It is with sadness that the Turtle Bay Association reflects on the passing of Colleen Curtis, the wife of 54 years of TBA President, Bill Curtis. She was a great supporter of the Turtle Bay neighborhood, and her work in that regard will be sorely missed.

She began her career as a stewardess on TWA in the days when flying was still glamorous, and people actually dressed up to fly on an airplane. When really very large aircraft were introduced, she moved seamlessly into the world of acting and directing—first acting in regional and dinner theaters touring the country; and later, directing and playing the lead in off Broadway productions that highlighted the impact of notable women (think George Sand, Dorothy Parker).

But in her later years it was Turtle Bay that was her interest—she loved the idea of a small town set down right in the middle of the big city. Because of that interest, she was appointed to Community Board 6, and as such was on the Land Use Committee; working on matters that affected all the communities on the East Side—including of course Turtle Bay. She acted as liaison to the UN during renovations under its Capital Master Plan—first for TBA, and later for CB6. She was a member of the Lex Club, and most importantly, worked with and for the NYC Board of Elections, where she became passionate about preserving the right to vote, and all that that means. In remembering Colleen, the Association will miss her great enthusiasm for preserving the quality of life in Turtle Bay.