as her family grew. Over the next decade, she and Thomas built a life filled with children, laughter, and the shared beauty of their suburban life.
A Mother’s Joy – Raising a Family
Lucette’s life as a mother was her greatest pride. She and Thomas welcomed their four children into a home where faith, love, and joy were the foundations. Lucette’s nurturing spirit and unwavering love for her children were the heartbeat of her household. Her children, Tom, Mike, LuAnn, and Rick, were the center of her world, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Through their eyes, Lucette saw the world, and they, in turn, saw a mother whose strength and grace could not be matched.
A Woman of Faith and Service
Lucette and Thomas were founding members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News. Their shared faith was a cornerstone of their lives, with Lucette serving as a Eucharistic Minister and singing in the church choir under her husband’s direction. Her soprano voice became familiar to parishioners, filling the church with reverence and beauty. Lucette’s commitment to her church and community reflected the depth of her character and her belief in giving back to the world around her.
A Passionate Life Beyond the Home
Though Lucette’s heart was firmly anchored in her family, she had many passions that defined her as an individual. An avid bridge player, she attained the prestigious rank of Gold Life Master—an achievement that earned her the respect and admiration of the bridge community. Tennis, golf, and bowling also brought joy to her life, but her love for gardening truly set her apart. Neighbors often marveled at Lucette, always impeccably dressed, tending to her garden as if preparing for a garden party, her love for nature on full display.
Legacy of Love
Lucette’s legacy is not measured in achievements but in her love and devotion to those she held dear. Her unwavering faith, dedication to family, and commitment to her community left a lasting imprint on everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; her parents, Clemens and Mary; her son, Thomas Jr.; and her sisters Muguette and Yolanda. But her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless others touched by her kindness, grace, and love.
In Loving Memory
Lucette passed away on July 5, 2021, at 97. She rests peacefully at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Columbarium in Newport News, Virginia. Her children, 14 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren carry on her legacy, holding fast to the lessons she imparted: love deeply, serve others, and always tend to the garden of your soul. Lucette’s life was one of beauty, devotion, and love—a life well-lived.
Share Your Stories
Lucette’s legacy is not only found in records and milestones but also in the memories of those who knew and loved her. If you have a story, a cherished memory, or a piece of her life that you’d like to share, we invite you to visit her Introduction Page and add your voice to the tapestry of her life. Your stories will help preserve Lucette’s heart for future generations, ensuring that her spirit continues to inspire.
It’s been such a pleasure researching and recording the details of Lucette’s life. I’d love to hear more about her!
Until next time,
~Kris
Lucette Clementine Marie Biver
(1924 - 2021)