Nancy Bechtold Lukasiewicz

Nancy Bechtold Lukasiewicz, 71, of Athens, passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022.

Born in Berkeley, CA to the late Richard Bechtold and Helen Cary Bechtold, Nancy moved from California to Michigan and Switzerland before pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Carnegie Mellon. She moved to Athens in 1973 and received her Masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of Georgia. Together with her husband, she founded the Lyndon House Arts Center and served in various capacities there: as Director, Curator of Exhibitions, and teacher of weaving. This is the 47th year of its Annual Juried Exhibition, which her husband conceived, and she led continuously until recent years. It is dedicated to highlighting local artists, and she fostered its significance through the prominent national jurors she recruited. She and her husband instigated the expansion of the Lyndon House, with both vision and action, so local artists had a home for their creative output. This included an expansion of gallery space, a shop in which to sell their work, and studios in 7 disciplines where anyone could learn and pursue their art/craft. She was an accomplished artist in her own right, creating stunning weavings using the tapestry technique where her talent for color and geometric form stood out; additionally she was knowledgeable about all weaving techniques, which made her a masterful and inspiring teacher. She was an early member of the Athens Fibercraft Guild and the Athens Area Arts Council.  She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic parish.

Nancy was a highly creative person who saw the world differently, and the world was a better place for it. She loved her family and her friends and was loved by many in return; she also gave excellent hugs. She was an adoring mother and grandmother, and never missed a chance to share and brag about her family.  Nancy was an incredibly calm, grounded, supportive person who always remained positive. These qualities helped her fight cancer so hard for so long; she always confounded expectations.  We thank her medical teams and caregivers, especially in her final days.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Joseph Lukasiewicz.

Nancy is survived by her two children, Lisa (Richard) Broome and Brian (Rosemary) Lukasiewicz; siblings James (Sue) Bechtold, Ronald (Merrie) Bechtold, and Joan Bechtold (Brian Balleria); and three grandchildren: Spencer Broome, Evelyn Broome, and Sigmund “Ziggy” Lukasiewicz.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 18 at Lord and Stephens, East Chapel from 6-8 pm, with masks required.  Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you consider donating to the Lyndon House Arts Foundation, 211 Hoyt St., Athens, GA 30601.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com