Obituary of Donna Lutz

Donna Maye Culler Lutz Mrs. Lutz, 66, of Charlotte, NC died in her home on October 23, 2011 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Her enthusiasm and love of life make her death premature. She was born in Charlotte on November 1, 1944, daughter of the late Woodrow W. and Margaret Morgan Culler. Donna graduated from Garringer High School in 1963 and married her high school sweetheart, John Thomas Lutz. After raising her children, Donna worked as a research assistant and electromyography technician, most recently at Carolinas Medical Center. She loved and was loved by the patients and staff who recognized her empathy, compassion and intelligence. She considered her life in many ways unremarkable, but those who were fortunate to know her found her to be an extraordinary person. Donna was the cornerstone of her family and friends. Because she listened, cared and remarkable common sense, family and friends frequently sought her counsel and support. Her enthusiasm and joy for life was reflected in her love of shag dancing, travel, theater, and novels with happy endings. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren with whom she was extraordinarily generous. Her greatest gifts to others were she lived in the moment, giving her full attention to those who cared for her so deeply, that she celebrated the good that life brought her with remarkable dignity and gusto, and that she loved unselfishly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony Ray Culler. Donna is survived her children and their families, John Timothy Lutz and his daughter, Madison Lanham, Tracy Michael and her husband Larry and their daughters, Ashley and Amanda, and Jennifer Presley and her husband Wayne and their daughter Hannah; two sisters, Amanda Jane Tarleton and Penelope Culler Bangle; and her long time close friends, Paulette Brown, friend for fifty three years and Dr. Michael Kaufman, a friend for thirty years. A memorial service will be at 6:45 PM, Thursday, October 27, 2011in the chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. The family will receive friends at a reception on Thursday at the funeral home from 5:00 until 6:45 PM.