Lucia Guadalupe Nuñez Padilla, affectionately known as Lucy, age 33 of Sac City, IA, formerly of Clarion, IA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Loring Hospital in Sac City surrounded by the love of her family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer.
Lucia Guadalupe Nuñez Padilla was born on December 13, 1992, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, to Eduardo Nuñez Varela and Maria Guadalupe Padilla Mendoza. She grew up in Clarion, where she graduated with the Clarion-Goldfield High School Class of 2011. Lucy continued her education at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, IA, earning her Medical Laboratory Technician degree in 2015.
Lucy was baptized in Santa Lucia, Jalisco, Mexico, and later received all her Sacraments at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion.
From a young age, Lucy was known as a hardworking and determined young woman. During her high school years she spent much of her time babysitting, tutoring, and helping others however she could. She also worked for Iowa Select Farms in the farrowing department during her high school and college years. While attending college, Lucy worked at Lefty’s Bar & Grill as a cook and in the Hy-Vee bakery in Fort Dodge.
Lucy completed her clinical training at Loring Hospital in Sac City, where she was soon hired as an MLT. After working there for a while, she moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she embraced city life and all the new experiences that came with it while continuing to work as an MLT. Living and working there during the COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges and life-changing experiences, and eventually Lucy felt called back home. She moved to Sac City and returned to Loring Hospital, where she faithfully served as an MLT for the past five years.
In 2024, Lucy was diagnosed with cancer. Through every hardship she faced over the last two years, she remained incredibly strong, resilient, and hopeful. She never complained about any of it nor did she question it and she never gave up. Even while fighting her own battle, Lucy continued to work and care deeply for others, always more concerned about the well-being of those around her than herself. Her strength and selflessness were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Lucy’s impact through her work in healthcare was profound. Patients often spoke of her kindness, compassion, and genuine interest in their lives. She formed deep bonds not only through her work, but also through her church, friendships, and everyday encounters. Lucy always made time to listen, to help, and to care. She was deeply interested in understanding people, cultures, and perspectives. She believed every person mattered and treated everyone with warmth and dignity.
Lucy was a gentle soul who truly appreciated life and all of its beauty. She loved nature, gardening, music, reading, traveling, playing volleyball and attending live music events. She adored animals; her dogs meant the world to her. She was an incredible cook and true foodie who loved gathering with family and friends to prepare meals, share food, and create memories together. She enjoyed DIY projects and had a special appreciation for the little details that made life beautiful, finding joy in everyday moments.
Above all else, Lucy treasured her family. She was an amazing daughter who brought her parents and sister so much joy. She was easy to be proud of as she was full of love, compassion, humility, and respect from a young age. Lucy was always her little sister’s protector, even into adulthood, she always had her back. She was THE BEST sister and friend to Angelica. She was an extremely proud aunt and absolutely adored baby Mateo, who brought endless happiness into her life.
It is difficult to fully put into words just how special Lucy was. Her kindness, compassion, curiosity, and love for life touched countless people. She leaves behind a legacy of grace, strength, and genuine goodness that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Lucy will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family, friends, coworkers, patients, and all whose lives she so beautifully impacted.
We should all aspire to ‘Live Like Lucy’
Those left behind to cherish her memory include her parents, Eduardo Nuñez Varela and Maria Guadalupe Padilla Mendoza of Clarion; sister Angelica (Cameron) Ewing of Fort Dodge; cousin who was like a brother to Lucy, Francisco Orozco Padilla; nephew Mateo Luca Ewing; honorary nephew Keaton Remmick; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family members and friends.
Lucy was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Jose Nuñez; maternal grandfather J. Refugio Padilla; maternal grandmother Josefina Mendoza; and many other extended family members.
