Jael Judith Ramirez Bautista
Jael Judith (Judy) Ramirez Bautista, aged 38, mother, daughter, sister, loving partner, friend, and beloved co-worker, left us broken hearted and bewildered by her untimely passing from complications of breast cancer on Monday March 10, 2025.
Judy was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, on October 14, 1986. She attended grade school in Oaxaca. Beginning a new chapter in her life she made the brave journey to the United States on her own, ending up in Princeton, NJ.
Judith welcomed her incredible daughter Kaitlen Melgar Ramirez in August of 2008, whom she poured into all of her love, constantly raising her up to reach new levels of achievement.
Kaitlen is her mother’s most incredible legacy, and was her proudest gift of grace. She was overjoyed when Kaitlen was accepted as a student at Princeton Day School.
After many years of raising her daughter on her own, love and companionship walked in the door when she met Isac H. Roman Santos. Their combined families, including Isac’s two children Ana Lucia Roman Sanchez and Isac H. Roman Sanchez from a previous marriage, brought Judy much joy and laughter. Isac was Judith’s partner, lovingly caring for her until her final breath.
Judy was also supported by her faith, following the beliefs of Jehovah Witnesses.
After working at The Mexicana Grocery store, Judy landed at The Whole Earth Center where for 13 years, she served thousands of customers and touched the lives of her grateful coworkers.
Her radiant beauty, smile, and highly infectious laugh will always echo thru our lives. The mystery of where Judy has gone, or why she had to leave us so early will go unanswered, but her love will always remain, shining a light on our dark corners and grief.
In addition to her daughter Kaitlen and partner Isac, Judith is also survived by her mother Maria Guadalupe Bautista and her brother Juan Bautista.
———
Jael Judith (Judy) Ramírez Bautista, de 38 años, madre, hija, hermana, compañera amorosa, amiga y querida compañera de trabajo, nos dejó con el corazón roto y desconcertado por su prematuro fallecimiento debido a complicaciones de cáncer de mama el lunes 10 de marzo de 2025.
Judy nació en Oaxaca, México, el 14 de octubre de 1986. Cursó la primaria en Oaxaca. Comenzando un nuevo capítulo en su vida, emprendió el valiente viaje a Estados Unidos por su cuenta, llegando a Princeton, Nueva Jersey.
Judith le dio la bienvenida a su increíble hija Kaitlen Melgar Ramírez en agosto de 2008. Derramó en ella todo su amor, impulsándola constantemente a alcanzar nuevos niveles de logro.
Kaitlen es el legado más increíble de su madre y su regalo de gracia más orgulloso. Se llenó de alegría cuando Kaitlen fue aceptada como alumna en la escuela Princeton Day.
Tras muchos años criando sola a su hija, el amor y la compañía la acompañaron cuando conoció a Isac H. Román Santos. Sus familias, incluyendo a los dos hijos de Isaac, Ana Lucía Román Sánchez e Isac H. Román Sánchez, de un matrimonio anterior, le brindaron mucha alegría y risas. Isac fue su pareja y la cuidó con cariño hasta su último aliento. Judy también se vio apoyada por su fe, siguiendo las creencias de los testigos de Jehová.
Después de trabajar en la tienda de comestibles Mexicana, Judy llegó a The Whole Earth Center, donde durante 13 años atendió a miles de clientes y conmovió la vida de sus agradecidos compañeros de trabajo.
Su radiante belleza, su sonrisa y su contagiosa risa siempre resonarán en nuestras vidas. El misterio de adónde se fue Judy o por qué tuvo que dejarnos tan pronto permanecerá sin respuesta, pero su amor siempre permanecerá, iluminando nuestros rincones oscuros y nuestro dolor. Además de su hija Kaitlen y su pareja Isac, a Judith también le sobreviven su madre, María Guadalupe Bautista, y su hermano, Juan Bautista.
———
Felice Gordon
Felice Gordon, a longtime Princeton resident, passed away in her apartment in Princeton Windrows retirement community on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Her funeral took place on Monday, March 17 at Cedar Park Beth El cemetery in Paramus, NJ, with many family members present.
Felice was born on March 29, 1932 in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens. Her family included her parents Robert and Beatrice Dosik, and her younger brother Paul Dosik. Felice was an avid pianist, and her interest in music led her to enroll in New York’s High School of Music and Art. She attended Queens College and subsequently transferred to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Felice met her future husband Alvin Gordon at a Jewish folk dance event at age 17. Felice was 20 years old when she and Alvin married. Together, they had three sons: Mark (deceased in 2018), Joel, and Neil. Felice and Alvin moved to East Brunswick, NJ, in 1958, and then to Princeton, NJ, in 1970.
Felice was a very intelligent, academically accomplished woman. In 1982, she earned doctorate in American history, with a focus on women’s history. In 1986, Rutgers University Press published “After Winning: The legacy of the New Jersey Suffragists 1920 – 1947,” a modified version of her doctoral thesis that explored the New Jersey women’s suffrage movement.
Felice and Alvin had many interests, including folk dancing and participating in a book club, as well as classical music, Broadway musicals, and other performing arts.
Felice and Alvin sold their Princeton home in early 2018 and moved to Princeton Windrows retirement community the same year.
Their son Mark died in 2018, and Alvin died in 2020.
Felice is survived by her sons Joel and Neil, her daughters-in-law Patricia Gordon and Anna Pegler-Gordon, her sister-in-law Ginger Gordon and Ginger’s husband Jim Norman, and her sister-in-law Rosalie Dosik, as well as her seven grandchildren Bernard Gordon, Dora Gordon, Rebecca Coulson, Eli Gordon, Talia Gordon, Maya Pegler-Gordon, and Naomi Pegler-Gordon. Felice will be sorely missed by her family.
Memorial contributions in Felice’s name may be sent to The Jewish Center of Princeton.
———
Henry W. Jeffers III
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved father, Henry W. Jeffers the III. Henry passed away in his sleep on Thursday, March 13th at the age of 92.
A man of unwavering strength who lived life to the fullest, Henry graduated from Princeton High School. He went on to college and graduated in 1955 from Rutgers University, Cook College of Agriculture. He attended Harvard Business School in 1956, he met through one of his roommates, Joseph Saliba, his future wife, Janet Brox Jeffers. Henry enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1957 and was a member of the Signal Corps where he became a military photographer.
He started working for the family business Walker-Gordon Laboratory Company in 1958, Henry held a management position and rose to the position of President in 1971. For all those who knew Henry, he was a man with a curiosity that infiltrated all his many interests. This ranged from his early passions which included Trap and Skeet shooting, saltwater and flyfishing, and growing exotic chrysanthemums. Through the years he developed a passion for astronomy and astrophotography.
Henry joined the Nassau Gun Club in 1972 and won numerous trophies. For many years, he and his cooking team hosted the Lady’s Day luncheons. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Henry guided the Walker Gordon Laboratory Company through difficult years which led to the eventual success of prosperity and profitability. He developed company lands for housing developments and restored and leased the IRL Research Facility. Henry was part of a group who were in a partnership with the State, Town, and County connected to the 800-acre Plainsboro Preserve.
In 1982 Henry and his wife, Janet, purchased a home on Martha’s Vineyard and became fully engaged in the East Chop community where he developed a sailing program for children at the East Chop Yacht Club. He was Commodore from 1989-1999. He retired from Walker-Gordon and spent many joyful summers on Martha’s Vineyard.
Henry’s wife, Janet, passed away in March 2017; he is survived by his children, Katherine Jeffers Goldfarb and husband, Robert, of Princeton, New Jersey; his son, James Jeffers and his wife, Raquel; and his two grandchildren, Juliette and Jasper of Hopewell, New Jersey. It is with these thoughts Henry rests quietly in peace.
A celebration of Henry’s life will be announced in the near future. Arrangements are under the direction of at A.S. Cole Son & Co., 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.
———
Georgia E. Tams
Georgia E. Tams died on February 27 in Weaverville, California, following a battle with cancer. Georgia was born in Princeton, but her free spirit carried her to San Francisco, to Chicago, back to New Jersey, and back again to northern California. Georgia was a fiercely independent woman who had a heart of gold and clever humor, which her family and friends will cherish always.
Georgia attended Bard College at Simon’s Rock and Stuart Country Day School, where she met several of her lifelong friends. Georgia loved connecting with her nieces and nephews and was proud of her work with the children of the Wicoff Elementary School in Plainsboro.
Georgia was a gifted artist, always writing, always sketching, and often painting. She could pick up any instrument, but particularly piano and guitar, to sing and compose music on the spot. Georgia’s beloved feline friends regularly featured in her endearing stories and songs. She signed her many stories, letters, and cards to us with her trademark *star.* Now Georgia’s star shines forever.
Georgia was predeceased by her husband Warren C. Mernone, her parents Theodore and Lorraine Tams, sister Ruth, and brother Simon. She is survived by her partner Hugh Ashley; sister-in-law Daren Hicks (Simon); brother Colin (Debbie) Tams, brother Brian (Laurie) Tams and sister Daphne (Kent) Ireland; and seven nieces and three nephews.
Remember Georgia as you gaze at “Georgia’s Star” — named specifically for her — located in the night sky at the coordinates RA: 13H 40M 44.3S DEC: +54° 40’ 54”. Other memorial services will be private. Donations may be made to Villa Maria by the Sea, a retreat house at the New Jersey shore where Georgia found rest and inspiration.
———
Daniel J. Skvir
Father Daniel J. Skvir, 79, of Pennington died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Martins Ferry, OH, he grew up in Jersey City, NJ, until he matriculated at Princeton University, Class of 1966. Throughout his life, he remained a true Tigers fan, enjoying decades of football and basketball season tickets. After Princeton, he attended both Union Theological Seminary and St. Vladimir’s Seminary before returning to Princeton. He was a teacher and administrator at Princeton Day School for 41 years. Known as Fr. Dan and the spiritual father of the school, he wore a variety of hats over years (Director of Admissions; teacher of Russian, History and Religion; College Counseling and much more). With his wife, Tassie, he took students to the Soviet Union for years, introducing numerous students (and adults) to Russian culture firsthand. In 1989 Princeton Day School was selected to be one of the first schools to participate in a U.S.-USSR Exchange of high school students. In his heart, he was always a PDS Panther, supporting his students and his own daughters in the classroom, sports fields and life’s endeavors. While a full-time educator, he was always deeply involved in the Orthodox Church of America. In 1989 he was ordained to the priesthood after many years as a deacon and choir director. Shortly thereafter, he began his service as priest chaplain at Princeton University for 35 years, leading its Orthodox Chapel of the Transfiguration.
Son of the late Rev. John and Barbara Skvir of Ss. Peter and Paul’s of Jersey City, NJ, he was married in 1967 to Tamara Turkevich, daughter of Very Rev. Dr. John Turkevich and Prof. Ludmilla Turkevich. They taught together at PDS for 40 plus years and formed a true partnership in many ways. He is the father to Nika Skvir-Maliakal (Sanjiv) of Stamford, CT, and Kyra Frankel (Joshua) of Brooklyn; brother to Natalea Skvir of Edmonds, WA, and John Skvir of Westwood, MA; devoted grandfather to Sadie and Wylie Frankel of Brooklyn, NY, and Katherine and Madeline Maliakal of Stamford, Connecticut.
A music enthusiast, Father Daniel enjoyed choir directing and was an avid arranger of music for choral singing. He was the Recipient of St. Romanos Award for his work as director, arranger, and collector of liturgical music. He was a translator, along with his wife, of Rachmaninoff’s unfinished and only opera that was orchestrated by Igor Buketoff (Monna Vanna).
Father Daniel was responsible for the world premiere of Maximilion Steinberg’s Passion Week, which had never been performed, 90 years after it had been written. Father Daniel will always be remembered as a March Madness aficionado who loved to follow the NCAA basketball brackets. He was a lifelong Mets fan and the biggest fan of his daughters’ various sports teams, never missing a game! Most of all, he was known for his calm, wise presence that impacted the lives of hundreds of students, parishioners, friends, and family.
The Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 5 until 7 p.m. at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church, 812 Grand Street, Trenton. The Funeral Service will begin at 7 p.m.
The Panahida Service will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025 at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church 812 Grand Street, Trenton.
Burial will follow in the St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Cemetery 316 Cassville Road, Jackson, NJ.
For memorial contributions, please refer to the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home website.
I was on my way out of the Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Preview Sale with $10 worth of books when I noticed a devastated Cedok guide to Prague on a table of discards. Although the back cover was detached, the book was full of information and photos from a time when Franz Kafka and his family were living in the Czech capital. Attached to the ravaged back cover was a large colorful fold-out map of Prague in first-rate condition, which I’ve been using to locate entries from Kafka’s Diaries 1910-1923 (Schocken 1975).
