Lotti Turshen Morris was born in New York City on March 27, 1928 to parents Sadie Gross Turshen and Ira (Isadore) Turshen. She grew up in rural Amston, Connecticut, where her parents owned a feed store and general store. Her father was a self-taught architect who designed and built an Art Deco-style Jewish synagogue in Hebron, Connecticut. Completed in 1941, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Lotti inherited her love of and talent for art and music from her father.

Lotti was a gifted artist. She attended the Parsons School of Design in New York City, and in 1950, graduated with a degree in illustration. She worked as an illustrator of children’s fashion for the department stores G. Fox & Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, and John Wanamaker in New York City.

Lotti married her husband, David, in 1954, after he proposed for the third time over a grilled cheese sandwich. In 1963, they moved to Bennington, Vermont. They raised their family in Bennington and were proprietors of The Children’s Bazaar, and Small Ones & Reruns. Lotti continued to draw and paint. She was also a wonderful seamstress, cook, and home decorator.

Lotti was an avid reader. She read The New York Times daily. In 2010, The New York Times Magazine reprinted a letter Lotti wrote in 1967 extolling their recipe for Veal Chops Beau SéJour. Her letter remains the lead to the recipe on The New York Times website.

In her forties, Lotti learned to ski, joining her husband and children on the slopes. She and David skied in the French Alps and at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they had a second home for many years. Lotti and David enjoyed a wide circle of skiing friends and hosted their children and grandchildren for great skiing adventures and memorable good times.

The list of what Lotti loved in life was long. It included bangle bracelets, ocean beaches, gardening, the family dogs, shopping just to see what was out there—and being surrounded by family.

Loti encouraged the love of art and music in her offspring: her eldest daughter, Leslie, is a graphic designer; her daughter, Perri, a professional cellist; and her son, Ira, a lawyer and professional violinist. Along with other supportive moms, she founded the Friends of Music at Mount Anthony Union High School, continuing her support after her children graduated from high school. 

Lotti, Pat Barr, and Lelo Glick helped revive Congregation Beth El in the 1980s after the building went through a period of disuse. She was a long-time member of Hadassah.

Lotti is survived by David, her husband of 65 years; her sister Marsha Turshen Dubeau and her brother-in-law Robert DuBeau, of Wellfleet, Massachusetts; her children, Leslie Morris Noyes, Perri Morris, and Perri’s partner Francois Secordel, all of Bennington; her son Ira Morris and his wife Pam Reit, of Hinesburg, Vermont; and her grandchildren, Rae Noyes and Abby Morris of Brooklyn, New York, Jakob Zimmerman of Bennington, Layla Morris of Hinesburg, Vermont, and numerous nieces and nephews. Lottie was predeceased by her brother, Richard Turshen. 

A private graveside service was held at Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont. A celebration of her life is planned for a later date.