Grace Lucille Durham Venture, who devoted over thirty years of her life to the education of children, died April 27, 2006. Born September 13, 1919 in Pittsburge, Pa., she was the older of two daughters of the late Grace Martin. Her education began in Pittsburge, Pa. public schools. After completing high school, she went on to earn her Bachlor of Arts degree from Morgan State College now University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Master's degree in Art from New York University. Mrs. Venture's long-term teaching experience was with the Baltimore County Board of Education. Later, Lucille earned the Doctorate in Art Therapy and Program Administration from Union Graduate School. She had the honor of being the FIRST person to receive a Ph.D. degree in Art Therapy. Her thesis was entitled: ''The Black Beat in Art Therapy Experiences.'' A women always daring for adventure and wonderful educational challenges, she took a leave of abesence from the Baltimore County Schools and was an Art Therapist/Art Teacher at Winterode School in Crownsville, Maryland a school for emotionally disturbed children. She belonged to the American Art Therapy Association and the Marylanld Art Therapy Association. She retired form teaching in 1975 and became a member of the Baltimore County Retired Teachers Association and attended the meetings and enjoyed the yearly conventions. Six months after her retirement, Dr. Venture developed a program and worked as an ART and Play Therapist in her ''KIDS ROOM.'' One of the most significant services rendered by Dr. Venture was her strong commitment to her church, Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church. She served on the Finance Commitee for over twenty years and was a faithful member of the Naylor-Hughes Fellowship and the Fuel Club. She also was an active member of the Good News Choir and the United Methodist Women. She was a charter member of several clubs such as the ''DAZ,'' ''NOSOTRAS,'' and ''LES HUIT FEMMES.'' In addition, she was a member of ''Arts Unlimited'' ''Monumental City Friends'' and the Morgan State University Alumnae Association, Howard Cornish Chapter. She was an active Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Soroity Inc., Baltimore Alumnae Chapter formerly the Epsilon Sigma Chapter. ''Lucille'' was a member of Delta from 1939 until the time of her death. At one time she was the President of the Chapter, from 1960 to 1962, and served in the 70's as the Eastern Regional Secretary. With many of her friends, she played pinochle, attended luncheons, and social affairs. She traveled extensively internationally, nationally and locally. Traveling was one of her greatest joys in life. She visited East Africa twice, enjoyed visits to West and North Africa. In her quest and thrust to learn and expose herself to many of the various cultures of the world she visited: Germany, Hong Kong, England, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria , Brazil, and Hawaii. She cruised to Alaska, and the Panama Canal. She visited China and Tahiti. She really enjoyed life and people from all over the world. Dr Lucille D. Venture was a loving family-oriented person, a warm and caring friend, and someone who could be depended upon. She will be sorely missed by cousins, nieces, and other relatives and friends.