Mystic - Lucy (Taylor) Howell, 96, lifelong resident of Mystic, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at the Mystic Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she had resided for the past few years.Lucy was born on West Mystic Avenue in the village of Mystic, on Oct. 19, 1920, the daughter of the late Alexander and Lucy (Ryley) Taylor.She was a graduate of Robert E. Fitch High School, Class of 1939, and attended the New London Business College. Soon after World War II was declared, Lucy enlisted in the Navy and spent the following three years in Washington, D.C. as a WAVE, a unit with the U.S. Naval Reserve. She was honorably discharged in 1945. On May 8, 1944, Lucy married Francis M. Howell, in Mystic, at the First United Methodist Church, where she had been a longtime and active member. Francis predeceased Lucy in 2000.Lucy was a secretary for many years with the Waterford High School up until her retirement in 1985. In addition to her lifelong committment to her family and church, Lucy was an avid writer of poetry, short stories and editorials.She is survived by her two daughters, Betty Zarger and her husband, Gerald, of Westbrook and Mary Ann Gregory of Mystic; four beloved grandchildren, Catherine and Alexander, Gregory and his wife, Elisabeth, Pamela Butler and her husband, David and Stephen Zarger and his wife, Shannon; five great-grandchildren, Erin and Christian Butler, Paige and Lauren Zarger, and Sean Gregory; her neice, Kathy Lewis and her husband, Bill, of Mystic, and Kathy's children, Kerri, Jackie and Scott; and a nephew, Michael Laffargue of Florida.She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Laffargue; her brother-in-law, Ernest T. Howell; and her son-in-law, Arthur H. Gregory.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow St., Mystic. Burial with honors will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery, 197 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic. There will be no calling hours.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church.Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave a note of condolence.