OBITUARIES
EMMA LEA CURRIE
Emma Lea Currie, co-owner of Cliffside Beach Club, died suddenly in her home at Cliffside on July 24, 2007. She was 90.

She was born to Frank and Elva Fries and raised three brothers - Frank, Jack and Dan, and one sister, Genevieve, in Ellerslie, Md. Emma Lea graduated from Boston University in 1938. Since 1935, she summered on Nantucket working first at Gardiner's Gift Shop and then at The Grey Gull Restaurant.

She married Robert T. Currie on October 22, 1938, and raised two children. She met Bob while he was working as a lifeguard at Conrad's Beach, now known as Cliffside. Emma Lea operated the guest house at 2 Chestnut Street for many years after the death of her Mother-in-Law, Juliette Currie. Bob and Emma Lea together ran Jetties Beach for a number of years before acquiring Cliffside Beach Club in 1958.

Emma Lea managed the Galley for over 10 years and is responsible for the dory of flowers planted at the door. Mr. and Mrs. Currie spent their winters in Gulfport, Fla. Emma Lea loved her family and enjoyed cooking, reading and bridge. She traveled extensively and enjoyed the theatre. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell stories.

She is survived by her daughter, Jane Silva, her companion, Inav Skender, her son Robert F. Currie and his wife Monique; her grandchildren, Susan Silva Thomas and husband Norman; David Silva and his soon-tobe wife Eliza Newman; Geoffrey Silva and his wife Stephanie; Venessa Currie Ward and husband Keith; and Michelle Currie; her great-grandchildren, Jared Thomas, Arron Thomas, Lauren Thomas and Kaede Silva; her brother, Dan Fries and his wife Judy; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of her life on Tuesday August 7, 2007, in the lobby of Cliffside Beach Club at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Mrs. Currie's favorite charities: Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, Box 1297, Nantucket, MA, or Hospice of Nantucket, 57 Prospect St., Nantucket, MA 02554. I