Obituary of Candice A. Lukachek

Candice A. Lukachek, age 59, of Annandale died suddenly on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ. Candice was born October 15, 1948 in Phillipsburg, NJ. She was the daughter of the late Andrew Nicholas Lukachek and the late Anna M. (Kovacs) Lukachek. She grew up in Harmony Twp., and lived in Stewartsville, NJ and Easton, PA, before moving to Annandale in 1982. Candice was a Marketing Manager for Crayola Inc. in Easton for 28 years before retiring. She was a "Master Gardener" where she served on it's Board of Directors in Hunterdon and Somerset County. She is survived by her husband: Rob Aretz; her three brothers: Wayne Lukachek and his wife Linda; Keith Lukachek and his wife Cheryl; Kevin Michael Lukachek and his wife Sharon; a nephew, Wayne Lukachek Jr.; also survived by her brother-in-law, David Aretz and his wife Jane Shoemaker and their daughter Taylor; brother-in-law, Michael Aretz and his wife Mary and their children, Brian and Allison; and mother-in-law, Patricia M. Aretz. There will be a Memorial Gathering on Thursday, August 21, from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Rt 31, Clinton, NJ. A memorial service will begin at 12 noon at the funeral home on Thursday. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Norwescap 201 N. Broad Street Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 foodbank@norwescap.org National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) 14 Mitchell Blvd San Rafael, CA 94903 www.naaf.org WORDS FOR CANDACE: Nothing puts life in perspective like death. The last thing Michael and I expected to be doing upon our homecoming from vacation was to be memorializing Candace's life. But isn't that just like Candace to surprise us by dramatically leaving when we'd least expect it so she could inspire her ultimate party... celebrating all that she was and sharing all that we'll miss ... Many of you have known Candace longer and better than I. But I am here to attest to the fact that it doesn't take long to know, and therefore love Candace, because she was always real. Candace was a one-of-kind maverick who did not seem to waste a moment of her life trying to impress others, or fitting into any box. I would imagine only a fool would try to type-cast or contain Candace. Such a fool would have better luck controlling a whirlwind or packaging a rainbow because Candace was uniquely and wonderfully ... Candice. On one hand she reminded me of Olympia Dukakis' character in Steel Magnolias when she states, "If you have anything bad to say about anybody, come sit here by me," because Candace always gave you the impression that she enjoyed being a bit naughty and that rules were meant to be broken. And like the Dukakis character, Candice was a wry, loving, powerful force of a woman who unapologetically lived life on her terms. She knew smoking was unhealthy but that just made her enjoy every single drag all the more... not to tick you off, it had nothing to do with you ... but just because it was her choice, her life. And if your love for Candace manifested itself like my husband Michael's did when he refused to carry Candace's favored brand in hopes of curbing her habit, Candace responded in classic fashion when she simply informed him that he was really doing her a favor because he was the most expensive cigarette store in town! Yet, in spite of all her moxie, I must confess that I've never once heard Candace say anything negative about anyone. She could find the silver lining of hope in the darkest cloud. Candace was truly a free spirit because she reveled in being herself. And she extended that freedom and joy to others in her unconditional ability to love and accept people for who they are, as they are ... she was always INclusive, not EXclusive. She embraced others as she did life ...fully and completely ... there was never anything halfway about Candace. I loved that about her. I could always count on Candy NOT to order a diet-appropriate dessert like most other girls, but rather feast on a decadent chocolate creation and indulge in not one, but two, ports, that is IF she liked it! The dining experience will certainly be less satisfying without her. I have never met a more passionate human being in my life! The collage of "Candice memories" that I have in my mind are as varied and delightful as the pastries she loved creating, the plants and flowers she nurtured, and obviously the friends and family whose lives she touched. I once followed this speeding Mercedes convertible around town and much to my surprise the car pulled into Peapack-Gladstone right next to me and out popped Candace with her signature smile, her twinkling eyes, and wind-blown hair. I said,"I should have known that hot chick was you!" and she said, "I know, I LOVE my car!" She was baking that day and was as excited about her culinary creation as a mother is giving birth to her child. I couldn't relate at all because ya'll know I don't cook, but Candace's excitement almost made me wish I did. Some women just collect jewelry, acquire it, like you would a stock. Not Candice. She loved jewelry...the precious raw materials, the creative process, the sparkle, and most of all---the JOY of wearing it ... Candace enjoyed her jewelry in a way that was almost sensual. No coincidence she fell in love with Rob whose expertise and passion is also precious gems! And speaking of passion, Candace has made me blush on more than one occasion (and BTW I don't embarrass easily) by telling me how much she loved Rob and how much (and how often) she loved loving Rob (If you know what I mean:-)!!! Candace was wonderfully outrageous that way. This world is less interesting without her. As macro as her spirit was however, what most defines Candice for me was something I never got a chance to share with her. When I arrived on the NJ Riverside wine group scene I didn't exactly blend. Candace (along with her cohort Beth) were one of the first and few who welcomed me into their hearts without judgment or condition. I never forgot that act of kindness and continued to be blessed by the friendship. I just wish I had acknowledged what it meant to me, to Candace, while she was still here. But I believe there are many acts of kindness like that which define Candace's heart and life because that's the kind of person she was. She came from a heart of full of love. Her days on this earth were certainly far too few but she didn't waste any of them because she's made us better people by touching our lives. I cannot think of a life better spent. Yong Kim Cedro August 18, 2008