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Vol. LXIII, No. 42
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 42
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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Joan Greenstone Morton Lucas, 79, of Mount Shasta, Calif., formerly of Princeton, died September 1.
Born in Los Angeles to Raymond and Pauline Greenstone, she grew up in Redondo Beach, California.
Her career in the arts spanned 71 years. She showed her talent and spirit at an early age, performing as a ballet, tap, ethnic East Indian, modern, and interpretive dancer in recitals and school productions. She danced professionally on Broadway for 10 years in Mister Wonderful as an understudy for Chita Rivera, on The Ed Sullivan Show, and in numerous movies, including Singing in the Rain. Whether teaching dance, choreographing, or directing more than 70 musicals, she was known for the professionalism, humor, and joyful enthusiasm with which she embraced every project.
She married her husband, William Lucas, in 1954. After moving to Princeton in 1962 she served on the faculty of Princeton University, the Princeton Ballet Society (now the American Repertory Ballet Company) for 17 years, and Trenton State College. She choreographed 20 musicals for the PJ&B Company at McCarter Theater and Princeton University’s Triangle Club, and 20 original musical comedy dinner theatre productions at Nassau Inn. As a director for Pennington Players and a guest lecturer at Westminster Choir College she counted among her Princeton students Bebe Neuwirth and Christopher Reeve.
Mrs. Lucas moved to Mount Shasta in 1991 and over the next 18 years became Adjunct Professor at the College of the Siskiyous and director and/or choreographer for dozens of musical productions for the College and other companies. She also served as a dance instructor at The Redding Dance Academie and The Siskiyou Dance Company.
She was a founding board member of The Siskiyou Arts Council and The Mount Shasta City Dance Theater, and most recently co-founded the Mount Shasta Senior Theater.
She is survived by her sons Richard, Robert, and James; a sister, Leila Greenstone of North Hollywood, Calif.; and seven grandchildren.
Two memorial celebrations are planned, first at the Ford Theatre at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, Calif. on October 24 from 7 to 10 p.m., then at The Unitarian Church in Princeton on November 28 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Mary G. (Bonavita) Stachowicz, 87, of Princeton, died peacefully October 13. She had just celebrated her 87th birthday on October 9.
Born in Trenton, she lived in Princeton her entire life.
She dedicated her life to caring for others. She worked for many years for Dr. J. Mercer Rampona and 35 years for Opinion Research, Inc. Together with her husband, she founded and operated 206 Hardware Corp. for 38 years.
Daughter of the late Michael and Mary Bonavita and wife of the late John J. Stachowicz, she is survived by her children, Michael J. Stachowicz of Skillman, Victoria Socha of Darien, Ill., and Maybeth Ruddy of Princeton Junction; and five grandchildren.
The funeral was October 16 at Kimble Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Paul’s Church.
Burial was in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Health Care Ministry of Princeton, P.O. Box 1517, Princeton 08542.
To extend online condolences, visit www.thekimblefuneralhome.com.
Mildred (“Millie”) Alston, 91, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, formerly of Princeton, died October 7 at her residence at Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill. She had suffered from a prolonged bout with Parkinson’s Disease.
Born and educated in East Moline, Illinois, she moved to Chicago, finding employment with the Automatic Canteen Company of America. She met her future husband, Bill Alston, at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, where they were eventually married in 1947.
They moved to Princeton in 1949, where she raised her two children while working part time at the First Presbyterian Church and volunteering for many community and church activities.
Following her husband’s retirement in 1991, she moved to Carolina Meadows, where she enjoyed family visits and hours spent with her grandchildren. She became a member of the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill and worked part time at Carolina Meadows Gift Shop.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill; a son, William K. Alston of Petersburgh, N.Y.; a daughter, Patty of Stockton, Calif.; four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.
A memorial service was held on October 9 at Carolina Meadows with Dr. Robert Dunham presiding.
Flora A. Cunin, 80, of Princeton, died October 12 in the Compassionate Care Hospice.
Born in Barbados, West Indies, she resided in London, Grenada, Trinidad, and Tobago before moving to Princeton in 1984. She was a chef, working in many hotels, and an avid gardener.
A faithful member of Nassau Christian Center, she was active in community service, preparing food for people in her community.
Daughter of the late Clarence and Urla Forde Parris and wife of the late Eustace Cunin, she is survived by two brothers, Winfield Parris of Barbados and Lloyd Parris of London; two sisters, Elmina Brooks of London and Clotilda Lashley of Barbados; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and a very dear friend Vanessa Walker.
The funeral service will be October 23 at 11 a.m. at the Nassau Christian Center, 26 Nassau Street. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery.
Friends may call on Thursday, October 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Nassau Christian Center. A prayer service will begin at 8 p.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.