John C. Alexander

John C. Alexander

Dr. John Charles Alexander, 67, died December 10th at home in Princeton.

Born on December 28, 1943 in Perth Amboy to the late Charles Alexander and Agnes Alexander, he was raised in Fords and graduated Woodbridge High School in 1961.

He earned his Bachelor of Science from St. Francis University and his Doctor of Medicine from St. Louis University. He went on to complete his internship at Washington University — Barnes Hospital. Upon earning a Master in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, he completed his residency in preventative medicine and public health at the Medical College of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. Based in Philadelphia, he also served as a physician in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

He began his career in pharmaceutical research with the Squibb Corporation in 1976. After progressing through various positions within clinical research, he was named Senior Vice President, Division of Medical Affairs, responsible for worldwide Phase I-III development in 1986. From 1991 to 1999, he was Executive Vice President, Medical Research at G.D. Searle and Co., where he was responsible for worldwide clinical development. He joined Sankyo Pharma Inc. in 1999 as President of Development, with responsibility for product development in the United States and Europe. In 2004, he became the Global Head of Research and Development and, in 2006, successfully directed the merger resulting in Daiichi Sankyo Inc. Upon his retirement in 2009, he formed a consulting company, Alexander Global Consulting, while maintaining his role of Chairman of the Board and consultant for Daiichi Sankyo, U.S. headquarters of Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo, Company, Ltd.

Throughout his career, he played a central role in the development of several key products, including the first ACE inhibitor, Capoten; one of the first statins, Pravachol; the first non-ionic contrast agent, Isovue; as well as the first selective COX-2 inhibitor, Celebrex. Additionally, he was responsible for the development of Benicar and gaining FDA and EU approval for Prasugrel for acute coronary syndrome (with Eli Lilly). He was a former president and board member of the Drug Information Association, from which he received an award for lifetime achievement in 2010.

Impressive as his professional life was, his greatest love was his family. He met his wife, Margie, at a chart rack at St. Louis University Hospital, where he was a medical student and she was an In-service Education Instructor. They were immediately smitten. They married in 1969 and had three daughters they adored.

He was a wine enthusiast who enjoyed sharing his collection with family and friends. He vacationed at beaches around the world but remained especially fond of the Jersey shore and Cape May in particular. From his many years working with Japanese colleagues and traveling to Japan for business, he was also a passionate Japanophile. His love of all things Japanese extended to karaoke, and he was known for his spirited rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family, hosting many memorable trips and celebrations over the years, including his 60th birthday party in Harbour Island, Bahamas.

He will be remembered for his boundless generosity, infectious laugh, extraordinary leadership, inspired mentoring, and unbridled love for his friends and family. He was and is irreplaceable.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Alexander; his daughters, Laurie Alexander, Jennifer Alexander-Hill, and Anna Allegro; and four grandchildren.

A visitation was held on December 12 at the Mather Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

A memorial service will be held on December 17 at 1 p.m. at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to: The Science Center at St. Francis University, Loretto, Pa., http://francis.edu/CapitalCampaign.aspx, or the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation www.cinjfoundation.org.

Frances Allison

Frances Allison, 87, of Princeton, died November 27 at the Merwick Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro.

She was born and lived all of her years in Princeton. She received her public school education and worked for several years before enrolling as a student at Rider University in Lawrenceville. There, she received her BS and MA degrees in Business Education.

She was employed by Educational Testing Services as an editorial assistant, an administrator at Princeton University in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Research, and as one of the founders of Techno-Systems Analysis Corporation where she also served as secretary of the board.

In 2005, she retired from all employment activities and turned to volunteer services as a receptionist at Princeton Medical Center, a member of the Princeton High School Regional Scholarship Foundation, a secretary for the Princeton Junior Conference Committee, and an active solicitor for funds for various charitable organizations.

She was an active member of the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, where she was an ordained elder. She served as Clerk of Session, as superintendent of the Sunday school, and as a member of several standing committees.

Daughter of the late Leon and Ethelyn Allison, and sister of the late Mary Ward, Harriet Allison, and Leon O. Allison; she is survived by her sisters, Ethelyn Allison and Marguerite Taylor; and her brother, Marvin J. Allison.

Graveside services were held on December 10 at Princeton Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Princeton High School Foundation 101; Leon and Ethelyn Allison Scholarship, 151 Moore Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hughes Funeral Home, Trenton.

Mary S. Ramsey

Mary S. Ramsey

Mary Steele Ramsey, 62, died December 2 at her home in New Hope, Pa., following a 26-month struggle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Born on December 28, 1948 in Baltimore, Md., she was the daughter of Norman Park Ramsey and Margaret Quarngesser Ramsey. She arrived just two minutes after her identical twin sister, Peggy (Margaret Stuart). It was the beginning of a life filled with extremely close family ties, much laughter, and the primacy of sisters.

She attended Friends School in Baltimore from kindergarten through 12th grade, where she and Peggy — and younger sisters Christine and Ann — distinguished themselves through their musical and dramatic talents. She continued her studies at Villanova University, where she received a BA in 1971 and a master’s degree in Teacher Education in 1974, with a concentration in English and American Literature.

Her 35-year career in education began at Lansdowne Friends School in Pennsylvania where she taught music and drama and worked in the library. She later took a job at Independent Educational Services (IES) in Princeton, a placement firm for private-school teachers and administrators (now defunct). It was there that she met fellow recruiter and soul mate, David Gilvarg, whom she married in 1981.

After IES, she served as the Director of Admissions at St. Agnes School, a private Episcopal academy with an all-girls secondary school program (now completely coed as the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School) in Alexandria, Va. In 1984, she returned to Princeton to take this same position at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, which would turn out to be her professional home for the next 26 years.

After five years as Admissions Director at Stuart Country Day, she returned to the classroom to teach kindergarten. She was a very personal and loving teacher.

A resident of New Hope, Pa. for nearly 30 years, she took great pleasure in her home and the gardens and wildlife that surrounded it. Family and friends have fond memories of the many gatherings and reunions at “Mary and David’s,” both before and after the onset of her illness.

Known as a tireless fighter despite her diminutive frame, she responded to the challenges of ALS with heroism and grace, refusing to be defined by the disease. Throughout its course, a devoted “community” did their best by her, honoring the gift that she was to the end. She was known for her amazing energy, her humor, and an intense focus on the things that mattered to her: family, students, home, literature, music, and theater. There was no funnier, more passionate woman anywhere.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, David Gilbarg; and her sisters, Peggy Ramsey, Chris Ramsey, and Ann Ramsey.

A memorial service will be held on January 15 at 2 p.m. at the Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mary Ramsey Student Life Fund at the school: www.stuartschool.org; or Office of Development, (609) 921-2330.

Elizabeth S. Piper

Elizabeth Stratton Piper, 89, formerly of Princeton, died December 4 in her home at The Carillon of Indian Trail, Monroe, N.C.

Born in Morrisville, Pa., she attended Mary Washington College in Virginia. She enjoyed her work as a private secretary to the Chairman of the Board of John A. Roebling, Inc. She worked as a nursery school teacher and a secretary at Princeton University while she was a widow with three children.

Her husband, Manfred K. Piper passed away in October, 2010 after 40 years of marriage. Her first husband, Henry M. Stratton II, whom she married in 1952, died suddenly of a heart attack on November 28, 1963, after 11 years of marriage. Together they had three children, Henry M. Stratton III, Joanne S. Tate, and Sandra Stratton. When she married Manfred, they raised her three children and his four children in Princeton: Sara Ann Kopacz, Bruce G. Piper, Pamela Smith (deceased 2004), and Karen Piper.

Most of all, she enjoyed married life, college basketball (Princeton and UNC) and travel. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Irene Margerum; her brother, Dr. Raymond E. Margerum; and her daughter, Pamela Smith; she is survived by her six children; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Friday, December 9 at University Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, N.C. Internment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28204.

Mary Alice Thompson

Mary Alice Thompson

Mary Alice Thompson, 89, of Lancaster, Pa., died November 28 at Lancaster General Hospital.

Born March 11, 1922 in Charleston, W.Va., she was raised in Newport, Ky., Columbus, Ind., and Louisville, Ky. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Michael and Ida McDermott.

She was the wife of Roger D. Thompson, who worked at RCA. She and Roger lived in Ft. Wayne, Ind., Pompton Plains, N.J., and on Random Road in Princeton from 1954 to 1963. They then moved to Lancaster, Pa.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. A longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, she enjoyed overseeing the renovation of the kitchen and serving meals to the congregation. She also assisted in the organizing and researching of the historical records in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the church. She organized the creation of the anniversary quilt, which was signed by the entire congregation, and was involved with the creation of the church’s Memorial Garden, and she was involved with the church’s participation in Town Fair.

She was a member of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, and a past member of the Lancaster County Garden Club and Towne Club of Lancaster.

She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Her husband had been a private pilot and they were able to fly to nearly every state, the Bahamas, Prince Edward Island in Canada, and along the entire Atlantic coastline from Maine to Florida. She also enjoyed round and other types of traditional dancing with her husband. At home she enjoyed needlework and was an expert in her needlepoint.

Predeceased by her sister, Joan Adams, she is survived by her husband, Roger; her daughter, Ann T. Caton; her son, Bruce D. Thompson; a nephew whom they raised as a son, Ted Adams; three grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Mary Alice Thompson Memorial Fund, 140 E. Orange St., Lancaster, Pa. 17602.

For online condolences, please visit www.KASnyder
FuneralHome.com.

William J. Stryker

William J. Stryker

William Joseph Stryker, 70, of Malvern, Pa., died December 6.

Born on September 15, 1941 in Princeton, he was the son of the late Charles A. and Ann Finnegan Stryker. He was a graduate of St. Paul’s Grade School and Princeton High School. He graduated from Rider University, after attending Pennsylvania State University for one year.

He worked as an Information Technology expert for Rohm and Haas Company, and previously had his own software company in Casper, Wyo. He was also in the Marine Corps Reserves.

He was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church Community, member of the Knights of Columbus, and a Pro-Life advocate. His hobbies included golf, basketball, softball, running, and painting with watercolors.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Aurich Stryker; his children, Stephen C. Stryker and Michael S. Stryker; his brothers, Charles A. Stryker and Michael Stryker; his sisters, Suzanne Meagher and Catherine Brennan; and three grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 10 at St. Patrick’s Church, Malvern, Pa. Interment took place in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Amigos de Jesus, 126 Woodland Avenue, Malvern, Pa. 19355; Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2250, Los Angeles, Calif. 90036; or Wyoming Catholic College, P.O. Box 750, Lander, Wyo. 82520.

To share memories please visit www.lifecelebration.com.

Dean W. Chace

A memorial service for Dean William Chace, 84, of Princeton, will take place on Wednesday, December 21 at 11 a.m. at the Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton.

Mauveleene Wells

Mauveleene “Bina” Wells, 88, died December 8 at Hoosier Village, Ind.

Born on August 17, 1923 in Savannah, Tenn. to Edith and Cecil Andrews, she graduated from Pembroke High School in Kentucky, where she was the valedictorian of the class of 1941. She graduated from the Nashville Business College in 1943 and spent the war years working at the Wertham Bag Company, Nashville. It was there that she met Mac Wells, who was training as an Army Air Corp cadet nearby. They were married in Winchester, Tenn. on February 17, 1945 by her uncle, Rev. Ky Curry.

She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis since 1975, where her husband had been an associate pastor until his retirement. She was a member of Chapter FC of P.E.O. She was also a member of the Carolyn Rehm Guild, and the Sages senior fellowship at Second Presbyterian Church.

Predeceased by her husband, Mac, on November 21, 1996; she is survived by her sons, Robert Wells, of Princeton, and Bruce Wells; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on December 17 at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Ind. 46260. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the parlor of the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Second Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel.