Ruth M. Lucas

Ruth M. Lucas of Interlaken passed away, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the age of 81. 

Ruth was born in the South Bronx on February 17, 1943, a daughter of the late Walter and Ruth (nee Dunning) Lewis. Ruth grew up in humble beginnings in the tight-knit and once innocent community of the South Bronx, living in a 5 room apartment with her parents and 5 siblings. She attended St. Luke’s Grammar School and graduated from St. Pius Commercial High School. Ruth was a devout Catholic and carried God closely with her throughout her life. 

Ruth and her family moved from Long Island to Upstate, NY in 1973, purchasing a 68 acre farm in Interlaken, NY in 1974 which would become Lucas Vineyards- the first winery on Cayuga Lake established in 1980. Ruth was the matriarch of her family, the first female winemaker on Cayuga Lake, and a pioneer of the Finger Lakes wine industry. She co-founded the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the first wine trail in the United States. 

With no agricultural background, Ruth worked tirelessly and built an extraordinary business with customers that became family and friends, some of whom had their first sip of Lucas wine in Ruth’s kitchen with her and her family. Ruth was proud to produce high quality, award winning wines. She was honored as one of the “20 Outstanding Women You Should Know” in 2007 and was deemed “The Lioness of Cayuga Lake” by the Ithaca Times in 2019. 

Ruth had many accomplishments, but what was most important to her was family. You could always find her in the front row for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s events and various activities. She was a constant source of unconditional love, wisdom and support for her family. Ruth enjoyed spending time with family- sharing stories, shopping, watching “I Love Lucy” and laughing to the point of tears. Her family is left with so many incredible memories of love, laughter, and fun. 

Ruth was truly an amazing person - inside and out. To know her, was to love her. Her generosity and infectious smile were a gift to the world. She made a lasting impression on everyone she met. She will truly be missed every day. 

Ruth is survived by three children, Ruth Marie (David) Crawford, William (Lihua) Lucas, and Stephanie (Jeffrey) Lucas Houck; six grandchildren, Jessica (David) Siurano, Michael Crawford, Madelyn Houck, Nicholas Houck, Chelsea Lucas, and Zachary Lucas; two great grandchildren, Devon and Kara Siurano; siblings, Walter Lewis, James (Ruth) Lewis, and Ellen Finan; brother in law, James Lucas; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Robert Lewis; and a brother-in-law, John Finan. 

The family will be present to receive family and friends from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. A Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at St. Francis Solanus Church, 3660 Orchard Street, Interlaken. Prayers of committal will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken. 

The family asks those that would like to make a contribution in Ruth’s memory to kindly consider The Parish of Mary Mother of Mercy, PO Box 403, Interlaken, New York 14847 or Lakeview Cemetery, PO Box 562, Interlaken, New York 14847.