Mary Lou Stevenson

Mary Lou Stevenson, 73, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Princeton, died Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at her home in Princeton.

Born in Texas City, Texas, she divided her time between Phoenix and Princeton. She was the author of two books, a biography, Lady Gregory: The Woman Behind the Irish Renaissance, and a fictitious parody: What’s Really Important in Princeton, chronicling her and her friends absurdist adventures.

She was a lover of the desert, flowers, art, and fought for women’s rights. Her philanthropic interests included the Audubon Society, The Phoenix Botanical Guardians, and Planned Parenthood. She helped with micro-finance loans to women in Bolivia, and traveled to see the effects in action. She would volunteer for many causes she thought worthy, including the Princeton Public Library, and The Heard Museum in Phoenix.

She entertained herself with a multitude of pastimes, some for profit, and others for sheer pleasure. She made many friends in both Princeton and Phoenix through T’ai-chi and meditation. She was an avid real estate investor and part-time English teacher. She also taught herself Spanish and Chinese (with the aid of some friends).

She was non-religious, but exceptionally spiritual; picking what worked for her from a wide range of disciplines. She was open to all, from the Christian Bible to the I Ching (The Book of Changes) to the Tibetan Book of the Dead. She left us ready and curious for what lay beyond.

Daughter of the late George and Forest (Appleby) Kohfeldt; and sister of the late Francie Mallery; she is survived by her husband, Philip; her daughter, Tara Stevenson; and her son and daughter-in-law, Vance and Kat Stevenson.

Funeral services will be private.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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Karl M. Light

Karl Mitchell Light, theatre and television actor, former Princeton real estate broker, champion and defender of affordable housing, and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on May 20 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He had struggled for several years with myotonic dystrophy.

Karl was born on September 29, 1925, in Trenton, to Benjamin and Bertha Light, immigrants from Lithuania and Poland. He attended Trenton schools and was awarded a scholarship to attend Princeton University in 1943. After his freshman year, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 87th Division in the Ardennes and the Army of Occupation in Germany, before resuming his studies at Princeton in 1947. It was during his undergraduate years that he found his calling as an actor.

In 1950, Karl married Pat Hart, received his BA in English from Princeton, and moved with his new wife and stepdaughter Penny to New York City. There, Karl embarked on a career as an actor, performing in numerous plays and taking roles in the then-new medium of television. Early success came in 1955, when he was cast in the role of Bertram Cates, schoolteacher in the original Broadway production of Inherit the Wind, which starred Paul Muni.

In order to support a family that would eventually number six children, Karl returned to Princeton in 1957 and he and his wife opened K.M. Light Real Estate. In the 1960s, Karl’s acting career was centered at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre, where he took on many lead roles in plays and musicals. He also branched out into soap operas: he had recurring roles for over 20 years in The Doctors, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing, and The Guiding Light.

In addition to his work in the theater, TV and real estate, Karl taught speech at the Princeton Theological Seminary for many years. He was a former member of the Board of McCarter Theatre, The Planning Board of Princeton, the Zoning Board of Hopewell Township, and a 2007 recipient of the Bud Vivian Award for service to the community.

He is survived by his current wife of 31 years, Lucy James; his sister, Rose Scott of Princeton; his children, Deborah Light of Princeton, Brita Light of Camden, Maine, Rip Light of Berkeley, Calif., Corey Miedzinski of Trenton, and Holly Light of Long Beach, Calif.; three stepchildren, Penny Bragonier of Boston, Mass., Anne Gilbert of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Liza Gilbert of Washington, D.C., and 12 grandchildren.

The burial service will take place at Princeton Cemetery on June 9, 2012 at 4 p.m. and a reception will follow in the Community Center at Princeton Community Village on Karl Light Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Princeton Community Housing, 245 Nassau Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

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John Eills

John Eills, former Princeton resident, died on Saturday, May 19, at home in Manhattan.

The son of John and Matilda (Diachkovsky) Eills, he was born in Nagasaki, Japan, November 4, 1927. He came to the United States in 1940, served in the U.S. Submarines, Pacific Fleet 1943 to 1949, and was educated at Harvard College and the Harvard School of Business Administration.

Until recently, he was a senior vice president and portfolio manager with du Pasquier Asset Management in New York. An accomplished yachtsman, he served as navigator and captain on a number of offshore races and cruised widely aboard his sailboats “Invictus” and “Echo,” including a circumnavigation with his wife (1998-2001). He was a member of the New York Yacht Club; the Cruising Club of America; the Corinthians; and the North American Station of the Royal Scandinavian Yacht Clubs and Nylandska Jaytklubben.

John and his family lived on Journey’s End Lane in Princeton from 1965 to 1995.

He is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Brewer; son Andrew and daughter-in-law Caitlin of Concord, N.H.; daughter Amity Wallace of Rowayton, Conn.; grandchildren Thatcher, Lucy and Ajah Eills, and Meredith, Ellie and Beatrix Wallace. A grandson, Teddy, predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10004.

A memorial service will be held at All Souls Church, Lexington Avenue at 80th Street on Thursday, May 31 at 3 p.m.

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