Lucy Airey Stroschine

Lucy Airey Saussy Feeney Stroschine, fondly known to many as Airey, Lolita, or Swoose, left this world on May 11, 2025, at the age of 87, surrounded by loving family members at her home in Billings, Montana. Born on December 23, 1937, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to parents Charles Walker Saussy and Virginia Parker Saussy, Airey’s life was a tapestry woven with adventure, love, and an indomitable spirit.

Airey’s journey began at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, followed by earning a teaching degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Her life took an adventurous turn when she joined the Maryknoll Sisters in Westchester County, New York. There, she met James Feeney and embraced the role of mother to his six children, while also blessing the world with her own.

Life with Jim took the family to Fairplay, Colorado, where Lucy established a homestead in South Park. While in Fairplay, she met her soulmate and love of her life, James Anthony Stroschine, they married on May 13, 1985, in Weston, West Virginia thus embarking on her most enduring love story with Jim. Together, they carved a vibrant life in West Virginia enriched with cherished friends, travel and adventure until Jim's passing in 2020.

Passionate about impacting others, Lucy proudly earned her Master's in Education of the Blind from Vanderbilt University and dedicated many years teaching blind students, inspiring countless lives. Travel fed her adventurous heart; Lucy joined marine biologists on a Russian freighter for whale studies, taught marine science on Andros Island, Bahamas, and explored the Galapagos Islands. She volunteered to accompany individuals on their dream adventures—always generously giving her time, strength, and kindness. A true Renaissance woman, Airey cherished her passions for knitting, traveling, storytelling, symphony, and ballet, and an enduring love for gardening, which she fervently passed on to her daughters Celine & Elaine.

Lucy is survived by her children Celine Marie Feeney, Elaine Feeney, Catherine Mary (Karen) Morgison, John Joseph Feeney, Brenda Elizabeth Frederick, Malachy Francis Feeney, grandchildren Brandon John Morgison, Lisa Marie Feeney, Durand Feeney, Meggan Adkins, Kayla Knuckles, Tristan Balsam, Sean Wood, Kate Wood and sister Carroll Saussy, along with many cherished relatives. She was preceded in death by beloved family members, including her daughter Lucy Airey Feeney, son Jim (Jimmy) Feeney, daughter Deirdre Anne Feeney, grandson Ryan Lee Morgison among other loved ones. Her family, through daughter Celine Marie Feeney & others, will continue to carry her legacy of zeal and zest for life.

A memorial service will celebrate Airey’s vivacious life on July 18, 2025, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary & Crematory in Billings, Montana at 4:00 p.m. MST, followed by a reception. We hope everyone can be there to celebrate with us. Please share your stories and memories of Lucy (Airey) on the Michelotti-Sawyers website michelottisawyers.com under her Obituary, bring them to the Memorial Service, or email to aireysblessings@gmail.com to be shared at her Memorial with others. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Airey’s Blessings through the Billings Community Foundation, to donate go to billingscommunityfoundation.org; click Donate Now and search for Airey’s Blessings. We hope to help our community & families of those nearing the end of their lives to offset the financial burden of unplanned expenses and help provide some respite for family caregivers. A more detailed description of the Memorial is found on the donation page. We thank you for your donations.

Airey’s spirit resonates in the poem by Richard Le Gallienne, "I meant to do my work today," reflecting the laughter and love she shared so generously. I meant to do my work today, but a brown bird sang in the apple tree, and a butterfly flitted across the field, and all the leaves were calling me. The wind went sighing over the land, tossing the grasses to and from, a rainbow held out its shining hand – so what could I do but laugh and go. ~ Richard LeGallienne

Airey’s Blessings Memorial Fund:

In loving memory of Lucy Airey Saussy Feeney Stroschine, aka Lolita Airey Saussy, Lucy Airey Feeney & Swoose, (half Swan half Goose), whose kindness, strength, and unwavering generosity touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Whether it was through their passion for gardening, knitting, swimming, teaching, exploring, marine life or her dedication to helping others, Airey made a lasting impact on everyone she met. To honor Airey’s legacy, we are establishing this fund to support families facing end of life decisions for their loved ones, but do not have the insurance or financial means to pay for the appropriate care to allow a comfortable, caring & peaceful end of life support. Our goal is to minimize the stress & burden families caring for those at the end of their lives. We will provide grants to families in need, to allow them to establish home care for their loved ones, before they are relegated to hospice & palliative care. Additionally, as we are established and growing, we plan to expand our services to provide guidance & information on options available in our community. End of life decisions are difficult enough, finding help & support should not be.

Airey believed in lifting others up, in spreading hope, and in creating a better future—values we hope to carry forward through this fund. Your generosity will ensure that their spirit of compassion lives on, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for honoring Lucy Airey Stroschine by continuing her work and keeping her light shining.

Contributions may be made to Airey’s Blessings through the Billings Community Foundation, to donate go to billingscommunityfoundation.org click Donate Now and search for Airey’s Blessings. We hope to help our community & families of those nearing the end of their lives to offset the financial burden of unplanned expenses and help provide some respite for family caregivers. A more detailed description of the

Memorial is found on the donation page. We thank you for your donations.

https://billings.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5125