Lydia Speedy was born on July 23, 1917 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Simon and Pauline Sager of Longrie, Michigan. As a young girl she lived and worked with her dad and eight older siblings on a diversified farm in Michigan. She attended a one room elementary school in Longrie which in recent years was purchased and restored by a private individual using pictures and Lydia’s recollections of the school building. Lydia graduated from Stephenson High School, in Stephenson Michigan, 1934. Lydia was married in 1942 and moved to Pomona, California. She attended the Frank Wiggin’s Trade School, sponsored by the Department of the Army to train in technical skills for the war effort. Lydia was trained as an auto mechanic and machinist.
After graduation in 1942, she transferred to the Ordnance Depot in Stockton where she overhauled all types of army vehicles. In 1950 Lydia and her husband Clarence moved to Knights Ferry where they owned and operated Knights Ferry Hotel. During the construction of Tulloch Dam several workers stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the daily fare of man sized meals and homemade desserts. On weekends visitors from the bay area descended on the hotel for the same small town hospitality and good food, year around. During this time, and until retirement, Lydia worked full time in Riverbank and Stockton for the Department of the Army. In 1972 the Speedys sold the hotel and moved to Modesto. For a period of time Lydia worked for the Department of the Army at the Riverbank Ammunition Plant and then returned to work at the Sharpe Army Depot in Stockton where she retired in 1980.
Lydia was always an active community volunteer in Knights Ferry where she helped organize the annual Homecoming events in the town. She was a 60 year member of Summit Chapter 138 of the Eastern Star and served as the Past Worthy Matron. Lydia had many hobbies including travel, photography (she won many awards for her photos) tennis, horse shoes and bowling, to name a few. A favorite trip Lydia relived many times was in 1943, driving a 1930 Model A Ford Coupe, alone, from Longrie, MI to Stockton, CA at no more than 35 MPH, the law at the time to save gasoline for the WWII effort. Other memorable trips were to New Zealand, Australia, Alaska and most of the Western USA along with many trips to Mexico.
Lydia is preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, and in 1983, her husband Clarence. She leaves 16 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews as well as many, many friends across the continent and around the world. Gone but never forgotten.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
After graduation in 1942, she transferred to the Ordnance Depot in Stockton where she overhauled all types of army vehicles. In 1950 Lydia and her husband Clarence moved to Knights Ferry where they owned and operated Knights Ferry Hotel. During the construction of Tulloch Dam several workers stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the daily fare of man sized meals and homemade desserts. On weekends visitors from the bay area descended on the hotel for the same small town hospitality and good food, year around. During this time, and until retirement, Lydia worked full time in Riverbank and Stockton for the Department of the Army. In 1972 the Speedys sold the hotel and moved to Modesto. For a period of time Lydia worked for the Department of the Army at the Riverbank Ammunition Plant and then returned to work at the Sharpe Army Depot in Stockton where she retired in 1980.
Lydia was always an active community volunteer in Knights Ferry where she helped organize the annual Homecoming events in the town. She was a 60 year member of Summit Chapter 138 of the Eastern Star and served as the Past Worthy Matron. Lydia had many hobbies including travel, photography (she won many awards for her photos) tennis, horse shoes and bowling, to name a few. A favorite trip Lydia relived many times was in 1943, driving a 1930 Model A Ford Coupe, alone, from Longrie, MI to Stockton, CA at no more than 35 MPH, the law at the time to save gasoline for the WWII effort. Other memorable trips were to New Zealand, Australia, Alaska and most of the Western USA along with many trips to Mexico.
Lydia is preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, and in 1983, her husband Clarence. She leaves 16 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews as well as many, many friends across the continent and around the world. Gone but never forgotten.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Oct. 16, 2019