Horse racing legend wife Lucille Stephens loses her life at 93
To horse racing fans, personalities are known, but their pillars are seldom thought of. The world of horse racing recently witnessed the death of Lucile Stephens. She was the widow of famous trainer, Woody Stephens. She died on May 14, 2011 and had been
married to him for 61 years.
Lucille Stephens was at the time at her home in Miami Lakes Florida. She died peacefully in her sleep. The 93-year old was found by her nephew Harley Clemons. Stephens had been suffering from a lengthy illness. She was born on October 13, 1917 in Cincinnati,
Ohio. Her family made a move to Kentucky a few years after her birth.
Woodford also known as Woody Stephens dedicated his autobiography to her. The book was titled “Guess I’m Lucky, My Life in Horse Racing”.
Funeral services for the deceased will be held on Thursday (May 19, 2011) at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington, Kentucky. She will be buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Her husband is also buried at the same place.
Family members, who adored Lucille Stephens, are travelling to Lexington to attend the funeral. Memorial contributions are to be made to the Belmont Child Care Association, 2150 Hempstead Turnpike Elmont New York and also at the National Museum of Racing
Hall of Fame, 191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs. They could also be made to the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America, 2365 Harrodsburg Rd, Suite A-120, Lexington, KY. 40504.
Lucille lost her husband in 1998. She met him in 1937. Woody Stephens died at the age of 84. They journeyed together for a period of sixty-one years, with Lucille being a source of active support for the trainer. Her loving support helped him win major stakes
in the U.S. including the Preakness Stakes in 1954 and the Kentucky Derby in 1974 and 1984.
Woody Stephens is known for training five consecutive Belmont Stakes winners from 1982 till 1986. He also won eight Triple Crown races. The trainer also has a stakes named after him. The Riva Ridge Stakes had their name changed to Woody Stephen Stakes in
2006.
Woody Stephens was in the racing business before he got married to Lucille. He joined Harry Guggenheim as his head trainer then for Cain Hoy Stable. This tactical move on his part made him win the Kentucky Oaks three times.
He was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1976.
Lucille Stephens may have passed away but her memory will always live in the works of Woody Stephens. She is survived by her brother, Ralph Easley and sister-in-law, Jane Osborne, and, Anne Vinson, and, a large number of nephews and nieces.
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