Nancy Mynott Davis

Nancy Mynott Davis, an avid student, devoted writer, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother left this earth on February 16, 2021, surrounded by her family in Princeton, NJ. Born in Rochester, NY, on August 15, 1924, Nancy’s gentle, strong, and loving spirit was foundational to her many deep and long-lasting friendships, her relationships with her family and her 72-year marriage to her husband, Richard Warren Davis of Yonkers, NY. Known for her intelligence, wit, and dry, self-deprecating sense of humor, Nancy was intellectually driven and persistent in her quest for knowledge. She loved to read, especially the New York Times, and to write.

Nancy was smart, strong-willed, determined, and above all, kind. An innate and lifelong learner, Nancy was valedictorian of Irondequoit High School’s class of 1942 in Rochester, NY, before graduating from Cornell University in 1946 where she was an active member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority. Nancy continued her education at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where she earned her master’s degree in English. A writer both by trade and temperament, Nancy was rarely without a pen in her hand. While in Farmington, CT, she worked at Mill Race Books, served as editor of Miss Porter’s School Alumni Bulletin, was a college advisor at Watkinson School, and was a frequent contributor to many local publications, in addition to starting a nursery school.

“Nan,” as she was known to those closest to her, cultivated a large and loyal group of friends throughout her long life at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY; at Avon Old Farms, in Avon, CT; in Buffalo, NY; at Miss Porter’s in Farmington, CT; and in Andover, VT. For 30 years, she planned and organized “Summerweek,” an annual literary gathering of friends both old and new that married her love of learning with her commitment to cultivating deep and impactful friendships. Each year, she would host the themed gathering in Andover, VT, where friends would come prepared with research and presentations on sociological subjects like “first ladies” or “the mill girls.”

Nancy’s deepest friendship was with her husband of 72 years, Richard W. Davis. Nancy and Dick met in 1948 returning to the States on a decommissioned troop transport ship out of Liverpool, U.K. Dick snapped a now precious photo of Nancy walking up the gangplank when his friend pointed her out, saying, “There’s Nancy Mynott — You’ll like her!” Within a year, the two were engaged, and over the next 72 years they cultivated a stable and loving life together.

An avid planner, Nancy was meticulously organized and always prepared with a game or an activity. She was a kind and loving matriarch who took true joy in spending time with her grandchildren. Growing up, her five grandchildren would frequently visit her in Connecticut and Vermont, where she was always prepared with games, art projects, and activities. Whether playing badminton in the backyard, writing short stories, painting placemats, or molding small sculptures, “Grammy,” as her grandchildren called her, always made sure that they had something fun, creative, and intellectually nourishing to engage with at her house. When her grandchildren talked to “Grammy,” she listened. Whether about school, work, or social lives, she was always curious to learn about the adults that they were becoming.

Nancy leaves behind her adoring husband Richard W. Davis; her four loving children, Deborah Payne Davis (Randolph Ludacer), Christine Davis Rubino, Margaret Mynott Davis (Andrew Gomory), and Richard Tucker Davis (Robyn Davis); her five grandchildren Robert Ludacer, Ray Ludacer, Matthew Rubino, Ellen Gomory, and Henry Gomory; her great-grandchildren Finnian and Gemma Rubino; her brother Geoffrey Mynott (Bobbie), and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial gathering will be held later this year.

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Joshua Mark Levy

May 4, 1975 — March 11, 2021

Joshua Mark Levy, of Hopewell Township, New Jersey, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 45. He died in his home among family and friends.

Joshua is survived by his wife Marcy Sheldon; his children Sienna (23), Alden (11), and Taegan (9); his parents Harold Levy (Marta) and Stephanie Lurie (Cliff); his brother Jeffrey Levy (Lauren); his sister Rebecca Levy-Cruz (Frank); step-siblings: Adam Paster, Scott Paster, Doron Greenbaum, Naomi Greenbaum, Alyssa Lurie; his grandmother, Marcia Levy; his grandparents, Jack and Sylvia Goldstein; and his very large extended family.

Joshua was born on May 4, 1975 in Livingston, NJ. He met Marcy while studying Conservation Biology at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and they had a daughter, Sienna, in 1997. He went on to pursue a law degree from Lewis & Clark University in Portland, OR. In 2005, Josh and Marcy had a beautiful wedding on San Juan Island. Upon completion of his juris doctorate degree, he moved his family back to his home state of New Jersey and in 2009 and 2011, they welcomed two more children, sons, Alden and Taegan, into their family.

Josh quickly achieved success as an environmental lawyer and moved on to construction law where he became a financial partner at Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP in New York City.

Josh was an active father and a devoted husband. He was passionate about politics, baseball (Yankees), music, particularly the Grateful Dead, and he attended live concerts whenever possible. He also enjoyed gardening, skiing, and anything that allowed him to be outside in nature.

Throughout his life Josh embodied the true spirit of an extended family and the concept of “strangers stoppin’ strangers just to shake their hands.” Friendships and acquaintances took on a deeper meaning born from his authenticity.

The family would like to thank everyone who supported them over the past two years. They will be honoring his life in a private celebration.

To send condolences to the family, visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Sue Zelda Stember

Sue Zelda Stember died on March 6, 2021 at her home in South Brunswick. She was 98 years old. She was the wife of the late Charles Herbert Stember, and is survived by her children: Nicholas Samuel Stember and Emily Maxine van Wincoop, son-in-law Eric van Wincoop and Sam’s wife, Majken Moeller Stember; grandchildren Sophia, Oliver, and Henry; as well as a great many friends in Princeton, Israel, Taiwan, and other parts of the world. 

Before moving to this area she was a professional singer on radio, television, and stages in the United States, Israel, and other countries. She recorded for Radio Free Europe and traveled with a USO Unit entertaining our soldiers during World War II. She appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Show, Chance of a Lifetime, and a weekly show on Channel 13 for three years.

Over the years that she lived in Princeton, she was involved in HomeFront, the Princeton Photography Club, Community Without Walls, The Jewish Center, On Stage, and the Havurah. She was Golde in Fiddler on the Roof at McCarter and in Washington State Park. Her photographs of children are in many homes in this area.

An online gathering for friends and family will be held at a future date.

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James Ben Laughlin

On Sunday, February 28th, 2021, James Ben Laughlin, son of Ledlie Irwin Laughlin and Roberta Moody Howe Laughlin, died at age 92. 

Born June 24, 1928, in Buffalo, New York, James (Jim) spent his early years at Princeton Country Day School, then Deerfield Academy, where he graduated in 1946. Following Deerfield, Jim attended Spartan University of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where, by the time he graduated in 1947, he had become both a certified aircraft mechanic and a certified commercial pilot instructor. The following year Jim matriculated at Princeton University where he spent two years before taking a two year leave of absence to serve his country in the Army during the Korean War. While enlisted, he worked at an ordnance depot in Tokyo, Japan, where he was the Head of Chief of Procurement Review Section of the Engineering Office. Jim became a corporal and was awarded the Certificate of Achievement. Once discharged, he returned to Princeton University and graduated in 1952. Throughout his time at Princeton University he developed a deep love and appreciation for the University and for his eating club, Charter Club.

In 1954 Jim joined the Gallup Poll as Director of Field Personnel. While employed by the Gallup Poll, Jim married his longtime family friend turned love, Julia Gallup Laughlin, on June 29, 1957. Following his position at the Gallup Poll, he was appointed the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Princeton University and subsequently Assistant Dean of Students up until 1969 when he became a Real Estate Agent and Broker for Stewardson and Dougherty. After several years as the owner of Art Fac, then a new technology rendering photographs into art facsimiles, Jim returned to real estate, becoming the Sales Director of Forrestal Village for John T. Henderson. He was most fulfilled as a full-time volunteer at Princeton University’s Blairstown Center helping inner-city children.

As a youth, Jim spent his summers in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, until his marriage to Julia, when they decided to purchase property in Hope Town, Abaco, Bahamas. Throughout his life he was a vacation resident of the tiny island and served as a Commodore of the Hope Town Sailing Club. Jim had a deep love for this island and the people on it. 

Jim’s gentle paternal presence, his razor-sharp humor, his undying love for sweets, and much, much more will be deeply missed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Julia Gallup Laughlin; his two children, daughter The Rev. Ophelia G. Laughlin, son James Y. Laughlin; and his four grandchildren, Eric and Alexander Keller, and Katelyn and Margaret Laughlin.

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Paula Kolojeski

Paula Kolojeski of Princeton, NJ, passed away on January 18, 2021 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, following a trying battle with ovarian cancer; she was 72.

Paula was an artist well known for her art illustrating the Jersey Shore, especially in the region surrounding Manasquan and Spring Lake. Her paintings and prints can be seen in numerous homes, businesses, and public buildings; some were in the World Trade Center. 

She was born Paula Murphy in Leavenworth, Kansas, before moving to the Philadelphia area, where her father Paul Owen Murphy was the editor of the Evening Bulletin. Paula was very well-read, excelled at crossword puzzles, and was an avid Liverpool Football Club fan. She was a wonderful companion. 

She leaves behind two sons Nicholas Kolodziejski and Jason Kolojeski; three grandsons Ivan, Alex, and Henry Kolodziejski; her sister Lea Murphy and brother David Murphy; and her husband Benoit LeBlanc.