Frances Luther, retired instrumental music teacher in the Northport-East Northport schools, passed away December 14, at the age of 86. She is survived by her husband Bob and daughter Michele Kucic; sisters Connie Zimmerlich and Joanne Hawkinson; grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predecesed by her daughter, Debbie Ferrante.

Frances enjoyed a distinguished 33-year career in public school music education, teaching instrumental music in both the Huntington and Northport School Districts. In her time at Northport schools, she taught band at Northport High School, East Northport Middle School, and Bellerose Avenue Elementary School, retiring in June 1999. Frances was deeply committed to her students and inspired countless young musicians.

Fran’s husband Bob was her college sweetheart, whom she met at Ithaca College through their shared love of music and education — a partnership that remained central throughout her life. Both Fran and Bob played the clarinet, and performed as clarinetist with the Atlantic Winds Band on Long Island.

In addition to her public school teaching, Frances maintained a lifelong dedication to private music instruction, teaching students for more than 60 years, until 2024. In retirement, she remained actively engaged in music and the arts, pursued photography, and competed successfully in the Long Island Bridge League. Last year Fran and Bob moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Visitation will be held on Saturday (12/20) and Sunday (12/21), with visiting hours from 2:00–4:00 PM and 7:00–9:00 PM each day at O.B. Davis Funeral Home in Port Jefferson Station, followed by a Funeral Mass on Monday (12/22) at 9:30 AM at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Setauket.

R-UTN members who have memories of Fran they wish to share, can email retirednorthportteachers@gmail.com. Please write Website Memories as the subject, and include your name and former school.

Sue Steinberg, retired Ocean Avenue teacher, passed away on November 13th. Funeral service were held today, November 17th, at the Gutterman’s Funeral Home in Woodbury, followed by interment at Beth Moses Cemetery.

The family were sitting Shiva at the home of her son, Jordan Steinberg, at 80 Hickman Street in Syosset, today and tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Condolences can be sent to Sue’s husband, Alan Steinberg, 179 Halley Drive, Blue Point, NY 11772.

R-UTN members who have memories of Sue they wish to share, can email retirednorthportteachers@gmail.com. Please write Website Memories as the subject, and include your name and former school.

Sergio Giovina, husband of retired  NMS English teacher, Roseann Giovina, passed away on September 21 at the age of 86. Sergio was a retired NYC Firefighter and in addition to Roseann, he is survived by their daughters Lori Haubrich and Nicole Neems, and five grandchildren. Vistiation at Brueggemann Funeral Home on Friday, September 26 from 4-8 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church in East Northport.

Condolences can be sent to:
Roseann Giovina
18 Perth Place
East Northport, NY 11731

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing two of our long-time members this week, Sylvia Hosie and Pat Bossert.

Sylvia Hosie, retired Middleville Home Economics teacher, passed away on September 15th at the age of 99. Her daughter, Cindy Gorman also an R-UTN member, taught high school science, and her grandson, Matthew Gorman, currently teaches 5th grade math at East Northport Middle School. Sylvia was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Bill, and her son Daniel. In addition to daughter Cindy and grandson Matthew, she is survived by her son John and daughters Jane Hosie-Bounar and Nancy Hosie Pierce; eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Sylvia earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Cornell University, where she was president of the Women’s Self Government Association. Because of her leadership skills, she was featured in “Life Magazine” on June 7, 1948, and on the cover of “What’s New in Home Economics,” February 1949 edition.

Sylvia worked as a nutritionist for the Red Cross before she and Bill moved to Northport, where she began her teaching career. Sylvia was an active volunteer all through her teaching career and in retirement. She was President of the local chapter of the AAUW, President of Delta Gamma and Delta Gamma Alumni; she volunteer with reading for the blind and the Guide Dog Foundation. At her church she worked in the thrift shop, taught Sunday School and played piano for children’s services. She was always stepping up to help anyone she knew in need, but most of all she loved dancing with her husband Bill.

The family is planning a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. October 18th at Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport. Condolences can be sent to Cindy Gorman at 7 Carlisle Dr, Northport, NY 11768, or Mathew Gorman 42 Seacove Road, Northport, NY 11768.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in Sylvia’s name is invited to donate to:
Retired Teachers of Northport Scholarship Fund – R-UTN, c/o Donna McGinn, 2 Furwood Ct., East Northport, NY 11731. Please specify R-UTN Scholarship Fund in memory of Sylvia Hosie.
Ecumenical Lay Council Food Pantry – click for link
Trinity Episcopal Church – 330 Main St., Northport, NY 11768
R-UTN members who have memories of Sylvia they wish to share, can email retirednorthportteachers@gmail.com. Please write Website Memories as the subject, and include your name and former school.

Dr. Pat Bossert, retired science teacher, passed away on September 17th at the age of 82. Pat is survived by her husband Frank, and her sons David and Timothy, and two grand sons.

Pat spent her entire 35 year teaching career at Northport, teaching all levels of biology, and she was instrumental in the development of the Independent Research in Science program at Northport High School. While teaching she also pursued her Ph.D in Ecology and Evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and after retiring from Northport she worked I the Stony Brook Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. In 20111 she was appointed as a visiting scholar at the University of Geneva, Switzerland in the laboratory of Cnidarian Regeneration and Adult Neurogenesis.

Pat also pursued an active personal life. She enjoying downhill skiing with family and friends, and she was an avid horseback rider on her Arabian Palomino, 18-Karat.

Memorial visitation Monday, September 22 from 4-8 p.m. at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport, followed by a funeral mass on Tuesday, September 23, 11 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Church.

Donations in Pat’s name may be made to:
St. Philip Neri Church Northport
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital
American Association for the Advancement of Science