Lucille Marie Fritz, age 93, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton, Va.

Mrs. Fritz was born Aug. 21, 1914 in Gaylord, to Earl and Lillian (Johnson) Merry. She attended Gaylord Public Schools and Central Michigan University.

An avid dancer, she formed the Lucille Merry School of Dance, which later became the Lucille Fritz School of Dance. She taught tap, ballet and acrobatic dancing for many years in the northern Michigan communities of Gaylord, Grayling, Petoskey, Boyne City, Alanson and other cities. She was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Dance Masters of America.

A dedicated educator, she taught physical education in Gaylord public schools and elementary school in Elmira and Alba.

Mrs. Fritz was a member of the Gaylord First Congregational United Church of Christ where she sang in the choir, participated in Thursday morning Bible study and organized the church’s rummage sales for many years.

She revealed her creative side by painting on driftwood and stones, and she enjoyed various arts and crafts. Mrs. Fritz favored tennis, golf, swimming, ice skating and cross-country skiing, and she surprised her grandchildren with her prowess on the basketball court.

Spending summers at Lake Charlevoix was a favorite pastime. She prided herself as being one of the first to swim in the spring and the last to swim in the fall. Travel was also a joy, especially when her children lived in places she loved to visit. She spent her entire life in Gaylord until she moved to Wise, Va. in 2005 to live near her daughter and son-in-law.

Mrs. Fritz is survived by her daughter, Merry Lu Prior and her husband, David, of Wise, Va.; son, Robert J. Fritz and his wife, Mitzi, of Sammamish, Wash.; and four grandchildren, Andrea Prior and her husband, Tom Martin of Yokahama, Japan, Christopher Prior of Mesa, Ariz., Brandi Fritz of Portland Ore. and Robbie Fritz of Bellevue, Wash.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Her cat, Tooker, will miss her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert Place Fritz; her parents; and two brothers, Lyle Merry and Laverne “Bud” Merry.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 3, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Gaylord. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. A luncheon will be held at the Parish House after the memorial service.

Memorials may be made to the Gaylord First Congregational United Church of Christ, Gladeville Presbyterian Church in Wise, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, or a favorite charity.

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