Lucia Luisa Traugott

Lucia Luisa (Scola) Traugott passed away from complications associated with Alzheimer’s Disease on September 13. She was born on June 2, 1923 in Providence, Rhode Island and lived in the state with her husband Fritz until they retired to North Palm Beach, Florida. She graduated from Classical High School and married shortly thereafter. She started college at Pembroke in 1953 but left to continue work in the jewelry business and raise her three young children. She returned to college a decade later as a non-traditional student and received her degree in 1967. She became a special education teacher and earned an M.A. in that specialization. Lucia worked in public and private schools and was also a private tutor. She was politically and socially engaged through most of her life and made her influence felt both in national organizations like the Urban League and in local politics during her years in Florida. She had a competitive personality which she applied to her interests in golf, ballroom dancing, and contract bridge, earning a ranking of Gold Life Master. Lucia moved to Ann Arbor in 2006, and she became a member of the Ann Arbor City Club, where she played bridge, as well as at the Burns Park Senior Citizens Center. She is survived by her son Michael (Santa) of Ann Arbor MI; Mark (Patti) of Santa Cruz, CA; and Kathryn of Westminster VT. She has four grandchildren: Elisabeth (James Rickett) and Christopher (Heidi Layher) Traugott, and Bianca Zaransky and Luca Fernandez and six great grandchildren (Danae Doty; Lila, Francesca, and Eloise Rickett; Gibson Traugott; and Van Zaransky). Cremation has taken place, and no memorial service will be held. Donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union or Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation intended for the Senior Citizens Center.