Lucy Amneus died February 11 at her home in Claremont of complications from a stroke. She was 89.

Lucy was born in 1930 in South Bend, Indiana to Robert and Lucille Nall and lived there until she left for college. In 1952 she graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English literature and history.

She married Edward R. Hagemann in 1951, and the couple had two children, Jessica and Matt. She later married Dan Amneus.

A resident of Claremont for 45 years, she taught special education for more than 20 years in the Pomona school district.

When she was 49, she received a Claremont Rotary Club scholarship to study infant schools at Newton Park College of Education in Bath, England. When she returned to the classroom, the study abroad added to her already formidable teaching skills.

She loved music and the music programs at the Claremont Colleges, and was a member of the Scripps College Choir, the Louis Ronfeldt Chorale and the Claremont United Church of Christ choir.

After her retirement in 1996, she audited classes in art history, literature and music at the Claremont Colleges for the rest of her life. 

“Lucy will be remembered by all who knew her for her love, grace and kindness,” her family shared. “She was always ready to help a friend or neighbor and her generosity extended to numerous charitable organizations.”

She is survived by daughter, Jessica Reichman; son, Matt Hagemann; grandchildren, Hannah, Hillary and Henry Hagemann; and by her longtime friend and partner, John M. Shahan.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 19 at Balch Auditorium, Scripps College, 1030 N. Columbia Ave, Claremont, followed by a reception in the Hampton Room at 2:30 p.m.

“Lucy greatly enjoyed singing with the young students at Scripps College, and they also appreciated her,” her family shared.

Donations in her memory can be made to support special performances by the Joint Music Program’s choirs by check to “Scripps College—Joint Music Program,” with “Lucy Amneus” in the memo line, mailed to Scripps College, 1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, or at www.scrippscollege.edu/giving.