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Connie Blaney-405-523-3000
2/05/08 

Lou Flanagan Ackerman Is St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal for 2008

     Lucille “Lou” Flanagan Ackerman is being honored this year as the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal of Oklahoma City.  She will be recognized at both the St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal Ball on March 8 and at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Oklahoma City on March 15.
     “It is an honor and privilege to be chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal,” Lou Ackerman said. “I think it one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me.  I am very proud of my Irish heritage.  On my first visit to Ireland several years ago, I fell in love with the country, my ancestry, and the people,” Lou added.
     Lou was born in Oklahoma City, the middle child of seven. She attended elementary school at Rosary Catholic School.  She graduated from Classen High School and attended Rosary College in Chicago for two years.
     Lou’s dream of becoming a professional artist began when she was a child studying under Oklahoma City’s Nan Sheets. However, her plan to enroll in the Chicago Art Institute to pursue an art career was interrupted when she married Ray Ackerman in 1948. For the next 20 years, Ray and Lou devoted their time to raising six children.
     When her last child started grade school in 1966, Lou began to pursue her love for painting, studying under Joan LaRue, Marilyn Bendell, Daniel Gerhartz, David Lessel and William Reese. Her oil and watercolor paintings grace St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City University, and many homes in Oklahoma City. She rarely turns down a request to donate one of her paintings to a charity auction.
     One of her latest paintings of the Blessed Mother titled, “Maid of Lesser Years” will be auctioned at the St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal Ball on March 8 at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
     From 1975 to 1995, Lou contributed her time and talent weekly to teach painting to senior women at the Salvation Army facility at Western Oaks Christian Church.
     In 2004, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation selected Lou and Ray as Oklahoma Living Treasures for Tomorrow. Their life is featured in Ray’s biography “Old Man River” by Bob Burke with Joan Gilmore.
     Lou and Ray reside in Oklahoma City.  They are both active members of St. Eugene Catholic Church.
     The evening of Ball, five of the Ackerman’s children and spouses will be in attendance to support Lou and Catholic Charities.  Tickets are still available for the fundraising event to be held Saturday evening, March 8 at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.  Table sponsorships are also available. Deadline for purchasing tickets is February 29.  The annual fundraiser will benefit Catholic Charities’ Homeless Services in Oklahoma City.