Lucia A. Wheeler

Lucia Ann [Lowe] Wheeler, aged 92 years, died unexpectedly on May 19, 2012 in Penn Yan. Lucia loved life in Penn Yan and by The Lake, her home for 64 years. She was a well-known and well-respected teacher at Penn Yan Academy, retiring in 1979 with 28 years of service. Never a trip to town occurred without spontaneously running into and chatting with numerous friends and neighbors. Particularly, conversing with former students remained a continual pleasure throughout her long life. Lucia was active professionally as a charter member of the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Society for Key Women Educators. She was a faithful and active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, an avid supporter and participant of the Cardiac Rehab Unit at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital and was active with Ontario-Yates Hospice. She had been involved with the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service of the Finger Lakes for many years. She also received numerous public service awards for her widespread volunteerism in the Penn Yan and area communities, among them the St. Marks’ Outstanding Service Award, the Donald and Corinne Stork Award, Catholic Charities’ Sharing the Light, Rape Crisis’ National Award for Advocacy and Community Work, and the Hobart and William Smith Community Service Award.

Lucia was born July 6, 1919 in Buffalo, the daughter of Harold T. and Anna Haig Lowe. She graduated from William Smith College in 1942. On December 30, 1944 she married Frank G. Wheeler Jr., who predeceased her in 2003, as did her brother Harold of Texas in 1968.

Lucia is survived by three much-loved daughters – Sarah A. Mukherjee, of Michigan; Susan W. Oliver, of Penn Yan; and Katy Wheeler [Mike Castelluzzo], of Branchport; six grandchildren, the greatest joys of her life – Dr. William [Dr. Hongyan] Oliver, of Massachusetts; Michael [Tanya Kent] Oliver and James [Katherine] Oliver, of Hammondsport; Michelle [Kyle Larson] Mukherjee and Dr. Matthew [Dori Rosenthal] Mukherjee, of California; and Emily [Rob] Terrell of Michigan; six great-grandchildren, the added pleasures of her long life - Noah, Augustus, Atticus, Anna, Loretta, and Morgan; sister – Jean Anderson, of Naples; four nephews – Charles, William, and Peter Anderson, and Harold Lowe; and many dear members of her extended family, among them, Walter Gladstone, David C. Oliver and the Venns, family doctor and neighbors Mike and Roz Bell, adopted son Barry Helfanbein, and pizza partner Ann Smithers; as well as many, many dear friends too numerous to mention.

Calling hours will be Friday, May 25th from 1-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. at Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 26th at 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Corner of Main and Clinton St., Penn Yan.

Donations in Lucia’s memory may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Keuka Comfort Care, Milly’s Pantry, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Cardiac Rehab program, or Safe Harbors.

Friends and family may sign the guestbook at www.townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com