March 22, 2017

Obituaries 3/22/17

Durant Robertson III

Durant Robertson III, 74, of Medford died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Virtua-West Jersey Hospital Marlton of Evesham Township, NJ.

Durant was born September 24, 1942 in Maryland. Starting at the age of eleven, he studied classical guitar and composition. His teachers have included such noted composers as Kenneth Gaburo, Alexander Bellow, William Syderman, and Vladimir Ussachevsky. He taught guitar and had written several pieces exploiting some unusual resources of the instrument. His compositions include: Summer (for guitar and two track tape); Addison Street Rag; Velocity II (for trumpet and electronic sounds) which was performed at Carnegie Recital Hall; Queen of the Morning (for guitar and tape); and Dance Music for Peggy Cicierska and her Dance Troup.

Mr. Robertson has performed at Carl Fischer Hall and Mannes College in New York. He formerly appeared in recitals at the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, Columbus Boychoir School in Princeton, and the Painted Bride Gallery in Philadelphia. In addition to formal concerts, he has given a number of informal presentations. He appeared on the Channel 12 television program “Take Twelve,” and has had excerpts from his compositions (Vision for Two Guitars and Dance Music For Peggy Cicierska) broadcast on WHYY FM, Philadelphia. He performed at Lincoln Center (Fordham University), the WILKA Theatre Project (Philadelphia), and with the Friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Robertson’s repertoire ranged from classical works to contemporary compositions.

He is the son of the late Durant and Elizabeth (Hansen) Robertson Jr. He is survived by his sister Susan and brother-in-law Lawrence Howley and brother Douglas Robertson.

Burial will be private.

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

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Joan Mary McKeon 

Joan Mary McKeon passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 12, 2017.

Joan is survived by her husband Edward and children Margaret and Jonathan.

She will be remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother and teacher. She will remain in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joan’s name to Trinity Church.

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David C. Scott 

David C. Scott died on March 18, 2017 at the age of 76 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a third generation Princetonian: the son of Anne Clark Martindell, and the grandson of William Clark.

David began school in Montreal, Canada. Later, he attended Miss Chapin’s School and Princeton Country Day School in Princeton, and Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts. He completed his bachelor’s degree in political science at Trinity College in Connecticut in 1962 where he was an enthusiastic rower on the crew team.

David was a knowledgeable historian and patient teacher, and a master carpenter as demonstrated in the houses he renovated in Kristiansand, Norway and Princeton. He was a savvy trip planner and delightful travel companion, an avid reader of The New York Times and The Atlantic, and a generous benefactor to friends and family alike. He was a member of the Yale Club in New York City and Springdale Golf Club in Princeton.

David began his career in the printing and publishing industry at Connecticut Printers in Hartford, Connecticut. He then worked in NYC for the next thirty five years at McGraw Hill, Rand McNally, Western Publishing Company where he was the Vice President of Sales, and Lanman Engraving Company. He particularly loved his work in the creative department of Lanman, producing the film that was used in the publications of the Smithsonian, National Geographic, and Time-Life Books.

David’s greatest pride lay in the homes and gardens he created in Princeton and Norway and in his children, Christopher and Katharine. He would tell anyone who would listen about their accomplishments—that Christopher was following his lifelong passion as an animator in Canada, and Katharine was pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology with a focus on prejudice reduction starting in childhood at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

David is survived by “the love of his life” of 50 years, Randi Burlingham Scott, his son, Christopher, his daughter, Katharine, his sisters, Marjory Luther of Ann Arbor Michigan and Kippy Maitland-Smith of Alberta, Canada, and his brothers, George C. Scott of Richmond, Virginia and Roger Martindell of Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, David asked that donations be made to the TCNJ Foundation, designated to the Music Department (http://give.tcnj.edu/ Select “other” and write in “Music Dept, in memory of David Scott”).

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Jane P. Poole

Jane P. Poole, 89, wife, mother, grandmother and devoted friend, died peacefully in Scottsdale, AZ on January 12, 2017 with family members at her side.

Jane lived a life filled with laughter, love and smiles. Indeed, her smile was her trademark, something she never lost even during her decade long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

A proud third generation Californian, Jane was born October 7, 1927 in Oxnard, CA to Abby Lyman and Howard Fay Pressey, a citrus rancher. Growing up on a ranch instilled in Jane a lifelong love for animals and nature. She graduated from Fillmore H.S. and attended Pomona College before leaving her beloved California to earn a Bachelor of Science in Retailing from Webber College in Florida.

She returned to Los Angeles for a retail career, but soon was compelled by her adventurous spirit to move across the country with two friends to experience life in New York City. It was there she met her husband-to-be, Tom Poole. She loved to tell the story of how they met on a double-date, each set up with the other person, and how she was not initially impressed. But Tom soon won her heart with his quick wit and love of poetry.

Jane and Tom raised their two daughters in Princeton, NJ, where for 54 years they created a loving, welcoming, home before retiring to Scottsdale in 2014. Jane’s real and abiding passions were her family and friends. She was the neighborhood mom; quick to offer a smile, a helping hand with a coat zipper, or even breakfast to the many kids who were always at their home. She worked in Financial Aid at Princeton University for ten years; was President of Chapter AE of PEO, an international sisterhood dedicated to women’s education. She was particularly proud of her work with the adult literacy program at the Princeton Public Library.

Jane is survived by her husband of 61 years, Thomas of Scottsdale, AZ; two daughters, Joanne Reese (Steve) of Scottsdale, Grace Ellen Benn (Alex) of Los Angeles; two granddaughters Abby Meredith Benn and Caroline Jane “CJ” Benn; two step-grandsons Steven Reese, Jr (Leah), and Matthew Reese (Sara) all of Tennessee; her brother Lyman Pressey (Carolyn), of Clovis, CA; and many family and friends.

The family welcomes contributions in Jane’s memory to a charity of your choosing. Gifts may acknowledge Jane’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, her commitment to adult literacy, her love of animals, or simply pass along the gift of a smile. Her family gratefully thanks you for any remembrance.

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Marjorie Freeman

Marjorie Kler Freeman, age 87, of Princeton died Friday, March 17, 2017 at University Medical Center of Princeton. Born in Philadelphia, PA she resided in Belle Mead before moving to Plainsboro. She received her BA from Pratt University and a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Michigan. Marjorie was the owner of Marjorie Kler Interiors in Princeton. She was also co-owner of the Jewelry Box. Marjorie was the founder of the Raritan Millstone Alliance, Past Regent of the Jersey Blue Chapter DAR, president of East Jersey Olde Town Restoration Village, board member of the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. Marjorie was also a member of the Travel Club of New Brunswick, traveling to over 100 countries, a member of the New Jersey State and National Garden Club, she wrote, edited, illustrated, and published a number of cookbooks. Marjorie was described by those who loved her as a strong person and leader.

Daughter of the late, Dr. Joseph H. and Elizabeth Kler, she is survived by her husband of 34 years Bruce G. Freeman, two sons and a daughter in law John and Laurie Hale, David Hale, two stepsons David Freeman, Mark Freeman, stepdaughter Judith Rafallo, sister Mary Heisinger, three grandchildren Maura Chadwick, Dana and Sarah Freeman.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday March 21, 2017 at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather Hodge Funeral Home
Princeton.