March 26, 2025

Obituaries 3/25/2025

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

March 19, 2025

Obituaries 3/19/2025

Helene E. Kulsrud

Helene E. (Laney) Kulsrud, 91, passed away on March 10, 2025, following a fall in her home in Princeton, NJ. A pioneering computer scientist, devoted mentor, and passionate advocate for the arts, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of innovation, leadership, and perseverance.

Born in 1933, Laney earned her B.A. in Mathematics from Smith College in 1953 and later obtained an M.A. in Astrophysics from the University of Chicago in 1955. It was there that she met and married Russell Kulsrud, an esteemed astrophysicist and plasma physicist, now professor emeritus at Princeton University. She was a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Association for Computing Machinery.

Breaking Barriers in Computer Science

At a time when computer science was an emerging field, Laney entered the workforce as a programmer at IBM, where she discovered her passion for computational problem-solving. She quickly made her mark, despite the rigid corporate culture that expected women to wear white gloves, stockings, and hats. “She not only smashed the glass ceiling, she shattered expectations,” said IBM Fellow Mark Wegman, who worked with Laney for decades. “At the time, few believed a woman could achieve what she did — but Laney did it with brilliance and determination — no one even thought someone like her could achieve what she achieved.”

Laney went on to serve as Head Programmer at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) from 1956 to 1957, where she pioneered the use of digital computing in scoring the SAT (Scholastic Achievement Test). At RCA Laboratories (1958-1965), she played a key role in the development of high-speed digital computing techniques, earning awards for her groundbreaking work in mathematical modeling and electron gun design.

Her career culminated in over 50 years at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), where she became the first female research staff member at the Center for Communications Research in Princeton. She led the development of programming languages and compilers that advanced parallel computing, paving the way for modern data mining and artificial intelligence. Laney also served as President of the Cray User Group, influencing the design of high-performance supercomputers.

Champion for Women in STEM

As a Smith College graduate, Laney was deeply influenced by trailblazers like Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem. She faced gender discrimination in the early years of her career but never let it deter her. Over time, she became a mentor and advocate for women in STEM, helping to open doors for future generations of female scientists. Her advice to young women was simple yet profound: “Keep your standards high.”

Laney was also a valued member of Investment Partners, a women’s investment club that met monthly at the Princeton Public Library. She brought to the group no only her deep understanding of mathematics and the stock market but also a keen curiosity about emerging industries. Her insightful presentations and warm friendship will be deeply missed.

Laney’s legacy as a mentor and role model continues to inspire generations of women pursuing careers in technology and science. In 1986, the YWCA of Princeton recognized Laney as one of its “300 Women” honorees, celebrating her impact as a leader in science and technology.

Dedication to the Arts and Community

Beyond her career in computing, Laney was a driving force behind the Princeton Festival, serving as its Founding Chairperson and later as Treasurer and Chair of Lectures and Special Events. She helped the festival grow from its early productions including Sweeney Todd to grand operatic performances at Princeton University’s Tony Award-winning McCarter Theatre, such as Madama Butterfly, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Porgy & Bess, and Nixon in China. She remained deeply involved until the festival merged with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra in 2021.

She was also an Executive Committee Member of the Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study, supporting scholars and fostering connections between the IAS and the Princeton community.

A Life of Impact and Inspiration

Laney is survived by her husband, Russell Kulsrud, her daughter, Pamela Corey, and her son-in-law, Troy Corey. She was predeceased by her beloved children, Suzanne Allison Gammon (34) in 2001 and Peter Clifford Kulsrud (51) in 2009.

A trailblazer, mentor, and dedicated advocate for women in science and the arts, Laney lived by the Smith College motto: “Smithies Get Things Done.” And get things done, she certainly did.

A celebration of her life and achievements will be announced at a later date.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Alice Perry Strong

Alice Perry Strong, 79, of Plainsboro, died March 12 at Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro.

Born in Princeton in 1945 to Paul Keely Perry and Ruth Grandison Perry, Alice graduated from Princeton High School.

Her memories of high school included cramming teenagers into a Volkswagen Bug so everyone could go to White Castle and sneaking into Princeton University eating clubs to dance to songs like the Contours’ “Do You Love Me.”

After high school, she attended Boston University, where she received a degree in early childhood education.

In addition to shorter stints at several other preschools, she taught for decades at University NOW Day Nursery in Princeton, which caters to the families of Princeton University faculty.

Alice delighted in working with two-year-olds, and was adamant about the importance of play and discovery in the development of young minds. Through the decades, she was a warm and supportive presence in hundreds of children’s lives.

Alice married Steven Brian Johnson in 1977. The two lived in Kingston until his death in 1982.

In 1985, she married Edward “Ned” Strong. They moved to Roseto, Pa., where she grew flowers like tiger lilies and geraniums and focused on raising the couple’s young son, Teddy. She loved to pick fruit and make jam, and to sing to her son as she worked.

After she and her husband divorced, Alice returned to Princeton, where she helped care for her father. In her spare time, she loved scouring antique stands, country auctions, flea markets, and yard sales for pieces to resell or to decorate her home.

After her father’s 2005 death, she moved to Plainsboro, where she lived in the Highlands at Cranbury Brook. There she made a number of close friends, grew still more flowers, watched and read many mysteries, and experimented with recipes, especially for soup. She also delighted in the companionship of a succession of pampered cats.

Though it was March, her geraniums were in bloom when she died.

In addition to her first husband, Alice was predeceased by a sister, Ruthmarie Perry Thomas of West Windsor, and a brother, Paul Grandison Perry of New York.

Alice is survived by her son, Theodore Grandison Strong, who lives in Durham, N.C., with his wife, Alexandria; her brother, Mark Williams Perry, who lives in Charlottesville, Va., with his wife, Mary Lou; and her ex-husband, Edward “Ned” Strong, who lives in Mount Airy, N.C.; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being handled by Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton. Visitation will take place Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m., with a service to follow at 2 p.m.

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Allen David Porter

Allen David Porter, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on March 16, 2025, three days after his 84th birthday. Quiet by nature with a wry sense of humor, everyone who knew him found him genuine, thoughtful, modest, and unassuming. He was a skilled listener who made time to be there for others.

His most cherished titles were husband of 57.5 years to Rhona, dad to Shara (Stephanie DeMeo) and Julie (Jason Jimenez), and Pop Pop to Charlie. He loved dancing with his wife, spending time with his family, playing tennis, taking photos, traveling, and cheering on his Princeton University basketball teams. Always needing to be active, he’d challenge his family to Ping-Pong games and rounds of HORSE on the backyard hoop. Not a foodie, but he had his favorites: potato chips, sour cream on anything, and coffee ice cream with pretzels.

Allen was born in Rahway, NJ, to Fred and Tillie Porter, and was brother to Gerald Porter. His parents were a hard-working couple with a small business — the family lived upstairs. They didn’t attend college; his father didn’t even graduate from the 8th grade. Their major aspiration was to be able to provide their sons with a good education.

Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude from Princeton University (1963) and earned his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School (1966). After serving for one year as a judicial clerk in the Federal District Court in Trenton, Allen was hired by attorney William Miller. For the next 53 years, he practiced law with Miller, Porter and Muller as Senior Partner before becoming Of Counsel to the Van Dyck Law Group Firm. He represented the Princeton Planning Board for 40 years.

His community involvement included serving on the Boards of Friends of the Princeton Public Library, the Princeton Library Foundation, the Funeral Consumer Alliance of Princeton, and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer. Allen was Counsel to the Princeton Area Community Foundation, having served as a Board Member and Treasurer for many years. Last fall, he was honored for his 50 years of legal counsel to The Jewish Center.

In Allen’s memory, donations can be made to The Jewish Center: thejewishcenter.org or the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad: pfars.org.

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Nannette Louise (Binford) Gibson

Nannette Louise (Binford) Gibson, born 10 November, 1930, of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully in her sleep on 11 March, 2025.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, lived in Petersburg, VA, as a young girl, and later moved to Berea, Ohio, with her parents and brother, Henry. She graduated from Fisk University with a B.A. in English; trained at The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Detroit, Michigan; earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan; and earned a Master’s degree in Child Psychology from Rutgers University. She chaired The Princeton Committee of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, NY, NY; and served as a Board Member of Crossroads Nursery School in Princeton. She worked for the State of New Jersey as a consultant in early childhood development, the Project Child program, and in the East Windsor school system as a learning consultant for students with special needs. She also served on the board of the Senior Resource Center in Princeton.

While at Fiske she was a member of The Jubilee Singers; she played classical piano, and especially enjoyed playing Chopin; she always made sure to bake the birthday cake of your choice on your birthday, her specialty being vanilla cake with chocolate fudge frosting. She had a fondness for letter writing, and delighted in sharing a joke. She had a lifelong love of music and other performing arts, and for many years she and her husband held season tickets to The Metropolitan Opera and Symphony at Lincoln Center.  She enjoyed Broadway shows, as well as performances at McCarter Theatre.

Her husband of 59 years, Edward L. Gibson, Sr., predeceased her on 6 January, 2015. She is survived by her three children: J. Kathleen Gibson, Edward L. Gibson, Jr., Paula N. Lutz (Gibson); her brother, Henry C. Binford; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

A funeral is planned for 22 March, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ, 08540. (609) 924.2277.

Burial will take place at Princeton Cemetery following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., 40 Rector Street, 5th floor, New York, New York 10066, (212) 965.2200 or online at naacpldf.org/contact-us; as well as Crossroads Nursery and Infant Center, ECP building, 225 Olden Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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

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Betty Bonham Lies
November 25, 1935–March 10, 2025

Betty Lies, 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, poet, and teacher extraordinaire, died on March 10 after a short illness.

She will be remembered for her laughter, warm smile and wry wit, and a love of world travel that included Easter Island, Ireland, Japan, and more. She enjoyed good food, was deadly at Scrabble, had a passion for reading, and possessed an ability to provide an appropriate Shakespearean quotation to fit any daily situation. She once remarked upon a bowl of burnt potatoes: “What are these, so withered and so wild in their attire, that look not like inhabitants o’ th’ earth and yet are on’t?” (Banquo, Hamlet). She had a keen sense of social justice and fairness, working with the League of Women Voters and taking part in several mission trips in Appalachia.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Betty attended Carleton College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a BA and Master’s in English Literature. She spent one of her undergraduate years at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and during vacations, bicycled around Europe. This was fodder for stories like riding down out of the Alps with no brakes, or drinking champagne from the bottle because it was the “cheapest wine available” in the Champagne region. These adventures, the start of a life spent traveling the globe, sparked wanderlust in her children.

On her first day of graduate school, she met the love of her life, Thomas Lies. They married in 1959 and moved to a house they built in Princeton, New Jersey in 1961. Their daughter Elaine was born the day they moved into that home, followed a year and a half later by their son Brian. Betty remained there for 60 years, tending a vegetable and rose garden, and with her husband, a backyard vineyard.

But her great passion was teaching. She taught English at Stuart Country Day School for over two decades, and was Head of the English department for many years. She was known for her love of Shakespeare and the famed “Macbeth Project,” along with guiding student groups to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

After retiring, she became a talented poet, taking part in the Cool Women poetry collective as well as many poetry festivals. Her poems appeared in chapbooks and numerous magazines, with at least one nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She was a Poet in the Schools in New Jersey and taught adults at the Evergreen Forum in Princeton. Many of her students became close friends. In addition, she was named a NJ Distinguished Teaching Artist in 2000 and 2003, received a Governor’s Award in Arts Education, and received several fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

She is survived by her children, Elaine and Keiichi (Ozawa) of Japan; Brian and Laurel (Keith) of Duxbury, MA; her granddaughter Madeline, of Brookline, MA; her sister and brother-in-law Mary Jo and Henry Boots of Redwood Falls, MN; nieces and nephews; and friends. She was predeceased by her husband. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in her memory.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

 

March 12, 2025

Obituaries 3/12/2025

Ruth Steward

Ruth Steward (née Silberschmidt) passed away on the morning of January 2, 2025.

Ruth was born in Basel, Switzerland, on September 19, 1944, to Robert and Elizabeth Emma Silberschmidt-Veraguth. The night of her birth marked the first time streetlights were illuminated after a long blackout during World War II.

Ruth had a joyful childhood alongside her siblings Sabine, Martin, and Richard. In 1948, the family moved to a large home with a garden in Bruderholz, a vibrant suburb where children played freely in the fields and streets. She formed a lifelong friendship with Christina Lüscher-Ballard in kindergarten, a bond that endured throughout their lives.

As a child, Ruth was frequently tasked with accompanying her brother Richard, who had polio, on school outings, birthday parties, and summer camps. Often the youngest participant, she was doted on and occasionally allowed to bend the rules. With their parents attending international pharmacological congresses during the summer, Ruth and Richard spent many summers in mountain camps throughout Switzerland.

Ruth attended Mädchen Gymnasium, a public girls’ school in Basel, where she pursued a classical curriculum that included French, Latin, and English, alongside mathematics and sciences. She had an innate curiosity about different cultures, nurtured by family trips across Europe. These travels left a lasting impression on her, particularly the poverty she witnessed in post-war Italy and Spain.

Eager to explore the world, Ruth studied at the École d’études sociales in Geneva, earning a degree as a medical technologist in 1965. She then moved to Los Angeles to work as a technician, following her brother Martin and his wife. The cultural contrast between Switzerland and California was striking, but she embraced the era’s vibrant social movements, including the anti-Vietnam War protests and the rise of feminism.

In Los Angeles, she met David Steward, a friend of her brother who worked in the Forest Service and wrote books. Inspired by his passion, Ruth realized she needed a fulfilling career of her own. She and David returned to Switzerland, married in April 1971, and she pursued undergraduate studies in biology, later earning a Ph.D. from the University of Basel in 1978.

The late 1970s were a difficult period for Ruth, as she lost both her brother Richard and her father Robert within a short time. However, she found solace in her research at the laboratory of Walter Gehring, where she became deeply interested in genetics. This passion led her to the University of Virginia, where she joined the laboratory of esteemed Drosophila geneticist T.R.F. Wright. Her groundbreaking research on the dorsal gene, crucial for embryonic development, took her and David to Tübingen, Germany, and later to Princeton University, where she successfully cloned and characterized the gene.

Ruth’s contributions to molecular biology were significant, helping to demonstrate genetic conservation between species and uncovering key developmental pathways. Despite facing challenges as a female scientist in a male-dominated field, she made lasting impacts through her research and mentorship.

In 1994, Ruth became a full professor at the Waksman Institute, where she taught until the spring of 2024. She found great joy in guiding students and postdoctoral researchers from around the world. She particularly cherished the cultural exchanges in her lab, where students celebrated the holidays with dishes from their home countries. Many former students visited her in the final weeks of her life.

Beyond academia, Ruth and David traveled extensively, taking yearly trips to destinations across Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. Some of their most treasured adventures included sailing the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, the Galapagos, Indonesia, and Fiji with David’s longtime friend, David Dillard.

Ruth maintained close ties with her Swiss family, including her sister Sabine and many Silberschmidt and Veraguth cousins. She shared a special bond with Tenzin Dolma (Monica Silberschmidt), with whom she traveled the U.S. in 1967, and Catherine Silberschmidt, with whom she and David spent time in the Swiss mountains. Her lifelong friendship with Claude, a fellow art and literature enthusiast, was another source of great intellectual and personal fulfillment.

A particularly close relationship in Ruth and David’s life was with Botagoz Temirbayeva, an English teacher from Kazakhstan. They met on a flight from New York to San Francisco when Bota was traveling to California as a camp counselor. She later visited Princeton, decided to stay, and earned a degree in Reading and Language Arts. Over the years, she lived with the Stewards on and off for more than a decade, and they became dear friends.

In her final months, Ruth was supported by her nephew Tom, who traveled from Switzerland to be with her. In her final weeks, her niece Eva Silberschmidt-Viala, her nephew Noah Silberschmidt, and Bota Temirbayeva were also by her side.

Ruth will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and former students, whose lives she enriched through her kindness, intellect, and unwavering passion for science and learning.

A celebration of life for Ruth and David Steward will be held at the Quaker Meeting House in Princeton on June 7 at 11 a.m. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by May 1 to Beth Behrend at beth.behrend@gmail.com.

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

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Rosanne Jacks (nee Miller)
July 27, 1935 – March 2, 2025

Rosanne Jacks (nee Miller) passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by family and wrapped in her daughter’s loving embrace.

Rosanne was born in Indianapolis, IN, on July 27, 1935, the first child of Mahlon and Loa Miller. She grew up in Fort Wayne, IN, and earned her BA from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. After graduating from DePauw, Rosanne married her college sweetheart, Bob Jacks, in August of 1957. Bob passed away in June 2002, just two months shy of their 45th wedding anniversary.

Rosanne launched her career in special education in Princeton, NJ, while Bob attended Princeton Theological Seminary. After brief moves to Medford, OR, Wyandotte, MI, and Indianapolis, IN, Rosanne and Bob returned to Princeton in 1967. Bob began his teaching career at Princeton Theological Seminary, and Rosanne took time away from teaching to raise a family while earning her MA from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.

When their youngest entered kindergarten, Rosanne resumed her teaching career, first as a teacher at (and later as principal of) The Newgrange School, offering individualized instruction to students who were not learning to their full potential in a traditional classroom setting. Rosanne’s passion for teaching extended into retirement, as she continued mentoring and tutoring young students in her home.

Throughout her life, Rosanne pursued many interests, including extensive volunteer work, gardening (earning the title Master Gardener), reading, knitting, and other fiber arts. Upon retirement, Rosanne discovered a love of travel and enjoyed many globe-trotting adventures with family and friends. Rosanne remained in the Princeton area until 2021, when she moved to Wisconsin to be with her daughter.

Rosanne was a longtime, active member of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ.

Rosanne is survived by her three children, Daniel (Adrienne Kilin) Jacks, Lisa (Al) Cantrell, and Stephen (Molly) Jacks; her grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew (Jieyang), Marta and Elisa Cantrell, and Ellie and Maia Jacks; and her sister, Cindy (Doug) Shock.

A Memorial Service will be held in the spring. Memorial donations can be made to Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542-4502.

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MEMORIAL SERVICE

Margaret Morgan

There will be a service for Margaret Morgan at The Mary Chapel of Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, on March 29, 2025 at 10 a.m. Reception to follow. Please join us.

March 5, 2025

Obituaries 3/5/2025

Alan Rauch

Alan Rauch, 70, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Astoria, Queens, NY, on July 18, 1954, the youngest child of Grace and Julius Rauch. At a young age the family moved to Hollis Hills, Queens, and Alan was proud to call that home. Alan graduated from Martin Van Buren High School and later SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Biology. He then went on to obtain a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. After completing a residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (formerly Middlesex County Hospital), Alan established a solo dental practice in Somerset, NJ, where he treated patients for 40 years. Alan was beloved by his many patients, known for his kindness, generosity, and most of all skill as a “painless dentist.” Over the years Alan became active in the RV Tucker Gold Foil Study Group and passionate about the use of gold as a restorative dental material. In 2007, while still maintaining his private practice, Alan joined the faculty of Penn Dental Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor and held that position until 2021. His love of teaching was apparent to the many former students who continued to reach out long after their graduation.

In 1983 Alan met his future wife, Julie Bien, on a blind date set up by his brother-in-law Mark Sonnenshein. After a whirlwind courtship, Alan and Julie married on February 25, 1984. The couple welcomed their first child Rebecca in 1986, and she was quickly joined by brother Benjamin and sister Sarah. The family moved to Princeton from South Brunswick in 1990 and Alan resided there until the time of his death. Alan loved family life and was active for several years as a Little League coach for his son’s team. At Alan’s urging, the family traveled to many American national parks on their summer vacations. Alan loved the New York Yankees and accumulated a large baseball card collection. He was also an avid Lionel train enthusiast and spent many hours perfecting a home train layout. Over the years Alan used his carpentry skills on many types of home improvements and masonry jobs, with his crowning achievement being the Rauch family treehouse. Alan was very proud of his three children and never tired of hearing about their accomplishments. When the role of grandfather became his, Alan truly came into his own and reveled in spending time with Hannah, Emily, and Neil.

Alan is survived by his wife of 41 years, Julie Bien Rauch; his children Rebecca Rauch Hart (Benjamin Hart), Benjamin Rauch (Melissa Rauch) and Sarah Rauch; grandchildren Hannah Hart, Emily Hart, and Neil Rauch; sister Linda Sonnenshein; brother David Rauch (Evelyn Rauch); brothers-in-law Jeffrey Bien (Heather), Joseph Bien (Juel), David Bien (Maggie) and Andrew Bien (Betty); many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as a vast number of friends who supported him over the years. When Alan was diagnosed with a severe medical condition in 2021, several friends, Michael Mann, George Lane, and Robert Twomey, made sure that he continued to live life. Alan is predeceased by his parents Julius and Grace Esther (Katz) Rauch, and brother-in-law Mark Sonnenshein.

A Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue in Princeton, NJ. A Funeral Service will follow at 11 a.m. A graveside service for immediate family will be held at the Princeton Cemetery. Friends are encouraged to join the family for a luncheon reception at the Nassau Inn, Princeton, at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (give.myotonic.org/campaign/622795/donate) or to the charity of choice.

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Sabry Joseph Mackoul

Sabry Joseph Mackoul, 84, reposed in the hope of the Resurrection on February 25, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A 40-year resident of Princeton, Sabry leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and generosity, and many circles of people who loved him, admired him, and will miss him deeply.

Sabry Mackoul began his career in banking as a teller for United Jersey Bank, was selected for a management training program, and through his career rose to the upper echelons of bank management, at different times heading the retail and the commercial divisions and serving as president and CEO of United Jersey Bank, prior to a series of mergers and acquisitions. At the time of his retirement, Sabry was Senior Executive Vice President and member of the management team of Summit Bancorp, Summit Bank. He served on many professional and advisory boards, including as Chairman of the New Jersey Bankers Association. A Veteran of the Air Force reserve, Sabry was called to active duty and served through the Pueblo crisis.

Those who knew Sabry will know of his love for the game of golf. He was a longtime member of Trenton Country Club and also, after retirement, of the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. His love for the game led him to introduce many family members to golfing and to his vast collection of cast-off clubs. He took great joy playing with his daughter Stephanie and other family members in the annual St. Mary’s parish and Pennington School Alumni golf tournaments. His competitive nature and skill were legendary; younger golfers knew not ever to count out Sabry and his teammates. Sabry, aka “the assassin,” was a formidable force in tournaments.

Patriarch of the family, Sabry’s deep attachment to the Christian Orthodox faith was the foundation of his character, inspirational to the generations that follow him. He was raised by his parents Theodore and Nellie Mackoul in an Orthodox home, visited by bishops and patriarchs over many years. Sabry served in many church advisory and leadership roles, and at the time of his passing was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox parish in Bay Ridge, New York.

Sabry leaves bereft his wife of 42 years Anne Glynn Mackoul, and his two daughters Candice Marie Mackoul (Ryan Flanagan) and Stephanie Anne Mackoul, as well as his sister Kathleen Mackoul Haselmann (Ralph Haselmann), his brother Theodore Ramsey Mackoul, many sisters and brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, one of whom described him as “a man with a heart so big, so generous and so full of life” who will be sorely missed.

Condolences were received on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ. The Orthodox funeral was served on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Mother of God Orthodox Church, 904 Cherry Hill Road, Skillman, followed by interment at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1166 Millstone River Road, Hillsborough, NJ.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Sabry’s memory be made to either St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, 8005 Ridge Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11209, or Mother of God Orthodox Church, 904 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.

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Nicholas T. Ryan

Nicholas T. Ryan of Princeton, New Jersey, and Downey, California, the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Francis Joseph Ryan of the Bronx, New York, and Princeton, New Jersey, passed away February 28, 2025.

He is predeceased by his former spouse, Michele M. Ryan of Princeton, New Jersey. He leaves behind daughter Kelly K. Ryan of Princeton, New Jersey; son Richard T. Ryan of Princeton, New Jersey; granddaughter Alexa Trani of Princeton, New Jersey; grandson Nicolas Trani of Toms River, New Jersey; nephew Christopher D. Ryan of Princeton, New Jersey, currently Brookeville, Maryland, and his spouse Rachel L. Ryan of Baltimore, Maryland, currently Brookeville, Maryland; grand nieces Katherine L. Ryan and Emma Lynn Ryan of Brookeville, Maryland; grandnephew Joshua D. Ryan of Brookeville, Maryland; and brother Geoffrey T. Ryan of Florida.

Mr. Ryan was a member of the Princeton High School Class of 1968. He graduated from the Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon in 1972, and Wichita State University, Kansas in 1979, and served in the United States Army from December 1976 – December 1979. Mr. Ryan was a Physical Education and English teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles, California, from 1987 to 2019.He retired in June of 2019. Additionally, Mr. Ryan worked for Cooper and Schafer Roofing and Sheetmetal Company in Princeton, New Jersey, for a number of years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor, 2100 S. Western Avenue, San Pedro, California 90732. A Funeral Mass will be on March 6, 2025, 8:45 am. at Saint Dominic Savio in Bellflower, with interment following at Riverside National Cemetery at 11:15 a.m.

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Elizabeth Elferink Cayer
May 30, 1930 – January 6, 2025

Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Elferink Cayer, 94, of Princeton, NJ, passed away at her home on January 6, 2025. She was born in Rochester, NY, on May 30, 1930, the eldest child of Dutch immigrants John Henry Elferink and Jellina Anna (Van Niel) Elferink. Betsy grew up in Rochester, where she attended local public schools as well as the Eastman School of Music Preparatory Department, where she studied piano, harp, cello, theory, and music history. She received her A.B. (with honors) from Vassar College in 1952 and her A.M. in English from Harvard University in 1955.

While at Harvard, Betsy met and married David A. Cayer, a fellow member of the Graduate Student Council, in 1953. Betsy later taught English at the Winsor School and Beaver Country Day School in the Boston area. Shortly after their daughter Susan’s birth in 1958, they moved to New Brunswick, NJ, where Dave started his career as an assistant professor of political science (and later a university administrator in many roles) at Rutgers University, while Betsy continued graduate study at Rutgers.

Starting in 1965, Betsy taught English at the Hartridge School, an independent K-12 school for girls in Plainfield, NJ, where her talent for school administration led to her appointment as principal from 1968 to 1976. She then guided Hartridge through a school merger with a local independent school for boys, becoming the associate head of the newly formed Wardlaw-Hartridge School. (A second merger also occurred from the two schools’ affiliation: Betsy and Dave’s daughter Susan met her future husband, Robert Stout, during their high school years at the not-quite-yet-joined schools!)

Betsy later continued her career in education administration at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education, with roles in the offices of Senior Institutions, Academic Programs, Academic Affairs, and State University and Professional Schools. Subsequently, she managed a federal grant program for Bloomfield College. She also worked as an independent educational consultant until her retirement in 2005.

As a committed volunteer, Betsy served over the years as a board member for the Wardlaw- Hartridge School, Rutgers Preparatory School (where she became board president), and the White Mountain School. She also founded and managed the Plainfield/Westfield YWCA chapter of the TWIN Program, designed to honor and advance women in business and industry.

After 44 years in Plainfield, Betsy and Dave moved to the senior community of Princeton Windrows, where they were both active participants. Betsy served on multiple committees, including Finance, Transportation, and Buildings and Roads. One of her favorite roles was as a writer, copy editor, assistant editor, and ultimately, associate managing editor of the quarterly community magazine Windows on Windrows. She also found meaning and connection in the Great Books and Great Decisions discussion groups. She and Dave co-taught classes on a favorite playwright, George Bernard Shaw, both at Windrows and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Rutgers University (OLLI-RU).

Betsy and Dave shared a love of the arts, going regularly to classical and jazz concerts, ballet, theater, opera, and museums. They particularly enjoyed arts-related travel, with a special place in their hearts for their annual trek to the George Bernard Shaw Festival and International Shaw Society Symposium in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Betsy’s husband Dave passed away in November 2017. She is survived by her siblings Barbara Greenstein of Princeton, NJ, Dorothy Maples of Williamsport, PA, and George Elferink of West Orange, NJ; her daughter Susan Cayer (Robert Stout) of Madison, CT; grandchildren Amanda Stout (Kenzie Blondin) and Zachary Stout; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. Betsy was incredibly loved and will be dearly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the many students whose lives she touched.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Rutgers University (olliru.rutgers.edu/donate) or to the Elizabeth E. Cayer Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School (whschool.org/endowment).

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Edith Neimark

Edith Neimark, 96, of Princeton Windrows, died on February 25, 2025.

Professor Emeritis of Rutgers University, and founder and longtime coordinator of the Graduate Program in Developmental Psychology, before becoming Chair of the Douglass College Psychology Department. She also taught at Tulane, Goucher, NYU, and the UNM, Albuquerque.

Edith is the proud author of Adventures in Thinking, as well as several edited books, chapters, and research articles on problem solving, memory, and formal operations thought. She was a fellow of AAAS, APA, APS, NY Acad. Sci., SRCD, and Sigma Xi.

Edith served as President of the Jewish Historical Society of Central Jersey and LWV Princeton. She was an amateur artist, and she was also involved with 55+ and CWW House 3.

She is survived by a nephew, David Bloom and his wife Amy of Mt. Airy, MD, and their son Derek.

A private graveside service was held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Temple Beth-El Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

February 26, 2025

Obituaries 2/26/2025

John William Hurley III

On January 19, 2025, John W. Hurley III age 59, of South Pasadena, CA, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones after a brief struggle with cancer.

Born and raised in Princeton and a member of the PHS class of 1983, John was a lecturer in Computer Science at California State University.

John is survived by his father and step-mother, John W. Jr. and Susan M. Hurley of Princeton, his step-sister Molly Nunez, his wife of 38 years and world travel companion Nancy, daughter Che (Alexander), son Theo, and granddaughters Aurelia and Paloma Aquino. He was predeceased by his mother Sharon Haupt. A lifelong learner, John earned a BA in English from UC Berkeley, MA in American Civilization from Harvard, MS in Computer Science from California State University, and was nearing completion of a Masters in Philosophy at the time of his passing.

John loved learning, teaching, world travel, hunting, family time, and spoiling his granddaughters.

Services and interment were held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. May he be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows he passed.

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Eunice Davis

Eunice Patricia “Pat” Davis passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 20, in her home, in New Orleans, LA, at the age of 98. Raised in Princeton, NJ, by freethinking, bohemian, entrepreneurial parents, Ruth and Murray Sloshberg Bailey, Pat was an athletic child and natural leader to her younger brothers, Ralph and Larry. Their tight-knit family was surrounded by an enormous array of aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides. This sprawling but close family structure shaped Pat’s entire worldview and inspired her to become the matriarch of her own expansive, close tribe.

At 19, Pat married Morton J. Davis, a handsome soldier from his own sprawling family. After a short stint at Dartmouth, they moved to Brooklyn, NY, where daughter Susan and son Richard were born. The family spent years in Roslyn, NY, and Princeton, where Pat aspired to be the ultimate mid-century housewife — keeping house and hosting soirees. Her business ambitions peeked through, however, when she and a friend launched a bookmobile business. Family was always at the heart of her life; she made sure to keep loved ones close, also embracing her teenage niece Laura, into her home as another daughter.

After 23 years of marriage, Pat chose to forge a new path, divorcing and embracing the swinging ’70s as a single woman. She spent joyful years living near her now-adult children in Washington, DC, where she formed a lifelong friendship with James Kabler. She later returned to Princeton to be near her parents and brothers. In a bold move, she opened her own interior design business. With impeccable taste and fearless independence, she pursued a career in an era when few women struck out on their own. She had an eye for beauty, a love for elegant spaces, and a deep appreciation for artists, including her dear friend Linda LeBoeuf, who created renderings of her designs.

In the 1980s, Pat embarked on a new adventure in Manhattan, where she lived until 2010. It was during this time that she became a grandmother, affectionately known as Baba. Living in the same building as her daughter Susan, she played a central role in raising her granddaughter Zoe. Baba was a bon vivant, a lover of the arts, an active board member of Urban Stages NYC, and a lifetime member of National Council of Jewish Women. She instilled in her grandchildren an appreciation for art, design, theater, and travel, ensuring they carried on her love for culture. She was a devoted people-watcher, a sharp observer of the human condition, and the proud organizer of many family reunions. As president of the “Cousins Club,” she brought together nieces, nephews, and extended family for summers at the beach.

In 2005, a health crisis meant it was time for the village she had built to care for her. Alongside Susan, Rick, Laura and Ina, dedicated caregivers including Maka Peradze, Olga Lizardo and family, and Tanya Gill, ensured that Baba’s later years remained joyful and laughter-filled. In 2010, Pat moved to New Orleans to be closer to her son, settling into a lovely apartment overlooking the oak trees and Mardi Gras parades of St. Charles Avenue. She continued to love parties and large gatherings until the very end. At 96 years old, when she could barely walk, she found the strength to shake and shimmy at her grandson Matthew’s wedding.

Pat is survived by her brother, Larry Bailey, and was predeceased by her brother, Ralph Bailey. Larry’s late wife, Nancy, and Ralph’s surviving wife, Eileen, remain cherished members of the family.

She leaves behind her beloved children, Richard Davis (Ina), Susan Davis, and Laura Boyd (John).

Pat was also a loving aunt to Kimberly Borek (George), Cynthia Landis (Jon), Brad Bailey (Cathy), Jenifer Wirtshafter (David), and Scott Bailey (Jory), and adored cousin of Renee Bretton.

Her memory lives on through her cherished grandchildren: Matthew Davis (Marc), David Davis (Vassiliki), Brett Davis, Zoe Lukov, Josh Boyd (Heather), Jordan Novak (Alexandra), and Ian Boyd (Rebecca). She delighted in seeing her family grow in numbers and love across the generations.

As the end drew near, Pat found comfort in knowing that her beloved parents, Ruth and Murray, were ready to pick her up on the other side and take her to the next big party. Wherever she is, we can all smile knowing Pat is laughing, dancing, and shouting out her tagline: “We’re having fun now!”

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. in Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ followed by interment, beside her parents, at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Desert X, National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans or a charity of your choice is greatly appreciated.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Paul Joseph Salomon Benacerraf

Paul Joseph Salomon Benacerraf, famed philosopher and Princeton University stalwart, died in his home on January 13, 2025, at age 93.

Paul was born in Paris on March 26, 1931, to two Sephardic Jews: Abraham from Morocco and Rica Henriette (de Lasry) from Algeria. The family fled to Venezuela in 1939 as the Nazis approached, and soon landed in New York City. Following the war, his parents returned to France, leaving Paul and his beloved brother Baruj in the States. Paul proudly retained his French citizenship for his remaining years.

Paul spent the entirety of his academic life at Princeton University. Princeton was an unfamiliar world for a rebellious young Paul, who was initially rejected by its undergraduate program in 1948 because the university had already filled their Jewish quota. Once on campus, he quickly distinguished himself for being the only bearded student in sight. During these undergraduate years, he attempted to single-handedly take down the eating club system (and instead founded the first all-inclusive one), failed his junior year for spending too much time with beatniks in the West Village, and chose to major in philosophy because it was his only subject with a B-grade.

Paul’s position at Princeton would soon shift once he was admitted to the PhD program in Philosophy, where he was taken under the wing of Hilary Putnam, a young professor, mentor, and friend. Together, the two led an insurgent movement to establish analytical philosophy as the department’s primary focus and strength, a move that carried global reverberations.

Paul served as Chair of Philosophy from 1975 to 1984, and again from 1992 to 1999. During these times, the department was repeatedly ranked first in the world. Paul’s research was focused on logic, linguistics, and, most famously, the ontology of numbers. His essays “What Numbers Could Not Be” (1965) and “Mathematical Truth” (1973) are considered definitive texts in the philosophy of mathematics. His early difficulties on campus fueled his lifelong passion for mentorship, which endeared him to countless students, as his distinguished colleagues remembered in an obituary published on the Princeton University website.

Another significant aspect of Paul’s contributions to Princeton was his service to the administration, most notably when he worked alongside his dear friend and colleague, William G. Bowen. When Bowen was Provost, he asked Paul (then Associate Provost) to lead Princeton’s initiative to become the first all-male Ivy League university to integrate female students. This accomplishment was one of the proudest in both of their careers.

Throughout his time at Princeton, Paul enjoyed pushing its culture to become more worldly, inclusive, and forward-thinking. He opened Princeton’s first espresso café and decorated its walls with newspapers. In 1969, Paul commissioned a young Michael Graves to create an addition to his home, which was Graves’s first design ever to be constructed. Benacerraf House, where Paul raised all of his children, proved immediately controversial for mixing old and new aesthetics, but it also garnered worldwide acclaim for the same reason.

All who were fortunate enough to visit Paul’s home learned that he was a remarkably generous host. His culinary artistry and his knowledge of exquisite wines were incomparable. One of his favorite pastimes was chatting with loved ones and guests as he prepared their meals. He will be remembered for his selflessness, his wit, his uncompromising honesty, and his effusive warmth.

Paul is survived by his children Marc, Tania, Andrea, Nicolas, and Natasha; his grandchildren Sophie, Lucas, Audrey, Dillon, and Seth; his granddog Dante; his grandnephew Oliver; his grandniece Brigitte; his devoted friend and former wife Dr. Suzanne Miller; and generations of beloved colleagues and protégés. His first wife, Carlotta Benacerraf, passed away in 2020. Over the last decade, Paul grew increasingly close to his longtime friend, Edith Jeffrey, who became his intimate companion. Edie passed away on February 1, 2025, just three short weeks after Paul.

Paul’s remains are buried in the Princeton Cemetery.

Information about Paul’s memorial is forthcoming. To remain informed of these plans, please send an email to benacerrafmemorial@gmail.com.

Please consider making a donation in Paul’s honor to your local National Public Radio station.

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

February 19, 2025

Obituaries 2/19/2025

Isabelle Peck Sanders
October 14, 1933 – February 7, 2025

Isabelle Sanders of Waterbury, Vermont, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025, at the age of 91. Belle, as she was affectionately known, was born on October 14, 1933, in Ottawa, Illinois, to Mary Livek Peck and Joseph H. Peck, Sr. Her life was a tapestry of love, dedication, and unwavering faith.

Belle’s academic pursuits led her to the University of Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and later worked as a teacher in the Dallas public school system. Belle’s life took a serendipitous turn when she met Robert Sanders during what was supposed to be a three-day church retreat in Princeton, New Jersey, in the winter of 1963. Their love story was nothing short of extraordinary, with Bob proposing just nine days after their initial meeting at a reception at the Princeton Seminary. They married less than five months later in Dallas, surrounded by friends and family, almost all of whom were meeting them as a couple for the first time.

Belle and Bob’s life blossomed together as they raised their two children, Mark, and David. Their lives were enriched by their deep involvement in various Presbyterian church communities over the years, where Bob served as the senior pastor, from Utica, New York, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and finally Greenwich, Connecticut. She complemented Bob’s ministry tremendously through her loving spirit and engagement with every parish in countless ways. This further deepened her faith, a pursuit that continued throughout her life through her avid reading and ongoing exploration of Christian theology. After moving to Princeton in 1981, Belle’s career continued in Manhattan, a city she loved, and commuted to daily while working for the Public Relations Society of America until her retirement.

Vermont held a special place in Belle and Bob’s hearts. They spent many summers vacationing there and eventually built their dream home in Waterbury in 1978. When they retired in 1990, they chose to embrace the beauty of Vermont, moving permanently to Waterbury to start a wonderful new chapter in their lives. Belle quickly became active in the community through volunteer work, and meeting new friends while playing bridge and mahjong. She was a devoted member of the St John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church in Stowe for over 30 years, where she helped form a women’s spirituality group, in which she continued to remain active at the time of her death. She always looked forward to her weekly gatherings with her close, loving friends in her St John’s community.

Belle leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. She is survived by her two children, David Sanders and his wife, Bronwen, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Mark Sanders of Manhattan, in addition to many nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her brother Joseph H. Peck, Jr., and her husband, Bob, who passed away in 2020 after 63 happy years together.

A memorial service to celebrate Belle’s life will be held on March 22, at St John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church in Stowe. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Princeton, New Jersey, where a small graveside service will take place later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the St John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1175, Stowe, VT 05672, or the Waterbury Ambulance Service. Inc., 1727 Guptil Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677.

Belle’s spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

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Clodius Harris Willis, Jr.

Clodius Harris Willis, Jr. was born on August 4, 1937 in Schenectady, NY, and died on February 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 87 years of age. He was the youngest child to Clodius Sr. (Lignum, VA) and Katherine Vaughan Willis (Richmond, VA).

Clodius graduated from Princeton High School in 1955, where he was happy to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame at the age of 70 for his contributions to the state champion high school track team from 1952-1955. Hitchhiking himself to his interview at Amherst College, he enrolled and studied French language and excelled at varsity soccer, graduating in 1959. He went on to study linguistics and phonology at University of Rochester where he not only earned his doctorate, but also met the love of his life, Maxine Cooper Willis. They got married in the scenic mountains outside of Pittsburgh where she grew up, and they spent their honeymoon at Lake Willoughby, Vermont; a place that continues to be special for his whole family.

His education and academic prowess led him to several teaching positions including implementing French-immersion education in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and at the University of Richmond. He then changed career directions and became a skilled software engineer drawing on his linguistic understanding of language and syntax.

People are multifaceted and can show up differently as time, health, and other circumstances change. This was all true of Clodius. He once described himself as preferring to take pleasure in accomplishments over seeking fun. When faced with unrelenting health challenges he once shared that his motto was “Choose life and stand tall.” Although he was sparing in expression of his thoughts and feelings, he exhibited great depth to both when he allowed himself to express it to others. This depth showed up in a love of his family, including his sisters and their children. More so, it showed up in his actions and accomplishments, which he would proudly share with those he loved most. Such accomplishments included planning elaborate and special family vacations, building one-of-a-kind beautiful wooden objects for the home, playing classical guitar, learning to use a hand loom and weaving lovely useful textiles, and baking Parisian delicacies before they were available in the small town of Gettysburg, PA. In addition, he made time to explore and learn about what his children loved to do whether it was supporting playing soccer or learning to portage a canoe. He was very sharp and well read. With these skills combined he could be quite a wit, especially with the written word. He was one who believed in working towards peace in the world. May his spirit rest peacefully, bring peace to each of us, and contribute to peace in the world.

He is survived by his wife Maxine, sons Henry (Sukanya) and Sam (Jeremy), three grandchildren (Neelkumar, Anisha, and Dahlia), two of his sisters Lee and Sally, and many nieces and nephews. His family is thankful for the support provided by his caregivers and doctors.

A family service was held at Rodef Shalom in Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to Adams County Habitat for Humanity (habitatforhumanityadamscountypa.org), where he volunteered, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by John A Freyvogel Sons, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com).

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Owen Shteir
(May 30, 1933 – February 9, 2025)

Owen Shteir loved his family, the natural world, art, classical music, and learning. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, caring father, and skilled physician, but also for his devotion to learning, his kindness, and his tenacity.

Owen was born and raised in Dutch Neck, New Jersey, where he fished for pickerel in Assunpink Creek, watched birds in the woods, and worked in his parents’ general store. He attended Princeton High School. He excelled in science. In 1951, he was a finalist in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search (now the Regeneron Science Talent Search).

Owen graduated from Princeton University, where he majored in biology, in 1955. He received an MD from The Yale School of Medicine in 1959. He was a dermatologist at Princeton Medical Group for more than 30 years. Owen also had a deep interest in tropical skin diseases and volunteered in Brazil and on the island of Saint Lucia, serving as a visiting physician and treating residents with skin conditions.

Owen loved to learn and had many hobbies. While living on a two-acre wooded property on Stuart Road, he created a beautiful native plant, wildflower, and rock garden. Some of Owen’s favorite native plant species were trout lilies, bloodroot, and pink ladies’ slippers. He loved the trees that towered over his Stuart Road property: American beech, shagbark hickory, white oak, red oak, black oak, and tulip. Owen also enjoyed watching the many songbirds that frequented the garden for food, shelter, and nesting sites. He was passionate about nature and believed that plants and animals had their own inherent value and right to exist.

Owen had many gifts as a learner and a teacher. He was inquisitive, patient, and calm, but also perseverant, self-motivated, and stoic. Each night after dinner, Owen joined his wife in the living room where they read until they went to bed. His interest in literature ranged from modern fiction to ecology, from Shakespeare to ancient Greek history. He instilled his love of learning and his love for good writing in his children.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Shteir, of Princeton, New Jersey, and his two children, Rachel Shteir, of Chicago, and Seth Shteir, of Montana.

February 12, 2025

Obituaries 2/12/2025

Dr. William (Bill) A. Sweeney

The world lost one the kindest people as Dr. William (Bill) A. Sweeney died on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at home surrounded by family. He was 91 years old. Born in Philadelphia, PA, on November 26, 1933, to the late Dr. John and Olive Sweeney, Bill spent his childhood in the Philadelphia area, eventually matriculating at the University of Pennsylvania first as an undergraduate and subsequently to pursue his medical degree.

After serving our nation for two years in the Air Force, Bill transitioned into the career that defined his professional life as a Radiation Oncologist. He was one of the founding members of the Radiology Group of New Brunswick, where for over 40 years Bill served the local community with wisdom and grace. He was a former Chairman of the Radiology Department at Saint Peter’s University Hospital and a past President of the Saint Peter’s Executive Committee. Bill was well respected by his co-workers and became a valuable mentor to the next generation of aspiring Radiologists.

Bill and his first wife, Jeanne, eventually settled in Princeton, NJ, and were joined by son John, son Mark, and daughter Rita. Their house on Mercer Street became an open living room to their children and all of their friends. The years flew by in a series of sporting events, ski trips, and tennis matches.

After the untimely passing of Jeanne, Bill found a second chance at happiness when he married Dorothy (Dede) Shannon in 2010. Dede and Bill made it their mission to enjoy and savor life as witnessed by travels to Europe, Patagonia, Bermuda, and many treasured moments on the island of Virgin Gorda.

Bill was a voracious reader and lover of history and could often be found under a floppy hat sitting on a porch with the topic of the day in his hands. His wisdom seemed never ending yet he always made you feel like the smartest person in the room. Bill loved to travel, loved to be on the water, and most of all loved to be with family. Bill was a true gentleman and his warmth, generosity, and kind spirit shown through until the end. In his later days with limited mobility, the sense of humor never wavered and each, “Good to see you Bill” was met with his reply, “Well it is good to be seen.”

Bill is survived by his wife Dorothy (Dede); his son John (Cary), daughter-in-law Catherine Sweeney, son-in-law Charley Ehmann; three stepchildren Mike (Sarah) Shannon, Lawrence (Sarah) Shannon, and Courtney Shannon; four grandchildren Evan Sweeney, Heather Sweeney, Charley Ehmann, and August Ehmann; and six step grandchildren, Sam Shannon, Meghan Shannon, Addy Shannon, Peter Shannon, Simon Ehmann, and Ruby Ehmann. Bill was predeceased by his first wife Jeanne Sweeney, son Mark Sweeney, daughter Dr. Rita Sweeney (Ehmann), and brothers Joseph (Joe) Sweeney and John (Jack) Sweeney.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s honor can be made to SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals, 1010 Route 601, Skillman NJ 08558. SAVE had connected Bill and Dede with their beloved Zeke, who stayed by Bill’s side at all times.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be scheduled for the spring.

———

Dr. William Parnelle Burks

Dr. William Parnelle Burks, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, doctor, and friend, died peacefully at the Princeton Medical Center on January 28, 2025, following a brief illness. He was 91.

Bill was born February 28, 1933, in Elizabeth, NJ, to the late Catherine Parnelle and Harry G. Burks, Jr. The middle of three brothers, he spent his early years in Hillside, NJ, and attended the Pingry School, where he was a standout scholar-athlete, quarterback, and third baseman.

Bill graduated from Princeton University with a BS in Biology in 1955. He was a member of the Quadrangle Club, active in tennis and golf, and quarterback of the sprint (150 lb.) football team, leading the team to an undefeated season in his senior year.

From an early age, Bill aspired to be a physician. He received his MD from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and did his surgical training at St. Luke’s Hospital, New York, advancing to Chief Resident, General Surgery. Following residency, he served as Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps, from 1964 to 1966, including a one-year tour of duty as a trauma surgeon in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit in Vietnam.

Bill joined Princeton Surgical Associates as Partner in 1966. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Attending Surgeon at the Medical Center of Princeton, including a tenure as Chief of General Surgery. An expert in arterial vascular surgery, Bill was a doctor of the old school. He offered compassionate care, a steady hand, and trusted counsel to patients, community members, family, and friends.

Throughout his life, Bill committed countless hours to ensuring the durability and vitality of the Princeton area community. Numerous institutions were dear to his heart. He joined the Board of Trustees of Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) in 1993, two years after the organization was founded and continued as trustee from 1993 to 2021, serving as Board Chair (1997–2006) during the organization’s critical, early growth years. Bill was a passionate fundraiser and fierce champion of PACF, believing that by raising money for the organization, he could help many nonprofits in the region. Honored as a Trustee Emeritus in 2021, he remained active with PACF until his death, serving on the investment committee and recruiting and mentoring new generations of fundraisers.

Bill also served on the Princeton Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, playing an instrumental role in advocating and fundraising for the new hospital campus. In 2012, the Foundation honored Bill as the inaugural recipient of the Physician Philanthropist Award, an honor created in his name, as a tribute to his legacy of service, leadership, and generosity. He was named Trustee Emeritus of Princeton Day School, after a decade of distinguished leadership as Trustee (1970–80) and Board Chair (1975–80), and remained active in that role until his passing.

Bill was a patriarch, a healer, a gentleman, and a trusted and admired friend. He was a keen and curious listener, who somehow always knew the right thing to say. His love of athletics led him to tennis club championships and golf adventures with family and friends. A savvy investor, he delighted in the company of fellow members of the Princeton Investors Group.

Bill nurtured and sustained a deep affection for his alma mater Princeton, with yearly appearances in the P-rade, as season ticket holder and regular attendee at football and basketball events, and as a member of the Varsity Club. He served in a leadership capacity for his class, as Alumni Schools Committee regional chair, and, along with classmates in the great Class of 1955, founded Project 55, an organization that provides support for Princeton graduates seeking careers in public service.

For most of his life, Bill spent his summers in Madison, Connecticut, reveling in the company of generations of friends and family and enjoying the view overlooking Long Island Sound from his perch on the front porch. A faithful member of Trinity Church, Bill was a longtime member of the Bedens Brook Club, the Pretty Brook Tennis Club, and the Nassau Club.

Bill was predeceased by the love of his life, Judith S. Burks (1933–2021), whom he met at a tea dance hosted by his mother when he was 17. They were happily married for 66 years and raised four children in the Princeton community. Together with “Hoppy,” “Doc Doc” cherished and inspired their 14 grandchildren. He was their true north.

Bill is survived by his children and their spouses: Katharine and William Hackett (Skillman, NJ), Elizabeth (Holly) Burks and Paul Becker (Lawrenceville, NJ), Deborah and Michael Southwick (Old Greenwich, CT), and William Jr. (Whip) and Katrina Burks (Duxbury, VT), 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his brother, Robert W. Burks (Morristown, NJ).

A service of remembrance will be held at Trinity Church, Princeton (33 Mercer Street), on February 22, 2025, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Judith and William Burks Fund at the Princeton Area Community Foundation and the Princeton Medical Center Foundation.

———

Carol Lynne Jefferson

Carol Lynne Jefferson née Southwick, a classy woman of grace and wisdom, passed away peacefully on February 4, with her loving husband and daughters by her side. She fought a fierce battle with ovarian cancer. Her bravery was an inspiration.

Carol attended Trenton Junior and Trenton State College where she studied music and education. Before having children of her own, Carol gave her love to many little children as a kindergarten teacher at St. Hedwig’s School.  She continued to delight in her love for teaching as a substitute teacher at Stuart Country Day School, where her daughters attended.  Carol also taught piano for more than 50 years and thoroughly enjoyed the connections she made with her students and their families.

Carol, with her seemingly endless energy, was involved in many clubs and organizations including the Soroptimist Club of Princeton, the Princeton Dogwood Club, the PHCC Auxiliary, the Princeton Lioness Club, and St. Vincent DePaul at St. Paul’s Church. She was a former president of The Present Day Club, past fundraising chairman at Catholic Charities, program chairman at Plainsboro Senior Club, past board member of the Crawford House, a sustaining member of the Princeton Junior League, and past Commodore of The Great Oak Yacht Club on the Chesapeake Bay. Carol cherished all the special friendships she made with her fellow members in all these clubs and organizations.

Carol published a children’s book, Beanie and the Dolphin, which she dedicated to her grandchildren. Carol loved to travel and saw a lot of the world thanks to her “do it while you can” attitude! She enjoyed her yearly winters in the Florida Keys, years of boating fun on the Chesapeake Bay, and summers spent at the Jersey Shore. Carol lived a full life and touched the lives of everybody she met. She had a kind and giving spirit, and a caring soul full of love she wasn’t afraid to share. She loved her family fiercely and nothing made her happier than spending time with her grandchildren, her daughters and their spouses, and her dear husband. Carol’s love shines a bright light wherever she is and that light will shine on from heaven.

Carol is survived by her incredibly loving husband of 54 years, Bruce; their daughters and their spouses, Tracy Jefferson Shore and her husband Peter, and Jill Jefferson-Miller and her husband David; Her grandchildren, Molly and Meredith Shore; her brother Bob Southwick of Boone, NC; her sister-in-law, Shirley Kreszl; her nephews Tom and Doug; her goddaughter Nicole Schofer, and many other relatives and friends who each helped make her life special. Carol believed that she was put on this earth to love people and that she did with all her heart.

Friends and family can visit at Mather Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton on Wednesday, February 12 from 5-8 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Princeton on Thursday, February 13 at 10 a.m. The family will have a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s memory can be made to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Office of Institutional Advancement, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 (foxchase.org/giving/ways-give/donate-now) or St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 (stpaulsofprinceton.org/st-vincent-de-paul-society).

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Cathleen Rolston Litvack

Cathleen Rolston Litvack passed away on February 9, 2025. Cate was born in Austin, Texas, on July 18, 1943, to Air Force navigator William Rolston and Edith Sperry. She attended 11 different schools and lived in three countries before she headed to Wellesley College, where she majored in political science. There she met James Litvack, whom she married two days after graduating in 1964. They lived in Cambridge while Jim attended MIT for graduate school in economics and then came to Princeton in 1966 when Jim joined the faculty.

Cate had an incredibly accomplished and varied career in politics and service. In local government, she served on the Princeton Planning, Recreation, and Library boards; two terms on Princeton Township Committee; and two years as Mayor of Princeton Township. She was also on the boards of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, American Red Cross, and First Fidelity Bank of Princeton. She was active in greater New Jersey politics as well, serving as the first female Executive Director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, and worked on many political campaigns including Rush Holt’s Congressional campaign, Barbara Sigmund’s US Senate campaign, and Bill Bradley’s and General Wesley Clark’s Presidential campaigns.

As Mayor, two of her proudest accomplishments were the negotiation with the Institute for Advanced Studies and Princeton Township to designate the Institute Woods as a protected space, and establishing the Princeton-Pettoranello Sister City Foundation. The Italian government recognized her efforts as well, naming her Cavaliere (Knight of the Italian Republic). She studied Italian whenever she could, and when she gave her grandkids and their friends frequent rides around town, they also had the chance to learn Italian by way of the tapes that played in her car.

Cate was a huge supporter of land conservation and preservation, serving on the Board and as chair of the D&R Greenway for many years, helping to lay the foundation for the well-established organization it is today.

She combined her love of land preservation and history while serving as the first Executive Director of the Crossroad for the American Revolution for which she secured designation from the federal government for its National Heritage status. Most recently she served on the boards of the Old Barracks Museum, the Advocates for New Jersey History, and Trenton Arts Fund. Cate had an amazing memory for dates and trivia. Her family joked she was a walking encyclopedia, which she proved when she went on Jeopardy! as a contestant — and won!

Her drive for launching new initiatives and taking on anything that seemed fun and interesting also included working as VP at J&M Advertising, sales representative at Kea Wines, and even riding the dot-com boom as Vice President of Marketing at govWorks.com.

Cate was an avid gardener, and her gorgeous garden has hosted many events over the more than 50 years she and Jim have lived on Laurel Road. She loved to travel and explore architecture, art and theater. She enjoyed sharing this passion with her daughter on their many adventures together, and later with her grandchildren as well.

She and Jim played a lot of golf together in their over 60 years as members of Springdale Golf Club. During that time she served on the Board of Governors and chair of the Golf Committee; Cate could out-drive many men, and won the women’s club championship, along with many other tournaments.

Cate’s amazing determination, strength, wit, and graciousness was with her through to the end. In spite of her battle with ovarian cancer, she died peacefully at home with her family around her. She leaves behind her husband of 61 years, James Litvack; daughter Dana Molina and her husband Alberto Molina; grandchildren Catalina Molina and Milo Molina; sister Virginia Parrott Scott (Tim Scott); brother Benjamin Rolston (Lee Ann Ellison); niece and nephew Skye Parrott (Jeremy Malman), and Hank Parrott (Sara Dowling); and great-nieces and nephews Stig Malman, Oona Malman, Nova Malman, Nolan Parrott, and Blake Parrott.

There will be a celebration of life for Cate in April at Springdale. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the D&R Greenway, The Old Barracks Museum, or Trenton Arts Fund.

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Raja E. Soudah

Dr. Raja Elias Soudah of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 9, 2025 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Antoinette; his children Randa (Brian) of Los Angeles, California, Jumana of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Alex (Dina) of Flemington, New Jersey; grandchildren Alexandra, Anna, Jane, Matthew, Arthur, Claire and Kate; his sister, Dr. Ferial Jumean of Coral Gables, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Elias and Salma Soudah, brother Ibrahim, and sisters Clemanse, Laurice, Alice, and Mary.

Born on April 1, 1930 in Tulkarm, Palestine, Raja carved a path far from his birthplace. Given the opportunity to pursue a scholarship and studies in the United States, he arrived at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, at the age of 24 with enthusiasm and an unwavering drive. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue, a master’s from Penn State University, and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, all in agriculture, supporting himself through school along the way through various odd jobs that were the focal point of many an entertaining story.

Following school, Raja moved to Amman, Jordan, to pursue a career in his field. He met his future wife, Antoinette Saba, while she was working at the United States Cultural Center in Amman. They married in 1968, lived in Istanbul, Turkey, for a brief time, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then to Iselin, Somerset, and finally Princeton, New Jersey.

After stints at Rohm & Haas and New York Life, Raja concluded that he would be happiest being his own boss. In 1974, he started a small export automotive goods firm with a $500 loan and a typewriter. A natural salesman and entrepreneur, through hard work and grit, he built A.M.E. International into a profitable global business with its own line of products, and worked until he retired reluctantly in his late 80s.

Raja was the quintessential immigrant success story and self-made man, with an intrepid partner in Antoinette, who moved far from home to join him on his adventure. When he wasn’t working, Raja loved to garden, and each summer, he was happiest tending to his large backyard garden, yielding bumper crops of every vegetable you could imagine, including those sourced from his native Middle East. He collected antique clocks and liked nice cars. He traveled widely, and enjoyed Western movies, poker and blackjack, Johnny Walker Black, and beach vacations with his children and grandchildren at his and Antoinette’s home at the Jersey Shore. He was devoted to his family, both immediate and extended. He was deeply grateful for the opportunities America afforded him to build a full and rewarding life. He was an unstoppable force, always moving and moving quickly. He will not be forgotten by those lucky enough to know him.

Family and friends may visit on Thursday, February 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, February 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, followed by interment at Princeton Cemetery.

Donations in Raja’s memory may be made to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (pcrf.net) or Anera (anera.org).

Extend condolences and remembrances at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Sotirios J. Vahaviolos

Dr. Sotirios J. Vahaviolos passed away peacefully in his home in Princeton, New Jersey, on February 6, 2025 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Aspasia Felice (Nessas) Vahaviolos.

Sotirios was born in Mystras, Greece on April 16, 1946, to Ioannis and Athanasia Vahaviolos. His childhood in Mystras was filled with a large and loving extended family and friends, with wonderful memories of adventures, diligent studies by candlelight, and caring for his beloved olive and fruit trees. Sotirios learned about hard work and grit as an apprentice at his father’s butcher shop.  This skill later helped support him during his academic studies by working as a butcher at a local supermarket. Upon arriving in the U.S., Sotirios enrolled at Farleigh Dickinson University where he earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering (graduating first in his class), and later at Columbia University where he received M.S. degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Philosophy, followed by a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering.

At the ages of 21 and 19, Sotirios and Aspasia met at a Greek community event, and the rest is history.  Together they raised their daughters, Athanasia, Stephanie, and Kristy in West Windsor and then Princeton, New Jersey, with family summer vacations in Greece, which Sotirios always hoped would instill in his daughters a love of his village and of his motherland.  Sotirios relished the simple things in life. Loud family gatherings filled with food, laughter, and love were what he enjoyed most. Watching his daughters and nephew grow, gaining sons-in-law, and becoming a grandfather brought him so much joy.  He motivated his family to be hardworking and to never forget their Greek roots.  Most of all, he admired his wife’s kindness and loyalty. He credited her for creating a beautiful life for them all.

Sotirios’ career revolved around the field of Acoustic Emission and Non-Destructive Testing, first at Bell Labs and later at the company he founded in 1978, Physical Acoustics Corporation which would later become MISTRAS Group, Inc. He worked very hard to realize his dream of taking his company public and managed to do so in 2009 on the NYSE.  He was a revered scientist and pioneer in the field he was so passionate about.  He was able to industrialize something that was a mere theory and created innovative equipment and services for the Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Transport, and Infrastructure industries to name a few. Throughout his career, Sotirios was a member of, or held leadership positions in, various industry and scientific organizations including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), the Acoustic Emission Working Group (AEWG), and NDT Academia International.

Sotirios valued the Greek Community and loved his fellow Hellenes.  He sought to remain connected to Greece and was active in the Hellenic diaspora while also supporting and giving back to fellow Greeks and Greek-Americans as many had done for him.  Some examples of his community involvement include serving as President of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hamilton, NJ where he congregated and enjoyed chanting at church. He was also proud to be named an “Archon” of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle of the Holy Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Additionally, Sotirios was very involved with Greek politics from a young age and was delighted to be chosen for an honorary position on the ballot for the at-large election list for the New Democracy party in 2012.

Sotirios leaves behind his children Athanasia Tia (Nikolaos Koufakis) Vahaviolos, Stephanie Vahaviolos (Michael) Foglia, Kristy Vahaviolos (Georgios) Kyriakopoulos, his nephew Dimitri Nessas, his beloved sister, Stavroula Xenofanes, and the grandchildren he adored so much – Alexander, Maya, Alana, Melina, Peter, Nicholas Sotirios, and Georgios Panagiotis. He was preceded in death by his parents Ioannis and Athanasia Vahaviolos and his brother, Apostolis Vahaviolos.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. at the Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home, 2365 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619. A morning visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619 from 10-11 a.m. followed by funeral services and then a burial at Princeton Cemetery at 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Memorial contributions may be made in Sotirios’ memory to Columbia Engineering (engineering.givenow.columbia.edu), specifying the “Electrical Engineering Support Fund,” Columbia Alumni Center, 622 West 113th Street, MC 4524, New York, NY 10025 (and please be sure to note: “In Memory of Sotirios J. Vahaviolos) Or the SPARTA NURSING HOME FOUNDATION “OI AGIOI ANARGYROI” (girokomeio-spartis.gr/?page_id=65) at Episkopou Vresthenis 30, 231 00, Sparti, Greece.

February 5, 2025

Obituaries 2/5/2025

Edith (Edie) Esther Kelman Jeffrey

Edith (Edie) Esther Kelman Jeffrey b. October 10, 1932 d. February 1, 2025. Beloved mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and friend to many people near and far of all ages.

A remarkable woman, born in Boston, MA, daughter of immigrants (beloved Abraham and Miriam Kelman), Edith attended Brandeis University and later went back to school for her Master’s Degree in History from Princeton University.  She met and married a Dorchester boy Richard C. Jeffrey, and traveled the world with him, starting a family in Palo Alto, CA, when he was an assistant professor of Philosophy at Stanford and then moving with two young children across the country to Princeton, NJ, where she lived for the rest of her life.

A political activist, Edith was blacklisted and lost an important job opportunity as a young woman based on her attendance at student political events. Community and community organizations were important to Edith. She was active in the League of Women Voters, Community Without Walls (House 2), and the Evergreen Forum and was a founding member and first president of Princeton Research Forum.

Edith was an intrepid traveler and experiencer of life, an artist, and a poet, she had a curiosity about and interest in all people, places, and things and was a lifelong learner. She was our family historian and story teller. After the untimely death of her beloved husband, our father Richard Jeffrey, she continued to live a rich, full, and active life in her community and beyond.

We are grateful to Edith’s many dear friends who enriched her life until the end, in particular for the love and companionship of Paul Benacerraf in her later years, a longtime family friend and honorary family member, who we sadly lost in January.

We were thankful to be able to carry out Edith’s wishes for end of life (her goals of care) in consultation with her doctor David Barile, to whom we are incredibly grateful. Our hearts are broken yet warmed by the love we all shared. She will live on in us forever.

Edith is survived by her son Daniel Jeffrey, daughter Pamela Jeffrey and her husband Sean O’Connor, granddaughters Sophie Jeffrey O’Connor and her husband David Lonergan and Juliet Jeffrey O’Connor and her fiancé Ben Klein, sister Bernice Kelman, nephew Dan McCormack, and grandniece Heather McCormack. Edith loved all and was loved by all.

Finally, we are so grateful to Hannah Aryeetey for the care she provided, that enabled Edith to live independently in her own home despite her physical challenges. Hannah was a bright light in Edith’s life. Thank you Hannah.

Burial was held on February 3, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Princeton Cemetery.

A celebration of Edith’s life is being planned.

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

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Carol M. Kahny

A significant amount of kindness and light went out of the world on January 27 when Carol Mary Kahny passed from it, leaving it a little colder and darker, but vastly better for her having been here.

Carol was born September 30, 1935 in Princeton, NJ, to Harry J. and Mary A. (O’Kane) Kahny. She was the fifth of six sisters, Helen, Margaret, Rosemary, Jean, and Mary Louise, each of whom preceded her in death.

She is survived by 20 nieces and nephews and their many children, all of whom she treasured and doted upon.

Slight of body but large of heart, Carol had a calm, generous, easy-going personality and a thoughtfulness that everyone who interacted with her experienced and benefited from. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Trenton State Teachers College, specializing in Kindergarten-Primary grades, and taught in Lawrence Township. She received her Master of Science from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, and continued to teach in the Syracuse City School District, notably developing and running a ground-breaking program for children with special needs, as well as managing an after-school drama program for all ages. Everything she undertook when working with others was always done with patience and humor.

If there is anything that could accurately showcase the selfless, beautiful soul that was Carol Kahny, it is the role of caretaker she calmly and easily undertook for every member of her family, from her grandmother to her parents to her sisters. The Kahny family was a significant part of early twentieth-century Princeton — Carol’s father was a city engineer who insisted his six daughters would each attend college, and each of them did, most of them to the Master level, including Carol. Over the years, as her parents, followed by her sisters, began to succumb to illness, Carol was their steadfast protector, even as her own vigor eventually began to decline.

Throughout her life, Carol shared an incredible relationship with her youngest sister, Mary Louise Sweeney. They traveled extensively and nurtured friendships with a few women that have endured through today. Mary Louise had one child, Meghan, and Carol was extremely involved in her upbringing, ultimately blessed to become a very hands-on Great Aunt to Meghan’s two children, interacting with them through the final day of her life.

As her health became more fragile, she lived with Mary Louise and her husband of more than 50 years, Edward. For the past several years, all three were lovingly supported and cared for by Meghan, her husband Bucky and their children. Mary Louise passed away just two weeks before Carol did, cementing forever in Heaven the close and loving bond they had always shared.

To the children and grandchildren of the Kahny family, there is little surprise that once her last sister passed away, Carol followed. Her work on Earth was done.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, February 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, NJ.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Parish, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ, on Friday, February 7 at 10 a.m., with the burial immediately following in St. Paul Parish Cemetery.

All are cordially welcome to attend, as Carol would have wanted.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

______

Anna Kost

Anna Kost of Kingston, New Jersey, passed away on January 28, four days before her 97th birthday.

Anna, was born in Lindenhurst, New York, to Jennie and Frank Frole on February, 2, 1928. She was 18 when she met Tom Kost in church while Tom was home on leave from the Navy. They were married six weeks later.

The short courtship turned into a long union with the pair married for over 50 years. During that time, Anna enjoyed her post as First Lady of Lindenhurst while Tom served as Lindenhurst Mayor, population 33,000, for 17 years.

The couple welcomed a daughter, Jeanne, in 1950. Three years later in 1953 they welcomed a second daughter, Lynn.

Anna volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital. She had a passion for food. Italian pastries on Sunday and delicious homemade meatballs were staples in their home on South 7th Street. Anna and Tom had a wide circle of friends of all ages.

In 1994 Anna and Tom moved to Kingston, New Jersey, to be closer to their daughters.

She enjoyed the occasional trip to Atlantic City and was known for her strong will and warm sense of humor. Her house was always pristine.
She is survived by her daughter Jeanne Kost Cook, son-in-law John Cook, and daughter Lynn Susan Kost. She is also survived by five grandchildren and their spouses, Emily Cook and Jonathon Smith, Hilary Cook and Mike Engström, Jack and Liz Cook, Robin and Jon McConaughy, and Mike and Meredith Cook, along with eight great-grandchildren.

There will be a service for Anna on March 3 at 11 a.m. at Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst, where she will be laid to rest with Tom, followed by a reception at Belfast Gastropub.

———

Eugenia “Jean” Procyk

Jean Procyk, 92, of Princeton, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jean was a proud, deeply rooted New Yorker. She was a woman with a sharp mind and quick tongue and would deliver the classic zinger at the perfect time of a conversation. Jean lived her life to the fullest and did not let social parameters limit her ability to do so. As such, being a woman ahead of her time, Jean was employed with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as their first female agent. She retired from MetLife after over 30 years of service. Knowledge and education was extremely important to Jean. Despite not having the opportunity to attend college in her youth, Jean earned her Associates Degree from Kingsborough Community College while in her 70s.

She resided in New York City for most of her life, and had an additional residence in Bucks County, PA. She ultimately moved to Princeton to be closer to her family during her golden years. Jean was never one to have idle time on her hands, so following her retirement, she kept a busy social and philanthropic calendar to ensure she always had something to look forward to in the days ahead. She loved to play cards, especially bridge. Jean thoroughly enjoyed sharing her fondness for art and culture with her family and friends with regular outings to all of the local theaters, playhouses, and museums. As a founding member and benefactor of St. Anna’s Greek Orthodox Church in Flemington, NJ, her faith and heritage was her pride and joy. Jean also enjoyed being a volunteer Grand-Pal, reading books to kindergarten students at the Princeton Public Schools. She also loved to travel, with Greece being one of her top destinations.

Predeceased by her parents, Michael and Anna Manicatakis; her husband, Michael Procyk; her mother-in-law, Anna Procyk; her sister, Mary Manicatakis; and her nephew-in-law, Michael B. Zapantis. She is survived by her niece, Victoria Zapantis (Michael B. Zapantis); her great-nephew’s family, Michael J. Zapantis and Cortney T. Gray and their daughter, her great-great-niece, Olive Jean Zapantis (who bears her namesake); her great-nephew, Kristofer A. Zapantis; and her great-niece, Melanie N. Zapantis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at St. Anna’s Greek Orthodox Church, 85 Voorhees Corner Road, Flemington, New Jersey.

Private interment will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery, East Elmhurst, NY 11370.

Visitation for family and friends was held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at A.S. Cole Son & Company, 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.

Eugenia’s family is asking that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Eugenia’s memory to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, (For donations by check, please note the memo for the Mortgage Fund), 85 Voorhees Corner Road, Flemington, NJ 08822. Donations can also be made on their website at stannagoc.org. (For the website donations, please mark the memorial request for the Mortgage Tray.)

Saulfuneralhomes.com.

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John Tiebout, Jr.

When John Tiebout was born on August 6, 1925, he was welcomed by his parents, John Tiebout, Sr. and Irene Walmsley Lynch, and his sisters, Anna and Mary. Young John grew up in Larchmont, NY, and upon graduation from New Rochelle High School, enrolled in the Admiral Ballard Academy. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, beginning officer’s training school at Yale. John served as a Lieutenant JG on the LST 1020 in the Pacific during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Yale to finish his studies, graduating with the Class of ’48.

Through mutual friends, he was introduced to Patricia Peck. Their 72-year marriage began in 1949. John worked at W & J Tiebout, a marine hardware business that had been established in 1853 by his ancestors in New York. John and Patty lived in Levittown, LI, where they welcomed their son, John Tiebout III, and daughter, Janet. After a move to Dobbs Ferry, NY, their daughter Mary was born.

In 1957, the family moved to Hastings-on-Hudson, where John’s long career of community service began. He joined the Riverview Manor Hose Co., #3, serving as Captain in the ’60s. At the same time, he served as Deacon at the South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry, and he was elected for two terms as a Trustee of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.

Following the sale of W & J Tiebout, John worked for the Campbell Chain Co., first as a Territory Sales Manager. With his warm sense of humor and thoughtful interactions, he was loved by his customers and deeply appreciated by younger team members whom he mentored. In 1979, John and Patty moved to Seattle, WA, where John became the company’s Regional Sales Manager for the Pacific Northwest. While preparing to move back East, and having enjoyed the university community in Seattle, they chose to live in Princeton, moving here in 1982.

John continued to work for several more years, and when he retired he brought his warm and cheerful spirit to the Medical Center at Princeton (the old hospital) where he contributed 1,626 hours volunteering on the menus team. He also served as an usher at Nassau Presbyterian Church, and on the Board of the Newgrange School. He was a member of The Old Guard of Princeton.

John was a fan of the NY Yankees and was in the stands in October of 1956 when Don Larsen pitched that perfect game. Along with watching his kids play sports, and hours of playing catch, John enjoyed boating, waterskiing, and playing paddle tennis. After he retired, he was able to join a group of friends at the Princeton Country Club. In golf, as in life, he followed this good advice: Try not to make too many unforced errors.

“Poppy” brought joy to his grandchildren, Jack and James Tiebout, Meredith and Christopher Hanson, and Johanna and Eli Evans. He enjoyed the company of his son- and daughters-in-law, Nato Evans, Wendy Satin and Barbara Johnson. His great-grandchildren, Finn, Eleanor, Thea, Henry, Penelope, and those to follow, will delight in memories and stories about him.

Throughout his life John spent vacation time with his high school buddies, Jim Huntington, Howard Snider, Fred Yarrington and Ferris Conklin, and their families. Among his many friends in Hastings were “The Piggers,” a group connected to the firehouse, most of whom were Patty’s high school friends. They got together often, a couple of times to roast a pig, but most often to roast a hamburger while all the kids ran around in the backyard. Gatherings with John’s sisters and their families, the Vosburghs and Reismans, brimmed with laughter and love.

Patty was the love of John’s life, and when he began to show signs of dementia, she showed her great strength and devotion by doing all she could to help him at home. Following her death in 2022, at age 98, John was able to stay at home with the help and companionship of his three children. A bit of luck led to the discovery of Town Square, an adult activities center near Princeton. For nearly two years, John brought joy to the other members and to the staff, in particular, Shannon and Nicole, who, with unlimited goodness and humor, have created a delightful community of friends.

Many thanks to Ana for bringing her magnificent smile and caring heart every Sunday afternoon for almost three years. Deepest thanks to neighbors who have offered their friendship, who have offered their help, and then their sincere condolences. We’re grateful to Dr. John Sierocki, and members of his staff, especially Allyn, for decades of skillful and kind-hearted care.

On January 7, John watched the funeral service for President Jimmy Carter, hearing the beautiful Navy Hymn just moments before he died. A brief celebration of John and Patty’s lives was held at Rowayton Union Cemetery, in Connecticut, where members of the Navy Honor Guard played Taps and presented the flag. Arrangements were made by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, and the family is grateful for their guidance. We would also like to thank members of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad and the Princeton Police Department, especially Patrolman Frank Pinelli, who provided assistance, information, and genuine humanity, somehow holding John’s beautiful spirit aloft in that moment. That was a gift.

The passing of John Tiebout leaves a great chasm in the lives of family members, neighbors, and friends, who loved John’s joy of living. If you knew John and wish to remember him, any act of warmth or kindness would honor his memory and brighten our world, and we would be most grateful.

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David Smith

David Smith, 86, a longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2024. Born in Palo Alto, CA, David was the second son of Earle Smith and Louise Silver. He was a devoted Son, a wonderful Brother, beloved Uncle, Cousin, and Great Friend, who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

David’s early years were spent enjoying time with his mother, father, and brother in Palo Alto, and for several years in Bisbee AZ, where his father worked as a rancher. Back in Palo Alto he enjoyed working with the family at Smith’s Sport Shop. In his teens, he attended Palo Alto High School, and later went on to attend Stanford University. After graduating he became a Chemical Engineer at FMC Corporation. Throughout his career, he was highly respected for his knowledge, and problem-solving skills, always enjoying working with his fellow engineers.

David enjoyed many hobbies, spending time at the Wooley Camp, flyfishing on the Klamath and Eel rivers. He also enjoyed hunting, riding horses, and working the machinery at the ranch in Paso Robles with his brother Derry. Later he was a tennis enthusiast; he also enjoyed skiing at Dodge Ridge and trout fishing in Pinecrest, where he spent many summers. He enjoyed hiking in the redwoods, educational seminars, and dining with his great friends. He was also an avid traveler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earle and Louise; stepmothers Dottie and Dorothy; his brother Derry, his sister-in-law, Margaret. David is survived by his nephew Douglas, and cousins Suzy, Kalaine, and Vicky of Switzerland, as well as many dear friends.

David will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on through his family and friends.

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Robert Kirby

Robert (Bob) Marvin Kirby, died pretty much as he always hoped to: efficiently and at home on January 13, 2025. He just did not quite reach 100 years but got pretty close at 96.

Now we will move forward and build on the smiles and good times he gave us.

Bob was an avid downhill skier, private pilot, sailor, software engineer, businessman, scuba diver, model airplane enthusiast, and kindly person (dogs and small children came right up to him).

He really learned to ski at Dartmouth when guys across the hall said “Hey, do you want to go skiing with us?”

With a week of experience using an illustrated book, he said “Sure!” and learned to keep up with them. They had been in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division during the war.

As a young man, he bought a small plane and learned to fly. As soon as he got his pilot certificate, folks at the airport joked “Now you can fly to the Caribbean.” He did, and on his way back, stopping for fuel, a guy said “You flew to the Caribbean in that!” and sold Bob a better airplane.

Bob was born in Phillipsburg, NJ, to Anna White Kirby and George Stanley Kirby on April 19, 1928 and was named Irwin Marvin Kirby. After several months, the family moved to New York City. Bob graduated from Bronx High School of Science in 1945. In the middle of his senior year, he was recruited into the Army where he served as a quartermaster in the last few months of WWII. While in the Army, he took courses at Clemson University and sometime after the Army discharge changed his first name to Robert. He entered Dartmouth College on the GI Bill as a sophomore in the class of 1950 and pursued a five-year program in engineering and business. After graduation he worked for some large companies, did coursework at Columbia, and then started his own company, Kirby Computers, later called Kirby Microprocessors. In the 1950s and ’60s, this was one of the first businesses that successfully harnessed the power of new-fandangled technology using building-size hardware that now fits on a chip inside a smartphone!

Bob married Dorothy Bierman in 1957 and they divorced in 1979. He partnered for 14 years with Virginia (Ginny) Haase of Edison, NJ, and became a father figure to Ginny‘s daughter Amy.  Bob eventually partnered with Susana Schwarcz for 10 years until her death in 2011 and maintained a warm relationship with her family, including her son, Daniel and daughter Alicia Schwarcz and Alicia’s children, Liam, Tim, and Nicole.

Bob met his second wife (Marian) Brownlee McKee on the tennis courts and their first date was to fly a Cessna out of Princeton Airport.

They married four years later in September 2015. They had 14 adventurous and happy years together, including car camping across our continent and back.

People would often comment that they looked like newlyweds still, only to be told that they were, in fact, newlyweds. Even after 10 years, they could be seen dancing sweetly at a restaurant, town square, or just at home.

Bob was vivacious, athletic, curious, and tenacious, and had many interests: skiing at 91 years old, playing tennis until a month before his death, flying small airplanes, sailing his 34-foot Irwin, scuba diving, and traveling often to ski, to learn more Spanish or French in classes, and to see solar eclipses. He was an inspiration for many people in his life, in various ways. His zest for life, and disregard for the aging process was an attitude that Ann Taylor, Bob’s stepdaughter, and cousin Michelle Poulin aspire to.

Every year he drove to New England for Dartmouth class of 1950 annual reunions and to visit cousin Susan (Sue)  Poulin  and her husband Jim at Sebago Lake in Maine, often seeing their children Michelle Poulin with her son Rado, and Scott Poulin with wife Txiki (a Basque name) and son Ian.

Bob made sure to keep in touch with more distant cousins: Matt Spector and wife Lisa Griffin Vincent, Claire Spector and partner Charles Sepos, Marcia Schertz and her son Peter.

Bob was predeceased by his mother, Anna White Kirby, father George Stanley Kirby, first cousins Frederick W. Barten, Margaretta Barten Hommel, Debra Ann White Jackrel, his first wife Dorothy Bierman, and his partner Susana Schwarcz.

He is survived by his wife (Marian) Brownlee McKee, her two children Ann Dilys Taylor and Ben Taylor, Susana’s daughter Alicia Schwarcz and her three children, Timothy, Liam, and Nicole, and Virginia Haase and her daughter Amy Haase, cousins Susan Poulin and family, and cousin Sanford White with his wife Vicki and their children Lawrence and Jared and grandchildren.

Very satisfactory funeral arrangements were made by Mather-Hodge/Star of David Funeral Home including good coordination with Riverside Cemetery in Saddlebrook, NJ, where Bob was buried alongside his mother Anna White Kirby, her brother J. Gerald White, and J. Gerald’s wife Augusta White.

Funeral and burial were held on January 15, 2025.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Herrontown Woods (herrontownwoods.org) or the charity of your choice.

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Marcia F. Shissler

Marcia F. Shissler, of Princeton, NJ, former longtime Haddonfield resident, died on January 28, 2025, at age 84. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Ronald H. Shissler, Jr., and is survived by daughters Suzanne Roth and Janine Shissler; sons-in-law Lawrence Roth and David Bae; and three grandchildren, Ethan Roth, and Gus and Adelaide Bae. She is also survived by her brother, Neil Facchinetti of Storrs, CT.

Marcia grew up in Lansdowne, PA. After graduating from Lansdowne Aldan High School, she went on to Ursinus College, where she met her husband Ronald. She worked for many years as a reading teacher in South Jersey, then returned to school to obtain a J.D. from Temple Law School. During their later years, she and Ronald enjoyed visiting their daughters in California and New York City, spending time with grandchildren, and keeping up with the Eagles, Phillies, and international tennis.

Services for Marcia will be private. In celebration of her life and in honor of her long-time interest in early childhood education, memorial donations may be made to the Center for Family Services, centerffs.org, 500 Pine Street, Camden, NJ 08103, in support of their Mosaic Early Learning programs.

January 29, 2025

Obituaries 1/29/2025

Thomas Griffith, II

Thomas Griffith, II passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, following a courageous three-year battle with a rare and incurable form of cancer. He was 85 years old.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Marion Griffith, of Princeton, NJ; his son, Bob Griffith, of Lookout Mountain, TN; his daughter, Katie Griffith, and son-in-law, Ben Francis, of Gorham, ME; and his cherished grandchildren, Luke and Sophia Francis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Louise (Chamberlain) Griffith of Lookout Mountain, TN; his brothers, Doug and infant Morrow; and his infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Born and raised in Tennessee, Tom was a proud graduate of Woodberry Forest School (VA), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Indiana University. At UNC, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and played on the varsity soccer team.

Following graduate school, Tom dedicated over 50 years of his life to coaching soccer, impacting countless players. His coaching career included positions at the University of the South, the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Princeton Day School, and George School (PA). He served as the first soccer coach at the University of the South and the second coach for both the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay men’s team and Princeton University’s women’s team.

Tom was proud to have been part of the Olympic Development Program and a coach for the inaugural United States Under-19 Women’s National Team. He also coached men’s and boy’s lacrosse for over 30 years, and received coaching honors in both sports. His achievements include multiple “Coach of the Year” awards at the collegiate level, along with commendations from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Beyond coaching, Tom found joy in all types of sports and music and was a lifelong, devoted supporter of Liverpool FC. An advocate for animal welfare, he volunteered extensively with animal transportation efforts, completing nearly 100 rescue transports to help give dogs a chance at better lives.

Tom’s legacy is one of kindness, mentorship, and unwavering love for his family, friends, players, and the causes he championed.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Tom’s memory to an animal shelter of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Forest Hills Cemetery at 2 p.m.

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Margaret “Margie” Croll Morgan

Margaret “Margie” Croll Morgan, 98, of Princeton, NJ, died peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2025 in the company of her daughter, Caroline Frothingham, daughter-in-law, Pamela Frothingham, and her longtime caregiver and friend, Lenore Mason.

Margie was born on November 30, 1926 in Paris, France, to Janet and Alexander Morgan, where he was studying architecture. She grew up in New York City, NY, along with her brother, Perry, and sister, Caroline. Margie graduated from Miss Porters School in Farmington, CT, and was an active alumnus throughout her life. She moved to Princeton in 1953 where she raised her family first at the family home, Constitution Hill, then on Elm Lane in a lovely house that she designed.

Margie had many interests and passions in her long life. She was a 50-year volunteer for the Auxiliary for the Isabella McCosh Infirmary at Princeton University as were her mother, Janet Croll Morgan, and grandmother, Josephine Perry Morgan. Margie was a celebrated artistic photographer with her works commissioned and exhibited in galleries. She excelled as an athlete having played for the United States Women’s Squash Team and was passionate about tennis and an avid golfer. Being very competitive, Margie always tried to improve her athletic skills. As an adventurous world traveler, her journeys had her banding penguins in Patagonia, hiking in the Andes and Himalayas, and with her sister, exploring a family connection in Japan.

Margie is predeceased by her parents; brother, Perry Morgan; sister, Caroline Macomber; and her son, David Frothingham. She is survived by her children, William Frothingham and Caroline Frothingham; daughter-in-law Pamela Frothingham; four grandchildren, David, Gillian, Morgan, and Liam; her sister-in-law Elizabeth Morgan; and stepchildren Ellen Fisher Stockmayer and Pieter Fisher.

Memorial contributions, in her honor, may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.com) or Save (savehomelessanimals.org) 1010 Route 601, Skillman, NJ, 08558. (609) 309-5214.

Services are private.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

January 22, 2025

Obituaries 1/22/2025

Katharine Joan Peterken Tate
03/27/1932 – 12/29/2024

Katharine Joan Peterken Tate, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on December 29 after a brief illness. She was 92.

Born in New York City on Easter Sunday 1932, to Katharine Von Elling Peterken and Albert Edward Peterken, she was forever called “Bunny” by her family. She was raised in the Bronx by her aunt and uncle, Frederick and Ann Veit, and attended Walton High School. Summers spent in Winsted, Connecticut, gave her time with her mother and sparked a lifelong affection for the New England landscape and life on a lake.

Some of Katharine’s best memories derived from her years as an honors student at Swarthmore College. After graduating in 1953, she taught at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York and lived for a time in Greenwich Village. While visiting her uncle in Morocco during the summer of 1951, she met Robert Wood Tate, a Swarthmore alumnus who was an engineer in the U.S. Air Force. They reconnected years later and, after a few dates, married in 1956.

The family lived in California and Washington, D.C., before settling in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1968 with their five children. There Katharine took on the role of landlady to, among others, many Princeton graduate students from all over the world. She took up work outside the home when the children were older and in the 1980s became part of the staff of the development office at Princeton University, a position she held for 10 years. Much of her time in subsequent years was devoted to faithfully caring for her aging aunt and uncle.

Katharine was an excellent cook and enjoyed bringing people together. One friend recalled, “I have such a vivid memory of her … always welcoming, always putting people at ease, and always curious about others.” Many who lived for a time in the Tate’s Victorian house became lifelong friends. The community she built extended to mid-coast Maine, where the Tates spent summers beginning in the 1970s. In her last year, she was still enjoying living in her summer cabin in the woods.

Until her final days, Katharine was thinking about how to feed family and friends, what new tastes she could enjoy, and how to be a good host, while she was watched over by family members and visited by many of her dear friends.

Katharine is survived by her children Jacques Tate (May, deceased), Anne Tate (Robert Massie), Thomas Tate, Laura Tate Kagel (Martin), and Carol Tate (David Schrayer); her half siblings Nancy Connole (Michael) and James Maguire, nieces Valerie Tate (Gregory Arms) and Louise Tate Hood (Murray); longtime friends François Bontoux and Christine Wüthrich; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Robert Wood Tate.

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Joseph L. Stonaker

Joseph L. Stonaker, longtime Princeton attorney, died at age 92 on January 17, 2025 at Stonebridge at Montgomery, where he had resided for the past eight years.

Joe Stonaker was born in Princeton, son of Joseph Stonaker and Barbara Cavanaugh Stonaker, and lived in Princeton, except for his education and Navy years, until his move to Stonebridge.

Educated at St. Paul’s School and Princeton High School, Class of 1950, where he was a track team runner and class officer, Stonaker went to Lafayette College on a full track scholarship, graduating in 1954, and then served a two-year term in the U.S. Navy in Guided Missile Research.

With the GI Bill Joe went to Georgetown Law School and came back to Princeton where he practiced law from 1959 until retirement in 2008. Joe was a solo practitioner with a general practice and later representing various townships such as Plainsboro, Cranbury, Lawrence, and West Windsor as well as the Mercer County Planning Board. He was involved with rezoning of those townships from farmland to residential uses with open space and farmland set-asides, setting the current development pattern, and he litigated Affordable Housing matters before New Jersey courts.

Joe was married to Francesca Benson with whom he had two children, David and Laura, and to Janice Stonaker, his law partner, who died of cancer in 2001, and then to Julia Bowers Coale for the past 22 years.

A true gentleman, an understanding and feeling person, practical and effective attorney and problem solver, Joe is an example of the best in true humanism and professionalism. He is greatly loved and missed.

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Ian C. Bowers

Ian Curtis Bowers, age 82, a resident of Princeton, passed away at home on January 13 following a brief illness.

Born somewhere between the bean fields and corn fields of Mount Pulaski, Illinois (population 1,500, more or less), Ian was the only child of Glenn and Maxine (nee Cowan) Bowers, who predecease him. After attending Mount Pulaski High School (home of the Hilltoppers), Ian attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne (home of the Fighting Illini), where he earned a BS degree in Communications and a MS in Journalism, before moving to New Jersey and earning a PhD at Rutgers University (home of the Scarlet Knights) in Cultural Anthropology.

Ian’s education stood him in good stead as he progressed through his working life. Teaching gigs at Fordham University, Rutgers University, a stint with the Guggenheim Foundation, and a position as Assistant Publisher of Automobile Quarterly paved the way to a long tenure as a senior executive in both the Human Resources departments of Home Life Insurance Company and the Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company, formed in 1992 when Phoenix and Home Life merged.

Ian’s passions included skiing, long summer days at the beach, engaging in countless do-it-yourself projects at home in Princeton, and getaways in Vermont and at the Jersey Shore. None however, took precedence over his passion for his spouse of 49 years, Peg Bowers, who survives him. In addition to Peg, his presence will be sorely missed by his sister-in-law Helen, her spouse George, his brother-in-law Frank, his nephew Joseph, Joseph’s spouse Hannah, his grandnephew Leo, his longtime bestie Ron, and countless others who miss him dearly.

Perhaps Ian will be most often remembered for his willingness to pitch in and serve as a gentle éminence grise, the moderator of the various and sundry crises that inevitably occur in the course of home and family life. He will also be remembered for his subtle and sometimes surprising flashes of Midwestern wit, never failing to note at family gatherings that “…There are only two kinds of pie that I like … hot and cold.”

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home. While no funeral service will be conducted, a celebration of Ian’s life will be held at a date to be determined. Memorial donations in Ian’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.

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Constance C. Moore

Constance Cook Moore, a native of Princeton, died January 16 at home in Philadelphia after a short illness. She was 92.

She devoted her long life to art, to serving her community, to the Episcopal Church, and to her family and her friends. She was an artist who depicted the world around her in sepia pen-and-ink drawings, and a mother who found constant joy in her family. She loved Cezanne, Puccini, and dressing up for costume parties; she was creative in endless ways from excellent cooking to elaborate and funny handmade birthday cards. She traveled from Morocco to Turkey to Cuba and every year her Christmas card was a drawing of a scene from her adventures.

Throughout her life she believed her own blessings meant she had a responsibility to help others, and doing so is where she found meaning.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Princeton, N.J., she was the daughter of George R. Cook III and Margaretta Roebling Cook of Princeton and Naples, Fla., and a descendant of John A. Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge. She graduated from Garrison Forest School in Baltimore, Md., and made her debut at the Present Day Club in 1950. Defying her parents’ wish that she go to Katie Gibbs secretarial school, she graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Barnes Foundation, where she studied with Violette de Mazia.

She was the widow of Norman C. Moore, Dean of Students at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where she raised her family. There, she acted and created costumes at the college theater, hosted a show on local access TV, and taught classes in parenting skills to women struggling with domestic violence. She picketed George Wallace while pushing a stroller, supported Eugene McCarthy, and boycotted nonunion grapes. She served on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church and in 1977 was present at the first ordination of a female Episcopal priest.

In Philadelphia, where she moved in 1981, she was deeply involved in her Center City neighborhood. A progressive Democrat, she worked at her local polling place every November. At her antiques-filled trinity on Camac Street, she hosted a New Year’s Day party as lengthy as the Mummers Parade. As president of Friends of Louis I. Kahn Park, she helped lead the park’s renovation from concrete beach to flower-filled retreat. She was on the board of the Washington Square West Civic Association and a member of the Diva Committee for the Opera Company of Philadelphia. She served on the board of directors of Associated Services For the Blind (ASB) for more than 15 years and was a full-time volunteer at Radio Information Center for the Blind, recording newspapers for visually impaired listeners. For her service, she received ASB’s Louis Braille Award in 2011.

During her 40 years as a parishioner at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where she will be buried in the historic churchyard, she served on the vestry, as a lay reader, and as rector’s warden.

Her husband died in 2002. She is survived by her children Allison (Allan Ells) of Swarthmore, Martha (Kent Gibbons) of New York, Charles (Susan Finch Moore) of Wilson, Wyo., and Patrick (Sandra Jerez) of Seattle, and grandchildren Margot, Charlotte, Adrian, Nate, Katie, Eva, Alexander, and Theo.

A funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Church, 313 Pine Street, on Saturday, February 8 at 11:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to ASB, 919 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or The Friends of Louis I. Kahn Park, P.O. Box 1830, Philadelphia, PA 19105-1830.

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Dante B. Nini

Dante B. Nini, 84, of Pennington, passed away peacefully at home, Saturday January 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, the very people who brought him the greatest joy in life. Born in Pettoranello di Molise, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1955 on the S.S. Homeric. Dante graduated from Princeton High School (Class of 1960) where he met his wife Judy (Seville), the love of his life. He resided in Princeton, Hopewell, and settled in Pennington. He was a member of St. James Church, Pennington and Roma Eterna of Princeton.

Dante was the proud owner of Dante B. Nini Home Improvements founded in 1978. With an unmatched work ethic and a skilled hand, Dante dedicated his career to earning the respect and trust of clients and colleagues alike.

Dante was an avid gardener, loved to cook, and enjoyed watching sports. Above all, he was a family man. His favorite pastime was being surrounded by the people he loved. Whether it was a lively holiday gathering, Sunday dinner, or a casual visit, his happiest moments were spent in the company of his family. He never missed an opportunity to share a story or teach a valuable life lesson.

Predeceased by his parents, Albino and Marianna (Antenucci) Nini, in-laws Orville and Elizabeth Seville, sister and brother-in-law Polina and Joseph Ercolano, brother-in-law Robert Seville Sr., and son-in-law Joseph Vaccaro Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Judy Nini; daughter Denise Vaccaro; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jodie; sister Cesina (Joe) Mangone; brother Tony (Donna) Nini; sister Mickey (Sam) Procaccini; grandsons, Steven and fiancé (Brittany) Jamison, Brandon and wife (Kayla), Michael, Ryan; and two great-grandsons, Radik and Liam. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, New Jersey.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 115 East Delaware Avenue, Pennington, New Jersey. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Hopewell, New Jersey.

Condolences are welcome at wilsonapple.com.

January 15, 2025

Obituaries 1/15/2025

Catherine Morgan-Standard
November 11, 1952 – December 20, 2024

Catherine Moore Morgan-Standard, a passionate wife, mother, grandmother, sister, artist, and visionary, passed away on December 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 72 from complications associated with lung cancer. Born on November 11, 1952, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Arthur Palmer Morgan and Mildred Underwood Morgan, Catherine’s life was a journey of artistic creativity and civic leadership.

Raised in Princeton, NJ, Catherine attended the Princeton Day School and graduated from Miss Porter’s School in 1970. During her senior year at Miss Porter’s she and a group of her classmates participated as Nader Raiders publishing a nationally recognized report on the state of elderly care. She showed an early passion and skill in the arts studying at The Franklin College, Lugano, Switzerland, and went on to pursue a formal arts education, graduating from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA. Catherine’s artistic drive fueled her lifelong career as a printmaker.

In 1978, Catherine married her high school sweetheart, John Edward Standard. Together, they lived a romantic dream, one rich in love, adventure, and the kind of mutual respect that lasts a lifetime.  After they married, Catherine and John moved to Lincolnville, ME, where they spent 13 years building their family and careers. In 1991, they took a leap of faith and moved their young family to the Big Island of Hawaii. They fell in love with Hawaii’s beauty and deep cultural history and for over 30 years, made their home in Hawi.

Catherine was a passionate leader determined to create community through spaces where people can grow, connect, and thrive. She was the founder of Peopleplace, the first co-operative preschool in Camden, ME. Upon arrival in Hawaii, finding no recycling program, she worked alongside local waste management groups to launch the first Island-wide recycling program and during the 1990s served on the Board of Recycle Hawaii. Starting in 2006, she launched Kenji’s House and undertook a significant project restoring and preserving the art collection of the little-known Hawaiian free-diver, naturalist, and sculptor Kenji Yokoyama. Through her meticulous care, Catherine ensured that his prolific work would be safeguarded for future generations, a testament to her deep reverence for the place of art and the artist’s legacy in building community.  Most recently, Catherine’s civic contributions were focused on the formation and leadership of the Kohala Artists’ Co-Operative in Kapaau, HI, a gallery and community space for local artists. This endeavor allowed her to share her love of collaboration, and support for the arts with many, ensuring that the legacy of artistic expression would endure in her beloved community.

In all her roles — as a mother, grandmother, sister, friend, artist, and community leader — Catherine demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Amongst her most defining and constant gifts were her selfless interest in the well-being of others and her unshakeable belief in the goodness and importance of every person, particularly those most often overlooked or marginalized.

Catherine shared her contagious love and celebration of life in innumerable ways, including as an avid ukulele player, singer, dancer, artist, wine enthusiast, and toastmaster.  She instigated countless celebrations of humanity through theater, dance, art, and always celebrated the global fraternity of the Olympics. Catherine’s impact on her communities, her family, and the many individuals who knew her is immeasurable. Her spirit will continue to inspire those who loved her, reminding us all first to be kind, to give of oneself generously, and to celebrate the beauty of the world and the people around us.

Catherine’s greatest joy and source of pride was her family. She is survived by her husband, John; her three children, Celina (Dan Fuller), Silas (Cali Standard), and Eloise (Patrick McGowan); and five grandchildren, Jackson, Sophia, Eve, Mason, and Maverick, and her dog Juri. Catherine is also survived by her siblings, Anne Battle and Cynthia Pastuhov, many nieces, nephews, and adopted (“Hanai” in Hawaiian) family. May she rest in peace knowing that her love and vision will continue to inspire us all.

All are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of her life at the Megunticook Golf Club in Rockport, ME, on June 30, 2025 at 4 p.m.

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Donna Sondra Komar Laurie

Donna Sondra Komar Laurie, born December 1, 1936, passed away on December 29, 2024. She was born in Red Bank, NJ. Donna graduated Salutatorian from Red Bank High school in 1955. From there, Donna attended Wellesley College. She later received an honorary Fellowship from Duke University in 1996.

Donna was predeceased in 2023 by her loving husband Dr. Victor Laurie, and is survived by her children, Charles Stempler (Sally McKenzie) of Oak Harbor, WA, and Margaret Spicer (Greg Spicer) of Tinton Falls, NJ; grandchildren, Samantha Spicer Cohen (Matthew Cohen), Lindsay Tuten, Tucker Stempler (Sierra Stempler), Morgan Spicer (Zachary Brown), and Timothy Spicer; and four great-grandchildren, Quint and Barrett Tuten, and Eliana and Jacob Cohen.

Donna married Vic in 1980 and lived in Princeton for over 40 years before recently moving to Red Bank to be closer to family. Vic was a chemistry professor at Princeton University while Donna worked at The New York Times as the first female Deputy Editor of National Editions. Donna’s media career began at the Red Bank Register, followed by the Asbury Park Press, Star Ledger, Philadelphia Bulletin, and finally, The New York Times.

After retirement, she and Vic were intrepid travelers. They spent many years traveling the world, including to remote places where few Americans ventured. When flying became difficult they drove to every state in the USA, always wintering in Wrightsville Beach, NC (their happy place). Their adventures were captured in Donna’s stunning photographs that hung on the walls of their home.

Donna was an avid reader and an eclectic collector and admirer of art and artifacts. Her home was full of books and beauty; everything that surrounded her held special meaning. Donna also had an engaging and lively intellect. She never stopped reading the Times and the New Yorker, and kept abreast of world events up until her death. Donna loved good company, good conversation, and good food. She never met a cheese she didn’t like.

January 8, 2025

Obituaries 1/8/2025

Andreas “Andy” Franz

Andy Franz died on December 27 in the home that he built and loved in Titusville, NJ.

Andy was born on March 3, 1935, in Batchka, Palanka, Austria-Hungary to Josef and Katharina Franz. In 1944, his family and their ethnic-German neighbors were displaced at gunpoint from their homes. He spent the next four years as an enslaved child in the work camp Jarek, where he, unlike others, survived hunger and typhoid. In 1948, he and his parents escaped by foot to Austria, entering freedom in Hungary on Good Friday, and began their lives as Displaced People. He attended school until age 15, when he apprenticed as a Tischler — a cabinet maker — supporting his family in Graz, Austria, and building cabinets across the country. In 1956, he immigrated through Ellis Island on a Liberty Ship with $12, a cardboard suitcase, and a sponsor in Trenton, where he, along with other Danauschawben refugees, started his life as an American.

In 1958, Andy and his friend Adam Martini found work as master craftsmen at Nakashima Studios in New Hope, PA, where he learned the aesthetic that would shape his life. With the help of his friends, he went on to build a home outside Pennington, NJ. In 1969, after an accident on the day of the Moon Landing, he left Nakashima and accepted a job at Princeton Day School as an Industrial Arts teacher, where he remained for 29 years. He also served as an advisor and liked to say that he “lived in many houses” thanks to the skills and work of former students. He retired from PDS in 1998 and found a second home in Hope Town, Abaco, Bahamas. Only a year later he boarded one of the first planes to arrive after Hurricane Floyd, taking a chainsaw and his toolbox to help others recover and rebuild. He also salvaged and restored the “shack” he named “Wrecktory,” and spent 20 winters with a community and friends in the “most beautiful place in the world.”

In recent years, Andy found continued joy and purpose building and creating objects from wood (and the occasional conch shell) in his home workshop. Surrounded by wildlife, he fed the birds each day and nurtured the many relationships he had forged throughout his life.

Andy is predeceased by his son Christopher (daughters Veronica and Bridget of Ewing, NJ). He is survived by his daughter Susan Franz Murphy (of Lumberville, PA, children Cassidy, Robert, Anna, and Jacob), his son Robert (of Tampa, FL, wife Mia, and sons Owen and Gareth), and remembered by many friends and former students.

While Andy loved flowers, gifts to Doctors without Borders (donate.doctorswithoutborders.org) or the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue Foundation (donorbox.org/hope-town-volunteer-fire-and-rescue-hurricane-dorian-relief) are welcome.

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Nancy Carole Forslund Jang
January 22, 1937 – December 25, 2024

Nancy Carole Forslund Jang, 87, of Princeton, NJ, died on December 25, 2024 at Princeton Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Nancy was born in Callao, Peru, in 1937. Her parents, Evar Forslund, a miner, and Ella Nikula Forslund, a school teacher, left their Finnish American community in Upper Michigan during the economic ravages of the Depression. Eventually Evar found work in Peru, where Nancy and her two sisters were born. The family lived In a tiny mining encampment in the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Nancy’s childhood was indelibly shaped by this magical place, a remote, treeless world infused with Spanish and steeped in Quechuan culture. Taught by her mother in a one-room schoolhouse, Nancy would forge lifelong friendships with three of her classmates: brothers Juan and Manuel Proano and their cousin Lucy. The tightly knit group also included Nancy’s sisters Marion and Charlotte.

When Nancy was 13, her family returned to the United States — sailing through the Panama Canal! — and resettled in the Upper Peninsula. A diligent student, she attended high school in Bessemer, Michigan, and worked as a waitress in her mother’s restaurant, The Evergreen Dinette. Nancy attended Michigan State University and studied to become a teacher, as her parents had intended. Yet after graduating Nancy discarded these plans: she had no appetite for disciplining children and longed to see more of the world. After a stint working for the Studebaker Packard auto company in Indiana, she stunned her family by moving to New York City. Arriving with a few dollars in her pocket, she crashed on a friend’s couch until she leveraged her fluency in Spanish to land a job as a social worker in Spanish Harlem. Although Nancy described herself as “poor as a church mouse” and was even mugged on the subway, meeting new people and exploring New York thrilled her. Several years later, after a difficult breakup, she took another leap by moving to Germany to work for the United States Army as a civilian. Nancy rambled throughout Europe on the weekends, soaking up new cultures and sights. In Germany, she met Donald Jang, a Chinese American artist who also worked as a civilian for the Army. A fellow dreamer, Don had shocked his own family by rejecting a practical path after college: he too wanted to see and experience more of the world. Together, hazel-eyed Nancy and Don — with his signature rakish mustache — explored Germany and as much of Europe as they could, making lifelong friends and amazing memories.

After returning to the U.S., Nancy and Don got married in Las Vegas, once again defying family expectations and social conventions as interracial marriage was not only uncommon but, in fact, illegal in many states in 1964. Within a few years, they grew tired of the desert and casinos; so Don — now a high school art teacher — applied for jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area where he had grown up. When he was offered a job in Palo Alto, they picked up stakes; Nancy found work again as a social worker and Don taught art at Palo Alto High School. In Palo Alto they raised two daughters, Jennifer and Samantha. Nancy stayed home with her girls for several years, then landed a job at Stanford University at the Johnson Library of Government Documents, where she worked until her retirement.

It is no secret that Nancy’s greatest joy was being a mother and, later, a grandmother. She worked hard to ensure that Jennifer and Samantha could enjoy an array of middle-class activities and experiences that had been unavailable to her and Don during their respective childhoods: music and dance lessons, Girl Scouts, summer camps, bicycles and roller skates, visits to museums and the theater, and road trips throughout California to appreciate the state’s natural wonders. Nancy was also fiercely proud of her roots in the Upper Peninsula and took her daughters to the Midwest whenever she could. She was also deeply grateful to be an American and exposed Jennifer and Samantha to as many states and regions of the U.S. as possible.

Once she became a grandmother, Nancy showered her granddaughters Emily and Kate with love and affection, books, and her famous near-weekly letters, studded with stickers. A born storyteller, she regaled “Bellina” and “Carissima” with tales of her youth in Peru, her Finn-Swede heritage, and fanciful yarns she invented just for them. In retirement Nancy never lost her love of travel and delighted in visiting family and friends in Lake Tahoe; Sea Ranch; and Hayward, Wisconsin.

Nancy was predeceased by husband Don (1996). She is survived by daughters Jennifer (Sam); Samantha (Danny); granddaughters Emily and Kate; sisters Marion (Jack) and Charlotte (Dick); many, many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

A memorial service was held on December 30 at Mather Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton. A second celebration of life is planned for later in the year in the San Francisco Bay Area. Memorial donations may be made to her favorite arts organizations: the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ, or the de Young Museum in San Francisco.

“Sisu” is the Finnish word for grit and determination. Nancy demonstrated her sisu countless times throughout her life and particularly during her last difficult days. We are heartbroken that she has left us, but deeply grateful she is at peace. Her kindness, warmth, generosity, lively mind, sense of humor, and huge heart will be sorely missed. But we know that she will always be with us, especially when we raise a glass of her favorite prosecco, open an enchanting book, or turn our faces into the Pacific Ocean breeze, dreaming of another adventure.

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Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Berkelhammer

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Berkelhammer passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024 at the age of 93 at his home at Stonebridge in Montgomery Township, New Jersey. Jerry was born in Newark to Max and Cecelia (Schein) Berkelhammer on February 3, 1931 and raised in Summit.

He graduated from Summit High School and went on to earn an AB degree from Brown University in 1952 and then a PhD, both in organic chemistry, from the University of Washington in 1957. His first job, though, was working at his father’s hardware store in Summit every Saturday and summers.

After receiving his PhD, he went on to work for the American Cyanamid Company for 42 years, first at the Stamford, Connecticut Laboratories and then at the Agricultural Research Division in Princeton where he rose to be the Executive Director of Chemical Discovery. During this long and successful career he received 41 patents and was the author of 11 chemical journal papers. Jerry was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the honorary societies, Sigma Xi and Phi Lambda Upsilon.
Jerry married Sheila Rosenson on June 20, 1954. They first “met” back in 1934, when Jerry was 3 and Sheila an infant in a baby carriage, because their parents were friends and both families lived in the same apartment house in Irvington. They became re-acquainted in 1953 when Jerry came back to Summit for a visit, and after a courtship carried out mostly long-distance by U.S. mail between Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington, finally tied the knot.

During his long career at Cyanamid Jerry served his community as a member of the Board of Education in Ewing Township from 1966-1968 and in retirement as President of Princeton’s Allison Road Association, as a volunteer at the Princeton Hospital pharmacy, and at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, now known as Learning Ally. Jerry was a member of House 1 of the Community Without Walls, and its treasurer for three years. As a member of the Old Guard, he chaired its Arrangements Committee.

For over 70 years Jerry was an avid tennis player and competed with great success in the Mercer County Men’s Tennis League. He loved skiing and camping and instilled that love in his children and eventually, in his grandchildren. In retirement he spent many happy hours on local tennis courts. In addition, after he retired, he audited over 25 courses at Princeton University, especially history, and read everything ever written about World War I. For 21 wonderful years he called himself the “head groundskeeper” at his and Sheila’s home on Allison Road, where he grew amazing vegetables including bumper crops of asparagus and many varieties of salad greens and tomatoes, and provided all his friends with tomato seedlings. His asparagus bed at Stonebridge lives on!

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sheila, his daughter Jill Zorn and her husband, Jonathan, his sons Fred and Paul and Fred’s wife, Debra, and five grandchildren: Abigail and Hannah Zorn, Sam and Sara Berkelhammer, and Shira Berkelhammer, as well as his sister Ruth (Berkelhammer) Fink.

Funeral services and burial were held January 3 at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Woodbridge. Contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to causes of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Arlene Sinding

Arlene Sinding, a 50-year Princeton resident whose teaching and mentoring career touched the lives of thousands of high school and college students, died January 3 at her home. She was 75.

The daughter of Sidney and Ruth Katz, Arlene grew up in Nutley, N.J., before graduating from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in speech and theater education. She went on to earn three master’s degrees in administration and supervision of education, English as a Second Language, and Library Science.

In the 1970s, Arlene taught English at Princeton High School, primarily in the alternative school-within-a-school called The Learning Community. One of her proudest achievements was directing a class play of Michael Weller’s Moonchildren, which the high school principal found objectionable due to what he considered offensive language. The principal insisted that certain words and phrases be removed, causing two 18-year-old students to file a lawsuit claiming a violation of their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit failed, and the students (with the playwright’s permission) performed the expurgated version of the play at the school. Later, they were invited to perform the unexpurgated version at the Unitarian Church of Princeton, charging a small admission fee and donating the proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Arlene spent most of the 1980s and 1990s teaching English at Hillsborough High School. In 2000, she returned to Princeton High School as the school librarian, a position she held until her retirement in 2012.

In addition to her public school career, Arlene offered a private tutoring service, called The College Connection, helping students prepare for the SAT. She consulted on test development and graded AP English exams for Educational Testing Service, and taught courses in a variety of subjects at Thomas Edison State University, The College of New Jersey, Berkeley College, Mercer County Community College, and Middlesex County Community College.

Arlene had three abiding passions: books, theater, and international travel. She was a voracious reader, never hesitating to offer unfiltered recommendations to family and friends. Her regular trips to Broadway plays and membership at numerous off-Broadway theaters generated a bookshelf full of Playbills. Her travels took her to 87 countries and all seven continents, and she organized numerous Spring Break trips for high school students to Europe, Asia and Africa, in addition to chaperoning a Princeton High School choir trip to Russia and three high school orchestra trips to Europe, China, and Argentina.

Those who knew Arlene well were familiar with a fourth passion: shoes. Her wall-to-wall collection of Birkenstocks alone gave new meaning to the phrase square footage. And she wore her obsession with pride; her license plate holder declared, “She Who Dies With The Most Shoes Wins,” a point reaffirmed by her vanity license plate, SHUZ.

Surviving Arlene are her husband of 53 years, Rick Sinding of Princeton; sister and brother-in-law Judy and Marty Furman of Yorba Linda, Calif.; brother- and sister-in-law Steve and Monica Sinding of Washington, D.C.; nieces and spouses Marlee and Brian Cowan, Randi and John Sedigh, Kate and Pat Daly, and Jenny and James Bradbury; nephew and spouse Adam and Jackie Furman; 10 great-nieces and nephews; and a wide circle of friends.

A memorial service/celebration of Arlene’s life will be held at a time and place to be determined. Donations in her name would be welcomed by the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the ACLU.

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Sally Pitcher Sword

Sally Pitcher Sword passed away peacefully, of natural causes, on January 1, 2025, in her Princeton, N.J., home. She was 99 years old.

Known affectionately as “Howie” by her friends and family, she was married for 55 years to William Sword, a former partner at Morgan Stanley and founder of Wm Sword & Co., investment bankers in Princeton, until his passing in 2005. Together they had four children, 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Howie’s friends and family were the center of her world. Always offering a positive comment or caring question, she was a loving and kind presence to all who knew her. Everywhere she frequented in Princeton, from the post office, to the library, to the grocery store, she was known and loved.

After raising her children, Howie was eager to continue exercising her inquisitive mind. With her high school degree from the Park School in Buffalo and an Associate’s Degree from Bradford Junior College in hand, she was accepted for transfer into the Princeton University Class of 1981. At the age of 55, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History.

Howie took advantage of her degree to serve as a docent at the Princeton University Art Museum until well into her 80s. She also gave back to the University community by serving on the Auxiliary to the Isabella McCosh Infirmary.

Caring for others was a hallmark of Howie’s life. She was a board member and chair of the board at Trinity Counseling Service in Princeton, where she initiated the idea of hosting an annual Bastille Day Ball as a major fundraiser. To thank her for many years of service, the organization honored Howie at a Paris-themed event at Drumthwacket, the N.J. Governor’s residence, on July 14, 2007. She was also a recipient in 1977 of the Gerard B. Lambert Award for service to the greater Princeton Community.

For more than 50 years, Howie served as an admissions volunteer at Princeton Medical Center, offering a smile and warm welcome to patients and families. In the 1960s, she co-chaired the Hospital Fête, an important annual fundraising event for the Medical Center. After the Princeton YMCA and YWCA built their shared facility on Avalon Place, she was asked to chair the joint board. Additionally, she was president of the board of Princeton Nursery School, which provides quality childcare and pre-school education for families in need.

Howie also contributed meaningfully to several organizations throughout Princeton. In the 1950s, she was president of the local chapter of Planned Parenthood. She was a former board member of Princeton Day School, a former trustee at The Hun School, a member of the Pretty Brook Tennis Club, a charter member of the Bedens Brook Club, and former member of The Nassau Club.

Beyond her philanthropy and community involvement, Howie was an accomplished musician. She delighted friends and family with her talent for playing the piano by ear. As a 70+-year member of Nassau Presbyterian Church, and a former elder, she sang alto in the choir for many years. She also co-founded the “Opposite Sextet,” an all-women’s a cappella group, which performed in the annual Spring Sing concert — a tradition that continues to this day after 68 years. She and her sister Mary also co-founded the singing group “Tabooz” in college.

She is predeceased by her parents, Mabel (Swisher) Tynan Pitcher and Ralph Morgan Pitcher, her husband of 55 years William Sword, her son William Sword, Jr., and her sister Mary Pitcher Stewart. She is survived by her children Richard Morgan Sword and his wife Elizabeth of Jackson, Wyo.; Molly Sword McDonough and her husband Peter of Pennington, N.J.; Sarah Sword Lazarus and her husband Ken of Concord, Mass.; and her son Bill’s widow Martha Sullivan Sword of Skillman, N.J. She is also survived by her beloved 10 grandchildren: Gretchen Liddell Sword, Richard Morgan Sword, Jr. (Lindsay), Hope Tynan Sword, Bayless Hauge Sword (Andrew Byron), Sarah Pitcher McKani (Kunal), Elizabeth Payson Houfek (Nicholas), William Sullivan Sword (Anne Sekley), Thomas Mangan McDonough (Theresa LaColla), Samuel Skinner Lazarus and Molly Fradin Lazarus; and nine great-grandchildren.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, N.J., 08542. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton or the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad.

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Dr. William F. Haynes, Jr.

Dr. William F. Haynes, Jr., retired cardiologist, author, educator, and beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully December 31, 2024, at age 98 after a short hospital stay surrounded by his wife, Aline; daughter, Suzie Haynes Halle; son, David Haynes; and son, Bill Haynes. He leaves eight adoring grandchildren who affectionally called him “Pop-Pop.” He was their inspiration and model of how to live a loving and fulfilling life. Bill’s life was punctuated by his deep faith, his undying kindness and gentleness, his ever-present smile, his quick wit, and his persistence, or as his wife said — his stubbornness. His love of Aline was profound, and their relationship only deepened the last few years of his life as his health was slowly declining. He also had a deep love of nature, his trees (he often bragged he had planted 5,000 at the farm that he so loved in PA), and he enjoyed walking in the multiple fields surrounding the farmhouse. He was a quiet man who found contentment in just being.

Bill was born in Newark, NJ, in 1926. His father died when he was 12, and being an only child, he had a beautiful relationship with his mother, who instilled in him his love of God. He graduated from Newark Academy in 1944, having left in March of his senior year to attend the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. After attending 17 classes in four months, Bill was on a Merchant Vessel in the Pacific. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theater till the end of the war, then spent the summer of 1946 as a Third Mate on a ship carrying German and Italian POWs to the U.S. and American GIs to and from the U.S. His years at the Merchant Marine Academy and serving in the war and later in the Navy were a formative part of his life and he treasured those years and the relationships he made there. He credits the education he received there and the responsibilities he shouldered at an early age (17) as essential building blocks for the rest of his life, including his legendary perseverance and discipline.

Bill began his studies at Princeton in the fall of 1946, graduating in 1950. At Princeton, he was active on the Swimming team and a member of the Cottage Club. He loved Princeton and never missed a reunion except once and he cherished walking in the big Reunion P-Rade. Bill enrolled at Columbia P&S Medical School in the fall of 1950, graduating in 1954. After a one-year internship, he went on active duty in the Navy as Lt JG, as a Medical Officer and served an additional two years (1955-1957). While on this tour of duty, which was during the Hungarian Revolution, he tended to escapees his ship picked up in Bremerhaven and was taking to the United States. He was very proud of his 64 Atlantic crossings, his four in the Pacific and his two voyages in the Caribbean. As he treated numerous patients from many countries and backgrounds, he was instilled with an awareness and empathy towards the hopes and dreams of all people. He loved being at sea, high up on the ships looking out at the water and the beautiful sky. So peaceful!

Upon return from his Navy duty, he finished his four-year residency and moved to Princeton, NJ, with his new bride, Constance Simpson. They raised three wonderful children and were both active in the community. He began his practice as a cardiologist in 1960 and soon founded Princeton Cardiology Associates, a premier cardiology group still in existence. He also served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Four years after his divorce, he married Aline Linehan James in 1984 and they shared a beautiful 41 years together. After a very successful practice, he retired in late June 1997 at age 71 and started his studies at La Salle University in Philadelphia in September to attain his Masters in Theology. He graduated with honors in 1975. He then served as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at LaSalle and as a guest lecturer at the Princeton Theological Seminary. Never one to stay inactive, he then wrote several books on medical issues and the power of prayer. He and his co-author of Is There a God in Healthcare, Geffrey B. Kelley, became quite the duo for giving talks up and down the East Coast, which he loved doing. He also wrote a book on his time at sea, which he dedicated to his grandchildren. Bill was a believer in exercise, and throughout his life until the pandemic, he either swam daily or worked out at the Princeton gym. He was an excellent athlete, which he passed on to his three children. He took up golf at the age of 88 to join Aline on the links.

Bill was one of the original members of the Princeton Officers Club, and quite proud that he could still wear his dress uniform decades after leaving the Navy. Bill often served as the Group’s Chaplain, saying prayers at the beginning of each dinner gathering. He served twice on the Vestry at Trinity Church (his parish for many years), he was an active member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis, just meeting with a dear friend and fellow member a month before he died. He served as President of the Princeton University Friends of Swimming and was helpful in the planning and fundraising efforts for Denunzio Pool. He competed often in swimming events culminating in his winning two third-place medals at the WORLD Masters Championship Meet at Stanford University right after his 80th birthday. He served as President of his Class of 1950 at Princeton.

Bill was always young at heart. He loved to dance with Aline and he even took tango lessons with her for a cruise they were about to take when he was in his late 80s. He was always quick to pick up his harmonica whenever his son, David, or his grandson, Curtis, arrived with their guitars. They formed a little band called the “Rhône Riders.” He was found tapping his drumsticks to music just a month ago. He certainly lived life to the fullest. That smile rarely left his face. He will be so missed.

Bill was enthused with a love of God and the “feeling of the Presence” which gave him a great sense of peace and contentment. He was blessed with this great spirituality throughout his life – never one to shout it out to others but one had to be impressed with his calmness and sense of serenity. It was a gift. His love of nature was passed on to his children and grandchildren, and the times spent at his farm were a highlight in all our lives.

We would like to thank especially his wonderful, caring internist, Dr. Doug Corazza, for his excellent care and his empathy, and for Bill’s wonderful two aides, Booker and Rana, for their tireless help and good humor – they were each so caring with Bill and we are so thankful.

There will be a Funeral Mass at Trinity Church, January 10 at 11 a.m. with a reception following at the Nassau Club. In lieu of flowers, one can make a charitable donation to Friends of Princeton Swimming. Visit makeagift.princeton.edu/athletics and select “Friends of Club Swimming” from the “Give to Clubs or Campus Recreation” dropdown menu; or call (609) 258-8508.

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

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Sheila Albert

Sheila Albert of Princeton, NJ, passed away at home on December 23, 2024. She was 81 years old.

Sheila was born in Philadelphia and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers University. She had lived in the Princeton area with her husband Steve since 1982.

Sheila had a long and successful career devoted to the service of others. She was a Case Manager and Development Director for the Association for the Advancement of Mental Health, the Executive Director of the Private Industry Council, a public/private partnership devoted to building the local economy and acting Executive Director of the Millhill Child and Family Development Center. After receiving her MSW she spent 16 years with the Trenton Board of Education, working as a school social worker and then on the child study team until her retirement.

She could do almost anything — and would light up people with her infectious smile and positive attitude. She and Steve enjoyed many adventures together including skiing in the Swiss Alps, biking through Provence, France, going on a tent safari in Tanzania, and numerous cruise vacations. After her retirement she played a lot of bridge and really loved it, accumulating hundreds of Master’s Points.  She was also an enthusiastic member of both the Present Day and Nassau Clubs.

Sheila was a bright light with a broad smile and an infectious laugh. She lived her life with the utmost integrity and love for her family and friends. She was a blessed woman and will be missed by everyone she touched.

Sheila is survived by her husband Steve; her children, Ira Goldstine and Cindi Finley; her stepdaughter, Lauren Albert; her grandchildren, Jake Goldstine, Zachary Goldstine, and Jordan McDonald; as well as two new great-granddaughters, Parker and Spencer.

Funeral services were held on December 26, at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. Burial followed at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.

For condolences, please visit Sheila’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Victor Auerbach
(6/8/1934 – 12/8/2024)

Victor Auerbach passed away in his sleep at Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, NJ, after having lived a rich and complete life of exactly 90 1/2 years. Vic was born in the Bronx, NY, to Rose and Jacob Auerbach and was an accomplished skier and sailor, a lover of all things musical as long as it was classical or folk songs, a noted electrical engineer, and a 46 year-long life mate and partner of Arlene Ceterski in Hamilton, NJ.

He was president of the Princeton Ski and Sail Club from 1964-65, and served in many roles, while enjoying skiing and sailing all over the world with them. His other loves were sharing the ski lodge in Vermont, which he and Arlene owned with four others from the Club, documenting and memorializing trips and activities with photographs; skippering his own boat “Gotcha” in Barnegat, Chesapeake, and Narragansett Bays, and in Maine; and singing in the Princeton Society of Musical Amateurs. He loved sharing holidays and celebratory events with his sister Adele, brother-in-law Kurt, three nieces, one nephew, and seven grand-nieces and nephews.

Vic graduated from the Bronx High of Science, then attended and graduated from the City College of New York with a degree in electrical engineering where he earned membership in the Tau Beta Pi honor society. Later he was awarded a fellowship and earned an MS in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.

His working career was primarily at RCA’s Astro Electronics Division in East Windsor, NJ, where he was part of the team that developed an early weather satellite known as Tiros II and also a video disc for household movie watching, among other interesting projects. Vic retired from RCA in 1991.

His fluffy beard, his shirt pocket with pens and pencils at the ready, his knowledge of Gilbert & Sullivan, and his deep and loyal love for Arlene will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Those interested in being notified of the date and location are asked to email marymcpaint@gmail.com.

January 1, 2025

Obituaries 1/1/2025

Lynne Long

Gwendolyn Marie Long passed away peacefully at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Lynne, as she was called by those who knew and loved her, was born in Moberly, Missouri, on October 29, 1944, to Gwynne and Marjorie Shields, the oldest of four sisters.

She attended high school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart (City House) in St. Louis and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Loretto Heights College in Denver.

Shortly after graduation, Lynne married David Long at the Basilica of St Louis (old Cathedral), St. Louis, MO. They settled in their first home in Cherry Hill, NJ, where Lynne taught high school history. Shortly thereafter Lynne returned to St. Louis as David was called to active duty (U.S. Army) and subsequently gave birth to their first child. After David’s deployment they moved to New York and finally settled in Princeton, NJ, in 1972 where they raised their four sons.

While her primary focus in life was being a stay-at-home mom to her boys, she nonetheless found many ways to contribute to the betterment of the community. She served on the boards of the St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center and the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey. In addition, she volunteered much of her time to the University Medical Center at Princeton, co-chairing the Center’s two primary fundraising events — The Hospital Fete (the year it celebrated its Silver Anniversary), and, for two years, the Christmas Boutique. In addition, she was chosen and served for 10 years as the first Docent of the Drumthwacket Foundation, which was founded in support of the historic mansion when it became the official residence of the Governor of the State of New Jersey.

While Lynne was beloved and respected for her gentle, soft-spoken demeanor and her kindness, she could also be a fierce competitor, on the tennis court as well as the bridge table, where she excelled, achieving the rank of Bronze Life Master and also serving as an instructor at the Fishers Island Club on Fishers Island, New York, where she and David summered for the past 26 years. And, while it didn’t involve any competition, her completion of the New York Times crossword puzzle every day in ink also attests to her tenacity and mental acuity.

She is survived by her husband, David; and her sisters, Judith Ann Flynn (Anthony) of St. Louis, Deborah Christine Shields of Princeton, and Mary Lucille Frye (Douglas) of St. Louis. She is also survived by her sons, David Ill (Jane), Jeffrey (Jenny), Christopher (Merrill), and Nicholas (Alex); her beloved cousin, Meg Shields Duke; and by her grandchildren, Alexander, Patrick (Rosa), Clare, Marjorie, Megan, Gwynne, Christopher, Kate, James, Annie, Maggie, Austin, Timothy, Sophia, and Aubrey.

She will be laid to rest at the Princeton Cemetery in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the J. Thomas Davidson, MD, Surgical Education Fund of the Princeton Medical Center Foundation.

Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. A guestbook is available at strunkfuneralhome.com.

December 25, 2024

Obituaries 12/25/2024

Dawn Cooper Rosso

Dawn Cooper Rosso, 72, of Skillman, NJ, died peacefully at Princeton Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a short illness.

Born October 12, 1952 in Schenectady, NY, to the late Rev. Dr. Jack Cooper and his wife Jean, Dawn spent her youth in Belle Mead, NJ. While attending Princeton High School Dawn met her future husband, Mark Rosso. Dawn graduated from Dickinson College in 1974 with a B.A. in English and from Rider University in 1978 with a master’s degree in business administration. Dawn pursued a career in marketing in the telecommunications industry for 30 years, retiring as Sr. Vice President of InterSearch Marketing Research Corp in 2008.

Dawn valued time with family, regularly visiting her parents in Pennington, NJ, and siblings in upstate NY, Virginia, and Texas. She enjoyed activities with her many friends and kept in close contact with her extended family of Coopers, Ritchies, and Rossos.

A great lover of the arts, especially live theatre, Dawn spent many weekends in New York city enjoying every cultural adventure time would allow. She was also an avid traveler, having visited all seven continents which included a very eventful boat ride in Antarctica with Mark.

After retirement Dawn kept busy not only with the arts and travel, but also with classes in music and languages as well as volunteering with the Dickinson Admissions Volunteer Society and Princeton University Art Museum.

Dawn is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years Mark Rosso, her sisters Deborah Kruesi and Ruth Sawin, her brother John Cooper, nieces Larissa Kruesi and Elizabeth Sawin, and nephew Austin Kruesi.

Memorial contributions to S.A.V.E. Princeton are appreciated.

A memorial service celebrating Dawn’s life will be held at the convenience of the family.

———

Ted S. Strempack

Ted S. Strempack, 81, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024.

Born and educated in Millville, NJ, Ted graduated from Millville HS, Stockton University with a degree in art and advertising design, and a Master’s in Education from Seton Hall University.

He was a gifted athlete whose ability earned him football scholarships to the University of Memphis and Louisiana College. After college, he played professionally for the Philadelphia Bulldogs.

Ted joined the NJ State Police in 1967, retiring as a Captain after 30 years of service. A talented artist, he worked for many years as their composite artist.

Ted had so much talent and many varied interests and accomplishments. He owned several antique stores in Atlantic County, he built and ran his marina, and was an active volunteer and board member for several organizations for many years. He had an undeniable presence and was our family’s and everyone else’s go-to guy, always willing to help with any project — plan it, build it, fix it, or whatever it took to get the job done. Great advice was dispensed along the way, but only if one asked.

He loved visiting art museums as well as traveling extensively.

Predeceased by his parents Stanley and Katherine Strempack and his sister Joan Meinzer, Ted is survived by his wife, Susan, his daughter Kymberly Clark, his son Guy Strempack (Joy), and his three beloved granddaughters, Taylor Clark, Cameryn Clark, and Mia Strempack as well as his brother-in-law, Rob Murphy, numerous cousins, and lifelong friends.

Arrangements are being handled by the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation (tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3049).

———

Barrie Joan Kale

Barrie Joan Kale passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024. Born on November 29, 1942, in Lawton, Oklahoma, she grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and lived most of her life in Lawrenceville.

Barrie graduated from Princeton High School and worked at Opinion Research Corporation and Princeton Radiology for many years. She was a longtime member of the Nassau Club and Present Day Club, where she held various roles. One of Barrie’s many talents was bringing people together; she had a unique gift for building meaningful relationships and inspiring a sense of belonging among everyone.

Barrie was a member of the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church. Growing up, her family was active in the church, and she continued this tradition by participating in many programs and serving on countless committees.

Barrie was a loving, kind, and generous person to everyone. She thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and nurturing old friendships. Above all, she adored her family. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. Known to her grandchildren as “Emmy,” Barrie was overjoyed when her great-granddaughter was named Emmeline “Emmy” Jane in her honor.

Barrie was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Elizabeth Kale, and brother-in-law, Ed Morris.

Surviving are daughter Lynn Brown (Jeff) and son Rob Chibbaro; grandchildren Eric Brown (fiancé Suzannah), Elizabeth Comisac (Michael), and Caroline Brown (fiancé Joseph), Derek and Alex Chibbaro; and great-granddaughter Emmeline “Emmy” Jane Comisac. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Beth Morris, a brother, Doug Kale (Wendy), and several nieces and nephews.

Barrie will be greatly missed by her family and countless number of friends.

A memorial service is scheduled at Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11 a.m.

If you wish to donate in Barrie’s memory, a fund has been set up to benefit the NICU at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington, where her great-granddaughter received excellent care. Please visit give.providence.org/inw/nicu and add Barrie’s name in the “tribute information,” or make a check out to Providence Inland Northwest Foundation, 101 W 8th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204.

December 18, 2024

Obituaries 12-18-24

Charles Donald (“Don”) Coppinger

Charles Donald (“Don”) Coppinger, of Princeton, N.J., passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, at Fox Trail Memory Care in Princeton. He was 79.

Don was born in Newark, N.J., and spent his early years in Montclair, N.J., before his family moved to Princeton. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles A. and Eleanor (Quinby) Coppinger, and his older brother, William Q. Coppinger. Known for his warm personality and love of conversation, Don touched the lives of many in his community.

Don’s deep connection to the Mooney family began when his family moved to Princeton, two doors away from the Mooneys on Dodds Lane. Over the years, he became an honorary member of their family, serving as a cherished “grandfather” figure to Rob and Cheryl Mooney’s four children.

A graduate of Princeton High School, Class of 1962, Don was a standout Varsity tennis player and a devoted sports fan. His passion extended beyond his own athletic pursuits to coaching and supporting the Mooney children in their various sports endeavors.

Whether shooting hoops, tossing a baseball, or cheering from the sidelines, Don found immense joy in the camaraderie of sports. He was well known by many on the sidelines of local Little League and high school games.  A dedicated Mets and Giants fan, his greatest pride was spectating games featuring the Mooney kids, whose accomplishments he celebrated with heartfelt enthusiasm.

Professionally, Don worked for a time as Director of Sales for Overseas Charter-a-Flight, a wholesaler for low fare aviation pioneer Freddie Laker’s Laker Airways. Don traveled on business to London, developing a lifelong appreciation for the city. Later, he served as a school bus driver for Princeton-area schools and worked for several car hire companies, always engaging with those around him.
A talented musician, Don was a gifted pianist known for his lively renditions of Gershwin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” and other classics. He also served as an organist for Nassau Presbyterian Church, sharing his love of music with the congregation.

In his later years, Don was a beloved regular at Starbucks, where he met with friends most every morning to catch up and share stories. He was an avid newspaper reader, and nearly always with copies of the New York Times, the Newark Star Ledger, the Trenton Times, the Trentonian, and the Town Topics, and always up to date on the local sports pages. His affable nature and keen interest in the world around him made him a constant source of joy to those who knew him.

Don’s final years were marked by the unwavering care and companionship of Cheryl Mooney, who supervised his care with love and dedication. His good-natured spirit and genuine kindness will be deeply missed by his many friends, neighbors, and especially the Mooney family, who considered him one of their own.

Don will be interred with his beloved parents at Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Kisco, N.Y., in the spring next year.
Rest in peace, Don. Your light will forever shine in the hearts of those who loved you.

———

David Eyre Steward

David Eyre Steward died on October 15, 2024, shortly after he was diagnosed with abdominal carcinoma. Until the day he was hospitalized he worked on his last poetry series that will be published in early 2025.

David was born on April 29, 1936 in Doylestown, PA, son of Frederic Evans Steward and Anne née Aucoin who lived on Sandy Ridge Rd in Stockton, NJ. David’s brother Peter was born May 17,1939. Frederic died in the spring of 1944, a big shock for the family, especially Anne, who was hospitalized for over a year following her husband’s death. David and Peter were sent to live with their aunt Florence, who was an Episcopalian missionary at St. Stephen Mission in Elkton, VA, in the Shenandoah Valley. The school friends, the local people, many of whom had a hardscrabble life, but also the surrounding nature were lasting memories for David, and he comes back to these memories again and again in his work. He also stayed in contact with some of the friends he made during that year. In 1945, Anne bought a small house on Mount Airy Rd. off Sandy Ridge in Stockton, NJ, where she lived until her death in 1998. Once back in NJ, Anne and her sons joined the Quaker community and received fellowships to attend Buckingham Friend’s School and George School. There, David met his two lifelong friends Charles Wells and David Dillard.

At 17 David started at Williams College. After his second year, he volunteered to serve in the Army. He spent some of his time in Korea after the armistice, another lasting impression, and became particularly interested in the development of Korea after the war. After his deployment he continued to his studies at Williams and graduated with a BA in history in 1960. During his studies he decided that he wanted to be a writer and he kept true to this decision throughout his life.

With a small inheritance he traveled and lived for several years in different places in Western Europe and spent almost two years in South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. His intention was to learn about the Apartheid and its consequences. Again he made lifelong friends.

Upon his return from Africa he needed to support himself and worked for three seasons in the Forest Service as a crewman, on a fire tower, and as a ranger in the Angeles National Forrest north of Los Angeles. During that time he met his wife Ruth Silberschmidt. David and Ruth got married in 1971 in Basel, Switzerland. Ruth went back to school and David had part-time jobs to support his writing. After time in Charlottesville, VA, and Tübingen, Germany, they settled in Princeton in 1982.

In 1986, David started working on his life’s work. Every month he wrote one long poem, which he titled by the name of the month in different languages. David’s months embrace topics from nature, arts, music, events, and include his observations about the world and life in general. The inspiration for these month poems came from his daily life, his reading, his travels. For instance, the experience of sailing with one of his best friends from Hawaii to Tahiti, or from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Nome, Alaska, through the Northern Pacific is captured in Chroma in different months.

David was mainly a small press prose and poetry writer and published most of his work in literary journals. Thirty years of his months are collected and published under the title Chroma Volumes 1-6: Archae Editions in 2018. The last eight years of months written after Chroma will be published as Chronica at the beginning of 2025. David was passionate about his work. He was working on his last month, August 2024, the day he was hospitalized.

Books were David’s constant companions throughout his life, fueling his insatiable curiosity and love for learning. He read widely, constantly exploring new aspects of the subjects that fascinated him. When he wasn’t writing, he was reading — to inform his work, to educate himself, and simply for the joy of it. David shared his enthusiasm with family, friends, and neighbors, radiating openness and positivity. He embraced life fully, and his energy, engagement, kindness, and affection remain his most memorable qualities.
On his hospital bed, when asked whether he wanted his biography to be included as preface to Chronica, maybe Chroma as well, David said, “The whole damn thing is a biography.”

David was a treasured husband; his marriage to Ruth spanned cultures and intellectual interests and combined two powerful, generous and inexhaustible people. David was a brother and a son; a cousin and uncle in the Steward, Aucoin, and Silberschmidt families; and a great and singular friend to many, all of whom miss him.

In memory of David please donate to Words Without Borders (https://secure.givelively.org/donate/words-without-borders) or your favorite charity.

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

———

Michael J. Suber

Michael J. Suber, 93, of Princeton passed away, Thursday, November 28, 2024 at the UPenn Medical Center of Princeton, in Plainsboro.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Michael was raised in Nutley where he met his future wife, Phyllis Eldridge. He and Phyllis married in 1955. They settled in Princeton in the early 1960s where they raised their family and became rooted in the community.

Michael attended Bucknell University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He was a chemical engineer with various companies over the span of his career. After retiring from chemical engineering, he enjoyed working in finance.

A man of many interests, Michael enjoyed bicycling and hiking with his wife, and was a member of the Princeton Free Wheelers for many years. He was an advocate for bicycle and pedestrian safety in the Princeton community, and a member of the Princeton Ski and Sail Club as well as a cosmology discussion group. He loved sailing and enjoyed spending summers in Rhode Island on Narraganset Bay. Michael also loved classical music, enjoyed travel, and stayed current on financial news.

Predeceased by his parents, William and Alice, he is survived by his wife of 69 years, Phyllis; his children and their spouses, Ellen and Karl Fury, Jeffrey and Diane Suber, Kenneth and Margot Suber, and Eric and Lynne Suber; his grandchildren, Ray, William, Georgia, Erin, and Emily; his two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Judith Hannold.

Private cremation services were held under the direction of the Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ.
Family and friends are invited to remember and celebrate the life of Michael J. Suber on Sunday, January 5 at 2 p.m. at Stonebridge at Montgomery, 100 Hollinshead Spring Road, Skillman, NJ, 08558. Please come and share your memories as we say goodbye and cherish the time we had together.

December 11, 2024

Obituaries 12/11/2024

Aaron Sam Blanchard
August 15, 1968 – December 2, 2024

Aaron Sam Blanchard, known to all as Sam, died peacefully on December 2 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, surrounded by his wife and daughters after complications from heart surgery. He was 56.

With loved ones spread across the country, Sam left a wide void in the lives of those he touched, from the young and old fencers he coached in Princeton and Lambertville, to countless friends in the fencing and comics communities.

Sam’s life, full of adventures, began in Oregon and took him to New Jersey.

Born in Salem, Oregon, he grew up in Independence, Oregon, enjoying a near-mythical Gen X childhood filled with freedom. He spent his days bicycling, racing in soapbox derbies, reading comics, and honing his artistic talents, which he inherited from his parents.

Sam first encountered fencing in 1987 while studying at the University of Oregon. Years later, as a young single father to his son, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Oregon Institute of Technology.

After moving to Portland, Sam began fencing competitively at the Studio of American Fencing in 1995. He met his wife, Cate, a New Jersey native, in 1997, and they relocated with his son to the Garden State in 1998. On September 15, 2000, the family moved to Princeton, but three days later, Sam was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He successfully overcame cancer through nine months of grueling treatment while continuing to commute to New York City daily.

Sam began fencing at the Princeton YMCA in 2004 under the guidance of coach and friend Charles Hurley. In 2012, he became the coach of the Princeton High School fencing team, a role he cherished. Coaching his daughter Ursula during her high school fencing career brought him special joy.

In 2018, Sam joined the Bucks County Academy of Fencing in Lambertville, New Jersey, as a coach after years of being a member. He also founded the Princeton Interscholastic Fencing Club that year to further share his love for the sport.

After leaving the corporate world in December 2019, Sam achieved his dream of coaching fencing full-time. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans, he devoted himself to his other passion—art. Working under the pen name “Shlepzig,” inspired by a character in Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon, Sam gained recognition as an indie comics artist. After the world reopened, he became a regular at comic conventions and amassed fans worldwide.

Sam had many plans for the future, including creating more comics, teaching fencing classes and after-school fencing clubs, and embracing the adventures of grandparenthood.

Sam was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Blanchard, in May 2021, and his son, Bjorn Blanchard, in July 2024.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cate; three daughters, Phoebe Blanchard, Ursula Blanchard (Riley) of Burnaby, British Columbia, and Jessica LeDuc (Michael) of Portland, Oregon; his mother, Merry Ann Blanchard of Lincoln City, Oregon; his sister, Andrea Whitaker (Ben) of Sherwood, Oregon; and two grandsons, Nikolai and Hawthorne of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, friends, students, former fencing students, and fans of his artwork.

A celebration of Sam’s life will be held in January at the Bucks County Academy of Fencing. The family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (givenow.lls.org) or the United States Fencing Foundation (usafencing.org/donate-foundation).

———

Eileen Gwynneth (Gwen) Southgate

Eileen Gwynneth (Gwen) Southgate passed away peacefully in her home on November 26, 2024, at the age of 95. Gwen lived in Amherst for the past six years, and previously in the Princeton, NJ, area for more than 50 years.

Gwen was born in London, England, in 1929. She earned a B.Sc. in Physics from University of London and an M.Ed. from Rutgers University. From 1950 to 1955, Gwen worked at Mullard Research Laboratories in the UK, where she met her husband, David. They were married in 1952.

Gwen came to the U.S. with her family in 1959 and lived in the Chicago area for seven years before settling in Princeton, NJ, in 1966. She taught science at Highland Park High School for over 20 years, until her retirement in 1992.

After retirement, Gwen spent many summers at the family cottage in Maine, enjoying reading, sailing, hiking, and local summer arts. She loved the use of words, and spent time playing Scrabble, creating cryptic crossword puzzles, and writing her memoir, Coin Street Chronicles. She also enjoyed gardening at their home in New Jersey and the wildflowers of Maine.

Gwen was active in many local and national organizations in the Princeton area. She was a founding member of the Princeton Evergreen Forum, a lifelong learning community; an active member of the League of Women Voters; and served on the board for the conservation organization Friends of Princeton Open Space. Gwen also recorded science textbooks for the national Recordings for the Blind, in honor of her mother who lost her vision with age.

Gwen was born into life with little means, other than her mother’s warm heart and a will to learn and succeed in life with educated discipline. As a child she survived the WWII London bombings and was evacuated to safe harbors with families away from the city of London air raids. She was reunited safely with her family after the war.

Gwen Southgate is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, David, and her brother Derek. She leaves behind her sister, Maureen, as well as her four children Diana, her husband Govind, Tim, his wife Deb, Jennie, her husband James, and Jill. She also leaves behind her 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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

———

Robert Vichnevetsky

Robert Vichnevetsky, of Princeton, NJ, passed away on December 6, 2024 at Merwick Care Center in Plainsboro Township at the age of 94.

Robert was born in Brussels, Belgium. His education included Brussels Free University with a Master in Mechanical-Electrical Engineering and a Doctorate in Mathematics. He served in the 1950s for two years in the Belgian Air Force, at the time part of NATO. His early career was a member, later director of EAI’s European Computing and Research Center, newly established in Brussels to bring in new technologies to post-war recovering Europe, participating among others in the development of Europe’s nuclear electric power program. He moved in 1964, with his family, to the U.S. to join EAI’s Princeton Computing and Research Center, collaborating among others with the Apollo Space Program, and became an Associate Fellow of AIAA, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He joined Rutgers University in 1971, from which he retired in 2003 as Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering — also retiring from Princeton University, where he had been a Visiting Research Scientist and Lecturer in the 1960s and Visiting Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the 1970s and ’80s.

Important in those years was the new discipline of computer simulation, made possible by the appearance of new technologies including powerful electronic computers. The mathematics of science and engineering used in industry had to be updated, leading to a new scientific community organized first as local, then national societies, then an international association named IMACS, the International Association for Mathematics and Computer Simulation. Vichnevetsky played an important role in this process, and in 1973 was elected President of IMACS, bringing him, in the 1970s and ’80s, to serve with UNESCO-Paris as a member of FIAAC — the Five International Associations Coordinating Committee aimed at giving human advice for the introduction of advanced technologies to the developing world, also establishing principles of non-interference of politics with the growing international science community. It is the case that scientists are rated by their accomplishments, not any national or political affiliation, this resulting, in those Cold War years, in difficulties between two worlds that had to be resolved with common understanding and diplomacy more than politics.

Other than for articles and books that he published, he was the founding editor of three international scientific journals, two of them with Elsevier-Amsterdam and one with World Scientific – Singapore, all three published to this day. He was in 2005 elected to HOFEST – the Hall of Fame in Engineering, Science and Technology and presented with the Rockwell Medal. Locally, he has been President de ULB AA, the Alumni Association of his Brussels Alma Mater in the US, was member of the Old Guard, the Nassau Club, the Community Without Walls, and was a member of Le Cercle Francais de Princeton serving as President from 1992 to 2000.

His wife Rolande predeceased him in 1992.

He is survived by his beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, NJ, followed by services beginning at 11 a.m.

Burial will take place at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, NJ.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

John Winfrid Ager

John Winfrid Ager, 98, of Princeton, NJ, died peacefully at home 22 November 2024, 61 years to the day that he moved in, his family by his side. He was born 2 November 1926 in Birmingham, Alabama, to John Winfrid Ager and Leila Lanier Lamar. In the midst of the Great Depression, the family moved to Black Mountain, North Carolina, where he graduated from Asheville School in 1944. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy until 1946, crossed the Equator, and witnessed the Bikini Atoll atomic tests.

After his service, he attended Harvard, graduating in 1949, having been captain of the fencing team and playing on the winning Harvard-Yale Prentice Cup tennis team in 1948. He then received a Fulbright Scholarship to attend the University of Amsterdam and Balliol College of Oxford, where he played for the Oxford-Cambridge Prentice Cup team in 1954. He also played tennis throughout Europe and made two appearances at Wimbledon in 1954 and 1955.

While at Oxford, he met his wife, Sheila Margaret Wilcox, who predeceased him in 2015. They initially lived in upstate NY, where he was a research chemist with Olin. They moved to Princeton in 1960 and he began his career with FMC, where he was awarded 10 patents for agricultural compounds.

He was predeceased by his brothers, John Curtis Ager and Law Lamar Ager, and his sisters Alice Isbell Ager and Frances Gary Ager. He is survived by his loving children, Catherine (Kit) Ager Chandler and John Winfrid Ager III, and five grandchildren — Sarah, William, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Belle. A brilliant chemist and gifted tennis player, he adored his family, and lived life on his own terms. He will be remembered with love and appreciation, always.

Mr. Ager’s family will be celebrating his life in a private ceremony.

December 4, 2024

Obituaries 12/4/2024

Martha Mulcahey Klink
September 12, 1948 – November 19, 2024

Martha Mulcahey Klink, 76, of Princeton Junction, New Jersey, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Martha, known to most as Marty, was born on September 12, 1948, in Jersey City. She was the fourth of eight children, growing up in a bustling and loving home on Legion Place in Paramus, NJ. Marty graduated from Paramus High School in 1966, where she was a “twirling asset” as a Spartan Twirler and an admired “fountain of wit.”

Marty moved to Princeton, NJ, where she raised her family and led an extraordinary life of service and dedication to her family, friends, and students. She earned both a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from what is now known as The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College). Marty was a passionate advocate for her students, dedicating over 25 years to the South Plainfield Public School system as a speech therapist. She made a significant impact on countless lives, especially those of her high-needs students.

Above all, Marty was an incredible mother to Tracy and Chris, offering unwavering love, guidance, and encouragement throughout their lives. She was their greatest champion, celebrating every success with joy and pride. Whether in moments of triumph or challenge, her support was constant, strength boundless, and love steadfast. Through her example of resilience, grace, and humor, she taught them not just how to face life’s obstacles but how to cherish every moment of life.

In retirement, Marty embraced her next great adventure — traveling the world. She loved exploring new places, and her most recent trip to Egypt, where she saw the Great Pyramids and rode a camel, was one of her many treasured memories. Marty was also a proud and enthusiastic Nana, cheering on her grandson, Hudson, at baseball games and celebrating the theater and art accomplishments of her granddaughter, Amelia. A voracious reader and puzzler, Marty found joy in all of life’s moments, but what she loved most was spending time with her family and friends. Whether visiting, laughing, or supporting loved ones, she always made sure to keep everyone connected.

Marty is survived by her loving children, Tracy Schmidt and Chris Schmidt, together with their beloved spouses, Mickael Cauberghs and Angelia Schmidt. She was the proud Nana to her cherished grandchildren, Hudson and Amelia. Marty is also survived by her brother Michael Mulcahey. She also leaves behind dearly loved nephews, nieces, extended family, and lifelong friends who will miss her deeply and forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

She now joins her parents, Robert and Martha Mulcahey, brothers Robert Jr. and Kevin Mulcahey, and sisters Marylou Brophy, Kathleen Diehl Spelkoman, and Margaret Smyth in eternal peace and joy.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity that holds special meaning or reflects a memory shared with Marty.

The ones we love never truly leave us. Their love and memories live on, forever a part of our hearts.

———

In Loving Memory of Keith Allen Webber

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved brother Keith Allen Webber, who left us peacefully on November 13, 2024 at the age of 56, where he lived in Kissimmee, Fla.

Keith Webber was born and raised in Princeton until he moved to Florida after college. He was a security guard, bartender, a pharmacist technician, and cherished friend, who touched the lives of many with his kindness, generosity, and unwavering love.

He is survived by his brother, Kirk A. Webber of Ewing N.J., sister Kimberly A. Webber of Lawrenceville, N.J., his uncle and aunt, Travis and Wilhelmina Webber of Princeton, his uncle Houston Webber of Caldwell, N.J., and his aunt Yvonne Barclay of Lawrenceville, N.J., and a host of family and friends.

A celebration of life brunch will be held on January 18, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tower Club, 13 Prospect Avenue, Princeton, N.J. All are welcome to join us in celebrating Keith Allen Webber’s remarkable life.

May his soul rest in peace.

———

George “DeWitt” Boice
8/24/1933 – 10/30/2024

DeWitt was born and raised in Princeton, NJ.

He attended Princeton Day School, Hotchkiss Preparatory School, and Colby College. He married the love of his life, Lorraine Rasimowicz, on 12/28/1957.

He was a member of the Princeton Fire Company #1. He was Captain and President of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad for many years. He and his family moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1978 and then retired and moved to Florida in 2014.

His many accomplishments include working for his dad at Boice Lumber and Fuel Company until 1967. He then started businesses that included Boice Construction, Boice Reality and Management Agencies, the Rocky Mountain Law offices, and Black Magic Kennels. He proudly started the Boulder First Aid and Rescue Squad, a volunteer organization, and helped form the South Jersey Retriever club.  He and his wife also started the Centennial Retriever club.

DeWitt’s favorite lifelong hobby was training Labrador retrievers, he was an outstanding dog trainer. He was an AKC field trial competitor, competing at the national level for many years. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, skier, golfer, and played hockey and baseball.

He is survived by his loving wife Lorraine of 67 years; his son and best friend, John DeWitt and wife Susan Boice; his beautiful daughter Mimi Ann and husband David Bennett; his grandson Matt Mogul and granddaughter Leighanne and husband Collin Normington.

November 27, 2024

Obituaries 11/27/2024

Susan K. Stein
September 20, 1946 – November 11, 2024

Susan Kampmeier Stein, age 78, passed away from heart failure in Princeton, New Jersey, on the evening of November 11, 2024, surrounded by loving family members.

Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Susan graduated from Chattanooga City High School in 1964, honored as valedictorian. She also was a star basketball player, retaining prowess with an almost unstoppable left hook shot into her 70s.

She received her B.A. from Oberlin College in 1968, after a year of study abroad at the American University of Beirut in 1967, and her M.S. from MIT in 1972. She met her husband George H. Stein while studying in Boston; they were married in 1973.

A devoted wife and mother, she worked many years as a registered dietician and laboratory researcher, always actively engaged in volunteer projects, building communities and friendships wherever she went. Together with her husband, she led an adventurous life, living in Atlanta, GA; Burlington, NC; Charlotte, NC; Miami, FL; New York City, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Munich, Germany; and Teaneck, NJ, before ultimately settling in Princeton in 1996.

Throughout her life, she was committed to alleviating childhood malnutrition and the dire effects of poverty on women and children. She launched her efforts in this area with a summer working for the United Nations in Guatemala in 1968, continued her dedication through work in public health on women’s, infants’ and children’s nutrition, and brought this passion on into her volunteer work in Central New Jersey with the emergency shelter program of HOME SC (Housing Outreach Multi-faith Empowerment of Somerset County, NJ), then known as the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County; Arm In Arm, previously known as the Crisis Ministry of Princeton; and TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen), especially through the food donation drive “Yes We Can” that she and her husband helped organize in 2009 in response to the financial crisis.

She particularly enjoyed treating children with genetic disorders of metabolism, such as cystic fibrosis, in Florida, and a “second career” as technician and researcher in the Barry Jacobs lab of the Psychology Department of Princeton University, contributing to key research into the functioning of serotonin in the brain. Known by friends and family for her scientific research abilities, she also worked informally as a patient advocate supporting several friends and family members including during her eldest daughter’s childhood cancer and her father’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

While living in California, she completed her conversion to Judaism — her faith in God served as a guide and a source of strength throughout her life. In Munich, Germany, between 1990–95, she and her husband founded what was to become Beth Shalom, the first liberal Jewish congregation in Munich since the end of World War II. She hosted holiday parties, taught the 8-11-year-old class at the group’s Jewish Sunday School, and organized religious services. She led families to make Chanukah candles from bags full of wax remnants of candles held high during a major public demonstration against xenophobia in Munich in 1992. Her warmth and welcoming spirit enabled many “lost” German and East European Jews to reclaim their heritage.

No celebration was complete without her smile and laughter, but just to be sure, she also brought her famous apple crisps and hazelnut tortes. For these cakes, she faithfully followed a traditional recipe from the Jewish communities on either side of the Rhine, which was passed down through the family via George’s grandmother, “Grossmama,” who was born in the Saarland. The hazelnut tortes were so prized that she was requested to fly them cross-country to family Pesach celebrations in Palo Alto and Salt Lake City.

In addition to maintaining lifelong friendships across decades and continental distances, she enjoyed fellowship, friendship, and community in Princeton, particularly with the extended family of David and Liz Cohen, neighbors for over 28 years, through the MIT Club of Princeton, and as an active member of the Walnut-Cuyler-Dempsey Potluck group.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sophia “Sally” (Wass) Kampmeier and Roland August Kampmeier; an unborn son, “Charlie”; her sister, Ann (Kampmeier) Qualman; her sister-in-law, Astri Reusch; her father’s second wife, Silbia Scott Kampmeier; and several adored aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and dear friends. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, George H. Stein; daughter Ada Laura Stein and grandson Erik Thorsteinsson; daughter Jannon Sonia Stein; daughter Julia Caroline Kampmeier Stein, son-in-law Lars Berg, and grandchildren Sono Aiden Berg Stein and Aletta Henriette Berg Stein; her brother William “Bill” Kampmeier (Paige); brother-in-law Samuel Stein (Gail); brother-in-law Fred Stein (Sue); sister-in-law Ada Mae Crouse (Irvin); and beloved nieces, nephew-in-law, grandnieces of both kinds, godchildren, cousins, and cherished friends around the world.

Her memorial service will be on December 7 at 3 p.m. at Congregation Kehilat Shalom in Belle Mead.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to one or more of the following organizations Susan cared about: HOME SC (homescnj.org); the Audubon Society to Protect Birds (audubon.org); the Watershed Institute (thewatershed.org/donate); the ACLU of New Jersey (aclu-nj.org); the World Wildlife Federation (worldwildlife.org); Arm In Arm (arminarm.org); TASK (trentonsoupkitchen.org); and the Barre (Vt.) Historical Society (oldlaborhall.org).

She will be dearly missed.

———

Rita F. Rofe

Rita F. Rofe, a longtime Princeton resident, passed away on November 17, 2024, after a brief illness. A decades-long ESL educator in the Princeton School System, she also taught for several years in the American International School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after her retirement.

Rita enjoyed opera and yoga, was deeply committed to health and wellness pursuits, and, most especially, travel. Italy held a special place in her heart.

Predeceased by her parents, Marie Detmer Zebro and Frank Zebro, Rita leaves behind her siblings, Marie Zebro Lake, of South River, NJ, Joseph Zebro of Hilton Head, SC, and Evelyn Zebro of Asheville, NC; nephews Edward Zebro, Adam Lake, Alexander Zebro Osio, and Damien Zebro Osio; as well as great-nieces, Gabrielle, Katherine, Sarah, and Alice. She will be greatly missed and always remembered.

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

———

Edward Jonathan Bergman

Edward Jonathan Bergman, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on November 22, 2024 at the age of 82.

After spending his childhood in Bayonne with his brother, Robert, and parents, Abe and Ethel, Edward proudly graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. with Honors in Art History. He received his J.D. from Columbia University and, subsequently, spent two years as a graduate fellow at the Annenberg School of Communications where he worked in the Documentary Film Laboratory. Notably, he received the American Film Institute Independent Filmmaker Award.

In the mid-’70s, after settling in Princeton, NJ, Edward began the private practice of law. The firm Bergman & Barrett was established and continued until his recent retirement. In the late-’80s, Edward became focused on alternative approaches to dispute resolution and was named to a Blue Ribbon Panel for the Creation of a Pilot Mediation Project for the U.S. District Court, District of NJ. From 1992 until his retirement, Edward mediated hundreds of cases in both state and federal courts.

In 1995, Edward returned to his alma mater and began teaching undergraduate courses in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the Wharton School of Business. In 2011, he was awarded the William G. Whitney Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. In 2005, he transferred his skills to the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy where he founded the Penn Program for the Management of Clinical Conflict. With the assistance of his Penn colleagues, Edward conducted Intensive Clinical Ethics Mediation Workshops three to four times per year. In addition to his law practice and teaching assignments, Edward found the time to write and co-author numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals in the field of bioethics.

Edward’s connection to Penn extended beyond academics with his intense passion for Penn athletics, the Palestra, and Quaker Men’s Basketball. A season ticket holder for decades, Edward was a faithful and visible basketball fan always seated no more than two rows behind the team bench.

His love of basketball included traveling each year (for 40 years) to a city hosting a round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Affectionately known as the “Boys of Spring,” Edward, Neil, Phil, and Steve, would celebrate their longtime friendship every March watching a weekend packed with college basketball.

A remembrance of Edward’s life would be incomplete without mentioning his love of Italian and French wines that he routinely shared with his family, friends, and Princeton Wine Group. Carefully curated bottles from Piedmont or Southern Rhone were routinely served with dinner he lovingly and meticulously prepared.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Jennifer Mullen; his children Peter Bergman and Amy Bergman Bonomi; his grandchildren Liza Bonomi, Celia Bonomi, Zora Bergman, and Nathaniel Bergman; Jane Shapiro, his former wife and the mother of his children; his niece Maggie Bergman and great-niece Maisie Bo; and many dear friends and colleagues.

———

Marvin Wilmar Louis Ostberg

Marvin Wilmar Louis Ostberg, 88, of Skillman died on Monday, November 18, 2024 at home with his loving wife by his side. Two weeks earlier he had received initial copies of his book, Waking Up Old: A Life Lived Reasonably Well. Born in Slayton, Minnesota, he grew up in Nebraska. After graduating from Wakefield High School in 1955, he joined the United States Navy and traveled with the 7th Fleet to the Far East. Returning to Nebraska, he earned his BA degree at Wayne State. He married Nancy Whitford, taught high school English, earned his MS in sociology at the University of Kentucky, and taught sociology at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. He was an employment counselor for 23 years for the State of Oregon. He retired in 1988 and lived in New Jersey for over 25 years.

After many years as a single father for his two daughters, he and Pat married in 1999. When Pat became Marv’s wife, she also became the mother-in-love of two daughters as well as grandmother-in-love of his two lovely granddaughters. Marv and Pat have traveled all over the world, separately and together. Marv’s hobbies were reading history, lively discussions of current events, and shooting pool. He was a board member of the Princeton YWCA and, as “Mr. Marvin,” enjoyed 20 years of reading to toddlers at the Y. He was also a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church and the church’s Tiffany Window Tour Team.

Son of the late Wilmar R. and Louise (Konold) Ostberg Kahler, father of the late Carolyn Chun, brother of the late Roger Ostberg and Lyle Kahler, he is survived by his wife of 25 years Patricia (Warren) Ostberg, a daughter Jill Ostberg, son-in-law Jonathan Chun, and two granddaughters, Emily Chun and Hannah Chun He will surely be missed by family and friends, and will be remembered with love and gratitude.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the Princeton United Methodist Church, 7 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. In Marvin’s memory donations may be given to Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, or an organization of choice.

November 20, 2024

Obituaries 11/20/2024

Memorial Service

Bill & Connie Tate

A Memorial Service to celebrate the lives of Bill and Connie Tate will be held on Monday, November 25 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton.

Constance Tate

Constance Klein Tate, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on October 13 at the age of 88. Born on September 24, 1936, in Gross Pointe, MI, Connie grew up in Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Washington, DC. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1954 and pursued her passion for nursing at Grace New Haven School of Nursing and Boston University.

In 1964, Connie met Dr. William James Tate III, a medical resident at Yale New Haven Hospital. They married that same year and moved to Pittsburgh, PA, and Morgantown, WV, before settling in Princeton, NJ, in 1969 to raise their family. Bill passed away in May 2020.

As her children grew older, Connie returned to nursing, dedicating 15 years to caring for students at McCosh Infirmary at Princeton University. She also worked as a substitute nurse in Princeton schools and for Hoffman LaRoche, supporting clinical trials. She proudly completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the early 1990s.

An avid traveler, Connie’s adventures began in her early 20s when she spent a summer riding a scooter through Europe with her younger sister. In the early 1970s, she drove from New Jersey to Costa Rica twice in an unairconditioned VW Beetle with graduate student friends. Later, she and Bill completed the 192-mile coast-to-coast walk in England and joined Bill on Yale Alumni Chorus trips to Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

Connie pursued lifelong learning with enthusiasm, auditing courses in history, politics, and literature at Princeton University, often arriving early on registration day with Bill so they could secure their first choices. She also discovered a passion for painting, finding joy in icon writing classes at Trinity Church through The Prosopon School of Iconology.

Connie is survived by her children, William (Anne Christine), Abigail Reynolds (Spencer), and Sarah Constable (Ian); her sister Carole and brother Fred in Florida; and her grandchildren, Spencer, Sydney, Peyton, and James Reynolds, and Emma and Matthew Tate.

A celebration of the lives of Connie and Bill Tate will be held on Monday, November 25, at 4 p.m. at Trinity Church in Princeton.

———

Paul M. Lion III

December 7, 1934 – November 3, 2024

Paul Michel Lion III, 89, of Gainesville, Virginia, passed at his home early in the morning of November 3, 2024. Mike, as he was universally known, was born in Washington, DC, the only child of Paul Michel Lion Jr. (USNA 1925) and Louise Chandler Lion.

Growing up in a Navy family, Mike attended the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, from kindergarten through sixth grade, when they moved to Westchester County, New York. He graduated from White Plains High School in 1952, then competed for and won a Presidential appointment to West Point, entering just eight days after his high school graduation. Mike excelled at West Point, achieving a standing of 12 of 480 on the graduation Order of Merit List. Mike was active in the Debate Council and Forum, the Russian Club, and as a staff member of the cadet magazine, the Pointer. 

After graduating from West Point in 1956, Mike married his beloved Jane Sanford of Mount Vernon, NY. Upon completing training at Ft. Belvoir, Mike and Jane moved to Germany, where they began their family of four sons: David, James, Thomas, and William. Mike served in Germany until the end of his commission in 1959.

Upon returning to the U.S., Mike and Jane then settled in Princeton, NJ, their home for over 20 years. Mike entered the graduate school in Princeton University, achieving a Masters in of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1963, a Master of Materials Science degree in 1964, and a Ph.D. in AE in 1965.  Mike was named a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Princeton, also working as a consultant for Systems Technology.

In 1966 Mike was named an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering, initially teaching courses in optimization theory and stability theory while also serving as principal investigator for a NASA contract on optimum space trajectories. In 1970 he advanced from Assistant to Associate Professor, then in 1974 to full Professor of Civil Engineering.

Intrigued by changes in society circa 1970, Mike looked to apply his research to less esoteric and more practical optimization challenges that would directly benefit people.  In 1972, Mike developed the concept of a graduate program in Transportation, to be jointly supported by the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Public and International Affairs, and the School of Architecture and Urban Planning.  Upon approval from the Board of Trustees, he obtained start-up funding from the Ford Foundation, and the Transportation Program accepted its first graduate students in the Fall of 1972. The program continues as one of the University’s most respected interdisciplinary programs. Upon his handing over the reins of the Program to his former grad student and hand-picked successor, several of his students created a scholarship fund in his honor.

Mike left the University in 1979 to continue putting his technical skills and theoretical knowledge to practical use. He served the U.S. Railway Association, Snavely King & Associates, and the Technical Resources Center of Arthur D. Little Inc., with a focus on improving the efficiency of the USPS.  He retired as Vice President of Washington Operations for ALK Associates, a firm producing software for the transportation industry.

During their Washington years Mike and Jane lived in McLean, VA. They also had a cottage in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard where they summered. In 2005 they moved to Gainesville, VA, where they gained many friends in a senior-focused community.  Mike’s friendships from West Point were precious to him and Jane, remaining lifelong companions and adventurers. 

Mike enjoyed a Perfect Manhattan, and rooting for his Redskins, the Yankees, the Princeton Tigers, and especially, his alma mater. “Go Army!” was a common call on fall weekends in the Lion’s den.

Mike was a brilliant technical analyst, professor, and mentor. He launched hundreds of students on their careers, teaching them to use what he taught to define and solve the problems in transportation, logistics, and other applications of operations research. He was a broad and deep reader, ever-expanding his knowledge and understanding of the world, and then to apply that understanding to help someone or solve a problem.

But more than that, he was a friendly, funny, charming man who took serious interest in others, and in sharing what he knew, what he thought, and what he found humorous. He was a champion of puns and of “Dad jokes” to his boys. In their youth he acted as an Indian Guide chieftain, their Little League baseball coach, and a very vocal advocate for their academic and athletic endeavors. His grandchildren called him Pops. 

Mike was predeceased by his son, William. He will be deeply mourned by his wife of 68+ years, Jane, and three sons, David, James (Aisha), and Thomas (Cynthia); a granddaughter, Alexa (Andrew) and a great-granddaughter due in December; a grandson, Nicolas; and many cousins and their families.

Services were held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Greenwich Presbyterian Church in Nokesville, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to The P. M. Lion Senior Thesis Fund at Princeton University by contacting Jane Maggard, Associate Dean, Development, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences; or to the Generation to Generation Fund of the Greenwich Presbyterian Church, 15303 Vint Hill Rd, Nokesville, VA 20181.

———

Gratina LaFauci

Gratina A. LaFauci (nee Zoccola), 93, of Princeton, NJ, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, at Ciel Assisted Living of Princeton in Monmouth Junction, NJ.

Born in Princeton, NJ, Gratina was a lifelong resident of Princeton.

Gratina was employed by Princeton University and was on the Firestone Library staff for 49 years, before retiring.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael, and her parents, Josephine and Peter Zoccola.

Gratina is survived by her sister, Donna Zoccola Soultoukis and her brother-in-law Dimitrios Soultoukis, of Yardley, PA; three stepsons and their spouses: Michael and Donna LaFauci, Jr., Thomas M. and Sonia LaFauci, Gerald and Donna Watko; a stepdaughter, Michele LaFauci; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held on Saturday, November 16, 2014, in the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, NJ, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul Catholic Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. with interment in St. Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation (arthritis.org) or Meals on Wheels of Mercer County (mealsonwheelsmercer.org).

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Betty Grae Fishman

December 6, 1923 – November 11, 2024

Betty Grae Fishman passed away peacefully on November 11, surrounded by her loving family, just three weeks before her 101st birthday.

Betty was a celebrated leader, advocate, educator, and champion of the arts in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Throughout a life of achievement, she received numerous honors, including an honorary PhD from Saint Francis College, the Governor’s Award for highest service in 1971, and the declaration of Betty Fishman Day by the mayor of Fort Wayne in 2004. She was an active member of the Achduth Vesholom Congregation, a sustaining member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, Designer Craftstmen, and the Ex Libris Book Club. 

Betty was born on December 6, 1923, in Defiance, Ohio, at the home of her grandparents, William and Viola Wagner. Her parents were Marguerite Lunger and Dr. Guernsey Reiner Lunger. She spent her early childhood on her grandparents’ farm, where the natural surroundings sparked a lifelong love of gardens, plants, animals, and woodland forests.

At the age of five, Betty moved to Hicksville, Ohio, to live with her mother and step-father, Arlie Smith, a widower with three daughters, who owned the local lumber yards. She was a spirited child and did well at school, showing talent in both drawing and writing.

Betty graduated as Salutatorian from Hicksville High School and went on to attend Miami University in the fall of 1942. However, with the attack on Pearl Harbor, everything changed. In the midst of wartime upheaval, Betty quickly married her sweetheart, Howard Campbell, a jazz saxophonist she had dated during summer nights spent dancing at the Cold Springs Hotel at Hamilton Lake.

Betty and Howard moved to Arizona, where he trained fighter pilots while Betty worked in canning factories. At just 20 years old and far from home, Betty embraced her new life with a sense of national pride and purpose. She and her friends worked hard, but also played hard — playing rounds of bridge late into the night and sneaking rides in fighter jets on weekends. Betty never forgot her time in Arizona, cherishing her exposure to Native American culture, and taking up interests in weaving and ceramics.

When the war ended, Betty divorced and returned to Ohio, where she completed her studies at Ohio State University. There, she pursued a diverse academic path, studying fine arts, food science, and textiles. Along the way, she was both an honor student and a beauty queen.

In 1949, Betty married Marvin Fishman, a Jewish merchant and prominent member of the Fort Wayne community. As a young mother, she became deeply involved in the cultural life of the city. Betty’s daughters, Katie and Marguerite, fondly recall her sitting by the telephone stand, making calls from lists she had carefully compiled for various fundraising efforts.

During these years, Betty served on the board of the Fine Arts Foundation, where she played a key role in the creation of the Louis Kahn-designed Theatre of Performing Arts, now known as Arts United Center. She often shared stories of the interviewing process for this project, recalling her interactions with world-renowned architects who competed for the commission. Betty also contributed to the development of Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne, serving on the committee that helped designate its new location, and facilitated the merger of the Fort Wayne Art School with the university.

Nature was often the wellspring of Betty’s creative inspiration. Her daughters remember accompanying her to the fields of Indiana, where she would set up her easel to create plein air charcoal drawings while they played nearby. Throughout her life, her family and friends grew to depend on her knowledge of the natural world, often asking, “What bird is making that call?” or “What is the name of that tree?”

Throughout her busy life, Betty always made time for her own artistic practice, exploring a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, cyanotype, textiles, printmaking, and bead work. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is proud to have several examples of her work in their collection.

As her children grew older, Betty pursued further education, taking classes and workshops at the Fort Wayne Art School, Penland School of Craft, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. In the 1960s Betty joined the ranks of women who found the role of homemaker and volunteer confining. After her divorce, she married Russell Oettel, a painter and art professor who deeply admired her and supported her passion for the fine arts. They moved to a charming log cabin nestled in the woods, where they cultivated a large organic garden. Betty grew beautiful flowers and vegetables, made pickles, jams, and jellies, and baked bread every weekend.

In this period, Betty completed her master’s degree in arts education at the University of Saint Francis, setting the stage for a fulfilling 21-year career teaching art to elementary and middle school students in East Noble, Indiana.

When she retired from teaching, Betty embarked on her next career at Artlink, where she served as the Executive Director of the nonprofit art gallery from 1990 to 2006. During her tenure, Betty transformed the small gallery into a vibrant cultural hub and a major force in the Fort Wayne community. She brought artists and community members together by establishing an artist panel to select and curate exhibitions. Betty’s gallery openings became legendary in Fort Wayne, often standing-room-only events where community leaders, artists, and art lovers gathered to support and celebrate the featured work.

Betty is survived by her two daughters, Marguerite Fishman of Pacific Grove, California and Katie Eastridge of Princeton, New Jersey; her two sons-in-law, Patrick George and Nick Eastridge; and her two grandsons, David and John Eastridge. The last big smile of her life was given to her baby great-granddaughter, Eva Rose Eastridge.

———

Marie-Louise Jordi

Marie-Louise Jordi (Loulette) died peacefully on October 16, 2024 at The Greens of Greenwich in Greenwich, Connecticut. She was 93 years old.

Loulette was born on September 29, 1931 in Sion, Switzerland, to Louis DalPont and Germaine Maret DalPont. She grew up in Martigny where she spent many summers with her grandparents in the alpine village of Bruson. At a young age, she discovered her wanderlust and traveled to Hempstead Long Island where she worked as an au pair. She discovered New York City and the beauty of the Long Island Sound and Connecticut.

Upon her return to Switzerland, she joined Air France and found her true calling in the travel business. She worked in Zurich where she met her future husband, Edouard Jordi, who was working in Dusseldorf, Germany. They were wed in November of 1960 in Martigny, Switzerland, and celebrated at the iconic Chateau de la Batiaz. They soon moved to the United States where they welcomed their children Philippe and Catherine.

Loulette returned to the travel business working for Revere Travel in Princeton, NJ, and then with American Express Travel. Her vast knowledge of Europe, fluency in five languages, and love of travel brought her scores of clients who eagerly sought her advice and recommendations. Her career in travel spanned over 30 years.

Travel was one of her great passions in life that allowed her to experience many diverse cultures across the world. Her love for her Swiss family often brought her and her family back to visit her parents and siblings and their families. Loulette’s greatest source of pride were her two children and their families. After Philippe moved to Martha’s Vineyard, she would come to the island with Catherine and her family to spend the summers on the Vineyard, the start of a long family tradition.

Preceded in death by her husband, Edouard and her sister, Aurelie Berger, Loulette is survived by her children, Philippe Jordi (Randi Baird) of West Tisbury, MA, and Catherine Marcus (Drew) of Greenwich, CT; grandchildren Alexander Marcus (Lara), Olivia Parnon (Eric), Julia Marcus, Elie Jordi and Miles Jordi; and her brother Pierre DalPont.

A private memorial service will be held in Switzerland next year.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Vineyard Village at Home, PO Box 1356, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

November 13, 2024

Obituaries 11/13/2024

Patricia Strazza

Patricia Jean Peterson Strazza died peacefully on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in her home on a warm and sundrenched fall day, surrounded by family, her dear caregivers, and the art and beauty she loved.

Born in Logan, Utah, January 30, 1933, “PJ,” as she was known, had western roots and grew up surrounded by pioneer spirit, often taking road trips with her adventurous parents to national parks and other points of interest. In 1948, the family moved to Washington, DC, her father taking a job in the US Department of Interior and her mother starting her career at Sidwell Friends School. PJ blossomed during her time attending Sidwell Friends where she excelled in academics, played the piano and organ, even performing at the National Cathedral. After graduation she went north to Cornell University where she embraced college life and made numerous lifelong friends. Big Red held a special place in her heart thereafter. She also found there the love of her life, Richard Strazza, the lucky third wheel she met while dating Dick’s roommate. They married in 1955, the year she graduated from what is now Cornell’s College of Human Ecology.

Once married, she followed her mother’s footsteps into teaching, but soon found her hands more than full, with three children. She and Dick moved to Princeton in the mid ’60s where they raised their children (with a parenting style she jokingly called “benign neglect”) as well as a gaggle of Newfoundlands. PJ was a lover of dogs, people, and good times. No college football or hockey season went by without a raucous Cornell/Princeton party at the house; it remains surprising that a porch full of attendees collapsed only once. At various gatherings, holidays, and the annual Strazza Christmas Eve Open House, she could usually be found at the bench behind the piano singing hymns and Cornell songs, family and friends crowded around her, delighting in the glow of her warmth and merriment. She always welcomed her children’s many friends who hold their own fond remembrances of her from those times at the piano and of the smile she seemed to always wear.

During her time in Princeton, she volunteered for many causes including the Princeton Hospital Fete, Recording for the Blind, and local politics. Her passion for art led to her and Dick’s involvement in the local art scene, culminating in their purchase of Gallery 100 on Nassau Street in Princeton. They loved befriending and supporting local artists and that the gallery became a gathering spot for many.

It was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that brought her the greatest joy. She reveled in their accomplishments, attending countless sporting events, school ceremonies, birthday parties, marching band competitions, and band concerts, always looking for a chance to celebrate them. She cherished the times she and Dick spent at their vacation home in Treasure Cay, Bahamas, where she escaped winter to soak in the sun sparkling off the turquoise blue water, loving the Abacos for their warm Bahamian people and island lifestyle. She shared their paradise with dear friends from Cornell and elsewhere. The door was always open there. And her heart was always open everywhere.

“We had so much fun” was the refrain as she contemplated her life these past years. Indeed, she did.

She was predeceased by her younger sister, Mary Lou of Portland, Oregon, and her husband, Dick Strazza. She is survived by her three children, Sophia Tomasi (Ted), Craig Strazza (Ann), and Karen Strazza (Jeff Heath); her sister, Sue Peterson Huguely (Geoff); as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (with another on the way!). They, and her many nieces and nephews, in-laws, step grandchildren, friends, and all she touched in her unique way, will miss her terribly. But they also know that she is celebrating with her beloved “Pop Pop” and the family and friends that have gone before her.

She always shouted out to those leaving after a visit “Don’t change!” Same to you, PJ; know that the deeply fond memories of all those you have known will never change.

Arrangements and cremation services were private under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit PJ’s memorial page and guestbook below at holcombefisher.com.

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Jean Hoy Hoover

Jean Hoy Hoover of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on October 22.

Born in 1930, Jean resided in Princeton for 61 years after moving from Lafayette Hill, Pa., in 1963. She spent many summers in Avalon, NJ, with her siblings and extended family. She attended Moore Institute of Art (now Moore College of Art) in Philadelphia after graduating from Norristown High School in 1948. There she met the love of her life, John L. Hoover Jr.

They were married and went on to have five children. A woman and mother of her generation, she stayed at home to care for her children. At age 44, she was predeceased by her husband and Jean became a tireless household manager and single mother.

As her children matured, Jean pursued her love of art and began her career as an interior designer and fashion illustrator. Her interior design work included the Nassau Inn in Princeton. Her fashion illustrations appeared in publications including The New York Times as well as local Princeton newspapers.

Jean also enjoyed her gardens and spent endless hours moving earth, rocks, plants, and shrubs to achieve just the right garden design. She was a longtime member of the Dogwood Garden Club as well as the Present Day Club. For many years Jean was an active volunteer at the Princeton Hospital and the Princeton Hospital Auxiliary. She also was an avid tennis and paddle tennis player well into her sixties. Her pride and joy was her family and “Grandy,” as she was known by her grandchildren, was the matriarch.

Predeceased are her parents, William F. and Anna M. (Gebhart) Hoy; siblings Elizabeth Gerhard, William F. Hoy, Jr., and Anne Finkbiner; and her husband John L. Hoover Jr.

Jean is survived by her five children, Curry Simmel (Scott), Stuart Hoover (Carey), John L. Hoover III, Eric D. Hoover, and Christian Hoover (Marianne); six grandchildren, Sarah A. Reynolds (Whitney), Alexandra J. Stabert (Samuel), Eric W. Hoover (Mary), Anne Cardew (Griffin), John R. Hoover (Sara), and Grace Hoover; six great-grandchildren, Callan, Eloise, Theodore, Eleanor, Wesley, and Sloane. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A private Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at The Mather Hodge

Funeral Home, Princeton. The interment of Ashes will follow at Trinity-All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to All Access Mental Health, 819 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 (aamh.org).

November 6, 2024

Obituaries 11/6/2024

Elisa Hirvonen

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Elisa Hirvonen, devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. Born on October 16, 1956, in the Bronx, New York City, Elisa’s life was filled with joy, love, and inspiring resilience.

Along with her parents, Olavi Hirvonen and Hilja Hautamaa, and older brother Esa, her childhood was spent enjoying the outdoors in the mountains of Vermont before moving to Westchester County, New York. Growing up with parents who had emigrated from Finland, they were proud to witness Elisa win the Miss Finlandia competition as a stunning teenage tyttö (young girl).

Elisa went to Earlham College to study art in 1974. There she met Henry Dale while they were on a college field trip. They moved together to Philadelphia where Elisa continued her education at the Philadelphia College of Art. However, back home tragedy struck the Hirvonen family as Elisa learned that her brother, Esa, had been killed in a motorcycle accident in 1977. As the family recovered from the sudden loss of Elisa’s older brother, they bonded together to plan a Finnish-American wedding for Elisa and Henry one year later. The couple were happily married at Lapland Lake, a cross-country ski center established by her parents.

After a time spent exploring various living options, Elisa and Henry eventually settled in Princeton, New Jersey. There in 1980, Elisa continued honing her artistic ability as an early member of the Arts Council of Princeton where she practiced drawing nude figures. In 1984, she gave birth to the first of her three sons, Kai David Dale.

Motherhood did not stop Elisa from continuing to produce artwork at home and as a student at Trenton State College nearby in Ewing. The family welcomed two more boys to the family, George Nikolai Dale in 1992 and Julian Asaph Dale in 1994. However, Elisa was not the only female in the household. She happily welcomed the arrival of Henry’s mother, Amy Gatchell, to their home and the pair quickly formed a lasting bond.

Elisa shared her love of the outdoors with her family and organized camping trips and summer excursions to the Jersey Shore every year. Elisa and her family would also continue to return to the town of Benson, NY, where they would visit Elisa’s mother and her husband, Phil, before hitting the ski trails at Lapland Lake nearby to visit with Elisa’s father, his wife Ann, and their daughter Leila.

As Elisa’s sons grew and she found more time to herself, she turned her attention back to establishing a career, beginning with one passion she had particularly cultivated in her free time: gardening. In 1997, Elisa began her own gardening and landscaping business, calling herself “The Garden Nanny.” The business flourished, but Elisa found that she was not spending enough time expressing creativity in her work and shuttered the service after a year.

In 2001, Elisa’s family was devastated by the sudden passing of George, Elisa’s middle child, who was killed in an accident during a parade. The loss of George had a tremendous impact on the family and Elisa was a beacon of strength through the tragedy. With the generous support of friends and family, Elisa was able to establish a fund in George’s name for underprivileged children to take classes at the Arts Council of Princeton.

As the years passed, Elisa was finally able to leverage her education in the arts to pursue a career as an art teacher. After earning a graduate degree at Bank Street College in NYC, Elisa landed a position at the Princeton Charter School, teaching art classes to elementary school students in 2005. At home, Elisa continued exploring artistic mediums and adopted a passion for working with clay. She founded The Raisin Studio, born out of a refurbished shed in her backyard, where she hosted clay sculpting classes and crafted her signature “edgy bowls.”

Sadly, Elisa was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2007, which remained a constant challenge to her active lifestyle. While her 17-year battle with the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease may have slowed down her physical movements, she kept her spirit and passion for life going. She worked at Princeton Makes, a co-op for local artists, working studio, and haven for anyone with artistic curiosity. She was a Qigong instructor after taking the opportunity to travel to China on a Qigong retreat earlier in her life and years of training and dedication to the movement. In 2014 she co-founded the band Woe Nellies which shortly became a five-person group that would practice and perform regularly to share their mutual love of playing the ukulele and singing.

In Elisa’s later years, she found movement increasingly difficult but remained a constant source of support for her family and friends. While rarely asking for help, Elisa found an abundance of willing supporters in loved ones around her who were often more than willing to share in her creative pursuits and outdoor excursions — despite her mobility challenges.

Elisa is survived by her husband, Henry Dale; sons, Kai (Kriti Gupta) and Julian; sister, Leila; aunt, Linda (John Booth).

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Parkinson’s Foundation.

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Peter Giller

Peter Giller, beloved father, family man, and highly respected executive in the Princeton, New Jersey area, who was a leader in the power generation industry, passed away on November 2, 2024, at the age of 82. Over his remarkable 50-year career, Peter was an engineering pioneer and often an unconventional figure devoted to advancing energy solutions and reshaping the landscape of power generation. He will be greatly missed.

Born on February 17, 1942 and raised in Hameln, Germany, Peter pursued a dual degree in electrotechnical and mechanical engineering in Kassel. In January 1960, he met the lovely Renate, his future wife, whom he married in 1966 at the historic Ruderverein Weser rowing club in Hameln. In 1969, Peter accepted a position with Westinghouse Electric in Philadelphia, PA, and he and Renate traveled to the United States by ocean liner from Le Havre, France, still learning English en route. Initially planning to stay only two years, Peter and Renate ultimately immigrated to the U.S. and built a family together with the births of their son, Oliver, and daughter, Michelle.

Peter joined ABB and moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1976, where he eventually rose to President of ABB Energy Ventures, overseeing the global development, ownership, and operation of power plants. In 2000, Peter became the CEO of International Power (now ENGIE), Europe’s largest independent power producer, and relocated with Renate to London, England. They made their home near the iconic Tower of London. He later became an advisor for Blackstone, spearheading Germany’s first project-financed offshore wind farm, Meerwind Süd Ost. As Chairman of A&A EIC, he contributed to international energy investments, and more recently, Peter explored innovative technology in green ammonia production with Fuella in Norway, expanding his legacy in sustainable energy solutions.

Outside of his impactful career, Peter was a devoted sailor and skier with a profound love for family, adventure, and travel. He was a member of the Seaside Park Yacht Club and actively participated in the Flying Scott fleet’s Sunday Race Series. His sailing adventures spanned from St. Martin, the Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, Baja California, Canada’s Desolation Sound, Nantucket, to the British Virgin Islands, often with family and friends. Peter and Renate were active and devoted members of the Lutheran Church of the Messiah in Princeton.

Son of the late Karoline and Eduard Giller, Peter was predeceased by his wife Renate Giller, his son Oliver Giller, and his brother Eduard Giller.  He is survived by his daughter Michelle Clark and son-in-law Ted Clark of Seattle, WA; daughter-in-law Susanne Giller of Pennington, NJ; grandchildren Tagg Clark, Maika Clark, Alexander Giller, and Julia Giller; brother Günter Giller and sister-in-law Christa Giller of St. Augustine, Germany; and sister-in-law Dagmar Giller of Hameln, Germany; as well as nieces and nephews Jessica Giller, Nicola Gantert, Jens Giller, and Heike Müller.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 407 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ, concluding with burial at Princeton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organization that was dear to Peter’s heart: Good Grief in Princeton, NJ.

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Memorial Service
Landon (Lanny) Jones

A memorial service for Landon (Lanny) Jones will be held at the Princeton University Chapel on Friday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m.

October 30, 2024

Obituaries 10/30/2024

Gene R. McHam

Gene R. McHam, age 89, formerly of Brooklyn, N.Y., died on October 19 at his home in Princeton, N.J., surrounded by loving members of his family who had nursed him in his final days. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Blake McHam, and five children, Michael McHam of Metuchen, NJ (Antonette), Jeffrey McHam of Castro Valley, CA (Jennifer), Melissa McHam Green of Brooklyn, NY (Geoffrey); stepdaughters, Emily McHam Lambert of Rochester, NY (J. David), and Julia Wilk of San Diego, CA; and eight grandchildren, Natalie and Charlotte McHam, Sam Neal, Henry and Syl Green, Wendell, Charles, and Samuel Lambert.

A Navy ROTC scholarship paid for his undergraduate degree in English literature at Miami University of Ohio, and so Gene spent three years on active duty in the Navy as a Lieutenant (junior grade). He loved telling stories of his escapades, always embellished with the tall tale exaggerations consistent with his Texan origins. Ever after, he happily educated family members in destroyer bridge talk and semaphore poses. Post Navy, he had a distinguished and multifarious career. After graduating from Columbia University as a member of the Law Review (1963), he was hired by Lord, Day & Lord, then an eminent law firm in New York City, where he worked from 1963-1966. Gene was especially proud of his significant contribution to a landmark US Supreme Court case, in which he authored the brief that was ultimately argued before the Court. His work in that case became an important part of Supreme Court jurisprudence, marking a lasting impact on legal precedent. His dedication to justice and his commitment to this pivotal case will remain a defining aspect of his legacy. Herbert Brownell, the former Attorney General of the United States and a senior partner in his firm, enticed him to join the first campaign of John V. Lindsay for mayor of New York City. The victorious Lindsay appointed Gene to be Assistant Corporation Counsel of the City of New York (1966) and Director of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. In his one year there, Gene also supervised the collection of more than $5,000,000 in unpaid traffic tickets to the city.

He soon moved on to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., where he served as Executive Assistant to its President, Robert W. Haack, and as Vice President in charge of the Direct Clearing Department, which processed NYSE trades for 62 brokerage firms (1966-70). He returned to the private sector as a senior vice president and director of F.S. Smithers & Co., Inc., a securities company, from 1970-73. When Smithers failed, he was hired by the Louis-Dreyfus Corporation, a large grain exporting company, which appointed him as a senior vice president and director, but not before he passed a graphology test in Paris (despite his notoriously illegible handwriting). The Louis-Dreyfus family later became famous to a broader audience through the actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

After six years there, in 1979, Gene co-founded Andrew Peck Associates, Inc., a pioneering discount stock brokerage firm on Wall Street, where he served as Executive Vice-president and Director until his retirement in 1995. Shortly thereafter, he and his associates sold it to Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

Gene was a lifelong scholar and traveled extensively. He audited enough courses at Princeton, principally in philosophy, to have earned two undergraduate degrees. One of his passions was compiling a more than 200-page commonplace book of favorite quotations from his vast reading as he explored the meaning of life. He will be sorely missed for his sense of humor, learning, tireless curiosity, and generous heart by those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, if you are so inclined, please send contributions to Memorial Sloan Kettering or the New York Public Library.

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

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Louis “Louie” Intartaglia

Louis “Louie” Intartaglia, 74, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Penn Medicine in Plainsboro, NJ.

A lifelong resident of Princeton, Louie attended the Princeton Public School system, graduating from Princeton High School in 1968.

He went on to attend Emerson College before enlisting in the Navy, where he served for four years in the Middle East during the oil crisis. After his service, Louie returned to Princeton and worked as a landscaper. He was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Baltimore Orioles.

Louie was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Boccanfuso Intartaglia, and father, Dominick Intartaglia. He is survived by his brother, Andre (Donna), and his nieces, Anna and Olivia, as well as many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SAVE Animal Shelter by calling (609) 309-5214 or online at savehomelessanimals.org.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

October 23, 2024

Obituaries 10/23/2024

Pryde Brown

Pryde Brown, an American photographer and lifelong feminist, died at her home in Ringoes, NJ, on September 29, 2024. Pryde was best known for her portrait and wedding photography; she expressed the joy she found in people through the lens of her beloved Rolleiflex. Her career began in 1970 when she purchased a photography studio in Princeton. There she honed her skills and developed a reputation for her extraordinary portraiture and black and white analogue archival printing. Her archive, including hundreds of thousands of negatives, is a testament to her talent and dedication to her art.

Born January 27, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY, Pryde grew up in Ridgewood, NJ, and graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1956. In 1957, she married John McPhee, who was to become a renowned non-fiction writer, and together they raised four daughters: Laura, Sarah, Jenny, and Martha. When her marriage to McPhee ended, she became a professional photographer and was in business for over 40 years.

Her second marriage to Dan Sullivan brought her five stepchildren and a fifth daughter, Joan. Together on their 45-acre property in Ringoes, NJ, this large blended family raised goats and chickens, tended fields of raspberries and strawberries, and became a magnet for many artists and intellectuals of the time. Pryde later placed the property in the D&R Greenway Land Trust; it is now known as “Pryde’s Point” and the land is preserved and open to hikers.

In addition to her career as a photographer, Pryde was a fierce advocate for women’s rights. She joined the National Organization for Women in the early 1970s and co-founded the group Women on Words and Images. Together, they wrote the influential Dick and Jane as Victims, a work that exposed gender biases in children’s literature and textbooks. She continued her advocacy with the publication of Channeling Children: Sex Stereotyping on Prime Time TV. Her belief in the power of education led her to mentor scores of high school students in her photography studio, helping them to identify their passions and to write about them eloquently in college application essays.

Pryde is survived by her five daughters — Laura McPhee, Sarah McPhee, Jenny McPhee, Martha McPhee, and Joan Sullivan Anane — as well as her five stepchildren and numerous grandchildren. In lieu of flowers or gifts, you may make a donation “In memory of Pryde Brown” to D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton, 08540, (609) 924-4646), or online at drgreenway.org. D&RG’s Tax ID # is 22-3035836 and NJ Charity number is CH0469400.

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Lucille (McCracken) Carnevale

Lucille passed away at University Medical Center at Princeton on October 19, 2024, at the age of 93 years. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, NJ, she attended local schools, graduating from Perth Amboy High School in 1949 as a member of the National Honor Society.

She came to Princeton in 1953. She and her sister opened The Fabric Shop on Chambers Street. Eventually she became sole owner moving to the Princeton Shopping Center. She closed the door in 1983. Boredom setting in, she worked at LaVake Jewelers then Hamilton Jewelers.

Daughter of the late Robert and Rose McCracken and wife of the late Anthony Carnevale, she is survived by her son Gary; daughter April and her husband Richard Dombey; grandchildren Courtney, Anthony (A.J.), Catherine Carnevale, Jessica and husband Joshua Barkauskie; and great-grandchildren Christian, Nicholas, and Benjamin. Lucille is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Nelson, brother-in-law, Michael Carnevale, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in memory of Lucille Carnevale to the Salvation Army (Trenton), 575 E. State Street Trenton, NJ  08601-1101 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001.

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Ernest Mario
1938 – 2024

Dr. Ernest Mario, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, passed away at his son’s home in Durham, NC, on October 20, 2024, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking leadership and contributions to healthcare and education. He lived at various times in Cherry Hill, NJ; Bridgewater, NJ; Princeton, NJ; Palo Alto, CA; London, England; Wilmington, NC; and Key West, FL. He was 86.

Married for 59 years to the former Mildred Martha Daume, who passed in 2020, “Pop-Pops” was deeply loved and respected by his surviving family: three sons, Christopher Mario of Key West, FL, Greg Mario (Lauren) of Miami, FL, and Jeremy Mario (Jennifer) of Durham, NC; eight grandchildren, Griffin, Chloe, Madeleine, Brigitte, Gretchen, Reid, Charlie, and Millicent); two great-grandchildren; and many dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Born in 1938 in Clifton, New Jersey, to immigrant parents, Dr. Mario was educated in public schools, graduating high school at just 16 years old before earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, which in 2001 was renamed the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in his honor. He went on to earn his MS and then his PhD in physical science at the University of Rhode Island.

Dr. Mario began his career as a pharmacist and researcher, working his way up through quality control and manufacturing at Strasenburgh Labs, SmithKline, and Squibb, to eventually become the CEO of Glaxo Inc (USA) and then Glaxo Holdings (Worldwide) from 1986 to 1993, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s growth.

After Glaxo, he served as chairman and CEO of Alza Corporation, guiding it through its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2001. He then served as CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals in Liberty Corner, NJ, helping lead the company to its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline in 2007.

Throughout his career, he served on numerous corporate boards including Celgene Inc. in Summit, NJ, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Kindred Biosciences, and was actively involved in healthcare education, notably as honorary chairman of the APhA, and as chairman of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education Board for 15 years.

Dr. Mario’s contributions extended to the non-profit sector, where he served in leadership roles with organizations such as the American Lung Association, the President’s Council on Fitness, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, The Gladstone Institute, and Stanford Hospital, among others. He has served as a trustee of Duke University (1989-2007), Rutgers University (1986-1992), University of Rhode Island (1978-1986), and Rockefeller University (1989-2000).

As a boy in Clifton, NJ, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and was especially proud in 2000 when he was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for his service to youth.

In 2007, Dr. Mario was awarded the Remington Honor Medal, the highest recognition in the pharmaceutical profession.

Along with his family, philanthropy brought Dr. Mario one of his great joys, especially the creation of the Mario Family Foundation, which aims to support educational and economic opportunities and historic preservation.

He will be remembered by his family and friends not just for his business success, uncompromising integrity, and philanthropic endeavors, but also for his love of family get-togethers, classic Corvettes, sitting in the sun working the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, and making enormous pots of his famous spaghetti Bolognese to be shared around a large table. He had formidable card-playing skills, which he continued to display and teach to his grandsons right up until his final weeks. He will be greatly missed.

A public memorial event will take place at the Edith Memorial Chapel at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, on December 7 at 2 p.m. Reception to follow.

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Memorial Service
Dorothy “Dosky” F. French

Dorothy “Dosky” F. French, 94, of Princeton, NJ, passed away at home on August 22, 2024.

A Memorial Gathering for Dosky will be celebrated on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Pub Room in the main building of Princeton Windrows, located at 2000 Windrow Drive, Princeton.

October 16, 2024

Obituaries 10/16/2024

Wayne Richard Carlson

Wayne Richard Carlson, 66, of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away on October 8, 2024, after fighting the good fight.

As the middle child to Phyllis and Wayne Carlson, Wayne grew up in Schenectady, New York, playing football for Linton High School as a lineman, before being recruited to play for Rochester University. After graduating in 1985 with a Degree in Far East Asia History/International Relations, Wayne explored the world for a couple of years as a ship’s purser for Dolphin Cruise Lines, satisfying some of his God-given wanderlust.

Wayne eventually made port in Washington, DC, where he earned his MBA in Marketing at American University. Shortly thereafter, he made his way to Bristol Myers Squibb, where he began his career in global issues management once again scratching his itch to see the world. During his time with BMS he met his future wife of 29 years, Ellen Hoenig-Carlson (surviving), who gave him a chance at a first date on his fifth annual ask. They saw Pulp Fiction in the theater and the rest was history. In 1997, the duo started their family when their first son, Ethan Carlson, was born — quickly followed by the births of Asher and Zane Carlson.

A diligent lifelong student of world history, politics, and stoic philosophy, Wayne had a brilliant understanding of the world and loved to share his wisdom in the form of thoughtfully-crafted advice and opinions, with all those whose lives he touched. Wayne also had an eye for design and was an avid collector and restorer of historical cars, houses, and watches. He lived in a house that he himself designed, drove in a car he rebuilt, and was an avid proponent of love, charity, and the American Dream. A man of resolute character and unquestionable strength, Wayne constantly strove throughout his life to make the world a better place than when he found it — a rare endeavor which he believed to ultimately be the reason we were put on this Earth.

Wayne is preceded by Wayne Curtis Carlson and Phyllis Russell Carlson, and leaves behind his wife, Ellen Hoenig-Carlson; his three sons, Ethan, Asher (Ryan), and Zane (Kylee); his sister, Susan (Joe);, his brother, Richard (Jennifer); and nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Trinity Church, in Princeton, NJ, on Saturday, October 12, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wayne’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tunnel to Towers, two organizations Wayne strongly believed in.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Joseph James Needham

Joseph James Needham, 91, of Princeton, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 8, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born in Philadelphia, PA, to Joseph and Teresa Needham, Joe had been a resident of the Princeton area for the past 64 years.

Joe was a true gentleman, a selfless person who always thought of others before himself. He had an abundance of wit and quiet charm. Though he will be sorely missed, his love and sense of decency will never be forgotten. He was known for his generous and loving spirit, always willing to help others. He was determined and accomplished in everything he set his mind to, whether building a business, racing cars, or skiing.

After attending Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Joe joined the U.S. Army as a cryptographer stationed in Austria. In 1971, he started Princeton Air, where he created a lasting legacy. As a visionary executive, he built his company based on high standards and excellent relationships with his employees, clients, and partners.

Joe became an accomplished Porsche racer, competing as a member of the Schattenbaum Racing Club at tracks like Lime Rock, Bridgehampton, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta. He was an avid skier, enjoying the sport until the age of 84. Both he and his wife Joan were also longtime members of the Carnegie Lake Rowing Association.

He is predeceased by his wife, Joan Needham, his sister, Nancy, and his grandson, Ian. He is survived by his children: Linda, Scott, Leslie, Dian, Lisa, and Christine; his siblings: Robert, Teresa, Lillian, Donald, and Jack; his eight grandchildren and his four great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey, 08542. Interment followed in the Princeton Cemetery.

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

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Margaret Brooks McCloskey

Margaret Brooks McCloskey, 102, passed away into eternity on October 8, 2024, at her home. She was born in Plainsboro, N.J. on July 8, 1922, in a small home on Edgemere Avenue. Her father, David Brooks, and her mother, Mary, worked at Walker Gordon Laboratories The family eventually moved to another Walker-Gordon property on Plainsboro Road, which they purchased in 1936. She married Leo J. McCloskey in 1949 (died 1969) and, except for a few years at several Princeton addresses, lived in Plainsboro the rest of her life.

Margaret was very intelligent, skipped two elementary grades, and graduated from Princeton High School at the age of 16. She was employed at several Princeton locations, including The Institute for Advanced Study, Weller Insurance, Howe Travel Agency, Helen Van Cleve Real Estate, and K.M. Light Propertie. She retired in her late 70’s and was active in local social groups and Plainsboro community activities through her late ’90s. Margaret was a member of Plainsboro Presbyterian Church. She was an avid reader until age 100, when advanced macular degeneration detracted from her enjoyment. Margaret remained fiercely independent and unassuming her entire life. She enjoyed travel, visits with her family and playing Rummikub with her friends and neighbors.

Margaret is survived by her son Dennis and daughter-in-law Diane McCloskey; three grandchildren, Shannon (Lee) Grajzar, Heather (Hal) Pruitt, and Matthew (Ashley) McCloskey, as well as great grandchildren, Lily, Cohen, Trevor, Maddox, Maisie, and Matilly, all of Georgia. She is also survived by nieces Karen (Bill) Thomas of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Gail (Doug) Bowers of Palm Desert, California; Peggy (Flavio) Fener of Princeton; and Maureen (Ken) Bruvik of Skillman, as well as many other nieces, nephews and family throughout the U.S.

Special thanks to all the supportive personnel from Penn Hospice at Home for their loving care during her last weeks, and to Stella, her special home helper for the preceding four years.

There will be no formal funeral or memorial services following cremation, per her wishes.

In lieu of flowers, donations to either the Plainsboro Fire Company or Plainsboro First Aid Squad are suggested.

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Iris (Rosenthal) Goldin

Iris (Rosenthal) Goldin, of Princeton Junction, NJ, died peacefully at home at age 88 on October 12, 2024.

Born and raised in Highland Park, NJ, Iris was a proud graduate of Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia and taught second grade at Memorial School in East Brunswick. Iris was a classic “homemaker” of the ’60s and ’70s, serving as a President of the PTA and many other community organizations in North Brunswick, where she raised her family. She later became a full-time substitute teacher at North Brunswick High School, followed by a successful career as a realtor with Coldwell Banker. After moving to West Windsor in 2000, she served as Chairman of the Village Grande Social and Trip Committees.

Friends and family uniformly remember her big smile and sunny disposition She was one of those people that made others feel better for having spent time with her. She loved spending summers down the shore in Beach Haven with her family.

She considered herself wonderfully fortunate for having married a fellow from “the wrong side of the tracks” who “made good” and gave her a wonderful life. Asked years later why she dated a fellow who was “trouble” she replied, “I guess I was looking for trouble!”

She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Dorothy (Zagoren) Rosenthal and her husband of 43 years, The Hon. Martin S. Goldin. She is survived by her daughter, Tamara Eisenberger of Somerset, NJ; her son Steven and his partner Cynthia Bratman of Princeton Junction, NJ; her former daughter-in-law Evelyn Goldin of Ewing, NJ; her grandson Michael and his wife Jo-Ann, grandchildren Will, Beau, Devon.

A Memorial Service was held at Star of David Memorial Chapel, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542 on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 11 a.m. Burial was at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin.

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Clara Banta Kennedy

Clara Banta Kennedy, a beloved matriarch and dedicated community member, passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 101. Born on March 10, 1923, in Buffalo, New York, she was the daughter of Charles Woodbury Banta and Clara Urban Banta. Clara spent her childhood on a farm on Pine Ridge Road in Cheektowaga, which belonged to her grandfather, George Urban, Jr., a prominent Buffalo businessman.

Clara attended the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and graduated in the accelerated wartime program from Smith College in August 1944. Shortly after, she worked for the U.S. Naval Intelligence in the New York City office before marrying Kevin Kennedy, also from Buffalo, in March 1945. During Kevin’s service as a naval officer in the Pacific, Clara worked as a social worker at the American Red Cross in Buffalo.

In the fall of 1946, the couple moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where they lived on a farm and raised their four sons: Kevin, Charles, Alexander, and Shaun. Clara’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished when she started an antique business with a friend, eventually becoming a partner in several stores near Princeton and two on Martha’s Vineyard.

In 1969, Clara and Kevin built their home on Husselton Head in Vineyard Haven, where they joyfully hosted family and friends until Kevin’s passing in 1992. After his death, Clara remained an active and cherished member of the community, engaging with the West Chop Club, Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club, and the Want to Know Club of Vineyard Haven. She was an avid reader throughout her life and maintained a keen interest in local, U.S., and world affairs.

Clara’s life was marked by a deep commitment to education and service. She worked with children through summer Bible camps, served as a teacher’s aide in Trenton, NJ, and taught English as a second language. Her 23 years of volunteering at the Island Food Pantry exemplified her compassion and dedication to helping others. She always championed the underdog and will be remembered for her warmth, wisdom, spirited personality, and deep love of her family and friends.

Clara is survived by her four sons and their wives, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, four nephews, and one niece. A memorial service will be held in June 2025 in Vineyard Haven, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Clara’s remarkable life.

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Charles Lutz Taggart
1927 – 2024

Charles L. Taggart, age 97, passed away on August 15, 2024 in Princeton, NJ. He was born on May 2, 1927 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the son of Adelaide Lutz and Carl Stolz Taggart. He leaves behind a legacy of being known as someone who always wanted to make the communities he lived a better place.

Charlie graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1947 after serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After studying Architecture at Princeton University, he graduated in 1951, and worked as a draftsman for Embury and Lucas, Architects in New York until 1953 when he returned to Oklahoma City to join his brother J. Thomas Taggart at the family real estate investment and management firm.

He married Sydney Shaffer in 1955, and moved back to Princeton, NJ, in 1959 where he worked for Princeton University for 25 years, serving as Director of the Alumni Council, Assistant Dean of the Graduate College, and then Director of Development. In Princeton, and later in life, he was an active volunteer, serving on the Board of Trustees of Princeton Day School, and the Community Fund Board. He also served his Princeton Class of 1951 in various roles, including as Treasurer, Vice President and President, as well as Reunion Chair and Annual Giving.

After Princeton, Charlie went on to lead Development at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology. Upon his retirement, the Taggarts moved to Wakefield, RI, where he joined the Board at Willow Dell Beach Club and the Courthouse Center for the Arts before returning to Princeton in 2009.

Charlie and Sydney spent the last 15 years as active residents of Stonebridge at Montgomery, in Rocky Hill, NJ. It became their home, and Charlie became active in many aspects of the community, serving as Chair of the Residents Council, the Facilities committee, and he spent many hours in the woodshop. An avid tinkerer and handy man, improving the various homes in which his family lived, room by room, gave him great enjoyment. In his own wood shop and then at Stonebridge, he would joyfully repair and craft custom furniture, skills he learned while he was a Board Member at the Worcester Center for Crafts. While at Stonebridge, he was frequently asked to repair a chair or table or refinish a treasured antique that had seen better days.

He and Sydney were also keen travelers, visiting many countries together in his retirement, as well as numerous trips throughout the US southwest. One of his favorite places was France, where he traveled to spend time with his brother and wife, Tom and Norma Taggart.

Charlie’s quick wit, focus, and curiosity made him a thoughtful and loving husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and communicator, and he was lovingly embraced by his friends for his trustworthiness and sense of humor. Throughout his life he was known for “challenging the status quo” and his life’s work of fundraising and hard work has left the world a far better place.

Charlie is predeceased by his parents and his brother Tom. He is survived by his wife Sydney of nearly 69 years, and three sons Peter (Judy), Denver, CO, Ward (Rebecca), Las Vegas, NV, and Carl (Kim), Wayne, PA, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Stonebridge at Montgomery on October 26 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Stonebridge Employee Appreciation Fund by contacting Keith Ikola at kikola@springpointsl.org or (609) 759-3614.

October 9, 2024

Obituaries 10/9/2024

Nagle Jackson

(Photo by Peter C. Cook)

Nagle Jackson, former Artistic Director of McCarter Theatre Center who brought Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, to life on the McCarter stage for the first time in its history directing his 1980 adaptation, died July 15 in Rhinebeck, New York, at age 88.

Internationally known theatrical director and playwright, writing 20 original plays and adaptations, Mr. Jackson was a seminal figure in the American regional theater movement, serving as Resident Director of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco (1967–70), Artistic Director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater (1971–77), and Artistic Director of the Tony Award–winning McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts (1979–90).

Nagle Jackson was the first American director ever invited to direct in the Soviet Union where, in 1987, he was contracted to stage Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie for the Bolshoi Dramatic Theater in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). It opened in April 1988 and remained in the repertory of that theater for 12 years.

Mr. Jackson’s directorial career began at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1965 where he staged Ben Jonson’s Volpone. He returned to direct seven productions there in total — among them a 1994 production of The Two Noble Kinsmen that completed the festival’s Shakespeare canon.

An esteemed playwright, Jackson’s works include the widely performed comedy/drama Taking Leave, the farce Opera Comique, and the award-winning The Elevation of Thieves. In addition to A Christmas Carol, his adaptations include Faustus in Hell, a musical staging of Horace McCoy’s They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, and Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

Mr. Jackson directed and co-wrote the book for Clark Gesner’s musical The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall starring Celeste Holm, which debuted on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theater in May 1979. A gifted educator, Jackson’s “System of Five” is used throughout the country by actors and directors.

Born in Seattle in 1936, Nagle Jackson was the younger of two children raised in Walla Walla, Washington, by his parents, Paul Jackson and Gertrude Dunn Jackson. After graduating from the Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island, he returned home to attend Whitman College, graduating in 1958 with a BA in English and French Literature, after which he studied as a Fullbright Fellow in Paris at L’Ecole de Mime with Etienne Decroux. In 1995, Jackson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Whitman College.

Mr. Jackson was married to Sandy Suter Jackson in 1963, living the last 44 years of their lives together in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, until her death in 2023, just weeks shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his daughters Rebecca Morton (Jeffrey Morton) and Hillary Jackson; his grandchildren Martha Morton and David Morton; his sister, Jeannette Jackson Murphy; and nieces and nephews Danielle Murphy McMahon, Mark Murphy, Megan Murphy (Gregg Lachow), Morgan Murphy (Lori Murphy), and Topher Murphy.

A celebration of Nagle Jackson’s life is being planned for spring 2025. Please contact CelebrateNagleJackson@gmail.com for more information.

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Joanne Dix

Joanne Dix, beloved by family and friends, passed away on Saturday, September 21 at the age of 81.

Born to Matt and Timmie Antonovich in New York City, she grew up in Chappaqua, NY, and Mountain Lakes, NJ. From an early age, her parents instilled in her enduring qualities of compassion, kindness, and tolerance, contributing to her eventual career in social work. She was passionate in her defense of the disadvantaged, not afraid to speak out where she witnessed injustice. Throughout her long career she helped innumerable people whose lives were enriched because of her. She gained great pleasure and insight from her interaction with her clients in Ocean Hill-Brownsville and Trenton, with a year working as a social worker in Uganda.

She earned a BA from Drew University, and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University. As a young adult she lived in New York City, eventually moving to Princeton in 1973, where she was married the following year.

Joanne loved being outdoors, but more than that, she loved talking to people. It was common to see her tending her small garden along Snowden Lane, where she was able to chat with neighbors and passers-by at every opportunity. Her eyes would light up at every passing baby or small dog.

A love of nature led her into the woods and mountains. Backpacking in America’s many mountain ranges; trekking in Nepal, New Zealand, northern England; birding throughout the U.S., as well as Iceland, Botswana, Peruvian Amazon, much of Central and South America.

As waning years gradually took their toll, she got pleasure from poring over her photo albums of family and her many wonderful trips. But her greatest pleasure came from time spent with her family, especially her wonderful grandson Shep.

She is survived by her husband Bill of 51 years; daughter Becky Graham and grandson Shepard Graham; sister Judy Smith and brother Tom Treiman. A small private family gathering will celebrate her life.

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Biagio G. Ruggiero

Biagio (Ben) Ruggiero, of East Windsor, passed away on September 30, 2024.

Born in Chiusano di San Domenico, Italy, on August 8, 1936 to the late Emilio Ruggiero and Elvira DeAngelis, Biagio spent over a decade studying and serving the poor at the Collegio dei Missionari del Preziosissimo Sangue in Albano, Italy, before leaving religious life to move to America in 1959.

Ben’s natural-born talent for working with his hands led him to easily find opportunities in New York City, first performing delicate fabric repair at a fine arts upholstery store and later making mechanical equipment at a machinist’s shop before moving to central New Jersey, where he lived for over 60 years.

In East Windsor, Ben worked for Mettler Instruments making precision equipment, then for RCA Astro as a satellite model-maker before discovering his true gift as a leather craftsman and opening Ben’s Shoe Repair in Hightstown in 1973, where he remained in business until his retirement in 2020.

Ben was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 47 years, Kathleen. Ben’s sister, Giuseppina Ruggiero; his brother, Domenico Ruggiero; and his nephews, Emilio Ruggiero and Tonino Cortesi, all of Italy, also predeceased him.

He was beloved by his children, Bernice Wiles of Hagerstown, MD, Estella Ruggiero (Don Gilpin) of East Windsor, Celeste (Pete) Gray of Robbinsville, and Biagio (Erin) Ruggiero, of Pittsburgh, PA, and his grandchildren, Liam and Nora Gray, Henry Gilpin, and Benjamin and Eliza Ruggiero. He will forever be remembered by his nephews, Felice and Elvio Ruggiero of Montefalcione, Italy; his brother-in-law, Joseph (Geraldine) Higham of Hamden, CT; his sister-in-law, Margaret Hryniuk of Garner, NC; his cousin, Benedetto Ruggiero of Chiusano, Italy; along with his other dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at St. David the King R.C. Church, 1 New Village Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550.

Interment will follow at the Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, in honor of Ben, please offer help to a neighbor and be kind to one another.

Arrangements are under the direction of Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, NJ.

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Richard T. Tufano

Richard T. Tufano 81, of Blawenburg, NJ, and, Overton, PA, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024. He was born in Princeton and settled in Blawenburg in 1973. He was employed at Hercules Powder Co. and the U.S.

Richard gave freely of his time and volunteered to various organizations including the Montgomery Township Fire Company #2, where he served two terms as a Fire Commissioner; NJ Beach Buggy Association; New Brunswick Horse Show Association; Family Motor Coach Association; and past President of the Jersey Gems camping club and Treasurer of the Delaware Valley German Wirehair Pointer Club. He loved surf fishing, traveling in his motorhome, and hunting at his camp in Overton, PA.

Predeceased by his parents Vincenzo J. Tufano and Anna (Cuomo) Tufano, and siblings Cecelia, Joseph, Francesco (Frank), Vincent, and John, he is survived by his wife of 60 years Kathleen Joyce (Simon) Tufano; sisters and brother-in-law Emma Tufano, Margaret Powers, Ellis Simon; nieces Allison Tufano Clancy, Roseanne Murphy, and Sharon Brown and great-niece Kaitlyn Clancy Flatts; and his four-legged buddy, Ralph. Richard is also survived by his extended family and dear friends.

A Memorial Service was held on Monday, October 7, 2024 at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery EMS.

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Britta Bjornlund Blum

Britta Bjornlund Blum, a cherished member of the Princeton community, passed away peacefully at her home on August 24, 2024, at the remarkable age of 101. For nearly 65 years, Britta enriched the lives of those around her in the Princeton area with her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to her community.

Born in Boston, MA, Britta entered the world under the care of her uncle, Frederick C. Irving, head of the Boston Lying-In Hospital. Her father, a Swedish chemical engineer, and her mother, a U.S. citizen and a nurse, had settled in the small town of La Tuque, Quebec, before moving to Cornwall, Ontario. For her high school education, Britta attended the Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA, where she was the editor of the school magazine and the yearbook. She later followed in her mother’s footsteps by enrolling at Smith College. During her freshman year at Smith, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Britta decided to accelerate her education. She graduated from Smith in August of 1944, having been elected president of her accelerated class of 130 classmates.

Following college, Britta began her career at the Office of Cable Censorship in New York City, where she worked to intercept wartime communications. After the war, her compassion led her to the American Red Cross in France and Germany. When she returned to the U.S., Britta became a staff writer at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. She then married Frederick E. Blum, a Naval Academy graduate, a pilot and a flight instructor, and a World War II veteran. Together, they lived in Honolulu, HI, and Pensacola, FL, before settling in Philadelphia and eventually Princeton.

In Princeton, Britta and Fred were founding members of the Bedens Brook Club, while Britta became a prominent figure in the community. She served as President of the Princeton-area Smith Club and was actively involved in local volunteering initiatives. Her passion for tennis led her to manage publicity for the Princeton Community Tennis program. After several years there, she moved to the Office of Continuing Education at Princeton University and then decided to return to school at Rider University where she earned a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. Following her master’s, she became the Director of College Counseling at both the Hun School in Princeton (where she worked for a total of 11 years) and the George School in Newtown, PA.

Britta loved to travel, and her adventurous spirit took her across Europe and Africa, including a memorable safari in Kenya and a gorilla trekking expedition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She spent her 85th birthday in Kinshasa, DRC, visiting her children. Her favorite place in the world was a family-owned island on the St. Lawrence River where she spent every summer with her children, siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces, and grandchildren. In addition, she loved to ski each winter at Copper Mountain in Colorado with her children and sister, brother-in-law and their children, while she enjoyed playing tennis year-round.

In her later years, Britta remained intellectually and socially active, engaging in editing work, playing bridge, and reading hours daily. She was a member of Princeton’s Present Day Club, a founding member of the Princeton Women’s Investment Club, a member of the Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees, and a member of the Chippewa Yacht Club in the Thousand Islands. Britta’s primary focus was always her family, who, despite geographical distances, spent a good deal of time visiting her.

Britta is survived by her son, Daniel Blum, of Boulder, CO; her daughter Cynthia Carroll and her son-in-law David Carroll of Naples, FL; and her daughter Lauren Blum and her son-in-law Victor Bushamuka of Baltimore, MD. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Britta, Carin, Benjamin, and Kerstin Carroll, and William and Daniel Bushamuka.

Britta’s enduring legacy of love, resilience, and adventure will continue to inspire all who knew her.

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Phyllis L. Kane

Phyllis L. Kane passed away on October 3, 2024. Phyllis was born to Harry and Clara Lazarowitz in Brooklyn and brought up in Manhattan with her older brother, Teddy, and older sister, Ruth. She graduated from Julia Richman High School, and later attended and graduated from Rutgers University as a young mother. She also studied in graduate school at the New School in New York.

Phyllis met Herbert Kane in 1949 and they were married in 1953. Phyllis and Herbert were happily married for 71 years. After marrying, Phyllis and Herbert moved to Princeton, where they raised their children, Alan and Julie. Phyllis created a home that was a warm and safe space for many, where her children and their friends often gathered. She was also a wonderful hostess and she and Herbert were famous for their great parties, including their big election night soirées.

In addition to raising her children, Phyllis worked primarily in the arts and with antiques, and filled her home with her best finds. Phyllis remained an active and outspoken progressive throughout her life, particularly on issues of women’s and animal rights. As a tried and true animal-lover, Phyllis adopted many rescue dogs and successfully lobbied almost her entire extended family to stop eating veal.

Phyllis was deeply loved and appreciated by her family and friends both in Princeton and across the country. She cherished her many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and their children. She had a special love for her children and grandchildren, Alan Kane (deceased) (Eva Fellows), Justin Kane, Rebecca Kane, Julie Kane (John Ortiz), Cydney Ortiz, and Cara Ortiz (Oliver Paprin).

Her family will remember her for her kindness, loyalty, irreverence, and sense of humor, and will miss her deeply.

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Roy Gordon Dollard

Roy Gordon Dollard of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away at home on September 27, 2024.

He was born in Long Island City, NY to William and Ann (Melia) Dollard. He was a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Cornell University, and NYU Business School. In his youth he was a track star — 1⁄4 mile champ and an Eagle Scout. He served in the military and worked for New York Telephone / NYNEX for 35 years, retiring as President of NYNEX Computer Services. He served as President of the Fifth Avenue Association and 20 years on two school boards in Briarcliff Manor, NY, and Hopewell Valley, NJ.

He loved camping, making furniture, baseball and being with his family.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of 67 years; his children, Cary, Christopher (wife Ellen), and John; and his grandsons, Jim, Andrew, and Ian. blackwellmh.com.