Amity E. Currie

1961 - 2021

Amity E. Currie

Poughkeepsie - On January 23, 2021, Amity Elizabeth Smith Currie passed away at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. She had been a resident of the City of Poughkeepsie since 1982. Born in New York City in 1961, Amity grew up on Manhattan's Upper West Side. She was the daughter of David Arrender Smith and Eve Pearlman Smith, and sister to Jonathan (Xiaodong), Bob (Sandy), Peter, and Alison. In 1983 she married Stephen Currie in Annandale, NY. She was the mother of Irene Elizabeth Currie and Nicholas Currie (John Mocek), and the beloved "Marmar" of her grandson Zachary David Currie. Her niece Katherine Treskow and nephews Andrew Smith-Simmons and David Treskow were also important in her life, as were her parents-in-law David and Barbara Flynn Currie and sister-in-law Margaret Currie.

Amity graduated cum laude from Williams College with a degree in political science. She earned her teaching certification at SUNY New Paltz and later received a master's degree in school psychology from Marist College. A great believer in education, Amity began her professional career at St. George's School in Poughkeepsie, where she taught middle school math and science. Later, she taught high school geometry and elementary grades at Poughkeepsie Day School. In addition, she ran her own tutoring business, did school psychology work for local districts, and did coursework toward doctorate in education. The culmination of her career, however, came during the last twenty years when she served as a professor in Marist's education department. Though she was an outstanding teacher who loved working with students of all ages, she had a particular affinity for instructing the future teachers of America. Amity was a long-time member of Christ Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie, where she taught Sunday School and confirmation classes in addition to serving on the vestry, taking charge of acolytes, and much more. Whether teaching math to third graders, religion to confirmation candidates, or psychology to graduate students, she threw herself into her work with characteristic abandon and enthusiasm.

Amity was deeply curious about the world around her. She loved learning new skills and information and had wide and varied interests, among them math, politics, and gluten-free baking. A voracious reader, Amity also enjoyed watching documentaries; the more obscure the subject, the better. Amity was eager to debate almost any topic with friends and colleagues, secure in the knowledge that she was right (and she usually was). She was liable to break into song at any moment, much to the consternation of Zachary. Kind, compassionate, and always inclusive, she cared deeply about the people with whom she came into contact. She loved her friends and family fiercely, and she touched many, many lives. In every way she fulfilled the admonition in the Book of Micah to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with her God.

Due to COVID, services were held privately at Christ Episcopal Church on January 30, 2021. If you wish to make a donation in Amity's honor, please reflect on Amity's great love for children and consider a gift to an organization that helps and advocates for children. Thank you. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son F.H., Inc. If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com