Mary K. Lucey

English And Drama Teacher

At NHS For Many Years

Mary K. Lucey, 95, of Wilton, formerly of Newtown, died February 14, after a lasting illness. She was born March 27, 1916, in Waterbury, to George M. and Catherine C. (Kane) Corcoran. 

She was a teacher in the Newtown public school system for many years, where she taught English and Drama in the high school. Her high school drama club joined with the music department to produce annual musicals which became a well-known and beloved tradition in community, and which led ultimately to the establishment of a formal drama curriculum at the school.

Mrs Lucey was a lifelong enthusiast for the theatre. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College at St John’s University. She also graduated from Fagan School of Dramatic Art in Manhattan, and received her master’s degree in speech and theatre from Washington State University. After college she had a successful start to an acting career off-Broadway and in summer stock north of New York City.

She married Stanley J. Lucey in New York City on November 3, 1942. During World War II she worked with the USO entertaining troops, and together with her husband produced the first live radio dramas for the local radio station in Anniston, Ala.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Diarmid and Christine Lucey of New York, her daughter and son-in-law, Deirdre Lucey-Humphries and Steven Humphries of Florida, her daughter Maeve Lucey of New Canaan, and her daughter and son-in-law Una Lucey and Raymond Keating of Danbury; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Her husband predeceased her in 1966. 

After her retirement in 1990 she pursued her love of travel and spent much of her free time in Spain, her home-away-from-home. She will be remembered by generations of students, to whom she was delighted to introduce her two passions, theatre and travel.  Mrs Lucey will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a time and place to be announced later. Burial will be private, at the convenience of the family. 

Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alz.org.

The Newtown Bee        March 2, 2012