LUKE, Fanny C. Died on Thursday, October 16. She was born in Boston in 1923, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Curtis, formerly of Chestnut Hill and Manchester, Mass. She was married in 1955 and is survived by her husband, David, her sisters, Polly, Kay and Laura, many nieces, nephews, and other equally devoted family members. She graduated from the Westover School in 1941. In 1943 she joined the U.S. Navy Waves and, after training, she was involved in the final modification of combat aircraft for U.S. Naval Forces in the Pacific Theatre, including the very planes which the man she later married was then flying in combat. She completed her Military Service in 1946. She subsequently attended Radcliff College, receiving a B.A. degree in 1951. She worked briefly for Houghton Mifflin and also for Harvard University, and then moved to New York. In New York she took courses at Bank Street College of Education and then devoted nearly 12 years to teaching young children primarily at the Episcopal School. From 1972 - 1980 she served on the Board of the Westover School. She had been a member of the Board of the City Gardens Club and served as President of the Club for two years. She was active in her churches in New York and Locust Valley. Burial will be private in the Locust Valley Cemetery and a memorial service will be held at St. John's of Lattingtown Church, 325 Lattingtown Road, Locust Valley, New York, 11560 on October 24 at 11:00 a.m., to be immediately followed by a reception at The Piping Rock Club, 150 Piping Rock Road, Locust Valley, New York, 11560. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Westover School, 1237 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, Conn., 06762, would be very welcome.

Dodge Thomas Funeral Home

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Published by Boston Globe from Oct. 17 to Oct. 19, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for FANNY LUKE

9 Entries

COLOSSIANS 3:13,14 R.A.

October 31, 2014

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Laura Cutler

October 26, 2014

my memories of Fanny {age 9}she protected me from the local bully. Years later she secretly lent me one of her sparkly black ball gown with "straps" to attend a dance in New York. I felt wonderful until a boy cut in and said I can tell you are from Boston. Many years later Fanny and Dave invited Tarry and me sailing on their beautiful boat Inspiration up the foggy coast of Maine, David avoided thunder storms and luckily we had many beautiful sailing days. Every year we went to Megantic, where the guides were so fond of them and where we all caught lovely trout for breakfast. Those are just a few of the memories that will help fill the vacuum that her passing has left. She was beautiful, she had a wonderful sense of humor, she was loyal and honest and as all have said she was very unselfish and cared for others first

Polly Burrus

October 25, 2014

A bit of me has been lost.

October 22, 2014

I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your loved one.May loving words comfort your family at this time of sorrow. (Isaiah 57:15)

October 21, 2014

Dear David,
Oh, how very sad. Most fortunately you had a wonderful, long marriage with many, many happy memories to dull the pain. We all send you our warmest thoughts during this difficult period. We hope you will be back on campus from time to time where it will be our great joy to see you. Most sincerely, Fred Frank

Sarah Fletcher

October 20, 2014

I remember her as a neighbor for many years. Her kind and gentle nature and inquisitive mind made a lasting impression. She loved blue in all its shades. We will miss her very much.

Jim and Marcia Luke

October 20, 2014

Fanny was a quiet, steadying influence and very kindly included Marcia when she came to Washington to visit her sister Laura. She will be missed by all of us.

polly vail

October 19, 2014

I just submitted a Guest Book entry about Aunt Fanny as an INSPIRATION ... but I didn't sign it... the entry is from Polly Vail and Mark Walsh and our (adult) children Jack and Melissa Walsh

October 19, 2014

Aunt Fanny was much like the many boats she and Uncle Dave designed and sailed over the years. She was an INSPIRATION. She had a deep keel, and moved with gracefully in all conditions. She was an accurate and fearless navigator. She wasn't afraid to go out to the bow spot rocks in the pea soup fogs of Maine and she charted each course with skill and precision. She treated her crews to delicious mayonnaise and tomato sandwiches in the cockpit, enhancing blue sky, blue water days. She was exhilarated when her sails were full and patient when there was no lift from the wind at all. Aunt Fanny knew when to cast the lines and go, and when to retreat to a safe harbor.
She was graceful in the way she responded to circumstances, and relationships. She was attuned and flexible. She took time to listen and observe and learn before she took action.
I feel very grateful for my time with Aunt Fanny. To honor her, I am creating a floating garden in her name. It is one small thing I can do to continue the ripple effect of INSPIRATION she started in the way she lived her life.
I will miss her very much, and send condolences to all who loved her.

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