Luci Post

Thanks to Soaring and the Post family for sharing this with me and my readers. She joins many of our beloved friends and family who are preparing a gathering for the rest of us, when our time comes.

Luci Post
September 1, 1919 – August 25, 2011

BIG SUR – Beloved matriarch of the pioneer Post family of Big Sur, Luci Lee Post was a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all. Luci embraced everyone she met with genuine interest, compassion and enthusiasm. She embodied unconditional acceptance and curiosity of all people, cultures, and traditions. A woman of substance, Luci devoted every day to helping others feel valued. Creating family was her legacy and she responded to others with grace, love and sweet presence. Luci was impeccable in appearance, effervescent in spirit, and full of charm. Her sparkling blue eyes and infectious smile illuminated any space she entered.

Born in Minneapolis, MN, Luci grew up in Denver with two brothers and two sisters. Deeply committed to her family, at the age of 12 she took on the role of keeping her siblings connected when they were suddenly separated by the death of their mother. Luci wed in 1938 and gave birth to Nancy and Linda. She and her husband owned a successful moving and storage business in Denver. At the end of the marriage she moved to Santa Barbara, CA. There she met and married Bill Post, the love of her life. They embraced their blended family with her two daughters and his daughters Gayle and Rebecca. The family bond was so strong the awareness of who was genetically related fell away. In 1973 the family moved to Big Sur. They lived in the home Bill had built for his parents, now called the Post House, and Luci worked at Coast Gallery. Later they moved to Carmel Valley and enjoyed traveling. Luci had the Midas touch with Reno and Las Vegas slot machines! When the family ranch became an inn, Luci became an inspiring role model of heartfelt hospitality for the family of employees at Post Ranch Inn.

Luci was a member of Church of the Oaks, the Left Footer Square Dancers, Big Sur Grange, Elks women’s auxiliary, Monterey Model A Club, and she was a founding member of the Big Sur Historical Society. The most important thing in her life was her husband Bill, and their joy and happiness flowed onto other people. Her cloak of unconditional love was flung wide to bring many in under her wing.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill and beloved daughter Nancy Downing. She is survived by three daughters: Linda J. Lee of Seaside, Gayle Forster of Marina and Rebecca Post of Olympia WA, 7 grandchildren: Pamela Patterson, Gregory Paley (Maria), Anna Vargas, Gabriel Forster (Jessica), and Richard, Shane and Daniel Forster, and 7 great grandchildren: Jessica, David and Julian Paley, Paley and Madison Martin, and Rafael and Jade Vargas.

The final stroke that released Luci came on the anniversary of Bill’s birth. She flew to his arms. She will be missed by more than her immediate family, but then, all who knew her were her family. A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Big Sur Grange or Big Sur Historical Society.