Lucy Cruise, 77, of Moneta, Virginia, passed away on April 3, 2024. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Lee Cruise. Lucy is survived by her son, Richard Allen Cruise (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Dakota “Cody” Cruise and Natosha France; and great-grandchildren, Penny and Spencer France.
Lucy and Richard’s woodworking journey began in the basement of their home, sparked by Richard’s interest after taking classes at a local technology school. What started as small wood projects and Lucy’s needlework quickly grew into a lifelong creative partnership. As Richard’s skills expanded, the operation moved from the basement to a dedicated shop on the family farm. With the addition of a sawmill and expanded equipment, their hobby evolved into a successful small business—handcrafted wooden salad bowls and turned pieces sold to wholesale buyers and shipped across the country.
Lucy was the backbone of the operation. She managed the books, crafted small items of her own, and even turned a few pieces herself. Her energy, practicality, and unwavering involvement kept everything running smoothly. Together, Lucy and Richard were a team—equal parts talent, drive, and devotion.
Active in the International Wood Collectors Society, Lucy was a force of nature. She was loved by all the members she met. Lucy was the point of contact between IWCS and many wood related companies, who donated boxes of their products to the regional and international meetings. If you have attended an IWCS meeting in the past few years, you may have walked away with a bottle of Howard’s beeswax product, 3M sandpaper, BOW safety push sticks, Flexcut carving gouges and knives, GluBoost CA glue, Titebond glue, or Gorilla glue. The products were always a hit as door prizes and auction items.
Despite their success, neither of them sought the spotlight. They let their work speak for itself. Photo albums tell the story better than they ever would—craft shows, award ribbons, magazine features, and countless memories. Even now, Richard’s pieces can be found on eBay, a quiet testament to the quality and care they poured into everything they made. It’s humbling to think of how many homes across the country still use and treasure their work.
In their travels across the U.S., Lucy and Richard supported other artisans, filling their home with beautiful works of hand-blown glass, stained glass, Native American pottery, and woodturnings from fellow craftspeople. Their house became a showcase of American artistry, reflecting their deep respect for handmade work in all forms.
Outside of woodturning, their greatest joy came from their family. Lucy and Richard absolutely adored their grandchildren, Cody and Natosha, and supported them in everything they did. Their love for them was constant and unconditional.
One of Lucy’s most cherished relationships was with her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, who became the daughter Lucy never had. Over the years—and especially during Richard’s sudden illness—Elizabeth was by Lucy’s side, through doctor’s appointments, hard days, and heartfelt conversations. Their bond grew into something more than family by marriage—it became a deep, loving friendship. In her final chapter, Elizabeth became Lucy’s devoted caretaker, a role she filled with compassion and strength, just as Lucy had done for others all her life.
Lucy and Richard were active members of the Blue Ridge Woodturners and Life Members of the Smith Mountain Lake Woodturners. Their legacy is more than the beautiful pieces they created—it lives on in the way they supported each other, lifted others up, and lived lives full of purpose, humility, and love.