Lucia Thurston Fritz passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family, just shy of her 82nd birthday. Lucia was born on March 10, 1940, in East Orange, N.J., to John Bell Thurston and Elizabeth Pearce Couzens. One of her fondest childhood memories was spending summers with her family on Cape Cod and she returned whenever she could.

She met her husband, John W. Fritz, at a dance in Fairfield where his band was performing. They were married for 52 years. Lucia earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Bridgeport and taught second grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School for over 30 years before retiring. Teaching was her true calling and she enjoyed watching her students succeed.

Lucia loved gardening, quilting, animals, and babies. She was an avid reader and loved all things British.

Lucia was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Fritz, and son, John T. Fritz.

She is survived by her three siblings, Tina Miller (Victor), Jocelyn Serbe ,and John Thurston; three daughters, Loraine Reddington (Jay), Lynn Anderson, and Janice Fritz Snyder; her five grandchildren, Maggie Reddington Phelan (Pat), Dylan Anderson, Emma Anderson Rezac (Lucas), Hayley Snyder, and Hannah Snyder; and her three great-grandchildren, Hadley, Holden, and Teddy Phelan. She took fierce pride in being Nana to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to her special caregivers: Iana Statcenko, Terri Schutte, and Beth Steffero.

Calling hours will be Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 3 to 5:30 pm, and a funeral service will be Sunday, March 6, 2022, at 12:30 pm at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School Street, Woodbury. Burial will be private.

To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.