Anne Corcoran Scully, a retired kindergarten teacher and local Long Island artist, died July 4 at the age of 85 after a long illness.
Scully was well-known around the Stony Brook area for her teaching skills.
A kindergarten teacher for nearly 20 years, her eldest son Peter Scully said she was praised for her hands-on approach and inventive style of teaching. More recently, Scully taught art to senior citizens at the New Village Recreation Center in the Town of Brookhaven.
An artist herself, she never pursued painting professionally; instead, she made sure her students' artwork was featured.
"She often tried to arrange exhibits to feature not only her, but the students as well," Peter Scully said. "She never pursued [selling her art] professionally, she offered her work to friends and family."
Scully's artwork, mainly done in watercolors and oils, had a varied focus – landscapes, flowers, local scenes, and, occasionally, people. Her work will be presented at an August 14 memorial at the Setauket Neighborhood House.
Scully was also an active volunteer in her community, dedicating her time to Three Village Meals on Wheels and the S.B.C.C. Op Shop, the thrift shop at Stony Brook Community Church. Her colleagues at Meals on Wheels described her as a dedicated volunteer with a great smile, one who used to decorate the fireplace mantel for the organization's Annual Field Luncheon with greens from her own garden.
She is survived by her brother, John Corcoran, of Sayville, her sons Peter, of Stony Brook, James, of Miller Place, and Sean, of Herbert N.C., as well as five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
