Luann Kay Capazzi

Mrs. LuAnn Kay Capazzi, of Ridgecrest, CA (81) passed away peacefully on Monday, 27 February 2023 after a sudden and brief battle with cancer. She was home and surrounded by family. A long-time resident of Ridgecrest, LuAnn was born in Kentucky, raised in Ohio, and served in the U.S. Navy in the 60s.

LuAnn was known to wear many different hats, both literally and figuratively. In her lifetime, she was a child model, a hairdresser, an elementary school teacher, florist, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Rainbow Girls Advisor, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Advisor, and civil servant with many years at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake before retiring in 2005.

LuAnn exemplified service before self, dedicating time and energy to several service organizations and causes.

Since 1979, LuAnn was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and reached sixth degree of membership, becoming a Master in March 2022. During her 44 years with the Sorority, most recently aligned with the Preceptor Lambda Mu Chapter, LuAnn served on numerous committees and held several offices, including Treasurer, Historian, and Sorority City Council President (2003-2004). LuAnn was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Auxiliary.  She was most active in the 80s and 90s, holding several officer and chair positions in the Auxiliary, including District Commander (1990-1991). LuAnn joined the American Legion and Auxiliary in the 90s and again with her passion to serve the community, especially veterans, active-duty military, and their families, she worked her way through Auxiliary chairs and officer positions, including the State of California's Department President (2008-2009). LuAnn was quick to capture history of an event with the camera and her photos often found their way to the newspaper and scrapbooks of outgoing presidents. A cancer survivor for many years, LuAnn ardently participated in the Relay for Life, forming the Team Patriots, crafting beautiful luminaries, and walking many laps at each event. In addition to her love for Red, White, and Blue, her favorite colors were purple, lavender, and mauve.

Never one to sit idle, LuAnn has crocheted countless blankets, stockings, and caps for friends, family, fundraisers, and the Barstow Veterans Home. Her hobbies included sewing, flower arranging, crafting, and crocheting, cross-stitch, and collecting cookbooks; the organizations and causes she supported benefitted greatly from her lovingly made handcrafted scrapbooks, glue-gun crafts, baked goods, and flower arrangements. LuAnn was generous with her time and reliable with her commitments.  "If I needed something done, I knew to call on LuAnn". She enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading mysteries, watching Wheel of Fortune, and knew the answers better than the Jeopardy contestants. LuAnn enjoyed making prickly pear jelly with her grandchildren, camping and fishing with her husband John, and was an avid bowler well into her 70s. Let's not forget her love of dark chocolate and roses of any color.

LuAnn was a graceful lady who loved to dance and wore coordinated outfits, complete with matching hats and shoes, and embellished with bracelets, pins, and scarfs.

LuAnn was a loving and kind woman, quick with a smile and devoted to all who knew her. Most precious to her was her family. She is survived by her husband John Capazzi; children Audra, Stacy (Jennifer), Joanna (Ricardo), Jason (Shannon), and James (Cara); grandchildren Jonathan (Kristian), Haley, Ana Elisa (Anthony), Skye, Alyssa, Mila, Victoria; and great grandson John Anthony. LuAnn was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Williams.

Service information is listed below. Both events are public.