Louise French (“Frenchie”) Blodget

Louise French (“Frenchie”) Blodget died on March 31st, just shy of her 100th birthday. Frenchie was blessed with a loving family and an enthusiastic, multigenerational circle of friends who filled her life with joy. And we were blessed to have her. Frenchie was the matriarch of her family and a beloved member of each community she was a part of: Princeton, NJ; Fox Hill Village in Westwood, Mass.; and Annisquam, Mass. She spent 98 of her 99 summers in Annisquam. There, she gathered family, oversaw hours of tennis, played a fiercely competitive family game of “spoons,” offered up thousands of lobster rolls, and savored every sunset with a vodka on ice.

Born in 1920, Frenchie grew up in St. Louis, Mo. While attending Bryn Mawr College she met Alden Sanford (Sandy) Blodget who quickly became the center of her life. They married in 1941 in San Francisco a week before Sandy’s ship set sail for the South Pacific and, ultimately, The Battle of Midway. After the war, they moved frequently while raising four children. Sandy died in 1990.

Frenchie’s greatest pride was opening the first New Jersey office for Planned Parenthood in Trenton. She also volunteered for years at The Princeton Hospital, The Princeton Art Museum, and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. She had a sharp and active mind that was always evident in her prowess with the NYT crossword puzzles, her frequent wins in duplicate bridge and Scrabble, and her phenomenal memory. She played tennis until she was 80, danced after two hip replacements at 92, and most eagerly awaited all news from every member of the family.

She often said that it was the war that taught her to be realistic and practical, to always “press on” and remain optimistic. And so she did when, 19 years ago, she moved to Fox Hill. There, she served on the board, worked in the library, read books to the visually impaired, and made friends with many. She possessed an enormous capacity to sit with the suffering of others, and always went to be with her many dear friends who were dying, offering care and support.

Frenchie is survived by three sons, Alden Blodget (Essex, Mass.), Dudley Blodget (Winchester, Mass.), Henry Blodget, and a daughter, Sally Carton (Chicago); and five grandchildren, who all deeply love her: Alexandra Heidinger, Caitlin Pingree, Casey Blodget, Sandy Carton, and Maggie Carton Pugel; and by five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution in her honor to Planned Parenthood (PPNCSNJ, PO Box 9077, Trenton, NJ 08650), or Wellspring House (302 Essex Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930).

The family sends deepest thanks to the hospice workers and aides who cared so beautifully for our mother in the midst of the pandemic. A memorial service will be held in Annisquam, Mass., when large and joyful gatherings are again possible.

———

Elizabeth Stockton Murray

Elizabeth Stockton Murray passed away on March 25, 2020 of natural causes. She was 96 and had resided at Stonebridge At Montgomery, Skillman, New Jersey for the last 16 years.

She was born in Lambertville, New Jersey. She lived in Princeton for most of her life. She is pre-deceased by her husband of 50 years, Robert Francis Murray, who was Executive Vice President with Gallup & Robinson. She is survived by her daughter, Faneen M. Cieslinski, her son-in-law, Richard Cieslinski, her daughter, Robin L. Murray, her son, Sean S. Murray and her daughter in-law, Hilary D. Murray and her grandson, Nickolas H. Cieslinski. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. She was the daughter of Emma Louise and John D. Stockton of Lambertville, NJ and is pre-deceased by her sister, Jane Detwiler, and her brother, John D. Stockton.

She attended Brenau College. She was a model for the Princeton photographer Orrin Jack Turner, who received multiple recognitions for his images of her. She studied investing on her own, enjoyed following the market and was quite successful in her efforts. She loved the arts particularly ballet and was a talented artist. She volunteered at both the Princeton Hospital Fete and the Rummage, primarily handling artwork. She was a member of the Present Day Club. She loved all things English and traveled to England and Europe.

Her internment is at Princeton Cemetery and the service, when held, will be private.

———

Elaine L. Ciatto

May 19, 1930 —April 3, 2020

Elaine L. Ciatto, 89 of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in her home on April 3, 2020. Married 65 years to her lifelong partner and loving husband Robert J. Ciatto, she is survived by her husband Bob and their seven children Regina (Bob) Bryson, Dena (Craig) Darmofal, Marie Zeck, Angela (Gene) O’Reilly, Robert (Melissa) Ciatto Jr, Cynthia (Bruce) Bower, Chris Ciatto (fiancée Laurie), and 18 grandchildren.

Elaine was the daughter of Antimo and Rose Lombardi, immigrants of Italy, and was born in Bronx, NY, and raised in Jamaica Queens. She is also survived by her two sisters Marie (Bill) Kennedy and Regina (George) Garis.

After graduating from Parsons School of Design and a successful career in fashion design at Korby Sportswear, she began her “real” career as a mother and homemaker. She was a founding member of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, a parishioner at Princeton’s St. Paul RC Church, and a community leader as a volunteer for 4-H, RWJ University Hospital, and the East Brunswick Women’s Club where she shared her service and wisdom with so many.

She maintained homes in Princeton, Long Beach Island, and Sarasota, FL, where she hosted wonderful gatherings and made forever memories for her family. Like her father and mother, Elaine was a designer, seamstress, and a fabulous cook! She exemplified the most important values in life, bringing joy to others, loving her family dearly, living her Catholicism, and was a selfless and important role model to all who knew her.

At a future date, a memorial service will be held for Elaine.

In lieu of flowers, the Ciatto family would be honored with a gift to The Robert J. and Elaine Ciatto Scholarship Fund at Fordham University (attn. Robert A. Milici, Jr., Joseph A. Martino Hall, 45 Columbus Avenue, 8th Floor, NY, NY 10023; (212) 636-7263.

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

———

Mary Bordman Scudder

Mary Bordman Scudder, daughter of John Bordman and Helen Irvin, born on July 30, 1928 in Boston, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home with loving family at her bedside, ending her courageous battle with cancer on April 2, 2020.

Mary was a graduate of Concord Academy and Bryn Mawr College where she received a BA degree in Art History. She married Townsend Scudder Jr. from New Haven, Connecticut, in 1950. Mary and her husband, Towney settled in Neshanic, New Jersey, with their four children and lived there for 59 years before retiring to Middlebury, Vermont in 2013. Their marriage was one of true ever-lasting love. They worked side by side for over 50 years in their own nursery business, Ambleside Gardens, which is still in the family, run by their son, David. Along with their love of gardening, they loved to ski and travelled extensively in Europe and Asia. During their retirement years in their cottage in Middlebury, Vermont, Mary served on many committees and will be remembered by many as one of the shining bright lights and for her never-ending smile.

Mary is predeceased by her husband, Towney. She is survived by her brother, John Bordman and his wife in Concord, Massachusetts, and his children: John Scudder of Neshanic, New Jersey, David Scudder and his wife, Robin of East Millstone, New Jersey, Holly Scudder-Chase and her husband, Keith of Richmond, Vermont and Hal Scudder and his wife, Carol of Park City, Utah. She is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and her loving cat.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Taking Care of You, 4171 South Street, New Haven, Vermont, 05472.

———

Anne L. Freedman

Anne L. Freedman, 92, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2020. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was a graduate of New York University and resided in Princeton, NJ for the past 55 years.

After purchasing Kooltronic, Inc., an enclosure cooling manufacturer, with her late husband, Gerald, in 1970, Anne soon joined the company full-time and enjoyed a long career primarily managing the manufacturing side of the business. She often referred to the company as her third child. Though it was difficult, particularly during that time and in a male-dominated industry, she did not let anything deter her from being strong, confident, and decisive. She gained the respect of her peers and colleagues through hard work and tough, but fair, leadership. Anne’s passion and tireless work ethic helped turn a struggling business into the successful family-owned company that it is today. She was a role model to all who knew her.

One of Anne’s greatest joys was spending quality time with family and friends. She enjoyed hosting gatherings at her house, and celebrating holidays and other joyous occasions with everyone she loved. Several weeks ago, it brought her much joy to host the wedding of her daughter and son-in-law in her living room! She also enjoyed traveling, gardening, playing cards and other games, and had an affection for watching her daily soap opera. Anne was a patron of the arts and for many years enjoyed music and theater productions.

Those who knew Anne know she always spoke her mind and stood up for what she believed in. She will be remembered for her loving, caring, and feisty personality, and for being a generous philanthropist who supported many causes that were important to her, and Jewish organizations in particular. She was a longtime member of Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrenceville, NJ, and The Jewish Center in Princeton, NJ.

Wife of the late Gerald Freedman, she is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Debbie Freedman and Avi Paradise; son and daughter-in-law Barry and Bobbi Freedman; grandchildren Melissa Freedman and Michael Steeil, Jen Freedman and Darren Gorden, Michael and Lauren Freedman, Leora Paradise and Elijah Stone, and Daniella Paradise and Ross Chapman; as well as, currently, four great-grandchildren James and Madilyn Freedman and Jack and Ben Gorden.

Anne will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Due to health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, a private graveside service was held at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park.

The family respectfully requests memorial contributions to: The Leon Siskowitz Cultural Fund at Adath Israel Congregation, 1958 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 or The Jess and Marion Epstein Lunch-and-Learn Fund at The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Funeral arrangements by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. To leave a comment or memory visit orlandsmemorialchapel.com/anne-freedman/.