Obituary of Thelma May Luttrell

Thelma May Luttrell, 78, died peacefully in her sleep at home in Darien, Connecticut, on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Beloved mother of John, Denise and Steven; and loving grandmother of Angela, Robyn, Cameron, Jake and Ryan, she was preceded in death by John, her husband of 54 years, and her parents, Alicia Almada and Grady Simpson. She is survived by all of her children and grandchildren. Born in Tampico, Mexico, Thelma spent much of her early childhood living in oil camps in Mexico and Venezuela. After her mother suffered a debilitating accident, Thelma lived in Mexico City, surrounded by her extended, and very large, Almada family. When she finished high school, Thelma set off alone to find her father in Venezuela, and having found him in Anaco, lived with him for several years. It was there that she met John, a young petroleum engineer for Mobil Oil and the love of her life. They were married in Mexico City in 1956, and Thelma became his partner in the exciting life that followed. From Venezuela to Connecticut, and on to Libya, Nigeria, and England, the family spent a total of seventeen years overseas enjoying the expatriate life, and as John rose through the ranks of Mobil, Thelma became the hostess and entertainer supreme. Often forced to manage through revolutions, power failures, tropical storms, sandstorms and limited food options, Thelma pulled off miracles with an easy grace. Her ability to recount these exciting and memorable times with incredible flair, recalling the finest details, made the stories as captivating as the best novels. Her inner life was defined and enriched by color and shape, and in 1978 she received a degree in Architectural Design from Hammersmith College of Art and Building, in London. When she moved to Darien later that year, she started a small business, Interior Design, and gave many houses in the area that “Thelma touch”. An inspiration to all who knew her, she was generous with advice and helped many people who sought to capture some of her magic. Her boundless energy and zest for life was unparalleled, and it seems impossible that she is gone. Known in later years as Tema, she was a bright, shining light for all who knew her. May that light continue to shine in all of us. Her kind, smiling face will be remembered, and Tema will be missed, forever. A wake will be held Monday, July 11th, from 6 pm to 8 pm, at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, Connecticut. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 12th, at 10 am, at St. Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien, with burial at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, following. Flowers may be sent to Edward Lawrence Funeral Home for the wake. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820