Lucy E. (Morgan) Curtis

Mrs. Lucy E. (Morgan) Curtis, age 100, a longtime resident of New Hartford, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Presbyterian Home for CNY, Inc. with the love and support of her family. Born in Burlington, VT on July 16, 1907, Lucy was the daughter of the late Frank G. and Gertrude (Griggs) Morgan. Lucy was raised and educated in Burlington, and in 1924 she was a member of her high school basketball team participating in the National Women's Championship. She was a 1929 graduate of the University of Vermont, earning her B.S. in Economics. During her academic years she was also a member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. On August 16, 1941 she married George E. Curtis who passed away on October 9, 1978. The focus of their 37 year marriage was the well being of their family. During her working life, Lucy had been employed as an executive secretary for various insurance and retail businesses. For a number of years she was an executive secretary to the president of the Asgrow Seed Company of Cambridge, NY, the position from which she retired. A woman of determination, she set her sights and always accomplished her goals. She was exacting in her talents and skills, and extremely organized. She was skilled in the area of knitting, bestowing her handcrafted treasures to family. Lucy was a woman who remained physically active, retained her mental acuity, lived a healthy lifestyle, and indulged in “dark chocolate”, a luxury which she was convinced was the reason for her reaching 100 years of age. The spirit and diversity of her achievements were remarkable: as a University of Vermont alumna, she held the office of class secretary and helped organize reunions; she was a past president of the Salem High School P.T.A.; a longtime organist at her church, St. Paul’s Episcopal in Salem, NY; and she was treasurer of the parish and over the years served her diocese in numerous capacities. More recently, she was a representative on the resident council at the Presbyterian Home. Lucy felt that her greatest accomplishment was knowing the blessings of 100 years which enabled her to look over her grandchildren, instill in them the values of education, and encourage them to pursue the best that life has to offer, including expanding their minds to education and their bodies to physical challenges. Lucy is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, George E. and Lorraine S. Curtis of Utica, and William C. Curtis of Virginia; and her grandchildren, Dr. Michael S. and Michelle Curtis of St. Louis, MO, and Melissa R. Curtis of Utica. Survivors also include her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Patricia Morgan, and Whitey Palmer. Lucy had the ability to maintain her friendships with Kay Mc Eachron, her longtime friend, Irene and Jack Steere, friends from her home in Salem, Sophye Foley, her college friend who resided in Michigan, and Julius and Theresa Cohen, who resided in Wedgewood Apartments. She was predeceased by her sisters, Gertrude Palmer, and Maggie Morgan; and her brothers, Robert Morgan, Floyd Morgan, Mervyn Morgan, Willard Morgan, and Frank Morgan. The family is grateful to the staff of the Willow Wing at the Presbyterian Home for CNY, especially “Dee” who had a way of putting a smile on Lucy’s face, and the administrators, social director and activities directors, and Chaplain Tom Lorenz for all of their sincerity. They collectively made Lucy feel loved and cared for with much respect and dignity. A memorial gathering will be held on Monday from 4:00-6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. By family request, please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions in Lucy’s honor to the Presbyterian Home of CNY, Inc., exclusively for the beautification of the courtyard of the home, a place of great pleasure for her, or to the New Hartford Public Library in remembrance of her love for reading; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Lucy E. (Morgan) Curtis

July 16, 1907 - April 25, 2008