Paula Frances McKeown Lutz

Paula Frances McKeown Lutz passed away at age 92 on January 5, 2025, in Williamsburg, Virginia after a wonderful, full life.

She was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on December 10, 1932, the youngest of three daughters, to Raphael and Florence McKeown. They were a part of a larger Boston Irish Catholic family which included Cardinal Francis Spellman - with whom Paula shared a middle name. Paula attended Abington High School in Abington Massachusetts. She told her family that she was the fastest girl in her class, but she leaves a mystery as to which class year or just how fast she was! She attended Framingham State Teachers College where she was elected Vice President of the freshman class and both President of the senior class and Honor Council. Her graduation in 1954 would later serve as the platform from which she would launch her career as an inspiring elementary school educator.

She married a tall, handsome U.S. Naval Academy graduate (Class of ’52) from Quincy Massachusetts, Lt. Theodore Joseph Lutz, Jr. USMC, who rose through the ranks to full Colonel. He was a decorated officer and a veteran of the Korean (Navy Cross) and Vietnam (two tours) wars. He passed away in 2013 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

As a Marine officer’s wife, she moved frequently and lived in Camp Lejeune North Carolina, Quantico Virginia, Camp Pendleton California, Pinner Middlesex England, San Gabriel California, Rochester New York, Hingham Massachusetts, and finally Burke in Northern Virginia with her husband’s last assignments to the Pentagon and the Marine Corps Headquarters base Quantico Virginia.

Paula was undeniably classy - always attractive and very well dressed. She still received many compliments on her appearance well into her later years. She enjoyed dancing and listening to music, especially “New York, New York”, “Fly Me to the Moon”, and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra and “Moon River”.

Her many neighbors, especially those on Dalby Lane in Burke and Lindsay Street in Fairfax, would attest she was the best neighbor you could ever have! Her home was organized, spotless and a lucky destination enjoyed by many - complete with a beautiful yard that was the result of her many hours of gardening. She was an outstanding hostess and cook, well known for her delicious Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies. And she truly enjoyed a margarita or glass of chardonnay with family and friends.

Paula taught at Laurel Ridge Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia for over 25 years. She was sought after and requested by both parents and students, many of whom continued to stay in contact with her for decades.

She was extremely generous to her family both with her time and financial resources - always the first to say “Now, how can I help?” or insisting “I am paying for this!” She was always there for her family who knew they could count on her for anything and everything.

And, Paula was also a lot of fun! Vacations, trips, adventures - she loved them all with family and friends by her side. Caribbean cruises, and trips to Hawaii, St. John and St. Thomas USVI, the Outer Banks North Carolina and Williamsburg Virginia were her favorites. Her love of adventure and travel and her spirit and determination are traits that have been passed on to her family.

She stoically faced the changes compelled by divorce and confronted Alzheimer’s valiantly with dignified grace and resilience. Paula made the best of tough challenges and managed to maintain a smile along the way - an invaluable lesson to us all.

She is survived by her four children - Tara Archer of Greenwich Connecticut, Wendy Nelson (Ralph) of Williamsburg Virginia, Karen Laughlin (Alex) of Lakewood Ranch Florida, and Eric Lutz of Santa Clarita California. She is also survived by four grandsons- Casey Archer, Miles Archer (Manu), Nicholas Nelson (Patricia), Christopher Nelson and one great-grandson, John Clement Freeland Nelson.

Paula’s loss is felt deeply by all who loved her, however the family takes comfort knowing that she will be reunited soon with her parents (Rado and Flossy), who she loved dearly, and other family members in the family burial plot in her hometown of Abington, Massachusetts.

A private family memorial service will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Framingham State University, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 100 State Street, P.O. Box 9101, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701-9101