The Fountain Hills Elks Lodge had a special Italian buffet dinner with entertainment to honor member Lucy McGowan on her 90th birthday.

It was a full house celebrating a very special lady.

Lucy was born in Kinney, Minn. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 1925. She grew up with three brothers and five sisters. Her early dreams were attending college, traveling and meeting her Prince Charming. Dreams do come true, and Lucy met Jack. They married and had a son, Patrick, who resides in Scottsdale.

Lucy and Jack spent most of their married life in Oregon and California.

Along with work, their activities included extensive travel, ballroom dancing contests and involvement with Elks Lodges.

Upon arriving in Fountain Hills nine years ago, they became charter members of the newly- formed Elks Lodge. Jack became a trustee and immediately nominated Lucy for the position of lodge secretary, a job which she held for three years.

After 50 years of marriage, Jack passed away on Feb. 13, 2007. Lucy remained an active Elk and even today serves as the lodge’s protocol officer. Yes, an infraction will bring her reaction.

The Elks look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with their own Lucy.