Betty L. Lukco, 93, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013.

She was born Jan. 29, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Betty moved to Arcadia 24 years ago, with her husband and only man she ever loved, Joe Lukco, a U.S. Navy combat veteran in World War II. She and Joe spent their younger days traveling the United States, visiting all except Alaska and Washington. Betty was the last of 12 children; five brothers served during WWII, four of those were in combat. One brother was rejected by the U.S. Army for health reasons, so he went to Canada and joined Canada’s Army so he could fight the Nazis. Betty was a member of the Red Hats, the Sunshine Ladies, and St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She made visits to nursing homes and helped feed the needy through Catholic Charities. Not only was Betty an aunt, she was like the mother her nephew, Joe Tarnovsky, never had. She loved very much and was very fond of her nephew, Thomas “Tim” Coyne, who preceded her in death Dec. 19, 1991, when he answered his LAST ALARM for the Brooklyn, Ohio, Fire Department. Her nephew, Tim, was responsible for getting her husband’s medals many years after he served later from the Department of the Navy.

Betty is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, Edith and George McElroy, who were like family — they loved and cared for Betty during her last years. The family of Betty Lukco, Joe and Cecelia Tarnovsky, owe a great deal of appreciation and thanks to Edith and George, who were always there for their Aunt Betty. Along with her nephew, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Lukco; parents, James and Loretta Rhoebolt Rooney; four sisters; and seven brothers.

Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com.

Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.