Obituary of Zada Lutz All

STAMFORD -- On June 22, 2012, the words of the much loved hymn by William Cowper, "The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways His Wonders to Perform," became true as the Lord called his beloved servant Zada Lutz All, home in the mystery of death. The beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother was born Sept. 8, 1915, the tenant house on the farm of her grandparents, John and Rose (Shefflin) Lutz, on Ferris Hill in the Town of Roxbury. She was the oldest surviving child of Frank C. Lutz and Dora (Sharpe) Lutz. She was graduated from Roxbury High School in 1931. She attended Hartwick College and was graduated cum laude, a member of the Class of 1935, the first class to graduate from Hartwick after attending four full years from the founding of the college. From Hartwick, she attained her French and Latin credentials. She then attended Normal School, now SUNY Oneonta. From there, she received her permanent certificate for elementary teaching. She taught in the one-room schoolhouse on Gun House Hill Road in Hobart from 1937 to 1938, at which time the little school was closed and students went to the Hobart school. She returned to teaching in 1959 at Stamford Central School, where she taught French and Latin until her retirement in 1978. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Stamford United Methodist Church, where she previously served for 17 years as financial secretary. She was member of the Abigail Harper chapter of DAR and of New York Beta Omicron chapter Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. She was active for many years in the Stamford Senior Citizens. She was a member of the Robinson Terrace Auxiliary volunteering in the coffee shop for many years. She was a past president of the Stamford Village Library Board where she served for several years. She was also a volunteer at CORE VALUES. She lived in her home on West End Avenue in Stamford for 60 years until, in declining health, she moved to Hampshire House Assisted Living in Oneonta. Her home in Stamford is a treasured memory for her entire extended family as a mecca of family gatherings and homecomings as her role grew from mom to grandma. She is survived by her daughter, Frances (Fran) Reed of Hobart and her son, Frank (Judy Desio) All of Newark. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Deborah (Cliff) Mueller, Stephanie Cooke, Cynthia (Mark) Miller, Darrin All, Karen (Alexandro) Caraballo, Sarah (Herve) Garant, and Katie (Stephan Artz) All. She was blessed with great-grandchildren, Dustin (Cathy) Titus, Stacey (Nick) Sinstack, Britney Hall, Michael Mueller and friend, Lindsey Newkirk, Lincoln, Spencer and Emily All, Papi (Alexandro) and Bito (Gabriel) Caraballo and Connor All. With the birth of Haley Titus, her great-great-grandchild, she lived to a part of a five generation family. On June 21, 2012, the day before her death, her grandchildren, Sarah and Herve, gave birth to her last grandchild in Boston, Mass. The little girl was named Maya Zada Marie Garant. Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Miriam Lutz, as well as three nephews and two nieces. She was also predeceased by her beloved youngest child, the Rev. Dr. Lambert All and her daughter-in-law, Sharon (Phillips) All. She was predeceased by her mother and father; her infant sister, Nina; her brother, Leon Lutz; and her sister, Freda (Lutz) Jordan. A nephew and a niece also predeceased her. The family thanks all the staff at Hampshire House Assisted Living in Oneonta, the staff at Robinson Terrace Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Stamford, and the staff at Fox Memorial Hospital for the loving care she received in the last years of her life. At her request there will be no calling hours. Later this summer, a memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Stamford United Methodist Church. Donations in her memory may be made to Stamford United Methodist Church and Dollars for Scholars at Stamford Central School. Burial will be later in the Frank and Dora Lutz family plot in Fairlawn Cemetery in Prattsville. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart.