Floy Plunkett Luppen

Floy Plunkett Luppen was born on January 25, 1920, and she died on October 8, 2015 in Hospice Home Care. One of her daughters provided a perfect description of her: "Queen for a day, lover of dogs and children, fierce defender of her family, chocolate kisses for everyone, always had a lot going on – five dogs and four cats (all rescue) – and all of her friends and ours made for riotous fun. Took care of her family all her life, even while she was dying." Floy would love that summary of her life, and to those who knew her well, it is a perfect description. For those who did not know her quite as well, we want you to know more. Floy's parents were Ralph E. and Floy Smith Plunkett. She grew up in the Hillcrest area of Little Rock with her brother, Bill, and her sister, Ellen, in the house at "Hill & Pine." She also cherished the time she spent with grandparents and cousins. Her paternal grandparents' house, "The Plunkett House," was located in the Quapaw Quarter area of downtown Little Rock and was filled with treasured family memories, including special Christmas traditions and a talking parrot that lived on the sun porch. Her maternal grandparents' house was located on Caldwell Street in Conway. She and her cousins spent countless hours exploring Conway in the days when a pony could be kept in the side yard and you got in free at your grandparents' movie theater. Floy grew up spending her summers in Epworth Heights at her family's cottage on the banks of Lake Michigan. Even in her final days, she could travel all over Epworth in her mind —walking from the Hotel across the High Walk to the South Beach, then from the South Beach to the Channel and back down Burma Road. She could picture every cottage and name all of the families who had lived in them. Graduating from Little Rock High School, Floy attended Hendrix College for two years, and then completed her college education at the University of Tennessee. She made her debut in 1941, and met her husband, Peter Luppen, at a Junior League dance during World War II. He lived in California but was in Arkansas, training at Camp Robinson and preparing to join the war in Europe. Following their marriage, they lived in California until Peter's early death, at which time Floy moved the family back home to Little Rock. Their happy life included four children, Jeanne Luppen Campbell (Tom), Eliza Luppen (deceased), Polly Luppen Glotzbach, and Bill Luppen (Patti); three grandchildren, Ross Glotzbach (Liz), Ann Glotzbach Noguer (Tomy), and Sarah Luppen Fowler (John); and two precious great-grandchildren, (Jack and Grace Glotzbach). As a second-grade teacher for 25 years, Floy taught hundreds of children to love reading and learning. It is not unusual to hear from her former students that she was their favorite teacher. She was a caretaker and rescuer of dogs. She could be seen daily, with her characteristic smile and French twist, walking the neighborhood, managing a crowd of dogs and an occasional cat. Floy had friends of all ages, lifelong and new. She was gracious and fun and smart — making conversation so easy. She loved hosting special celebrations, ranging from themed Christmas dinners to Once in a Blue Moon gift-giving occasions to Chinese New Year celebrations with her beloved nieces, Susu Kane, Jacqueline King, and Winifred Watkins. Above all, Floy loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Donations in her memory may be made to CARE for Animals, Reading is Fundamental, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhom.