Obituary : Lucile R. Stuart
Lucile Russell Stuart, 94, of West Tisbury, died at home January 30. Formerly of Princeton, N.J., Mrs. Stuart had summered on Martha's Vineyard since 1949 until she became a full-time Island resident in 1991.
Mrs. Stuart was born and raised in Ridgefield Park, N.J., and was an alumna of Douglass College. After receiving her bachelor's degree she moved to New York City where for several years she produced commercials for NBC Radio. She retired from professional life to marry John Becker, a fellow NBC Radio News producer. They moved to Princeton, N.J., to raise their family. Subsequently they divorced and later she married Donald C. Stuart of Princeton who was co-founder and publisher of Princeton's Town Topics newspaper. After his death in 1981, Ms. Stuart began increasing her stays on the Vineyard until she decided to make the Island her permanent residence.
She loved Island life and was an avid gardener. She developed a deep interest in learning about native species, fostering their growth into the landscape around her home. For many years she was an active, energetic member of a West Tisbury women's reading and sewing group. She did occasional work at the Community Services Thrift Shop, and cherished the sense of community she found living on the Island.
Lucy Stuart is survived by her son, John Becker, and daughter-in-law Valerie of West Tisbury, her daughter, Katherine Becker, of New York City, her grandson Oliver Becker of Los Angeles, her step-son Charles C. Stuart and his wife, Sarah, of New Rochelle, N.Y., her step-daughter-in-law Sheila Stuart of Princeton, N.J., and nine step grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, Maria Mitro and Ilana Pardo, and the Vineyard Nursing Association for their exceptional love and service since September 2008.
