More to See
Or see the main Gift Page, Staff Picks or browse our New and Noteworthy Books
Carmen “Lu” French - Our Beloved Co-Owner
Carmen Lourdes Torres French, 59, known to all as “Lu”, passed away on Monday, May 16 th, 2022 embraced by her loved ones in the peace and calm of her beloved Manchester Village home. Lu was born on March 20, 1963 in Miami, Florida to parents Joaquin & Margarita (Muro) Torres of Cuba.
Lu is survived by her adoring husband of 30 years Clark French, her daughter Chloe French, 36, and her sons Christian French, 29, and Ian (“Nicky”) French, 25. She was proud beyond measure of her amazing and kind children. She is further survived by her mother “Cuqui”, sister Mayra Rodriguez, brothers Joaquin Torres and Jose Torres and scores of close, loving family members who brought her endless joy. Lu leaves behind the deep love and friendship of countless friends and colleagues that she has worked, laughed and loved with over the years.
Lu was a true renaissance woman with dozens of meaningful and successful endeavors that she passionately pursued. She earned a Doctorate in Clinical Pharmacy at University of Florida and was a renowned yogi, teacher, author, composer, interior & graphic designer, avid gardener, philanthropist, board member, hostess extraordinaire and a constant inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Lu was a fierce and tireless advocate for the Manchester, Vermont and Indian River County, Florida communities she embraced and treasured. She left each community she touched immeasurably better through her presence.
Lu’s many successful ventures, among countless others, include French & Co Fine Properties, Breathing Room Yoga, Village Picture Shows, the Taconic Hotel, The Reluctant Panther Inn, the Mark Skinner Library/Silver Fork Restaurant and most recently as coowner of the esteemed Northshire Bookstores. She has designed and inspired world-class homes and resort properties around the world including the very finest estates in Palm Beach County & Vero Beach, Florida, Mexico and Jamaica.
Her true calling was helping others with her tireless energy on behalf of organizations and causes such as Burr & Burton Academy, Taconic Music, Faces of Eve, Gifford Community Center, Southern Vermont Art Center, Planned Parenthood, women’s rights, astronomy & STEM education and countless other passions.
As Lu often said “If you want something done right, ask the busiest person you know”. True to her word, during the global Covid pandemic period alone, Lu designed and restored the historic Mark Skinner Library, took ownership and operation of the Northshire Bookstores and wrote and published her important book “The Faces of Eve”. Lu was truly always the busiest person we knew.
Lu French touched, inspired and supported so many and gave everything she had every day of her life. We are inconsolable in our loss of this stunning and rare life-force taken so early from our embrace. She was truly the best of us.
A public Celebration of her life is planned for 2:00 on Sunday, May 22nd at the Arkell Pavilion at the Southern Vermont Art Center followed by a reception at the Silver Fork Restaurant in the historic Mark Skinner Library in Manchester Village, Vermont
