Obituary of Lucille A. Horton

Lucille A. Horton, a retired teacher at the Monticello High School, died Friday, December 18, 2015 at her home in Forestburgh. She was 88. The daughter of the late Duane St. Priest and Emma Maier St. Priest, she was born September 13, 1927 in Schenectady. Lucille excelled at an early age and entered college at the age of 16. She graduated from the Albany State Teachers’ College in 1948 with masters’ degrees in English and Mathematics. After teaching at Beaver Falls, NY and the Tri Valley school system in Grahamsville, NY, she taught high school mathematics at the Monticello High School until her retirement in 1984. She was head of the mathematics department and was inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She enthusiastically tutored her grandson David in mathematics. An accomplished musician and pianist, she made music throughout her life, playing piano during blackouts in World War II, playing with a dance band and ballet school during college and working as piano accompanist at the Forestburgh Playhouse. She toured Europe, performing in Switzerland, Germany, Lichtenstein, Austria, France, and Monaco with the Oneonta Community Chorus in 1979 and 1981. She was instrumental in founding the Sullivan County Community Chorus in 1976 with Martin Banner, a new music teacher at Monticello High School, and led it for more than 35 years, obtaining grants from the New York State Council on the Art and other sources, selecting music, singing, and playing the piano. The group is now entering its 40th season. She was a woman of great faith and served as organist for the Monticello Methodist Church, choir director, handbell director, led Bible study, and served as an elder on the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church. Lucille was a long-time member of the Monticello Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served as Matron and Grand Matron in the 1960s and 1970s. She continued her membership after the Monticello and Liberty chapters merged in recent years. She is survived by her husband of 62 years: William E. Horton, at home; three daughters: Dorothy Firsching & her husband John of Fairfax, VA, Susan Cloud & her husband David of Houston, TX, and Barbara O'Rourke & her husband William of Forestburgh; five grandchildren: Dawn Speidel (Joshua), Kathleen O'Rourke, David O'Rourke, Sean O'Rourke and Matthew Firsching; three great grandchildren: Alexander, James and Catherine; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother: Donald St. Priest; and a sister: Dorothy Marotto. Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, December 22 from 4 - 7pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 23 at 11am at the United Methodist Church of Monticello, 445 Broadway in Monticello, with Pastor Melvin Boone officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Bethel. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com