"I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Lu and Joe were great friends and neighbors of my parents Marilyn and Mat Diederichsen who lived in Barrington, right across the street. I knew your parents, too....they were such fun, had an awesome sense of humor, and always showed such warm hospitality for me whenever I visited my parents. I had a special place in my heart for Lu and Joe just like my parents. Therefore I would exchange Christmas cards with Lu & Joe for many years. This year as I was preparing my Christmas card for Lu, I found her obituary. My heart aches for the family and especially her children. I completely understand the loss of a parent as my parents are now deceased, too. God bless you and your parents! I will keep you all in my prayers, especially this holiday season."
In loving memory of
Lucille M. Behm
Lucille Derda Behm (Lu), 88, went home with her Lord and Savior while being cared for at her home in Cave Creek, AZ on May 10, 2016. She will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her. Lu is survived by her three children and their spouses: Geralyn Behm Kay (Cave Creek, AZ), Joseph Behm (Golden, CO) and Gerard Behm (Phoenix, AZ); and four grandchildren: Jordyce Behm (Phoenix, AZ), Max Behm (Golden, CO), Kamani Behm (Phoenix, AZ) and Anna Behm (Golden, CO). She is survived by her sisters: Virginia Sakovics, Joan Malszewski, and Betty Goodhew. She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Szalacha, in 2006, and her loving husband, Joseph Gabriel Behm, in 2014. Lucille was born on December 16, 1928 in Westmont, IL to Anthony and Marie Derda, and was one of five daughters. All whom loved her will miss her wit, tenacity and loving spirit. Her family and grandchildren always enjoyed her sense of humor and playful nature, along with her special apple cider toasts. There was no mistaking Lu's sense of style and design. She was an avid gardener and found great joy in tending to her Arizona menagerie of cacti, native trees, shrubs and desert flowers. Her eye for aesthetic detail translated into a colorful home. Her Mexican wedding cookies, pickled cucumber salad, cheesecakes and cabbage & noodles were just a few of her signature dishes that will be sorely missed. While Joseph traveled most of his career, Lucille tirelessly raised three children in a loving home while passing on integrity, compassion and strength to her family. Lucille met her husband Joseph Gabriel Behm on North Avenue beach in Chicago, IL in 1948. Before marrying Joseph, she was a dance instructor and also worked at Bell Telephone. As newlyweds Lu and Joseph lived in Boston, MA and then Ft Wayne, IN. They returned to Illinois and moved about the greater Chicagoland area, residing in Park Ridge, Danville, Naperville, Oak Brook and Barrington, with a short stint in Whittier, CA in the early 1970's. Lu and Joseph retired in 1994 to Cave Creek, AZ to be near their children. Lu understood the meaning of being a neighbor - a homemade dinner when someone needed an extra hand; or watching a baby so a new mom could get some time to herself. This love and compassion extended well beyond her street, to all who knew her. And, as parishioners of Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church, Lu and Joseph were dedicated to their faith and to loving others. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7th at 11:30 a.m. Services will be held at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale. A short burial service will follow, at 2 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Lu always said, "cut flowers are a waste of money." In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org). The Behm family would like to thank the caregivers and staff of Hospice of the Valley and the Mayo Clinic, for their world-class care and dedication to their patients.