Lettie Jean Tourville, age 94, long-time resident of Clinton, New York, passed away peacefully at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, on September 17, 2022.

Born to parents Laurence and Elizabeth Dickinson on October 2, 1927 in Westport, NY, Lettie grew up in the nearby hamlet of Wadhams, where she enjoyed all the pleasures of a country childhood. There were creeks and rivers to explore, fields and barns to play in, and tight bonds with friends and neighbors. Memories and stories from those days remained vivid throughout her life.

In 1947 Lettie married her high school sweetheart, Arthur P. Tourville. Together they enjoyed 65 years of married life and raised two children, son Arthur Jr. and daughter Fern. The house they built on Harding Road in Clinton became a gathering spot for family and friends.

Always a person with artistic talent, Lettie became involved with the Kirkland Art Center in its early days. Taking classes and developing her skills, Lettie became an accomplished pastel and acrylic landscape painter. She had a painter's eye when viewing the world. A point of pride was being a featured artist at the Adirondack Art Association in Essex, NY.

Her interest in art led her to a position at Hamilton College as Director of the Root Art Center. She treasured her experiences working on exhibitions, welcoming students and artists, and being part of the Hamilton College community. Many of the people she met became life-long friends.

Lettie will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, love of the natural world, and wise counsel. She enjoyed cocktails on the porch, with birds at her feeders and the buffalo in nearby the pasture.

Lettie was predeceased by her husband Art, son Arthur, infant daughter Mary, grandson Peter James, and brother Kelley Dickinson. She is survived by her loving daughter Fern James and son-in-law Kirk James of Brookline, MA; grandsons Matthew James, Shawn Tourville, and Paul Tourville; daughters-in-law Maggie Tourville and Nancy Plotkin; nephews Gary Dickinson and wife Janet, Patrick Dickinson and wife Joanne, and Tom Dickinson and wife Dixie; niece Barbara Grippi, and many grandnieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spring Farm Cares, 3364 State Route 12,Clinton, NY 13323 or the Kirkland Town Library, 55 1/2 College Street, Clinton, NY 13323.