Norwalk Community College Foundation, Inc. (NCC Foundation)

I am a friend, one of many, that wants to Celebrate and Honor an Amazing couple that intuitively knew the...

"Creative Art Of Living"

CHRIS DURANTE & CATHERINE LUCIA

Chris & Catherine, joyously married in the dance of life…always seeking more to it…invariably pursuing deeper levels. One could say they were philomaths…lovers of learning and studying…turning new corners, giving back what they learned through many channels – numerous of which were artistically creative. Chris was an artist/framer of multitudinous mediums, a music lover/novice player, an amateur chef and wine connoisseur, and diverse collector…anything baseball related, stamps, coins, books. Catherine danced the two-step with him, working and teaching Japanese philosophy modalities of alternative health, pivoting into creative writing, editing, weaving, painting, mentoring. In between, both…gardening and cooking alongside one another. They were innovative, open minded, and giving. Their lives were continuous creative experiences and expressions. They “embraced” creativity. Creativity as a seed can grow in extraordinary ways spreading tremendous vision. A seed, the vessel for beginning life, ensures success for future generations…even sometimes pausing its growth yet “still alive”, coming out of inactivity at the right moment. Chris and Catherine planted a certain type of seed of creativity through their lives, friends, and relationships. One could name it the “CREATIVE - ART OF LIVING”. And although it seemed an innate matter to their lives, creativity is something that can also be cultivated and nourished. Thus, in celebrating their lives, in celebrating what they gave to others, this page puts forward an opportunity to ensure the rich environment for their seeds to grow, to reemerge, to harvest a strong yield of creative living for future generations. Buy “Back” Artwork. Buy “Their” Artwork. Or simply just “DONATE” …a dollar, a dozen dollars, a denomination of any size or quantity…for the sake of art or creativity. All proceeds benefit a place they both worked in and cared for…Norwalk Community College (which offers a fabulous Art, Architecture & Design Department with a range of courses and programs), but ultimately the proceeds will assist the NCC Foundation that affords the area with amazing programs like MAKERSPACE (a place for students to create, explore, exchange knowledge, sketch out and give life to ideas), or UPLIFT (supporting men of color), not to mention CAMPUS EVENTS (including music, speakers, festivals, etc. that academically enrich).

My name is Nanette and I am Catherine (Caputo) Lucia-Durante’s cousin. So many of their friends wish to honor Catherine and Chris by establishing a scholarship fund in their name. I have set up this platform where all donations go directly into the NCC Scholarship Foundation, respectively. Please be assured your generous donations will be acknowledged in loving memory of NCC former faculty members Catherine Lucia Durante and Chris Durante.

Professionally, Catherine and Chris inspired all those lives they so selflessly touched with their passion of the freedom to create and express oneself. This scholarship fund in their memory will generously benefit those aspiring students with creative opportunities for self-improvement and intellectual growth.

Through Catherine and Chris’ their love for one another, (their family and friends refer to as that of a “fairytale”), they leave behind a remarkable legacy. With lives so well lived, they undoubtedly cherished you all with their hearts filled with countless joys of strong friendships and love of family. They cherished each day together even through the most difficult times of Catherine’s treatments for her cancer,. Chris was her rock of strength and he held steady to be aside “his bride”. We mourn losing two people who have made such remarkable impressions in our lives. Yet we celebrate how fortunate we are to have known them.

How fitting a tribute to create this scholarship fund to plant new seeds in youthful hands…..