Mary Anne Lukas, an auctioneer and owner of Southern Vermont Auction LLC, a full-service auction house founded in 2005 that ran monthly auctions, died unexpectedly October 18, 2009, from a fall down the stairs in her home. She was 45 years old.

Mary Anne was born in Gloversville, N.Y., on December 4, 1963. She was the daughter of William Otruba, Reading, Penn., and Agnes (Marie) Cunningham Otruba of Manchester, Vt. She was a resident of the Danby area for the past ten years, and a member of the American Auctioneers Association.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by an aunt, Cathy Merrill of Winthrop, Maine, and three cousins, Melinda Thibeault of Portland, Maine, Josh Merrill of Hamilton, Maine, and Donna Butman of Danby.

A memorial service celebrating Mary Anne’s life was conducted October 25 at the Wilson House, East Dorset, Vt. Miller Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon, Vt., handled the arrangements. Gifts in Mary Anne’s memory may be sent to Wilson House, PO Box 46, East Dorset VT 05253, or Second Chance Animal Shelter, PO Box 620, Shaftsbury VT 05262.