Eunice M. Arras

Eunice Mary Arras of Rochester died on Dec. 12, 2024 at Unity Hospital surrounded by loving family, at age 96. Predeceased by her father, George Lumley, her mother, Florence Lumley, sister Margaret Forbes, sister Laura Davis, and her loving husband Leon Daniel “Pete” Arras. She is survived by her family members: son, George Arras and daughter-in-law, Diana Arras of Toronto, granddaughter, Michelle Arras of Los Angeles, grandsons, David Arras of Vancouver, and James Arras also of Toronto. She is also survived by her daughter, Pamela Svoboda, grandson, Joseph Svoboda and daughter-in-law, Christine, and granddaughter, Heather Svoboda. She was the loving aunt to Sally Berry, Larry Davis, and Nancy Davis Kho and their families, and to Jordan, Mark, Paul and Michael Forbes and their families. Eunice and her sisters grew up in Rochester’s 19th Ward during the World War II and she never forgot the early wartime experiences of deprivation and the need for preparedness necessary for a family. In her early years, the war was everything. As a child she participated in victory gardening and other family projects. Even after having moved with her new husband to a suburban house with space for a large garden, she always kept a shelf full of canned goods in the basement (like grandma Florence) and supported her husband’s large gardening operation. While disabled due to an auto accident, Eunice dedicated herself to the care of her husband Leon and her children and the management of the family home. She made her house into a welcoming family home for her parents and sisters and the growing extended Lumley clan. Many a lovely summer afternoon was spent by the Lumley clan children and their friends at Eunice’s swimming pool and patio to be followed by a family picnic thereby establishing a family picnic tradition that continues to this day on Father’s Day at Mendon Ponds Park. Eunice and Pete cultivated a love for the outdoors especially the Adirondacks. Summers regularly included a stay on one of the lakes in the vicinity of Old Forge, NY. Mother was an avid fisherperson in her own way. Mother was a renowned baker and well known among the favored for her fruit pies made from her garden’s delicious fresh fruits. Favorite flavors were cherry from their cherry trees and strawberry rhubarb. Mother displayed a keen intellect throughout her life even into her 97th year, but perhaps due to her growing family responsibilities never had an opportunity for higher education beyond high school. Despite this she had already developed an interest in spiritual growth and enlightenment that she carried with her throughout her life. This was cultivated by grandma Florence who took Eunice to meetings of the ecumenical-oriented Theosophy Society and to worship at the christian Spiritualist Church. Always eager to discover the commonalities between faiths, she was also a member in the Episcopal Church. Eunice became a devotee of spiritualism and participated in spiritualist retreats with other family members at Lily Dale, NY. In her later years Eunice was a resident of the Unity Living Center on Genesee Street in Rochester and found a second loving family amongst the staff who attended to her daily needs. Her intellect and sense of humour showed through during her residence. She was well loved as a special and unusual resident. She continued to combine the discussion of weighty scientific matters, for example the discovery of the explorer Shackelton‘s lost boats and other matters, with fortune telling sessions for the staff. Not at the same time, of course. She received excellent care at Unity and at the Unity Hospital in her last days from James Oliverio her nurse practitioner at Unity Hospital. The Lumley cousins especially from the Davis clan visited her regularly and frequently. She also delighted in the visitation by staff pets and therapy dogs. Visitation will be at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home, 2771 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY on Sunday, December 22nd, 2024 from 11am to 1pm. A short service immediately following the visitation will be held 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Eunice will be then laid to rest at the White Haven Memorial Park (no service at burial site) in the town of Perinton. A reception will then be held at the Davis residence at 3:00 pm at “Lumley’s Pub”, 137 Glenhill Drive in Brighton. Donations in lieu of flowers are welcomed to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), to the Lollypop Farm (Humane Society of Greater Rochester), and to the Laura and Larry Davis Jr. Campership Fund of the Greater Rochester YMCA.

Eunice M. Arras

December 12, 2024