Eldred Pearce Erdman

Eldred Pearce Erdman passed away on her 83rd birthday May 4, 2018, with her three children by her side. She is survived by her sister, Phyllida Humphreys, and brother, Jonathan Montagu-Pollack, residing in England. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold Pearce and Delia Snowden Pearce, and sister, Mandy Trener-Michell.

Eldred is also survived by her three children and their spouses, Charlotte (Peter) Rizzo of Bronxville, N.Y., Jonathan (Nathalie) Erdman of Williston, Vt., and Jane (Charles Abrahams) Remillard of Boston and by her seven grandchildren, Meredith, Hilary, Matthew, and Alexander (Rizzo), and Hadley, Eryn, and Riley (Erdman).

Born in Surrey, England, in 1935, Eldred grew up during World War II and could vividly recount the London bombing raids and the war-torn upbringing that she experienced as a young child. Her late father was killed during The War while serving with the British Armed Forces.

Eldred later traveled extensively to South America and then the United States, where she met and married David Erdman of Princeton, in 1958. She remained in Princeton for nearly 40 years, where she raised her family and owned and operated Old Grange Graphics in Hopewell.

Following the birth of her twin grandsons in 2000, she retired and resided in the Village of Bronxville for fifteen years before moving to Wallingford, Conn., nearly three years ago.

Eldred was an accomplished bridge player, painter, and cook whose early childhood memories of wartime food rations created her lifetime guiding principle to waste nothing.

She also loved reading, knitting, and needlepoint. But her greatest love was for animals of all kinds great or small, her children, and her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The National Audubon Society online at https://action.audubon.org/donate/make-tribute-gift or by calling (844) 428-3826, M-F, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. EST.

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Phyllis Riley Schmucki

Phyllis Riley Schmucki of Skillman, N.J.,died on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. She was 94. Phyllis was born in East Orange, N.J. on July 19, 1923. Her father was Charles J. Riley and her mother was Josephine Petrullo.

Phyllis graduated from the Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange, where she met her close lifelong friend Janice Howland. After high school Phyllis attended the Traphagen School of Design in New York City.

During World War II Phyllis worked as an expediter at the Eastern Aircraft division of General Motors Company in Newark, N.J. After the war Phyllis worked for United Airlines as Supervisor of their New York City Ticket Office. She was named United Airlines Employee of the Year.

On April 15, 1950, Phyllis and Bud were married and honeymooned at ALTA ski resort. They made their first home in East Orange, N.J., then built their beautiful home in Morristown, N.J., where they raised their three children Lisa, Ross and Tina. They lived on Springbrook Road for 56 years. Life was filled with Springbrook neighbors and kids, The Kent Place School, The Peck School, and summers in Jaffrey, N.H., and Mantaloking, N.J.

Phyllis joined the Women’s Association of Morristown Memorial Hospital, and supervised 19 “TWIG” volunteer groups with over 300 volunteer members. She served on the Board of the Association, and managed hospital fundraisers such as the Diamond Jubilee Ball and the Third Family Festival. Her favorite projects were chairing the designer committee of “Upton Pyne – A Mansion in May” and serving as Chair of “Giralda – A Mansion in May.” These projects raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the hospital, received national recognition, and attracted high profile attendees such as First Lady Betty Ford. Phyllis also served on the Board of Morristown Memorial Hospital and The Peck School.

Bud Schmucki was the love of Phyllis’ life. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2010 before he died. They were tremendous homemakers and loving parents with a wide social network of friends. Phyllis was proud that her husband and all her children graduated from Princeton University and loved participating in Princeton events. Later in life Phyllis and Bud vacationed at favorite places in Europe. Phyllis dearly loved her sons and daughters-in-law, and adored her six grandkids, who were a constant joy to Phyllis.

After Bud died, Phyllis moved to Stonebridge in Skillman, to be near her daughter Lisa. She missed Bud and Morristown, but made great friends at Stonebridge, maintained her apartment perfectly, saw her children regularly, planned festive birthday and holiday gatherings at The Nassau Club, and enjoyed her grandchildren’s talents and busy lives. She never stopped being a friend to all.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Lisa Schmucki of Belle Mead, N.J., Ross and Kim Schmucki of Swarthmore, Pa., Tina Schmucki and Francois Mitelberg of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; and grandchildren, Eleanor Oakes of Detroit, Mich.; Alex Schmucki and Melanie Wender of Elkins Park, Pa.; Chris and Jane Schmucki of Swarthmore; and Georges-Louis and Timothy Mitelberg of Manhattan Beach.

Family and friends gathered on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Burroughs, Kohr and Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison. A Funeral Mass for Phyllis was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Church of Christ the King, 16 Blue Mill Road, New Vernon. Entombment followed at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center, P.O. Box 1956, 100 Madison Ave., Morristown, NJ 07962; or to The Auxillary to the Isabella
McCosh Infirmary, P.O. Box 81, Princeton, NJ 08542.

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Fraser Lewis, MD

Fraser Lewis, MD, 84, died April, 26, 2018, at his home in Skillman, N.J., with his loving wife, Maxine, by his side. Fraser was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on November 9, 1933 to Mahlon E. Lewis and Janet Fraser Lewis.

Fraser earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and was a proud member of The Great Class of ‘56.  He became a physician and earned his MD degree from Temple University’s School of Medicine (now Lewis Katz School of Medicine) in 1960. He specialized in obstetrics and gynecology and delivered many babies throughout his 25 year medical career based in Princeton, N.J.

Fraser is survived by his wife of 63 years, Maxine Allman Lewis. Maxine and Fraser have four sons, all of whom survive him; Jeffrey Lewis of Hallendale Beach, Fla., Stephen Fraser Lewis MD (Beth) of Jenkintown, Pa., David Allman Lewis, (Susan) of London, England, and Christopher Lewis (Pamela) of Dayton, Nev.  He was a loving Grandpa to Jarrett E., Thomas Fraser, and Philippa (Pippa) I. He is also survived by six nieces and two nephews.

Fraser is predeceased by his parents; his brother, Harlow Satterlee Lewis II, and his sister, Sally Lewis Horner.  He is also predeceased by his good friends Dana Fearon and Tom Evans.

Fraser enjoyed any and all Princeton University activities and enthusiastically planned and attended Class of ‘56 mini reunions.  Together with Maxine, Fraser travelled to more than 70 countries encompassing all continents.  A skilled and passionate golfer, Fraser won many tournaments and played at Springdale GC since his freshman year at Princeton. His outgoing and charming personality often made him the life of the party and he possessed the rare talent of never forgetting anybody’s name. He could always be counted on to tell a good (if often bawdy) joke and was delighted to be invited to be a member of the Buster Lewis Society. Maxine and Fraser enjoyed the Philadelphia Orchestra and NJ Opera and were enthusiastic subscribers. In addition to golf, travel, and Princeton, Fraser was an avid cook, gardener, musician, photographer, and wine connoisseur, and enjoyed creating objects from wine corks, many of which he would give as gifts.

A Memorial Service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton on Sunday, June 3 at 2 P.M.  A reception in celebration of Fraser’s life will be held at Springdale Golf Club, also in Princeton, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Princeton Hospital, 25 Plainsboro Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540 or donations in Fraser’s name can be sent to “Princeton Class of 1956” with the MEMO marked: “1956 Scholarship Fund.” Checks should be sent to Malcolm Schwartz, 1956 Treasurer,1690 Pine Harrier Circle, Sarasota, FL 34231.

Arrangements by The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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Taiko Konno Lyding

Taiko Konno Lyding, a local artist and calligrapher and beloved wife and mother, recently passed away at the Princeton Medical Center at the age of 57, following a long illness. Born in Shiogama City in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Ms.
Lyding graduated from Tohoku Gakuin University in Sendai, Japan with a BA degree in law. Taiko possessed an unbridled passion and spirit for every task she pursued, whether it be as a model and television personality in Japan or as a practitioner and teacher of the traditional Japanese arts in the United States.

In 1982, Taiko met her future husband Chris while Chris was taking part in a student exchange program in Sendai, Japan. After marrying Chris in 1985, Taiko moved to the United States. While continuing to practice calligraphy, she served as a Japanese instructor at Princeton University, also lecturing on calligraphy in the East Asian Studies Department.

Taiko was proficient in many of the classic Japanese traditions, including flower arranging (ikebana) as well as in the intricacies of the Japanese tea ceremony. Perhaps her greatest achievement, however, was attaining the rank of Grand Master of Japanese calligraphy.

Taiko has lectured and has given numerous calligraphy demonstrations at local area schools while introducing countless students to Japanese culture. In 2013 and 2017, despite the debilitating effects of her illness, she exhibited her works at the Gallery at the Plainsboro Library. Her paintings often depicted famous Asian philosophies and some even included the philosophy itself written as a poem (haiku) in Japanese calligraphy.

Taiko was known for dressing impeccably in the latest Western fashions along with matching jewelry. However, she always wore a stylish, traditional Japanese kimono when performing activities involving Japanese culture. She loved entertaining friends and guests at her home in Plainsboro where she would personally prepare lavish Eastern and Western fare. She was admired and cherished by her friends and enjoyed an excellent reputation among all who knew her. Her boundless spirit, charm and humor will be missed.

Taiko is survived by her devoted husband, Christopher S. Lyding, a son, Charles T. Lyding, her father-in-law, Arthur R. Lyding of Princeton, her mother, Keiko Konno of Shiogama, Japan and her brother, Masao Konno.

A celebration of Taiko’s life will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 1 p.m. at The Unitarian Church, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Princeton Community Japanese Language School, 14 Moore Street, Princeton NJ 08542.

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David Southgate

David Southgate, a resident in the Princeton area for the past 52 years, passed away peacefully in his home on May 14, 2018 at the age of 89.

David was born in England in 1928. He earned his PhD in physics and mathematics from London University (Imperial College). From 1948 to 1959, David worked at Mullard Research Laboratories in the U.K., where he met his wife Gwen. They were married in 1952.

David came to the U.S. with his family in 1959 and lived in the Chicago area for seven years working for the IIT Research Institute, before settling in Princeton in 1965 where he worked at the RCA Laboratories until his retirement.

After retirement, David spent many summers at the family cottage in Maine, enjoying reading, sailing, hiking, local summer arts, and fixing whatever needed to be fixed.

David was an avid amateur violinist, performing in numerous chamber groups and local orchestras, including 25 years with Princeton’s Musical Amateurs. He was active in many local and global organizations and was a founding member of the Princeton Evergreen Forum. His lifelong concerns were the proliferation of nuclear weapons, human rights, and environmental conservation.

David Southgate leaves behind Gwen, his wife of 66 years, his brother Michael and sister Jenny, as well as his four children Diana, her husband Govind, Tim, his wife Deb, Jennie, her husband James, and Jill. He also leaves behind his ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A memorial gathering in celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, May 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Princeton Italian American Club (8 Founders Lane), with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with David’s lifelong interests and concerns, the family suggests a donation to either the Union of Concerned Scientists or Amnesty International.

Arrangements are under the direction of M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, Monmouth Junction.