Luetta M. “Lue” Kaminski, 89, of Nashua, passed away Friday morning, August 20, 2021 at Fairview Nursing Home in Hudson, following a short period of declining health.
Lue was born on October 14, 1931, one of six children of the late Joseph and Rose Lang. She and her five younger siblings were raised on the family farm outside of Haverhill, Iowa. A graduate of Van Cleve High School in 1949, Lue joked that she was in the top ten of her class (there were only 8 other graduates that year). In 1955, she married a young US Air Force lieutenant, Paul P. Kaminski, Sr., and together they raised four children while living the military life in states from Massachusetts to California. In the late 1960s during the tumult of the Vietnam War, she appeared twice as a guest on the Phil Donahue Show representing military families. During one show, she garnered attention by reaching across the national divide to invite an antiwar activist to dinner at her home. Lue remained active in politics and was featured with the family dog in People magazine (March 1984) as she hosted Joan Mondale in her home.
While her husband was stationed in Southeast Asia, Lue managed to raise four children while actively volunteering in church, schools and as a leader for Camp Fire Girls and Cub Scouts. Upon her husband’s retirement from the USAF in 1973, they settled in Nashua, where she volunteered for many community organizations, including the Nashua Soup Kitchen, where Lue served on the Board of Directors, and for their parish, St. Patrick Church. Former NH Governor Judd Gregg appointed Lue to the NH Council of Aging, a position she held for many years. Her compassion for the elderly continued during her service on the Board of Directors for the Nashua Senior Center and as a caregiver for several Nashua area families. In 2016, she was awarded the Golden Deeds Award from the Nashua Exchange Club for her years of volunteer work.
Lue had many hobbies including oil painting, crafts and gardening. She was a ferocious card player and was a member of several bridge groups, playing well into her final years. She enjoyed hosting lively dinner parties, especially for friends and family, where she always had stories to tell. Her needlework talents led to a home business in alterations, upholstery and window treatments. Following her husband’s death in 1986, Lue worked in the furniture department of Jordan Marsh, later Macy’s, retiring in the late 1990s.
Survivors include her four children, Paul P. Kaminski, Jr. (Marilyn) of Tehachapi, California, Rep. Rosemarie Rung (John) of Merrimack, Patricia Nilsson (Mark) of Boise, Idaho and Thomas W. Kaminski (Holly) of Manchester; eight grandchildren, Joseph Kaminski, Jennifer Guerra, Alexandra LaSala, Jonathan Rung, Christopher Rung, Joel Nilsson, Chad Kaminski and Taryn Kaminski; four great-grandchildren, Tommy LaSala, Tyler LaSala, Aubree Guerra and Kaylee Guerra; two sisters, Evelyn Hennis of Marshalltown, Iowa and JoAnn Lanz of Stockton, California; and several nieces and nephews.
Lue will always be remembered for her hearty laugh, generosity, and dedication to her family.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, August 31st from 4 to 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua, Wednesday, September 1st at 9 a.m. Lue will be laid to rest alongside her late husband at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Thursday. Donations may be made in her memory to the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, 2 Quincy Street, Nashua, NH 03060 or Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
