Elizabeth Luckham Lutton

Elizabeth Luckham Lutton died peacefully with her family at her bedside November 9th after a short illness. Born in Ann Arbor February 16, 1921, Liz and her family moved to Detroit when she was six. She graduated from Cooley High School and returned to Ann Arbor to attend U of M at the age of 16 in 1937, graduating in 1942. She formed lifelong friendships during her years in the Martha Cook women's dormitory. After college, she worked briefly for the telephone company before enlisting in the Women's Army Corp (WAC) in 1943. After training in Florida, she was deployed to Italy, crossing the Atlantic in a troop ship to Morocco. In Italy she worked in a coding operation and met her future husband, George Lutton. He was there in the Army Air Corp. They were married in Florence, Italy in 1945. Back in the States after the war, they lived in Hartford, Albany, Pittsburgh, and New York City before moving to Barrington, IL in 1951. Liz took the lead in raising their three children while her husband travelled extensively for business. During their years in Illinois, she pursued a Master Degree in political science at Northwestern and taught high school English and history. In 1967, following her husband's career, the family moved to New Jersey and then Oregon and Pennsylvania before returning to Madison, NJ in 1974. In 1975, George died following a long battle with lung cancer. Liz returned to Ann Arbor, settling into a home on the west side in 1976. The next year, she began law school at the University of Detroit. Passing the bar at age 60, she began a career as a criminal appellate attorney. The law provided a wonderful intellectual outlet for Liz and also produced enduring relationships. Through the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Liz found close friends - the "lady lawyers," Ernestine, Susan, and Barbara. Throughout law school and her lawyer days Liz cared for her family. Her parents, Alger and Margaret Luckham, lived with her for 12 years into their early 90's. Other family members passed through her household as well. Through it all, her home was a gathering place. She often hosted dinners with four generations at the table. Later she opened her home to students and young working people through the Housing Bureau for Seniors home sharing program. Young women from Brazil and Japan became part of the family and part of Liz's life until the end. Liz enjoyed travelling. During all of her years in Ann Arbor she made regular long visits to her daughters in the east. In recent years those became twice a year, month long stays with daughter, Patty, in New Jersey. She was there this past August. Another wonderfully fun and memorable trip took place in 2008. At age 87, Liz spent a week in Paris with her two daughters, daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, and her granddaughter-in-law. Three generations had a blast! The Housing Bureau for Seniors was an important part of Liz's life. She served many years as a Board Member, and was honored in 2012 for her multiple roles on behalf of the organization. Liz was active as an alumna in her support of Martha Cook. She served on committees and as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. For many years, she ran a greeting card/letter writing program as part of the Church's meals for the homeless program. For at least 20 years, she assumed secretarial duties for her WAC unit, publishing twice yearly newsletters to veterans all over the country. This group, while naturally dwindling in numbers, held lively periodic reunions all over the country until Liz was in her mid-80's. Liz was a Democrat all her life and she understood the big picture of global and national issues. She instinctively took the side of the less fortunate. She understood the difficulties and obstacles they faced and was a voice for justice, fair play, and equal opportunity. As a lawyer colleague said of her work this week, "Liz was always so kind and principled and downright feisty in her genteel way." These traits carried over to her friendships and family life as well. She figured out the needs and challenges that her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren faced and was there with help and support. Liz is survived by her three children: David and daughter-in-law, Louise Lutton, of Dexter, Priscilla and son-in-law, Ed Bailey, of Providence, RI, and Patricia Malpere of Morristown, NJ; her brothers, Al (Helen) Luckham of Ann Arbor, Bob (Sandy) of Frankfort, MI; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her sister, Jane Luckham of Berkeley, CA and son-in-law, David Malpere, of New Jersey. Liz lived a long and interesting life! The family will celebrate her at a memorial service in 2014. Details will be published in advance and will be widely distributed to her friends. Memorial contributions can be made to the Housing Bureau for Seniors at 2401 Plymouth Rd, Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.