Audrey Luthman passed away last week at the age of 83 surrounded by family. Luthman was a staple of the community, having served as crossing guard for Oak Street Elementary School, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and Meridian High School until 2021, when she retired after an impressive 50 years protecting The Little City’s children journeying to and from school.
“Audrey was an institution here in the City. She devoted her career to the safety and well-being of our children,” said Mayor David Tarter of Luthman. “I can’t think of a higher calling. She will be sorely missed.”
“Audrey was an FCC treasure and a true gift to our community.” said Monica Stassen, who has lived in F.C. since 2012 with her husband Andy Crawford, and who has two children in FCCPS schools, aged 13 and 16. Stassen says Luthman would often share oral F.C. history about her father’s milk deliveries, and days when Broad St. was “not so broad.” She continued that “her eyes would light up when she recognized a parent she had known as a child.”
Luthman ensured the safety of generations of students from 1971 to 2021, and was often visited at crossings by former students with their children — and eventually grandchildren — to celebrate her life’s work.
Luthman was remembered by F.C. Police Chief Mary Gavin for her “salt of the earth” nature, finding little ways to make a big difference, and bravery stepping into busy traffic to ensure students’ safe passage.
“She was a rare force of nature, standing all of 4’10”, with a gigantic presence,” Gavin said, adding that Luthman rarely missed a day of work and was unfazed by impatient drivers. “She would often chuckle and get a kick out of the angry drivers that would pass her by and, as she put it, give her ‘the one-finger wave.’”
Audrey’s quiet heroics were a testament to her unwavering commitment to her community. “I’ll never forget the afternoon Audrey was standing at her post at the Haycock Rd. mid-block crossing, when she heard a bank robbery go out over the radio. She made a great witness and crime fighter that day who happened to help the FCPD catch a serial bank robber,” remembered Gavin, adding that “She will be forever missed, but never forgotten, as she is a part of the social fabric of this community.”
The people of Falls Church found several opportunities to recognize Luthman’s decades of service to the community. In 2011 she was recognized at the Falls Church City Employee Service Awards Luncheon for 40 years of service, then again by Del. Marcus Simon in 2017 after 45 years on the job. In 2013, Audrey Luthman was honored as the Grand Marshal for the City of Falls Church’s 32nd Annual Memorial Day Parade, alongside another dedicated crossing guard, Janet Haines, who served for 52 years before retiring in 2019.
Due to Haines having several additional years of service at the time, Luthman was affectionately referred to as the “Rookie Crossing Guard.”
“My Grandmother’s biggest role, aside from her career, was no doubt her role as ‘Mema.’ Not only to her grandchildren, but also the children she saw every day.” recalled Luthman’s eldest granddaughter, Ashleigh Luthman-Hackett, who said Luthman was the “nucleus” of her family, happiest when her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were all together, and proud of her famous “Mema’s Spaghetti,” which she said was loved by all. “She was self-made, self-taught, had a real true grit and a twinkle in her eye,” Luthman-Hackett continued, adding that she loved camping, building furniture, softball and music. “She taught me to never let anyone but myself take control of my destiny.”
Luthman-Hackett, reflecting on her grandmother’s legacy, said that Luthman’s dedication to others, the essence of her care, extended to all creatures. “I recall a story she told me as a kid. She found some other kids hurting lightning bugs, and went and stood up for the bugs, no matter what [the kids] thought. With all of her being, Mema wanted everyone to feel loved and accepted. She always had room in her heart to keep making room. That is what I and I hope all will take forward from her.”
Indeed, for the City of Falls Church, Audrey Luthman will forever be remembered as a dedicated public servant, guardian of the little people, and shining example of how a lifetime of service, even in the smallest ways, can make a profound difference in the lives of others. May Luthman’s memory serve as a timeless reminder of the positive impact one person can have on the world, one school crossing at a time.