Nancy Whitney Pritchard Bear

Nancy Whitney Pritchard Bear was the hub of our wheel. We mourn the death of our dear mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Nancy died peacefully in her sleep on January 2, 2022, after a period of declining health at the Martha Jefferson House in Charlottesville, Va.

Born Nancy Jane Whitney in 1932 in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Dr. Leon and Margaret Whitney, her younger brother Lee was her only sibling. Nancy had fond memories of Brooklyn. With the advent of WWII, the family moved to Long Island. She finished High School in Morristown, N.J., where her parents remained for many years, and all six of her children were born. Many childhood summers were spent at Candlewood Isles, Conn.. and Camp Allegro in N.H.; swimming in lakes was a lifelong joy.

After earning her A.A. degree at Green Mountain College, Nancy worked in office administration, starting as secretary to George Mennen, grandson of the founder of the Mennen company. She married Robert F. Maturin in September 1954, gave birth to her first child in January 1956, and was widowed in early November. She married William (Bill) G. Pritchard in late January of 1957; they started their family of six children in Plainfield, N.J., before moving to Princeton in 1964. Early family summers were spent in Madison, Conn., and later at the Double Diamond Ranch in Dubois, Wyo. She led a good life, enjoyed raising Norwich Terriers, loved to needlepoint and knit, play bridge, swim, and travel, but her family always came first.

After separating from Bill Pritchard in 1974, Nancy returned to the workforce and raised her children. She was the inaugural office manager for New Jersey Monthly magazine and later ran a Dow Jones business center in Manhattan, enjoying the commute by train for several years. After moving to Charlottesville in 1996, she worked at Beacon Hill Associates and volunteered at Martha Jefferson hospital, where she met William (Bill) Bear, whom she married at age 68 in June 2001. The reception was a joyous affair with many grandchildren weaving in and out of the adult happenings — just the way she loved it. They appreciated 10 years together traveling, enjoying one another’s families, and spoiling Phoebe, their delightful, white Havenese. 

After Bill’s passing, Nancy spent time in Vero Beach, Fla., with her brother Lee and his wife Julie, where she met Peter Curnin, the last “man” in her life. Shortly after Peter’s family moved him home to Atlanta for his remaining months, Nancy fell and broke her hip. Less than six months later, she moved to the Martha Jefferson House, where a community of residents and aids helped her pass her remaining time with kind attention. The family visited often, and despite Covid restrictions, she was well-loved, choosing never to dwell on losses, always looking forward.

Nancy had an eye for design, color, and fabrics expressed in her homes and sense of style. She was particular about clothes, dressing well until the end; many described her as “classy.” During her last birthday weekend, a few family members accompanied Nancy to her favorite “fancy” restaurant. Nancy dressed with care, adding makeup and jewelry to complete her look, and had a glorious evening enjoying a glass of wine with her shrimp risotto. It was perfect. 

Nancy is survived by her six children Janet Pritchard, Christina Pritchard, Suzanne Fladd, William Pritchard, Nancy Pritchard-Taylor, and Peter Pritchard; her daughters-in-law and sons-in-law Judith Thorpe, Robert Fladd, Monique Pritchard, Patrick Taylor, and Angela Pritchard; 23 grandchildren Sean, James and William, Nicholas, Andrew, Emma, Matthew, Lael and Madison, Samantha and Christopher,  Megan, Logan, and Reid, Elizabeth, Cameron, Bryson, and Luke, Breanna, Hailee, Kyle, Noah, and Sydney; their spouses and nine great-grandchildren, as well as her brother Leon H. Whitney, his wife Julie, their four children, and spouses, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Family always came first for Mom, Nancy, Nana, and Nana Great, and we will hold her close in our hearts and memories. She would wish us “courage and strength and a sense of humor” during this time of transition.

Her family will hold a private celebration of life later this spring. Donations in her memory can be made to the ASPCA or the Martha Jefferson House.

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Thelma Van Arsdalen

Thelma Marie Van Arsdalen, 91, of Princeton passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Morris Hall Skilled Nursing Center of Lawrence Township, NJ. Thelma was born in South River, NJ. She was valedictorian of her graduating high school class of 1948. She remained clear-minded with meticulous attention to detail until her passing.

She married Norman Charles Van Arsdalen in 1949 and celebrated their 72nd anniversary on August 13, 2021. Her hobbies included bowling, knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint. She was an outstanding cook and baker, an unbeatable Scrabble player, and an avid reader.

Predeceased by her parents Louis and Ottovina (Nielsen) Svendsen.

She is survived by her husband Norman Van Arsdalen and two sons, Keith Van Arsdalen and his wife Grace Van Arsdalen and Scott Van Arsdalen and his wife Patricia Van Arsdalen. She is also survived by her sister Shirley and her brother-in-law Richard Pfaff and three nephews William, Jeffery, and Robert, and a step sister Kathy Ziglier, her husband Fran and family; her nephew John W. Osborn III and his wife Marion; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Van Arsdalen, Christine Van Arsdalen, Bryce Van Arsdalen, Leigh Manley, Jill Ferry, Kyle Van Arsdalen, Chase Van Arsdalen, and Mia Van Arsdalen; and many great-grandchildren. She dedicated her life to her family, was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed.

A private burial will take place in Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton on Wednesday, January 12 at 11 a.m.

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

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Richard K. Slavin

August 16, 1933 – January 5, 2022

Richard Kenneth Slavin, age 88, passed away peacefully in the evening of January 5, 2022 after a long and difficult journey through Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. Slavin was born in The Bronx, NY. The son of Jack and Lillian (Kitty) Slavin, he was the older of two children and spent his early life on Undercliff Avenue, living on a block surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School at age 16 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Fordham University in 1954. After college, he fulfilled his ROTC obligation by serving as head of the hospital pharmacy at Ft. Devons, Massachusetts for three years.

Mr. Slavin married June Barbara Lippman in 1954 and they enjoyed 64 years together before her death in 2018. They had two daughters, Mindy (Slavin) Langer of Princeton Junction, NJ, and Susan (Slavin) Greenberg of Dripping Springs, TX. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Corey Langer and Mark Greenberg. He was very proud of his two grandchildren and their spouses, Adina Jocelyn Langer (Matthew DeAngelis) and Micah Philip Langer (Danielle Winter) and his three great-grandchildren: Leo and Ilana DeAngelis, and Maurice Josiah Langer.

Mr. Slavin began his career as a pharmacist in his father’s drugstore, and then became head of hospital pharmacies at Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. From there he moved into a career in hospital administration, earning an MBA degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was Associate Director of Mount Sinai Hospital for 12 years, and then moved to Miami Lakes, FL, in 1975 to become Director of Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, FL. He and his wife lived in the Miami area for over 40 years, before moving to Princeton, NJ in 2017. They were also a part of a close-knit community in Steamboat Springs, CO, where they spent summers between 1995 and 2016.

Mr. Slavin was respected by his colleagues and staff for his wise and effective administration and organizational abilities. He was a good friend and an avid golfer. He served on the boards of many Jewish charitable organizations and synagogues; he eventually became President of virtually every organization he belonged to. Despite his tragic decline into dementia over the past five years, he will be remembered with affection and respect by everyone who knew him during his life.

Funeral services were held January 9 at The Jewish Center of Princeton with burial in Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Jewish Center or to Jewish Community Services of South Florida (jcsfl.org).

Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. To send condolences to the family please visit Richard’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Martin Dennis Cleary

Martin Dennis Cleary, “Marty,” age 76, of Windsor, Colorado, died on December 30, 2021, in Loveland, Colorado.

Marty was born July 24, 1945, in Jersey City, NJ, to parents James and Martha Cleary. He graduated from Lincoln High School and then earned a BS from Rutgers. Marty was an intelligent man, scientifically minded with a drive to help others. He put this to use working for, starting, and running several companies. He got his start at Johnson & Johnson, where he met his wife, Barbara in 1975. The two were married on December 17, 1978 and continued to work together on other projects. Marty was CFO and President of IOLab, CFO of Cytogen, CEO of GenVec, and CEO of CardioGene, all in New Jersey. After moving to California, he was CEO of Genteric, followed by Juvaris. He found great success in applying his expertise to address the healthcare needs and ideas people brought to him.

Marty was very personable and connected quickly with folks. He was loved by his niece and nephew and his grand-nephews. Everyone will remember his sense of humor and flawless delivery of one-line zingers. His cooking skills will also be missed by his family. Marty spent time traveling, deep sea fishing, and enjoying good food at gourmet restaurants. Above all, Marty was giving – he gave of himself to benefit those around him.

Marty is survived by his wife, Barbara Cleary; brother, James (Patricia) Cleary; niece, Patricia Cleary; nephew, James (Shelly) Cleary; and grandnephews, Sean and Aedan.

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Ruth Joanne Schamback

Ruth (Ruthie) Schamback passed away on December 27, 2021. Cancer took her from us too early. Ruthie was born in Windsor, Vermont December 5, 1949, the daughter of George Merton and Emma Robinson. She graduated from Windsor High School in 1967 and continued her education at Southern Connecticut State University, earning a BA in Education in 1971.

After a brief career as a school teacher (one year in the school system she grew up in) she married her husband Douglas Schamback in 1972 and joined him, working together in the golf business at several golf clubs: Woodstock Country Club in Vermont, Mountain Lake in Lake Wales, Florida, and The Bedens Brook Club in Princeton, New Jersey. They retired to Vero Beach, Florida in 2008 and became members of the Grand Harbor Club. Ruthie became an accomplished golfer winning multiple club championships at Grand Harbor and her summer club, Okemo Valley, in Vermont. She also was an avid Mahjong player, enjoyed reading, and volunteered at The Friends of The Library Book Depot in Vero Beach. She had a large network of friends. Her infectious smile, grace, and happy disposition touched everyone she met. She loved, believed, and had a never-ending faith in the goodness of people.

She is survived by her sisters Rita (David Boynton), Jean Robinson and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Leslie Robinson, David Joseph Scafani, and a sister Elizabeth Marshall.

At Ruthie’s request there will be no services in Florida. She asks that everyone recalls a happy memory. There will be a graveside service at a later date in Brownsville, Vermont.

Donations may be made to the Indian River VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960.

Online condolences may be shared at coxgiffordseawinds.com.