At 104 years of age, Lois Luttrell Thorne passed away from natural causes at St. John‘s Nursing Home in Rochester, NY on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Mrs. Thorne was born in LeRoy, NY on June 11, 1915 to the late Agnes Henry Luttrell and Edward John Luttrell. She is predeceased by sister, Phyllis Edith Daniels and by her son, Edward Warren Thorne. She is survived by her brother, John “Jack” Edward Luttrell (Faye) of Vero Beach, FL, and a son, John Luttrell Thorne (Nancy) of New Hartford, CT; seven nieces and nephews, among them Lynne Daniels Post (Douglass) of Apollo Beach, FL and Jayne Luttrell Cloud of Fishers, IN, grandchildren Nicole Harman (Dale), Michelle De Pinales (Jose‘), Adam Thorne (Jessica), Kirstin Mathias (Edward), Barbara Thorne, Zachary Thorne and nine great grandchildren. She also cared greatly for Jennifer Post Burks and Jason Post.
Following graduation from LeRoy High School Lois received her teaching certification from the Geneseo Normal School and in later years returned to SUNY Geneseo where she earned her B.A. degree and completed additional graduate courses. She taught second grade in Belmont, NY for two years and following the births of her two sons taught kindergarten for thirty–six years in her hometown of LeRoy. For many years she also conducted the door–to–door school census for the LeRoy Central Schools and tutored individual students. Countless students in LeRoy and surrounding communities have recognized “Mrs. Thorne” for her devotion and kindness in starting them out on their academic journeys.
Upon her retirement Lois purchased her first home in Churchville, NY but stayed in touch with the congregation of the First Baptist Church of LeRoy and other friends and family in that community. Retirement also provided her with the opportunity to fulfill her dream of traveling both nationally and internationally. She was an active volunteer for several organizations, among them the Margaret Strong Museum, the Red Cross, and Roberts Wesleyan College.
A graveside service for the family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to SUNY Geneseo, Office of Advancement, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454 or to The Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan Square Drive, Rochester, NY 14607.