April 24, 2024

Obituaries 4/24/2024

Idamae G. Trenner

Idamae G. Trenner died peacefully at home in Princeton on Friday, April 12, after a long illness. Her four siblings, several nieces and nephews, and many friends spent precious time with her during her final weeks. Although Idamae embraced independence in most aspects of life, she made and kept a lot of friends of varied ages and backgrounds over her 83 years.

Born on July 20, 1940, Idamae was the eldest of the five children of Dr. Nelson Richards Trenner Sr. and Kathryn Farrell Trenner. Except for one year in each of Uppsala, Sweden; Washington, D.C.; and New York City, she always lived in New Jersey: in Westfield from 1940-1991 and Princeton from 1991-2024.

Idamae graduated in 1958 from Westfield Senior High School, where she was an excellent student and won the award as the top female athlete, and in 1962 from the College of St. Elizabeth, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. After graduation, she began what became one of the highlights of her life: working in the laboratory of Peyton Rous at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City. (Prof. Rous was awarded the 1966 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discoveries in virology and oncology.)

Following her time at the Rockefeller Institute, she joined Merck & Co. After three years working in drug R&D at Merck and three years teaching biology at Saint Aloysius Academy in Jersey City, Idamae decided to follow her heart and began what turned out to be a highly satisfying career as an executive of the Girl Scouts of America.

One of the happiest aspects of her GSA years was spending some 20 summers as director of Camp Lou Henry Hoover on Swartswood Lake in Middleville, NJ, as well as one summer as director of Camp Blue Bay in East Hampton, LI. She loved her camp summers. Several friends who came to visit her in recent weeks shared fond and often highly amusing memories of Idamae as the kind, enthusiastic, but no-nonsense camp director. A few years ago, Camp Hoover dedicated the Idamae Trenner Pavilion and a sculpture of her.

When Idamae moved to Princeton in 1991 to live closer to her father as well as to one of her sisters, one of her brothers and his growing family, she started a business in money and household management, primarily for senior citizens. Through word-of-mouth, she gained several Princeton-area clients, many of whom became devoted friends. She continued to work, albeit on a reduced scope, until her death.

The greatest source of meaning and connection in her later years was spending time with friends of all ages, perhaps especially with her two nephews, Miles and Winslow Radcliffe-Trenner, who lived literally around the corner. Auntie Ida, Miles, and Win formed early and enduring bonds when she picked them up at Princeton Friends School, took them sledding, skiing, or snowboarding, and spent happy (and sometimes riotous) summer days fishing with them from their boat or from the town dock in Castine, ME. When the boys were older, she thought nothing of driving 300+ miles roundtrip in a single day to be with them for swim meets, water polo games, or musical performances at their high school in Lakeville, CT.

In addition to the Radcliffe-Trenner nephews, Idamae is survived by several other family members, including her siblings, Kathryn T. Trenner of Princeton, Georganna T. Krivonak of Tinicum, PA., Robert F. S. Trenner of Bellevue, WA, and Nelson Richards Trenner Jr. of Princeton, as well as by her nieces and nephews: Kathy Dearborn, Gregory and Daniel Krivonak, Mary K. Benash, and Jake, Katie, and Erik Dearborn. Idamae was predeceased by a niece, Ashley Richards Trenner, and a nephew, Darin Scott Trenner.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at St. Paul’s Church in Princeton. It will be followed by a service at the Trenner Family plot in Princeton Cemetery and then by a private reception. The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Camp Hoover Campership Fund, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, 1171 State Route 28, North Branch, NJ 08876.

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George A. Vaughn, III

George A. Vaughn, III, age 96, known to many as “Arky,” died peacefully on April 14 surrounded by family.

Inventor, entrepreneur, aviator, avid traveler, active board member, and singer, Arky had numerous vocations and passions.

Arky was born in East Orange, NJ, to Marion and George A. Vaughn, Jr., a WWI flying ace and co-founder of the Vaughn College of Aeronautics. Raised in Staten Island, NY, he graduated from The Lawrenceville School then enlisted in the US Navy overseas. Following his service, he attended Princeton University and graduated from Ohio State in 1955 with a degree in engineering.

Arky’s career began at ALCOA in New York City, where he also met his future bride, Martha Hinman of Binghamton, NY. In 1965, Arky began working for Mideast Aluminum and moved to Princeton where he and Martha raised their three daughters, Barbara, Susan, and Phoebe. Two years later, with fellow Princeton engineer Dick Hargrave, he founded the Maark Corporation, which designed and manufactured the first aluminum tennis racquets — the Head Master, Standard, and Professional racquets. Arthur Ashe immortalized the Head Graphite racquet, while Pam Shriver helped to popularize a subsequent design for Prince, the first mass-produced oversized racquet. In 1977 AMF acquired Maark, and Arky became the Chairman of Head Racquet Sports Worldwide until the 1985 purchase of AMF by Minstar Corporation.

Arky served on numerous boards: Princeton Day School, Princeton Community Tennis Foundation, the American Boychoir School, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Family Center, Vaughn College of Aeronautics, and the Aerospace Education Foundation.

Singing gave Arky great joy. He and Martha were founders of the Witherspooners, a singing group that performed in Princeton in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and they formed an a cappella group, “The Private Parts,” with friends.

Arky traveled extensively with Martha to exotic destinations across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Europe as well as Bermuda, where they bought a house in 1978. Bermuda became a beloved second home for them.

Arky is survived by three daughters (and sons-in-law), Barbara Vaughn Hoimes (Telly Hoimes) of New York City and Woodbury, CT, Susan Vaughn (O’Brien) of Los Angeles, and Phoebe Outerbridge (Andrew Outerbridge) of Princeton, NJ, and Bermuda, six grandchildren, a brother James Vaughn, and sister Jane Vaughn Love.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arky’s honor to HomeFront.

April 17, 2024

Obituaries 4/17/2024

Nancy Joan Glace Van Pelt

Mrs. Nancy Joan Glace Van Pelt, 91 years young, entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on April 4, 2024.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she lived in Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville, NJ, and later moved to Aiken, SC. She worked for Ketchum, McCloud & Grove, an advertising agency in Pittsburgh, for 4 years and for Valentine’s in Lawrenceville, NJ, a furniture and design business, for 13 years.

Daughter of Clement Hortanac and Madelyn Johana Glace Kanasko. Proceeded in death by her parents and son William Clark and husband William Herrmann. Lovingly remembered by her daughters Lisa (Noble) Van Pelt-Diller and Meredith Van Pelt of Aiken, SC, and grandsons Maxwell Van Pelt Diller (Maggie Martin) of Phoenix, AZ, and Bennett Van Pelt Diller of San Diego, CA. Also, survived by sister Jean Dunn of Ashland, OH.

She attended Robert Morris Business College in Pittsburgh, PA, and had a lifetime interest in fashion, art, and classical music. She was a member of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra Guild, as well as a member of the Women of Woodside. She was a passionate fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. She filled her days reading books and the New York Times while enjoying her loving family and friends. She was a social, elegant butterfly who was and always will be unforgettable.

A Celebration of Life for both Nancy and William will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m., at The Constantine House, 3406 Richland Avenue, W, Aiken, SC 29801.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Friends of Aiken Symphony (friendsofaikensymphony.org) and The Aiken Center for the Arts (aikencenterforthearts.org).

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Avenue, SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803-649-6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting georgefuneralhomes.com.

Brooke A. Johnson

Brooke A. Johnson, 54, of Princeton, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, joining her beloved father, George, after his sudden death last year.

Brooke was a fifth generation Princetonian born at the old Princeton hospital in August 1969. She grew up in the heart of downtown, skipping under Witherspoon’s pear trees, selling lemonade in front of Johnson Electric, picking wild strawberries, and chasing fireflies along Wiggins and Park Place.

She attended Community Park Elementary School, graduated from Princeton High, and went on to attend the universities of North Carolina and New Hampshire where she studied environmental sciences. An avid outdoors woman, Brooke spent much of her time hiking and camping, and lived in her tent for months on end reading, meditating, and photographing the beauty around her. Her photos of Carnegie Lake and the birdlife there were spectacular.

Brooke was also an avid follower of the Grateful Dead and the Blues Travelers bands, and in her younger years traveled all across America with her brother George to see them. Likewise, she attended many a Broadway show, always a lover of a good story, especially any Edward Albee or Stephen Sondheim production.

But one of her biggest passions was cooking. After working for a stint in Princeton Hospital’s kitchen as a young teenager, the cooking bug stuck, and Brooke continued in the cooking industry throughout her adult life. After college she spent several years in Boston honing her skills as a baker, and upon returning to Princeton worked at the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University in their food services departments, at Theresa’s on Palmer Square as their hostess, at Princeton Junction train station’s En-Route snack shop, and at the Blawenburg Market where she gave cooking and pastry making classes. In 2010 Brooke began her own successful catering business, “Cook with Brooke,” serving dinners for Prince Albert of Monaco and Governor Phil Murphy among many others.

During the pandemic her catering business took a hit and Brooke returned to her love of nature and animals to start a dog walking business. “Cook with Brooke” became “Walk with Brooke” as she turned to her childhood stomping grounds once again, walking dogs on downtown streets, hiking Princeton’s parks, and photographing it all.

Brooke took the loss of her Dad in the summer of 2023 very hard. Her Father’s close friends Doug Hoffman, Noel Sabatino, and Mike Miller, along with the Princeton Fire Department were a huge comfort to her and her family.

She once said, after her Dad passed away, that she vowed to continue to give her time to those in need of help, to live a life of service just as her Dad always did. All who knew them both would certainly agree that she was “her Father’s daughter,” and Brooke would have taken this as the highest of compliments.

But no matter what difficulty she faced, Brooke always managed to turn it around. She brought light and passion to whatever she did, her loud cheer and laughter never failed to light up a room, and her hilarious storytelling could rival any Sondheim. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her, including her menagerie of furry friends whom she cared for with love and respect.

Daughter of the late George W. Johnson, she is survived by her mother Catherine Nestor Johnson, and a brother George W. Johnson. Brooke’s grandparents, deceased, were Dorothy L. Nestor and Martin S. Nestor and Cecilia M. Johnson and Reuben F. Johnson.

Brooke is also survived by her Aunt Peggy (Margaret) and Flavio Fener; Thomas H. Johnson (deceased) and Josephine Johnson; Linda Lee Nestor; Marta Lowe and Jeffery Lowe (deceased); and Martin F. Nestor (deceased).

Many cousins including Heidi Fener (deceased), Heather Fener and Brandon Kessler; Thomas E. Shockley Jr. (deceased); Lindsay Lowe, Molly and Brian Rooney; and other family members, Sue Bruswitz, Caroline Clancy, and Missy and Kenny Bruvick. And her special friends Kelly, Robin and Matt, and Zuzu.

A memorial service for both Brooke and her late father George W. Johnson will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Princeton Fire Department and to SAVE Animal Shelter.

Linda Baruch Leon

Linda Baruch Leon passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family on April 10, 2024 due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was 75 and had resided on Casey Key in Nokomis, FL, since 2004.

These words cannot do justice for the incredible life that Linda led and the significant impact she had on the people around her. Linda was a remarkable and courageous woman. She will be remembered most for her generosity, her bravery, and how she lived life on her own terms.

Linda is survived by her husband, Mitchell Leon, and her daughter, Lindsay Sullivan (Steve Trimble). She was a wonderful stepmother and loved dearly by Anya Olin-Leon and Noah Leon (Nicole Leon). Linda is also survived by her six grandchildren: Audrey Trimble, Nora Trimble, Victoria Costa Silva, Oliva Costa Silva, Mia Leon, and Asher Leon as well as her five siblings, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Linda was predeceased by her son, Teddy Sullivan.

Linda was born January 16, 1949 and lived in Baltimore, MD, until her family moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1954. She attended Westover School in Middlebury, CT, and the University of Denver where she majored in fine arts. In 1970 Linda married Brian Sullivan. Although their marriage ended after 30 years, they remained good friends and co-parents of Lindsay and Teddy.

In 1972, Linda returned from Denver to Princeton to work with her mother in their graphic design/printing business, Minute Press, which Linda ran until 1988. She was an artist and businesswoman, having started a number of businesses including DesignWrite, a medical education company, in 1993 with Mitch which survives to this day. Linda retired after Teddy’s death in 2002. In March of 2009, Linda and Mitch were married at their home on Casey Key.

Linda was a wonderful mother and a well-loved member of every community she lived in. A travel enthusiast, she enjoyed incredible trips to some of the most exciting places in the world. She was a woman whose devotion to family and friends was her guiding principle and most important legacy.

Gone too soon, Linda loved this life filled with so much joy and friendship. She will be deeply missed by so many.

A memorial service will be held at Princeton Cemetery on May 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. She will be buried near her parents and son, Teddy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Linda’s name to HomeFront (1880 Princeton Avenue, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648), an important organization in the Princeton and surrounding community working to break the cycle of poverty.

April 10, 2024

Obituaries 4/10/2024

Howard James Hill

Howard James Hill, age 63, from Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. Howard’s hometown was Edmonton, the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta, and he also called London, Los Angeles, and New York home before settling in Princeton, New Jersey, in 2009.

Howard graduated from Saint Xavier High School in Edmonton. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alberta in Canada, and his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School in the United States.

From a young age, Howard was a brilliant innovator and creator. He tinkered and experimented with technology, music, and writing. He enjoyed breaking down complex systems and making things work better and more efficient, and Howard spent his 40+ year career doing what he loved most alongside many colleagues that he was grateful to also call friends.

Howard worked for law firms and software companies in London (IRS Eclipse; Rouse & Co International/Willoughby) and in Los Angeles (Netnames) before moving to New York and joining the General Counsel’s Organization at American Express in 2001 working in legal operations. In 2022, Howard joined ServiceNow in New York where he continued his legal and technology career.

Throughout his career, Howard mastered the art of weaving technology into his legal colleagues’ daily lives. He was always willing to find a solution with his “can do” and tenacious spirit, and he brought ease and efficiency to his colleagues at American Express and ServiceNow. Howard’s laughter and love of technology as well as his friendship will be greatly missed. 

Howard lived with his wife, Lisa Schroter, and their adorable pet felines, Loafy, Sabrina, and Salem. Howard met Lisa, his soulmate and the love of his life in 1989, they married in 2005, and the two have been inseparable for more than half of their lives. Together, Howard enjoyed hobbies of gardening, biking, kayaking, the arts, British comedy, cooking and fine dining with friends and family, and traveling the world. Howard was also a talented music creator, and an aspiring writer with his first graphic novel in production based on an intriguing character he had created from his own imagination.Howard was truly a unique, brilliant, and multi-faceted individual.

Howard had a passion for enjoying life and its every adventure with Lisa by his side. He was a witty conversationalist and had an uncanny sense of humor that everyone loved. Howard valued his connections and relationships and devoted time to truly getting to know people; he was everyone’s biggest fan as their loyal friend. Howard made friends everywhere with his sincere smile, infectious laugh, and his strong sense of calm and peace that he brought to every situation.

Howard is predeceased by his adoring parents, Gordon Francis Hill and Sybill Alberta McCormac Hill of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa Schroter; his dear brother-in-law, Hal Schroter; and his cousins in Toronto, Marie Baker, Margie O’Callaghan, John O’Callaghan, Ken and Fran Hill, Gord and Marie Hill, Neil and Vivienne Hill, Tim and Adrianne Hill, Francie and Peter Barbetta, and all their respective children, as well as his cousins in the UK, Marion Royer and Alan May. Howard is also survived by his long list of great friends that he considered family, and many other loved ones who will miss Howard and his generous and caring heart and zest for life.

A memorial service for Howard will be celebrated on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 3 to 5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church located at 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Canada or to the American Stroke Association.

Please visit Howard’s tribute page provided by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home located in Princeton, New Jersey: matherhodge.com.

———

Susan K. Alcántara

January 1, 1944 –April 4, 2024

Susan K. Alcántara, 80, of Princeton, passed away on April 4, 2024, at her son’s home in Waco, TX, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in New York City in 1944, Susan and her twin sister grew up in Allentown, PA. She attended Ithaca College where she graduated with a degree in physical therapy. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Princeton where she worked at Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center’s original location on Bayard Lane. She met her husband José at Merwick in 1971, and they were married in the chapel there two years later. 

In 1975, they moved to the newly built Princeton Community Village, a vibrant, caring, multicultural community located off Bunn Drive. They raised their family at Mulberry Row and were among the longest-tenured residents of the Village, having lived there for 48 years until 2023. Residents always appreciated her quiet strength and thoughtfulness and saw her as the perfect counterbalance to her husband, whom they referred to affectionately as “The Mayor of the Village.” They held membership at Princeton United Methodist Church for close to three decades. In their later years, they also worshipped at Central Church in Ewing and Stonehill Church in Princeton.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen Schmidt, and her grandchildren, Justin Alcántara and Viviana Hightower.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, José; her twin sister, Karen; her daughters, Amanda and Lucia; her son, Jared; her step-sons, Rick and Tony; and her nine grandchildren: Austin, Julian, Maya, Hayes, Liliana, Gabriel, Rayan, Emerson, and Evelyn.

The funeral service will be held at Princeton’s Stonehill Church, 1025 Bunn Drive, on April 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. After the service, the family will hold a private graveside service in Wayne, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the place that she loved to bring her family, Princeton Public Library, at princetonlibrary.org.

Arrangements will be made by the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton. Condolences are welcome on Susan’s tribute page at matherhodge.com.

The family would like to offer its deep appreciation to José and Susan’s dearest friends, George and Mina Angeletopoulos, and to Jared’s wife Jennifer, for devoting herself so fully to caring for Susan in her final year.

———

Dr. Juan Campos Abellana

Dr. Juan Campos Abellana — known affectionately by friends, family, and patients as John, Johnnie, and Dr. A. — passed away peacefully at Brandywine Serenade at Princeton on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the age of 84. He was a longtime resident of Princeton and a beloved physician who specialized in internal medicine with a focus on caring for elderly patients. He was admired for his dedication, empathy, and unwavering commitment to serving others.

Born in Cebu, Philippines in 1939 to the late Celso Abellana and Sostenea Campos Abellana, Juan graduated from Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in 1965. He completed his internship and residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Elizabeth, NJ. During his tenure as chief resident, he met Victoria de la Cruz, a fellow intern who would later become his wife. Subsequently, he pursued a two-year fellowship in pulmonary diseases at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New York City, where he also served as chief resident for nine months. He then worked at the French and Polyclinic Hospital in New York City and at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, NJ.

Dr. Abellana relocated to Princeton in 1973 to assume the role of Medical Director at Rossmoor Medical Center in Jamesburg, NJ. A year later, he established his private practice in Princeton. Until his retirement in 2014, Dr. Abellana served as a Senior Attending Physician with Penn Medicine at Princeton.

Devoted to his family, Dr. Abellana especially cherished spending time with his two grandsons. An avid gardener, he delighted in cultivating an impressive array of vegetables and flowers each spring. He had a passion for music and singing, enjoyed long-distance road trips and navigating NYC traffic, and remained a lifelong Mets fan.

Dr. Abellana is survived by his wife of 54 years, Victoria, and his three children and their families: Joy and her husband, Stephen, along with their son, Charlie; John and his wife, Cordelia, and their son, Augustus; and Jason. He is also survived by three siblings, Marcos, Victor, and Cora; half-siblings Victoria, Camila, Robert, Louis, Tomas, Christy, Emma, and Cheryl; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family members. He was predeceased by six siblings: Nemesio, Norma, Agapito, Celso Jr., Alfonso, and Erasmo; and his half-sister, Rosalia.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Kimble Funeral Home, located at One Hamilton Avenue in Princeton, NJ. The following day, on Monday, April 15, 2024, a Funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Parish, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

April 3, 2024

Obituaries 4/3/2024

Christian Stewart Perry

Christian Stewart Perry, 39, died on March 25, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

Christian was born in New York City in 1984 and moved to Princeton the following year with his parents Jim Perry and Hetty Baiz. He attended Princeton public schools, Bard College at Simon’s Rock where he received an associate’s degree in 2002, and the University of Chicago earning a bachelor’s degree in 2006. He also spent a year in Japan as an exchange student and became fluent in Japanese.

Following college Christian moved to San Francisco where he founded SF Beta, a company that organized events in the tech industry. He used this model to form similar tech networking groups in Colorado, New York City, Boston, Portland, Ore., and Dublin, Ireland. He was most recently employed by Narvar Corporation as a software engineer.

Christian had a wonderfully entrepreneurial spirit and was politically active. Some in Princeton may remember, following the 2000 election, he organized a large group to travel to Washington to protest the inauguration of George W. Bush. He was 15. During that same time period he worked after school for Princeton University designing websites and providing tech assistance to the University Press. Christian was an avid reader, and loved to cook and play the Irish flute. He was passionate about technology, had a wonderful sense of humor and a unique way of looking at the world.

In addition to growing up in Princeton, Christian also had strong family ties to Princeton University. He counted as alumni his great-grandfather Alexander Stewart 1898, his grandfather Robert M. Perry ’32, and his great-uncle James M. Stewart ’32, among others.

Besides his loving parents, Christian is survived by his brother Alex Perry and sister-in-law Amelia Kingston of Brooklyn, NY; uncles/aunts David and Sue Perry of Putney, Vt., Ethan and Ginny Perry of Erwinna, Pa, and Jason Perry of Englewood, Ohio.

Services will be private.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Bard College at Simon’s Rock to support scholarships for current and future students.

Donations may be made to the College’s General Scholarship Fund via an online form or check mailed to: Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Attn: Office of Institutional Advancement, 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Please indicate contributions are made in memory of Christian Perry. For questions, please email advancement@simons-rock.edu or call (413) 528-7622.

———

Norman C. Van Arsdalen

An Official and a Gentleman (and so much more)

Norman Charles Van Arsdalen, 96, of Princeton passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Brandywine Living in Haddonfield, NJ. Norman was born in Milltown, NJ, to Isaac Voorhees Van Arsdalen and Marguerite Sohl, on August 19, 1927. He married the love of his life, Thelma Marie Svendsen (Teddie) on August 13, 1949, and they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in August 2021 prior to her passing on January 7, 2022.

Norman is survived by two sons Keith N. Van Arsdalen and his wife Grace, and Scott C. Van Arsdalen and his wife Patricia. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Richard Pfaff and three nephews William Pfaff, Jeffrey Pfaff, and Robert Pfaff; and his nephew John W. Osborn Ill. He has eight grandchildren, Jennifer Van Arsdalen, Christine Van Arsdalen, Bryce Van Arsdalen, Leigh Manley, Jill Ferry, Kyle Van Arsdalen, Chase Van Arsdalen, and Mia Van Arsdalen, and many great-grandchildren. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Norman graduated from New Brunswick High School June 21, 1945. Too young for military service, he joined the United States Maritime Service July 6, 1945, sailing on a coal-carrying steam ship to North Africa. After returning and taking a semester of college classes, he was drafted and inducted into the U.S. Army: C Battery, 13th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Division, on September 10, 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, and an Honorable Discharge. While serving, his swimming prowess placed him on the Army All-Japan swim team.

After the Army, Norman returned to the Panzer College of Education and Hygiene receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education in August 1949. He married Teddie the next day. He was recognized later for Distinguished Professional Leadership with the Award of Honor from the Panzer Alumni Association of Montclair State College. He was hired by the Princeton Township School system as a Physical Education teacher for the 1949-1950 school year and retired from the Princeton Schools in 1989 after 40 years of continuous service and numerous roles. A Portrait feature in the Princeton Packet in 1965 suggested, “Ask for ‘Mr. Van,’ They Know Who He Is,” noting that “the name not only refers to a teacher but is a mark of affection and respect.” He loved teaching Phys Ed; loved coaching soccer, basketball, and baseball (and occasionally track, golf, and softball); and he loved all the kids. During his tenure in the school system, he obtained a master’s degree from Rutgers University and at times served not only as a teacher and coach but also as the Athletic Director and finally as a Vice-Principal in charge of discipline at Princeton High School. After his retirement, a Princeton Packet “Guest Column” authored by two former students, Richard C. Woodbridge and James W. Firestone, wrote that, “There aren’t many people who make a profound impression on a person’s life — but Mr. Van did.” They further noted that, “The most remarkable thing about Mr. Van is that he not only taught basic values, he lived them.” He had a deep and lasting impact on hundreds of students, many of whom returned after graduation just to see him and express their gratitude.

Early in his teaching career, Norm had several interesting and fairly unique experiences. First, after establishing himself in Prince-ton, along with his father Ike, his father-in-law Louis Svendsen, his two brothers-in-law Richard Pfaff and Jack Osborn II, and many other family members and friends, he built the family home on Province Line Road behind the Ettl Farm. The home was a source of pride and an incredible place for a family to live and grow.

Second, quoting in part from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission book dated January 31, 1955: “Norman C. Van Arsdalen, aged twenty-seven, school physical education instructor, saved Joyce E. Humphrey and Ruth D. Walsh from drowning, Normandy Beach, N.J., September 2, 1954. While swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Miss Humphrey and Miss Walsh were caught in a strong irregular undertow and swept into deep water at a steadily increasing speed…. Van Arsdalen entered the water … swimming three hundred and seventy-five feet from shore through rough whitecapped surf, he overtook Miss Humphrey … and towed her two hundred feet to wadable water Although he was tiring rapidly, Van Arsdalen swam to the breaker-line and thence parallel to it for almost a thousand feet. He located … an opening in the breakers, continued thirteen hundred feet through waves ten feet high, and reached Miss Walsh. After resting for five minutes, Van Arsdalen began towing Miss Walsh toward shore…. Repeatedly they were buffeted and submerged by the waves, Van Arsdalen several times losing his hold on Miss Walsh. Crossing the breaker-line with difficulty, he swam towing Miss Walsh to wadable water and carried her to shore.”

For these acts of heroism, he humbly was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Honor and received other recognition, little of which he ever spoke about.

Many the world over know that Norm had a passion for sports and particularly a passion for officiating or refereeing football and basketball. Locally he concentrated on high school football for 35 years and nationally and internationally on collegiate level basketball for 33 years. He was known for fairness, integrity, and impartiality by coaches and players alike. He was recognized by his peers for these same traits, as well as for excellent judgement and a complete understanding of the game, rising to the upper echelon of officials on and off the field and/or court.

Norm’s refereeing experience included many memorable events and opportunities. While refereeing the Thanksgiving Day rivalry between New Brunswick High School (his alma mater) and South River High School (his wife’s alma mater), his unsportsmanlike conduct call against the South River Band for blowing their horns while set up in the end-zone, after being warned not to do so as the New Brunswick team worked their way down field to that same end-zone, got national recognition, not to mention making for an interesting Thanksgiving dinner.

On the basketball court, Norman refereed in all the national tournaments and venues including the NCAA tournaments, the NIT and the Holiday Festival in Madison Square Garden, The Palestra, several conference finals, and the Olympic Trials. In 1966, he accompanied the University of Kentucky under Adolph Rupp to Israel for the International University Basketball Championship. He had the honor of refereeing the Heidelberg, Germany, team versus the Tel Aviv, Israel team, the first ever sporting event for a German team on Israeli soil. Other international opportunities included tournaments in Greece, Iran, El Salvador, and Japan.

After putting away the striped shirts, he remained active in local and national sports associations including the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the New Jersey Football Officials Association (NJFOA), the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA), and the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO). He served on many committees of these associations, as the rules interpreter, as a mechanics instructor, as an assigner and reviewer of officials, and as President. He has received numerous awards and honors including induction into the Princeton High School Hall of Fame, the Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame, the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, and Life Membership in the Officials Club of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

Norm was also “Hon,” Dad, Pop, Pop-pop — loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather. Just as he had a broad and lasting positive effect on so many as described above, his love and impact were concentrated even more within the immediate and extended family. He was a tireless provider ensuring that his family, especially his children, had more than he had growing up; and the hardest worker, never missing a day at school after refereeing a basketball game 200 miles away, midweek in the dead of winter, or working two jobs in the summer. He made sure that the family could spend the entire summer “at the beach.” As a kid growing up there, he had personal knowledge of the history of the Shore and of Camp Osborn and an encyclopedic knowledge of the sea, the bay, the tides, the birds and fish, seining, fishing, crabbing, and clamming. He knew old tricks of the trade from experience and the nuances of all these activities and was eager and patient in passing along these skills and knowledge. He taught every child and grandchild how to swim and body-surf, activities that were shared and enjoyed with him well into his eighties.

He enjoyed all aspects of fishing — reading about fishing, fishing off the dock, fishing in the surf, fishing off the boat, fishing alone, or fishing with company, and, whether catching fish or not. He taught everyone to bait a hook, to keep the rod tip up when reeling in a fish and how to filet the day’s catch. His boat, the Reel Daze, spent more time off the mooring than moored, and most often, some type of fresh caught fish (fried with curled tails) made for a delicious meal.

At all times, he guided the family by example. He treated everyone with respect, fairness, and kindness. He was soft spoken and rarely raised his voice, and even more rarely expressed or even showed any disappointment if one did his or her best and/or tried their hardest. He was a virtuous man who lived his life as anyone would ideally live. He simply did what was right.

Most of all, he was the epitome of undying love for a spouse, of unconditional love for sons with equal love for their spouses, and a mixture of love and pride and hope for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His respect for life and love of life touched so many over all his years, from family members to students long ago, to most recently the assisted-living staff who provided such good care to him. “Norm is quite a man,” they would say, even as his life became more difficult and limited. To the very end, he remained true to himself.

Above all else, remember that twinkle in his eye and that boyish grin!

A Visitation will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue Princeton, NJ 08542. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542.

———

Joan Riopelle Ellis

Joan Riopelle Ellis, 95, died on February 29, 2024 with her son, Gregory, and daughter, Maria, at her side in San Antonio, Texas. Joan was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating from St. Ursula Academy, Joan attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she met her future husband, Bill Ellis, a University of Missouri engineering student and former WWII naval officer. During a Columbus Day Party at Stephens, Joan spotted Bill — the cute guy by the Victrola — and the rest is history. Joan was an active member of Tri Delta Sorority at Toledo University where she graduated with two bachelor’s degrees in education. Joan modeled for the John Robert Powers Modeling Agency in Manhattan and was photographed by famed fashion photographer Richard Avedon. Joan taught elementary school before getting married on November 17, 1951. During more than 65 years of marriage, Joan and Bill lived in Haddonfield, New Jersey; Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Princeton, New Jersey; and Osprey, Florida.

In Columbus, Joan worked part-time writing a weekly column with her own byline in the Columbus Post-Dispatch while raising their three children. In Pittsburgh, the family lived in Fox Chapel and Joan was President of the Carnegie-Mellon University Women’s Club, on the Shadyside Hospital Hospitality Board, and a volunteer crisis counselor. In Princeton, Joan and Bill jointly operated University Associates of Princeton offering professional education programs in the U.S. and Europe. Joan and Bill shared a passion for travel and enjoyed many wonderful trips and adventures around the world. They loved to entertain friends and family in the Princeton house they designed and built. Joan started Design Concepts designing brass ornaments featuring local Princeton landmarks. During their 40-year tenure in Princeton, Joan and Bill were active supporters of Princeton Art Museum, Historical Society of Princeton, Morven Museum and Garden, Drumthwacket Foundation, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, and Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart.

In 2015, they moved to The Oaks Club in Osprey. After Bill died, Joan started a group of single Oaks members. She found friendship, support, and community in this Thursday dinner group, which continues to live on and build community. In June 2023, Joan moved to The Lodge at Leon Springs in San Antonio. She enjoyed being close to family, visiting granddaughters, welcoming her great-grandson, singing along with T.J. at the clubhouse, and exploring restaurants, wineries, and breweries with Greg.

Daughter of the late Marie and Walter Riopelle of Toledo, wife of the late William Woodrum Ellis, and mother of the late Jeffry Riopelle Ellis, Joan is survived by her children Gregory and Maria; grandchildren Keith, Sara, Sophie, Elyssa, and Heather; great-grandchild Rafael; daughters-in-law Kathleen and Delores; and son-in-law Jeffrey.

March 27, 2024

Obituaries 3/27/2024

Elizabeth Mellick Belshaw

Elizabeth Mellick Belshaw, 63, known as Lisa, died after a three-year battle with cancer on Friday, March 22, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, she was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on October 2, 1960 and grew up in Dover, Delaware and Rumson, New Jersey before moving to Princeton.

She was a graduate of Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, ’78 and Connecticut College ’82. Lisa was a summer resident of Prouts Neck, Maine, where she most enjoyed playing tennis, sailing, and taking in the many forms of nature. Lisa previously worked for Vogue magazine, and loved her roles as an elementary teacher at Collegiate School and Spence School in New York City, and Princeton Friends School where she later worked in the development office. Most recently, she worked as the Director of Development for the Princeton Public Library.

From 2003-2012, Lisa lived in London where she raised her two daughters. There, she founded her own business designing fashion accessories and was active in local arts organizations, including Kensington Chelsea Women’s Club. Her lifelong love of art led Lisa to live in Florence, Italy, for two years in her twenties where she studied at Studio Art Centers International. Throughout her life, Lisa was a prolific painter and always supported the arts.

Lisa was the daughter of the late Rt. Rev. G. P. Mellick Belshaw, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Belshaw. She is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth (Lizi) Ham and Alexandra (Zanny) Ham; two brothers, the Rev. Richard Belshaw of Durham, New Hampshire, and George Belshaw of Greenwich, Connecticut; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street in Princeton. Attendees are encouraged to celebrate Lisa by wearing a touch of red, her favorite color. A memorial will be held in Prouts Neck, Maine, in August 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org).

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

———

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Sternberg

1941-2024

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) P. Sternberg, of Pennington, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2024 at the age of 82.

Born in Jersey City in 1941 to Max and Rose Sternberg, he graduated from Rutgers University in 1963 and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in 1967. He then served as a captain in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX.

In 1969 he moved to Pennington, NJ, to start his dental practice. For over 40 years he practiced dentistry while residing just down the road. He served as president of the Mercer Dental Society where he received many awards and recognitions.

Jerry was an avid golfer as well as an accomplished skier. He enjoyed photography, painting, and traveling. He was a voracious reader and a committed patron of the arts. Jerry’s philosophy was always to “pay it forward.” In his spirit of generosity, he donated to many organizations and was a frequent blood donor. He loved life and always had a smile on his face. He was the happiest guy anyone knew.

Jerry is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Lois Sternberg; his three children, Adam (Jenet), Michele
(David), and Lindsey (Doug); and four grandchildren, Jaden, Brenna, Jackson, and Hannah. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Har Sinai Temple, 2421 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ. Interment is private.

Shiva will be observed at the Sternberg residence in Pennington immediately following the service on Sunday, and on Monday and Tuesday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. with a minyan at 7 p.m. on both evenings.

The family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Gerald-Sternberg.

March 20, 2024

Obituaries 3/20/2024

Richard (Dick) Bergman

Richard (Dick) Bergman died peacefully on February 17 in Princeton, New Jersey. It was very important to him to reach his 90th birthday on January 18, 2024. He was delighted to receive over 50 cards, many with very personal statements about how Dick influenced the sender’s life. There were also emails and drawings of dinosaurs, stars, and rainbows by grand-nieces and nephews. He loved those because he remembered working with daughters, nieces, and nephews to stargaze and build rockets and robots.

Born January 18, 1934 to Joseph and Clara Menchel Bergman, Dick grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Yeadon, Pennsylvania. In 1951, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned first a Bachelor and then a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. MIT became a lifelong constant, and he served many roles for the institution, including as a member of visiting committees, on the Board of the Alumnae Association, as a local interviewer for prospective students, and as Secretary of the Class of ’55, during which time he wrote (and often tactfully edited) dozens of Class Notes columns celebrating the lives of his peers. He and Vicky attended every fifth year reunion, starting with the 25th and ending with his 60th.

After graduation, Dick worked first for Esso, then took an opportunity at startup Princeton Chemical Research, where he was Director of Engineering and Development. Based on work he did at these companies, he held a number of U.S. and foreign patents. When an opportunity to start a business with a friend arose, he took the chance and they created Systemedics, Inc., in 1967 which offered the then-new computerized technology of providing information processing for medical offices. They built an office building at Princeton Air Park. After watching the planes come and go, Dick took flying lessons and enjoyed taking his daughters on flights to the Jersey shore.

Systemedics also worked with innovative physicians to develop and provide the Problem Oriented Medical Record to physician’s offices. Systemedics was ultimately bought by Equifax, while Dick was on assignment in Washington, D.C., as the Executive Director of President Jimmy Carter’s Interagency Taskforce on Workplace Safety and Health.

Corporate life wasn’t his passion, so he politely declined an offer from Equifax to join their executive ranks. He and Vicky then created Savant Associates, an environmental safety and health policy consulting service. They also incorporated Project Masters, which provided POMR forms for doctors’ offices, and later offered medical, technical, and scientific photos used in textbooks, reference works, and ads. They retired from work life in 2020.

As a longtime resident of Princeton, Dick was known for his lively conversation, curiosity, excellent dinners, and wise — often ahead of his time — mentorship and advice. He was deeply involved in his community, including the MIT Club of Princeton which he served for two years as President, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, Hands Across America, the Princeton Summer Chamber Concerts, and the Old Guard.

He also served as President of The Jewish Center from 1994 to 1996, and was one of four founders and long-term President of Community Without Walls (CWW). CWW was formed to bring together friends and neighbors to support each other to age in place, their own homes, or other residential locations. He brought his keen insight and sense of equality to all roles.

He and Vicky had season tickets for many decades to McCarter’s Music Series, and also regularly enjoyed special programs, theater, and dance there. They supported the library and the Institute for Advanced Studies, attending many events at both.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Susan Hackett. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife, Victoria Bergman, who was his partner in all things; his daughter Deborah Bergman; his brother Donald Bergman and wife Susan Bergman; his grandchildren, Cheryl Hackett and Jennifer Hackett and her spouse Ash Moore; seven siblings-in-law and their spouses (thanks to Vicky’s large family); many grandnieces and nephews in six States; and beloved friends, neighbors, and caregivers.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Jewish Center, Princeton, or Planned Parenthood.

———

Rabbi Howard Hersch

Rabbi Howard Hersch, 86, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown, PA, and formerly Trenton, NJ, passed away on March 14, 2024.

Over 60 years ago, Rabbi Howard Hersch was elected Rabbi of a small congregation in Trenton, New Jersey, that had recently voted to become Conservative. Working together with an outstanding group of leaders they built a vibrant spiritual home for all, soon to be known as Congregation Brothers of Israel.

In addition to being ordained from the Academy for Jewish Religion, Rabbi Hersch returned to the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his Master’s in Hebrew Literature, Rabbinic Ordination, and Doctor of Divinity.

During the time of radical changes in Jewish life, Rabbi was most proud of being part of a synagogue that was forward-looking, accepting of change, and building for the future, without division or losing members.

In Rabbi Hersch’s years of service, he received numerous awards and honors for his work on behalf of the Jewish community, here and abroad. He was honored by the State of Israel, The National Board of Jewish Federation, and the Recipient of The Golden Shofar Award by Israel Bonds. Rabbi Hersch served on Rabbinical Boards and other prestigious bodies for the betterment of Jewish Life and worthwhile humanitarian causes. He has been honored by several Congressional resolutions and Presidential commendations, thanking him for years of service.

Rabbi Hersch’s greatest joy was his wonderful family. He is survived by his beloved wife Joan, all of his cherished children, Avra and Elie Gordis, Seth and Renee Hersch, Jonathan and Julie Hersch, Elicia Brand and David Leudemann, and Marni Brand and Mike Berg. The lights of his life, his spectacular grandchildren, Tamar, Ben and Amy, Rebecca and Ezra, Arielle, Shira, Noah, Carter, Parker, Isla, Kye, and Joss.

He is also survived by his sister and brother-in law, Judy and Marvin Kantor, as well as nieces, nephews, and many cousins. Lastly, the many members of his congregation, who were his family as well.

Funeral services were March 17 at Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown, PA, with burial at Congregation Brothers of Israel Cemetery in Hamilton, NJ.

Shiva will be observed through Thursday (March 21) at the home of Joan Hersch from 5 to 7 p.m. with minyan at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Brothers of Israel (CBOI.org).

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Rabbi-Howard-Hersch.

———

Helen C. Perone

Helen C. Perone (Sandy), 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Skillman, NJ, while surrounded by her family on March 16, 2024.

Helen was born in Princeton, NJ, in 1931, and graduated from Princeton High School.

Helen was married to her late husband Albert (Slick) Perone for 51 loving years.

She is survived by her four children: Steven M. Perone and Jill Perone of Skillman, Donna L. DePace of Hamilton, David A. Perone and Kelly Perone of Hopewell, and Thomas R. Perone and Angela Perone of Belle Mead.

Helen also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Kevin, Steve, Krista, Jenna, Justin, Zachary, Nicholas, Alexander, Damien, and four great-grandchildren Ben, Owen, Olivia, and Lily Mae. All of those she loved and touched deeply.

Helen was a proud resident of Montgomery where she lived and raised her family for over 50 years.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was loved by all that knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

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

March 6, 2024

Obituaries 3/6/2024

Dr. Carol Dwyer

Dr. Carol Dwyer, 78, of Pennington, NJ, passed away in her sleep on February 20, 2024.

Dr. Dwyer, an educational researcher, retired after a career of more than 30 years at Educational Testing Service (ETS), where she served as a Distinguished Presidential Appointee and devoted her career to education and especially gender equity in testing. She was active in national professional organizations, serving as a Division President of the American Psychological Association and as Vice President of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). For her scholarship and service in support of the education of women and girls, she was recognized with the Willystine Goodsell Award from the AERA.

Carol was born to Anne and James Dwyer in Baltimore in 1945. She grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, where she graduated from St. Maria Goretti High School in 1963. She graduated from Barnard College in 1968, earned a Master of Arts in 1970, and then a PhD in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972. In 1978, she married W. Miles McPeek, and they enjoyed over 45 blissful years together. Carol and Miles were devoted parents to their three children.

In addition to her professional achievements, Carol was an accomplished host and cook, a delightful conversationalist, and a person of impeccable judgment and taste who excelled as a sounding board and mentor. Her many hobbies included gardening, carriage driving, and the study of French language and literature. She and Miles enjoyed vacationing in France and, in their later years,
traveling extensively throughout Europe, Morocco, Australia, and New Zealand.

Carol will be dearly missed by her husband Miles; her children Mary Sara McPeek (Mark Abney), Robert McPeek (Natalka Freeland), and Carol-Anne McPeek (Mateo Pastore); her sister Cathy (Michael) Kleinbeck; her brother Dennis (Judy) Dwyer; her five granddaughters, Helena, Fiona, Roxelana, Katrusia, and Rowan; her many nieces and nephews; and her longtime friends.

A celebration of life is being planned for the spring, please visit blackwellmh.com for service updates.

———

Eberhard Mathias Rosenblad

1943 — 2024

Born in Stockholm Sweden, Eberhard Mathias Rosenblad came to the U.S. in 1950 and resided in Princeton, NJ. The youngest son of Curt F. Rosenblad and Baroness Lucie H. Hermelin, he graduated from The Hun School and University de Los Americas in Mexico with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

He worked in New York City for Laidlaw Co. as a stockbroker and then worked in Princeton for Rosenblad Corporation, a family company specializing in the manufacturing of evaporators that were used in the pulp and paper industry to treat and clean up the water used in the process.

In 1966 he married Sandra Sayen Rosenblad and had daughters Nicole Rosenblad Wheeler and Mikaela Rosenblad. In 1987 he moved to Siesta Key in Sarasota, FL.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, and three grandchildren: Samantha Jones, Curt Wheeler, and Nils Wheeler. He is also survived by his two older brothers and sister, Axel Rosenblad of Rhode Island, Elof Rosenblad of Sarasota, and Anna Davies in Mougins, France.

———

Kathleen Babich

Kathleen Simko Babich, born July 8, 1947, in Staten Island, NY, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, February 27, 2024, at the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania with family at her bedside.

The eldest of three daughters to Michael and Margaret Simko, she spent her childhood in Fords, NJ, later to attend high school at St. Mary’s in Perth Amboy, NJ.

Kathleen went on to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, holding a BS from Marywood University in Nutrition and Dietetics and serving a dietetic internship with the U.S. Public Health Service. It was while at Marywood that she met the love of her life, Charles. Kathleen then received her MA in Nutrition Education and Dietetics from New York University, and she held a New Jersey Department Education teaching certification in Family and Consumer Sciences.

Kathleen was a Renal Dietitian in the Hemodialysis Unit at the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, NJ, also serving as a faculty member in the dietetic internship program. She worked in community nutrition and was a “Live for Life” Nutrition Consultant with Johnson and Johnson, Inc. in New Brunswick, NJ. From 1987 to 1995 she taught secondary school Foods and Nutrition, Food Science, and Education for Parenthood at JP Stevens High School in Edison, NJ. She was also an adjunct Nutrition Instructor in the Dietetic Technology Program at Middlesex County College in Edison.

In 1995, Kathleen was diagnosed with the rare inherited blood cancer predisposition “RUNX1 Familial Platelet Disorder” after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. She beat the odds in spring 1996 after receiving a successful allogeneic bone marrow transplant, only to develop another rare hematologic disorder, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). A lifelong learner with a passion for understanding health and one’s ability to affect disease outcomes, she returned to school in later life to complete the Medical Humanities Program in the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies at Drew University.

Kathleen was a longtime member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and of the NJ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, for which she held numerous elected state and local board positions, also serving as a reviewer for the nutrition journal Topics in Clinical Nutrition. As an advocate for the two rare diseases she bravely battled, she served as a patient advisory board member to the RUNX1 Research Program, was a member of the PCORI Advisory Panel on Rare Disease and the Answering TTP Foundation. While a resident of Princeton, NJ she was an active member of the Women’s College Club of Princeton.

Kathleen was a parishioner of St. Paul’s RC Church in Princeton, NJ, where she served in the St. Paul’s Altar Rosary Society. Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Charles Babich, son Timothy and his wife, Monica, and son Daniel and his wife, Luisa. She was blessed with five grandchildren, Nathaniel, Elijah, Joseph, Catherine, and Anna.

A visitation was held from on Monday, March 4 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ, 08542.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, March 4 at St. Paul’s Parish Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ, 08542.

Burial was in the Holy Savior Cemetery in Bethlehem, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the RUNX1 Research Program, runx1-fpd.org.

February 28, 2024

Obituaries 2/28/24

Glenn Michael Ams

Glenn Michael Ams, 66, of Princeton, passed away peacefully at his nursing home on Saturday, Feburary 24, 2024 surrounded by family. He was a kind, humorous, and loving man. Glenn is survived by his siblings, Robert Ams, Rosemary (Ams) Raynor, Detlef Ams, and his many nieces and nephews. Glenn lived the majority of his adult life in Princeton with Robert, Susanne, Alexandria, and Matthew Ams. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Eleanore and Emmerich Ams.

Born with Down syndrome, Glenn grew up in Trenton, NJ, attending their school system. He enjoyed hanging out with his siblings, dribbling a basketball, swimming at the community pool, or going to the nearby Italian People’s Bakery. In Princeton, he was most recognized as the guy on the tricycle, and would many times be seen riding to his favorite spots, Thomas Sweet Ice Cream and McCaffrey’s Market where he made a number of friends over the last couple decades.

Glenn will also be fondly remembered as Philadelphia’s biggest sports fan, wearing Eagles and Phillies gear with pride every single day. Not a day would pass where he wouldn’t be sporting red or green for his teams.

Beyond his love for sports, Glenn found the most joy in life’s simple things. Whether he was enjoying an ice cold can of Coca-Cola, a ride in the car, sitting co-pilot in Robert or Matthew’s boat, peeling back a juicy clementine, or flipping through an old phone book, Glenn lived every experience in the present moment. Glenn’s vibrant spirit was also complemented by his passion for music. There was nothing better to Glenn than riding along in the car with the windows down and volume all the way up. His favorites were artists such as ABBA, the Village People, Glenn Fry, and Donna Summer.

Glenn touched the hearts of endless people as well as countless animals. His compassion for all of the dogs and cats he had over the years never went unnoticed. Finn, Glenn’s last cat, was particularly fond of him. They would often take naps side by side in the middle of the afternoon. Glenn truly never failed to put a smile on anybody’s face just by being himself. His pure and beautiful soul will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.

———

John H. Edwards

John passed away peacefully, 96, at the Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, NJ, on February 23, 2024. Born in Princeton, he was a lifelong resident of Kingston, NJ.

John graduated from Princeton High School in 1944. He was a United States Army World War II veteran. John was employed by Krajack Tank Lines for 48 years as an owner-operator.

John enjoyed camping and hiking with his family and beloved dogs. He was also a Nascar racing fan and loved country music.

Son of the late Hilda and James Edwards, John was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Sincak) Edwards of 54 years and sisters Virginia and Winifred and a brother, Ross Edwards. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Edwards, and son, John M. Edwards and daughter-in-law, Janice Edwards. John is also survived by his grandson, John M. Edwards Jr. and a great-randdaughter, Kayleigh Edwards, and a niece, Kathleen A. McCarthy.

Burial will be private in the Rocky Hill Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of M. J. Murphy Funeral Home, Monmouth Junction.

———

Doris K. Mapes

Doris (Dodie) Kleiber Mapes, 87, of Princeton and Stone Harbor, NJ, passed away at home on February 23, 2024.

Born in Princeton, Dodie has been a lifelong member of the Princeton community. In 1956 Dodie married Charles F. Mapes Jr., a recent graduate of Princeton University (Class of 1955). Dodie and Charlie were essential to the class reunions and other activities. Her involvement was such that not only was she made an honorary class member but was also honored with Princeton University’s Society of the Claw. Dodie is Past President of the Present Day Club and the Dogwood Garden Club where she made lifelong friendships. Dodie managed the Princeton Indoor Tennis Center in the 1970s and as an avid crafter of needlepoint she later opened The Needle Craft Shop.

Dodie was a voracious reader and enjoyed spending time outdoors whether tending to her garden, playing tennis, or spending time on the beaches of Stone Harbor with family. Dodie and Charlie traveled the world, including many trips with the Class of ’55. Dodie and Charlie have been members of Bedens Brook Club for over 50 years.

Daughter of the late John Paul and Helen Higgins Kleiber, sister of the late Donald Kleiber (Betty) and Vernon Kleiber, she is survived by her husband, Charles F. Mapes Jr.; her children, Charles F. Mapes III and his wife Maureen, Linda Mapes, and Elizabeth “Libby” Yarnall and her husband Stephen; sister-in-law, Nancy Kleiber; nine grandchildren, Jeremy, Nicholas (Ashley), Ryan (Alan), Charles IV (Sara), Sidney, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Douglas (Patti), and Donald (Christy); 10 great-grandchildren, Austin, Adalynn, Nicholas, George, Jordan, Dylan, Alli, Sarah, Kayleigh and Raelynne; her niece Karen Aveyard and nephew Eric Kleiber. Dodie is also survived by her devoted canine companion, Abby, and many dear friends.

Dodie had a wonderful sense of humor, a great laugh, and gave the best hugs.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Dodie’s life will be announced in the spring. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to your local animal shelter.

———

Dorothy H. Fiero

Dorothy H. Fiero, a resident of Princeton, NJ, and Nantucket, MA, passed away just shy of her 96th birthday on January 22, 2024 at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

Dolly, as she was known to family and friends, was born on February 17, 1928 in Mount Vernon, New York. She was the second of two children. She graduated valedictorian from A.B. Davis High School and received a full scholarship to Northwestern University’s School of Journalism.

Dolly met her beloved husband, Charles E. Fiero Jr (Chuck), at her brother Walter’s engagement party in Bronxville, NY, in 1947. Chuck and Dolly were married on August 28, 1948 and honeymooned on Nantucket Island. They then lived in Middletown, CT, as Chuck finished his degree at Wesleyan University. The couple moved back to Bronxville, NY, when Chuck joined the Chase Manhattan Bank training program. Dolly gave birth to two daughters before moving abroad to Geneva, Switzerland, and London, England. While in London, she gave birth to a son.

During this period of her life, she traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The family returned to the States and settled in Scarsdale, NY, until 1976 when a move brought Dolly and her family to Princeton, NJ, where she happily lived for the rest of her life.

Dolly was a longtime member of the Present Day Club, a supporter of the ASPCA, and an active volunteer at the Medical Center of Princeton, where she accumulated more than 2,000 hours of service. She was an avid reader, a needlepointer, and a die-hard New York Yankees fan. She loved the theater and travel, especially to the beaches of Anguilla and Hawaii. Her happiest times were always on the beach with a book in hand and family around — especially her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Predeceased by Chuck, her husband of 66 years, Dolly is survived by her daughter Diane F. Claffey (husband Don) of Martinsville, Indiana, her daughter Wendy F. Morgan (husband Hugh) of Barrington, RI, and her son David E. Fiero (wife Kathleen) of Princeton, NJ; six grandchildren: Nick Brown (wife Kelly), Christopher Brown (husband Stephen), Heather Gugenheim (husband Zack), Brian Morgan, Sara Gullison (husband Ed), Jeffrey Morgan; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held this summer on Nantucket.

———

Herman Stanley Parish III

Herman Stanley Parish III, a 30-year resident of Princeton, died unexpectedly on February 10. He was the third child born to Virginia Ballentine and Dr. Herman Stanley Parish Jr., a flight surgeon in the U.S. Airforce in Waco, Texas, in 1953. Following Dr. Parish’s retirement from the USAF, the family settled in Cheyenne, WY, which Herman considered his home.

He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in Finance, Accounting, and Management and was a member of the ZBT fraternity. His nearly 50-year relationship with his wife Rosemary began while they were students at Penn.
Following his graduation, he served as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy and in the reserves supporting Navy Seal teams in Europe. Herman separated honorably as a Lieutenant Commander in 1985.

After four years as a midshipman in the Western Pacific, he began a 13-year career in advertising as an account executive, copy writer, and creative director. He created multiple award-winning campaigns during his time at Ogilvy and Mather, Young and Rubicam, and other agencies.

Friends and acquaintances saw him as a thoughtful and thoroughly lovely man with a biting sense of humor. Yet few of his Princeton friends knew him as the beloved author of the children’s classic Amelia Bedelia. His modesty forbade it.

His aunt, Peggy Parish, introduced the literal-minded maid in 1963, writing 12 books in the series. His close relationship with his aunt ended with her death in 1988. Responding to requests to continue the series, Herman decided to do so himself, adding 59 titles to the series. They included picture books, I Can Read, and chapter books, several rising to the New York Times bestseller list.

His owlish wisdom was revealed through the pages of his books featuring the rollicking adventures of the grown-up, and young Amelia, who he described as “littler, but just as literal as ever.”

Herman saw himself as the Pied-Piper for early reading, lecturing at schools and libraries in more than 22 states. He emphasized the importance of writing and editing throughout his career; he understood that a series of books encouraged young readers to build on familiar literary territory. His humor, as well as his clear writing, engaged the funny bone of children and adults alike. Recently the books found new communities of interest in the autism spectrum and ESL readers.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the series, Herman observed that he and his aunt agreed that “there was a narrow window where children could read or be interested in reading. If you miss that opportunity, it is very difficult to engage them later.”

In 2014, Herman suffered a life-threatening stroke. After 17 days in the ICU, thanks to the heroic efforts of Doctors Gaurav Gupta and Sudipta Roychowdhury, and the ICU staff at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, he made a full recovery and resumed his writing.

Herman enjoyed fly fishing, which he learned as an adolescent in his beloved Wyoming, flower gardening, cooking, classical piano, and walking in his much-loved Mountain Lake Park. He was a longtime member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary; his sisters Mary Parish and Fredericka Lake; his adoring children Stan, Philip, and Margaret Parish; his daughters-in-law Anna Sanchez-Bendahan and Emmalee Carr-Parish; and his granddaughters Lola Rose Parish and Dorothy Owen Parish.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Church Princeton in May. Following his unanticipated death, his friends and family bid Herman — “Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

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Donald Craig Sheasley

Donald Craig Sheasley of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully at age 89 on the crisp winter afternoon of January 17, 2024, a bookend to his arrival on the sunny autumn afternoon of October 7, 1934, in Lock Haven, PA.

The son of Ernest Doyle and Clara Eleanor (Kieser Hare) Sheasley, his parents and younger brother, George Bartrum Sheasley, later settled in South Pottstown, PA, along the Schuylkill River. He attended North Coventry High School, was active in the school choir, and graduated in 1952 as co-valedictorian.

While at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, Don joined the college choir and the drama club Mask and Dagger and served as senior class president. Don graduated with a degree in education in 1956 and taught sixth grade for a year at Greenwich Elementary School in Stewartsville, NJ.

He hit a detour in July 1957 when drafted by Uncle Sam and served two years in the Army completing boot camp on the day Sputnik was launched. Don was sent to Baumholder Army Base in Germany, served as company clerk and fire direction control, and led musical events at bases in Germany.

After Army discharge in 1959 he returned to New Jersey, taught English classes at Piscataway High School, and was an advisor to the drama club. He took a sabbatical from teaching in 1965 and received a master’s degree in literature from Seton Hall University in 1967. Returning to teaching at PHS he also coached the golf team until retirement in 1992.

Don spent many years acting in community theater from 1960s-1981 at Foothill Playhouse in Middlesex, NJ; and directed plays including Ten Little Indians, A Doll’s House, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Arms and the Man.

In 1973 he returned to his love of vocal performance and pursued an interest in opera, studying with Ron Naldi, a tenor who had joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Don auditioned at the Princeton University Opera in 1977 and was offered the role of Sarastro in The Magic Flute. He landed several opera roles during that period with the Suburban Opera and Opera at Florham; by the late 1970s Don had become a Verdi baritone.

Don’s Lincoln Center debut with the Princeton University Opera in 1982 was in the role of Don Pizarro in Beethoven’s Fidelio. At the height of his career Don sang Rigoletto, Scarpia, Tonio and other roles with the Trenton Civic Opera and the Boheme Opera; he joined the Piccolo Opera performing Count DeLuna. Following other roles with the Opera Festival in Lawrenceville, he joined the Berks Grand Opera in Reading, PA, as Sharpless in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

As a member of Opera International in the 1990s Don appeared at Merkin Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York and concert and oratorio settings for Hollywood composer Phil Springer. During that period he sang with Jersey Lyric Opera, the Baroque Orchestra of NJ, Concert Opera of NJ, as well as the Little Opera of NJ, the Verismo Opera, and the Regina Opera.

Don released a CD of arias and art songs, Warm As Autumn Light, in 1999.

Even into his late seventies Don performed in concerts with the Baroque Orchestra of NJ, The Opera Project in Hunterdon County, and the Eastern Opera Company in Morris County.

In addition to singing, Don contributed his formidable vocal talents locally as a reader for Learning Ally, a nonprofit organization supporting those with learning difficulties, as a reader and proofreader at the recording studio for the Blind and Dyslexic, and as a reviewer for 55PLUS programs. He collaborated with Dick Swain and Martin Rome on several musical events in Princeton.

When he wasn’t singing or volunteering, Don enjoyed golfing, bicycle trips, and gardening at the Walnut Lane home he shared with his life partner Julie. He was fascinated with genealogy and spent countless hours researching his family background, discovering tangential family connections along the way. He learned that relatives on both sides of his family had fought in the Revolutionary War as well as the Battle of Trenton and in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Don is survived by his partner of 42 years, Julie R. Wald of Princeton, NJ; his sons, Dirk Sheasley of Bridgewater, NJ, Ross Sheasley of Lawrenceville, NJ, and Kent Sheasley of Mashpee, MA; the mother of his sons and former wife, Nancy Ann Sheasley of Piscataway, NJ; his children-in-law Rebecca, York, and Sonja; Julie’s children Jon Wald, Lise Karas, Alison Wald, and Su Stanfa; his sister-in-law, Ann Sheasley of Lansdale, PA, and her children Alan, Gwen Jonik of Pottstown, PA, and Dane; Nancy’s caretaker Antonio; and Don and Julie’s grandchildren Meghan, Kelland, Noah, Kathryn, Bridgit, Rose, August, Abby, Madison, Noah, Lauren, Lindsay, and great-grandsons Samuel and Brayden.

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Christine P. Tamasi

Christine P. Tamasi, 88, of Princeton died on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, New Jersey, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Pettoranello del Molise, Italy, she immigrated to the United States in 1946 and has been a lifelong Princeton resident. She was a graduate of Princeton High School Class of 1954, member of St. Paul’s Church, member and served as secretary of the Altar Rosary Society, and member of the Princeton Italian American Sportsman Club Ladies Auxiliary. Christine was a diehard Yankee Fan. She was a terrific cook and baker and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.

Daughter of the late Umberto and Filomena (Nini) Pirone, sister of the late Felix Pirone, sister-in-law of the late Elizabeth Pirone, she is survived by her husband of 64 years Teodoro Tamasi; sons Mario (and Debra), Mark, Matthew (and Jessica); daughter Melinda (and Anthony) Godonis; a brother Anthony Pirone; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Sam and Mary Ann Tamasi, Maria and Sandy Procaccini, Camillo and Vincenza Paolino; five grandchildren: Tyler Tamasi (Lucia), Caroline Tamasi, Tony, Will, and Michael Godonis; and several loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral was held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial followed in Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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Janet Louise Kirk

Janet Kirk, 80, died peacefully in her Princeton home on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Born in Milaca, Minnesota, to Merle and Louise (Pearson) Kirk, she grew up on a small farm near Onamia, Minnesota. Janet attended elementary school in Onamia, where her mother was her teacher. She graduated from Onamia High School with Honors in 1961, and immediately left home for the “big city” (Minneapolis). She worked for Prudential Insurance, Honeywell, Inc., and several law firms, as a legal secretary. While working, she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Political Science.

She loved reading, meeting people, writing short stories, playing the piano, cats, going to concerts, movies, shows, museums, art and history lectures, and traveling to “unknown places.” On one such travel, she met one Michael Diesso, and they were married a year later.

They lived in Maryland for a year, and then moved to Princeton in 1980, where they first rented, then bought and renovated, the house they lived in ever since.

Upon moving to Princeton, Jan joined the staff of Town Topics and retired from there after 22 years of working in the front office, as well as being the Town Topics movie critic.

Together, Jan and Michael traveled around the world, through the Panama and Suez Canals, around both Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, as far north as the North Cape, Norway, as far south as Antarctica.

Janet is survived by her husband, Michael, her sister Anita Zaske and brother-in-law, Dennis Zaske, many relatives, and friends around the world.

In lieu of flowers or donations, go out and have a dinner and drinks in memory of Janet Kirk.

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February 21, 2024

Obituaries 2/21/2024

Margaret Jill (Wright) Michaels

Margaret Jill (Wright) Michaels, 78, of Kingston, NJ, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024 while in treatment at Care-One at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

She was born in Princeton, NJ. Jill graduated from Princeton High School and then completed her Practical Nursing degree from Princeton Hospital School of Practical Nursing. Jill was a proud nurse throughout her life and retired as a critical care nurse at Princeton Hospital, saving lives every day.

Predeceased by her parents, Harry J. Wright Jr. and Helen Sullivan Wright, her sister Karen J. Panicaro, and her brother Harry J. “Skip” Wright, 3rd. Jill’s husband John “Mickey” Speinheimer passed away five days after her on February 17, 2024. She is survived by her stepson, Daniel Lee Speinheimer, her step-grandson, Donald Speinheimer Jr. and her sister and brother-in-law Katharine “Kitten” Jameson and Dennis of Mary Esther, FL.

Visitation for both Jill and Mickey will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 9-11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow in the Kingston Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

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John “Mickey” Speinheimer

John “Mickey” Speinheimer, 86, lifelong resident of Kingston, NJ, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Carnegie Post Acute Care in Princeton, NJ.

He was the head mechanic for The Lawrenceville School where he worked for about 50 years.

He is predeceased by his parents, Mame (Briggs) and Harry Speinheimer Sr., his beloved wife Margaret Jill (Wright) Michaels who passed away five days before him on February 12, 2024, his son Donald Speinheimer Sr., his bother Harry Speinheimer Jr., and his sister Joan Snyder. John is survived by his son, Daniel Lee Speinheimer and his grandson, Donald Speinheimer Jr.

Visitation for both Mickey and Jill will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 9-11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow in the Kingston Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

February 14, 2024

Obituaries 2/14/2024

Judith Curtis Adler

Judith Curtis Adler of Princeton, New Jersey, died at home on February 4, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. She was 84 years old.

Judy grew up in Madison, NJ, the daughter of Harold Curtis, an engineer at Bell Labs, and Edith Curtis, a homemaker and teacher. She graduated from Radcliffe College in 1961 with a BA in English Literature. After working briefly in Manhattan as an editor at Doubleday Publishing, Judy moved to Princeton with her then-husband Stephen Adler, and raised three children. In 1996, she met George Sprenger, her longtime partner, while square dancing. He was the love of her life.

Over the years, Judy worked as an editor, librarian, development officer, personal organizer, and (her favorite job) salesperson at Kitchen Kapers. She also volunteered for Community Without Walls and the Princeton Music Festival. However, she took greatest pride in her role as homemaker and mother of her three children.  She was a joy to talk to, made everyday rituals festive, and brought playfulness and love to everything she did.

Books, ideas, music, and beauty were central to Judy’s life. A passionate reader, Judy visited the Princeton Public Library weekly, at times even daily. She loved unique and beautiful things — be it Schubert’s Lieder or an exuberantly squeezable stuffed pig — and filled her home with books and objects that expressed herself, creating a Judy-like world in which loved ones felt embraced and protected. With her wide-ranging interests and insatiable curiosity, Judy delighted friends and family with her insights, quick wit, and openness to life.

Judy spent almost every summer of her life in Drakes Island, Maine, close to where her father was born. She measured the ocean temperature each morning, swam daily in the icy water, and loved floating in the Little River and taking long walks on the beach. Following her wishes, her ashes will be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine.

She is survived by her partner George Sprenger; her children Jessica Adler Kuznick, Victoria Adler, and Anthony Adler; her grandchildren Amelia Kuznick, Isabel Kuznick, Tessa Kleinmuntz, and Julian Kleinmuntz; her sister Jean Flanders; and her ex-husband Stephen Adler.

Judy’s zest for life extended beyond her artistic and cultural interests to include a strong belief in the importance of accessible healthcare. Recognizing that health is a key component of a rich and vibrant life, she advocated for the availability of affordable medications to ensure that everyone could enjoy their passions without health concerns. Her support for affordable healthcare solutions, such as cheap generic Cialis, was a testament to her understanding that maintaining one’s health is as important as pursuing one’s interests. Judy’s life, rich in beauty and experiences, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nurturing the soul and caring for the body.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Judy Adler can be made to the Princeton Public Library. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 11 a.m., at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, in Princeton, NJ.

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John “Jay” Entwistle

John “Jay” Entwistle,  of Manhattan and Cotuit, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, April 15, 1932– February 4, 2024. Jay was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to John T. and Margaret C. Entwistle. He leaves his most beloved wife of 61 years Jean (Lyons) and sons John J. Jr. of San Francisco and Daniel J. of New York City. 

Jay was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, on active duty from 1954 to 1957, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Following military service, Jay joined Johnson & Johnson where he served in senior management positions for 33 years. Upon retirement from Johnson & Johnson, Jay joined his wife’s shared work-space company as a principal. In 2000, Daniel J. Entwistle took over the business and Jay continued to serve as Secretary and Treasurer for the next 16 years. The Company’s success was very much attributable to Jay’s competency. After 59 years, Jay retired from commercial activities but never stopped working for others. 

Jay lived a life of loyalty and service and was active in many charitable organizations. Among them, Campaign Chair and subsequently President of United Way of Princeton, NJ. He served as Board Chair of Rebecca Kelly Dance Company and then for over 25 years a Board Member, Treasurer, and Vice-Chair of Dancing Classrooms, an organization that brings formal dance instruction into NYC public schools, teaching over a half million students. Jay served as Trustee of the Cotuit Library where the family maintains a summer residence. Jay also volunteered with the Catholic Medical Board aiding them in the acquisition and distribution of free medicines to Missionary hospitals. 

An active equestrian, Jay organized a group of mounted volunteers to assist in maintaining the safety and security of NYC Parks. In 1995, with Parks Commissioner Henry Stern’s approval, the NYC Parks Auxiliary Mounted Patrol was founded and, to this day, patrols Central, Van Cortland, and Clove Lake Parks. 

Jay was the product of 16 years of Catholic education, graduating from St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) in 1954. Jay felt most strongly that it was those years that gave him the principles that forever guided his life. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. 

Jay enjoyed pursuing his athletic and many intellectual interests. An avid tennis player and downhill skier, he participated well into his late 80s. A lifetime reader, he was passionate about literature. Jay enjoyed memberships in the Wianno Club and Beach Club (Cape Cod), Hillsboro Club (Florida) and the Union Club and Harvard Club of NYC. 

Jay 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. 

A Memorial Mass at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, NYC, will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. Interment on Cape Cod will take place this summer. 

Gifts in Jay Entwistle’s honor can be made to Dancing Classrooms, Attention: Development, 1350 Avenue of Americas, Second Floor, New York, NY 10019 or online at dancingclassrooms.org.

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Karla Alexandra Ratliff-Britt

Karla was born in Quilpué, Chile, on October 22, 1985, as Javiera Alejandra Hidalgo Coronado. She was brought to her home on Bertrand Drive in Princeton, New Jersey, by her parents, Henry and Heide Ratliff, at 5 weeks of age. She was joyfully greeted by her brothers, Daniel and Thomas. From the beginning, Karla’s immense care and love radiated to all around her, building the ever-growing circle of happiness in her life and to those who knew her.

Karla attended the Waldorf School of Princeton from preschool through eighth grade. She flourished in Princeton High School where her gifts of caring and unconditional kindness (and beautiful voice) allowed her to navigate through the different elements of the school, from the PHS Choir to the many different social groups (including the football team). Many of her student friendships and connections followed her throughout her life. In high school, she met the love of her life and future husband Michael Britt. Karla graduated high school in June 2004, and because of her many connections with peers and faculty was presented with “the Golden Key Award” (an award for meritorious service based solely upon demonstrated service, positive character and leadership).

Karla continued her education at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, where she graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor in Nursing Science degree. After graduation, she started her career at Princeton Medical Center, which she continued throughout her life. She started as an inpatient nurse at Princeton House Behavioral Health. Her natural capacity in working not only with patients, but also with staff, advanced her to the position of Nursing Coordinator of Outpatient Services at Princeton House. Karla’s determination in her work with infection control during the COVID pandemic brought her commendations for excellence.

Many of Karla’s favorite memories are of the summers she spent with her family and friends in Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard. She loved socializing, swimming, diving, and working at the Aquinnah Shop. While on the Vineyard she developed many friendships with members of the Wampanoag community. Later in life, Karla connected with her biological family members in Santiago, Chile. She developed a close and loving relationship with her biological sister, Priscila Prezmita Coronado.

The greatest treasure in Karla’s life was the family she created with her high school sweetheart Michael Britt.  Karla and Mike were married May 22, 2010, and were joined by their son Henry Eugene on December 10, 2015. The love and harmony of their marriage was exemplary. Both Karla and Mike were active and loving parents in raising their beloved Henry.

Karla was unexpectedly taken on January 29, 2024. She is survived by her husband Michael Everett Britt, her son Henry, her parents Henry and Heide Ratliff, and the families of her brother Daniel and his wife Hattie, as well as her brother Thomas and his wife Elizabeth.  Michael’s family including his mother Susan and the families of his brother Jon and his wife Julia, as well as his sister Naomi and her husband Trenell, mourn her passing. Karla leaves behind 10 nieces and nephews between the Ratliff and Britt families.

Karla’s viewing was held on Friday February 2, 2024 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey, 08542.

Her funeral was held on Saturday February 3, 2024 at All Saints’ Church, 16 All Saints’ Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. 

An Educational Fund will be established for her 8-year-old son Henry. Donations can be made to https://gofund.me/0bd7e093.

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Dorothy K. Moore

Dorothy K. “Dot” Moore, born in 1925 on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day as she liked to say, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded with love on the morning of February 6, 2024 at the age of 98.

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Theodore and Anna Stone, she was the oldest of four children. Her childhood was marred by scarlet fever and measles that left her blind in one eye for life and interrupted her schooling for months at a time. But she overcame these early challenges to live a life full to the brim with energy, curiosity, vigor, intelligence, generosity, and a practical but positive attitude.

She met her beloved husband James (Jim) Moore on a blind date in 1948 and they were married a year later on her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. Their marriage was a union of deep affection and remained so until Jim died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2000. They had a son Michael in 1950, adopted another son, Kevin, in 1953, and 10 years after that were happily surprised with the birth of a daughter, Kathleen. Dot was an exemplary wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother who, in addition to her own children, also raised her niece Susan for two years, parented two daughters of a friend who died from cancer, provided day care for two Down syndrome children, and later in life in Alabama raised her grandson Brian for three years.

Dorothy seems to have had only one lifelong regret — not finishing college. She had loved the courses she took in her 20s, excelling at math, but circumstances and patterns of culture at that time kept her from completing the degree. However, she remained sharp with numbers and even became the treasurer for St. Vincent de Paul Society in Princeton at age 91!

In the intervening years her work outside the home included her role as executive secretary to Sears & Roebuck’s top buyer for nursery stock for the entire country and teaching a combined 3rd /4th grade at a Catholic school for a couple years. From 1971 until retiring 23 years later at age 69 she was a teachers’ aide in Huntsville, Alabama — doing all sorts of clerical work and much more for Weatherly Elementary School’s teachers and staff including substitute teaching. Beyond that she was ever busy with volunteer activities for a diverse range of organizations including the Foundation for International Cooperation through which she traveled the world and fostered cross-cultural understanding, CASA, the Opera Company of Huntsville, and her Catholic churches in Chicago, Huntsville, and then Skillman, NJ, where she was a Eucharistic minister and religious education teacher. She enthusiastically participated in the Grandpals program at her grandson Becket’s Littlebrook Elementary School and served on several committees at Stonebridge, her NJ retirement community.

Her hobbies beyond her volunteer activities include camping, gardening — freezing and canning the vegetables, card games — from bridge and canasta to rummy and solitaire, reading, using her computer, making greeting cards, remembering everyone’s  birthday, celebrating family, hosting parties, sewing, singing, being with children, appreciating nature, politics, and investing in the stock market. Daisies were her favorite flower.

Though hampered by arthritis and other aches and pains, she was still very active, engaged, and independent until her mid-90s — attending daily mass, counting her steps, drinking a glass of red wine daily, driving her car (not just to buy her wine at Trader Joes!), beating the family in games of cards, traveling, organizing many committees, living her faith, and looking for the best in all around her. She truly saw herself as being a “lucky camper.”

Her family is very grateful for the vibrant, supportive Stonebridge community. They, the residents and staff who embraced her, made it a warm, safe, and joyful home for two decades. The family would also like to acknowledge the parish of St. Charles Borromeo and the St. Vincent de Paul Society where faith, friendship and service enriched her life, as well as the excellent care of Dr. Shanahan, and the beautiful aides of Zenith Home Care who treated her tenderly in her last chapter.

She is survived by her sister Mary Lippa, son Kevin, daughter Kathleen (Peter Tovar), grandsons Andy and Brian Moore and Becket Tovar, along with many other deeply loved godchildren, cousins, and friends.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February, 24 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Skillman, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), The Seva Foundation, a global eye care organization (seva.org), or a charity of your choice. She will be greatly missed.

February 7, 2024

Obituaries 2/7/2024

Dolores B. Broadway

Dolores B. Broadway, 94, of Princeton passed away on January 31, 2024, at home in Princeton.

She was born in Trenton, NJ. Dolores worked as a Superintendent for Princeton University.

Predeceased by her parents Nathan and Daisy (Grover) Hovington, and two sisters Gloria Young and Grace Syphrett.

Dolores is survived by a daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Vincent Boone; two sons Nathan C. Floyd and Herbert T. Broadway Jr.; five grandchildren Tjuan, Nadia, Karim, Siraj and Aginah and Costa Maltabes; several great-grandchildren; a niece; nephew; and cousins.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 10–11 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ. Burial will be private.

———

Kathryn A. King

Kathryn A. King of Princeton died peacefully at her home on Friday, December 29.

Born Kathryn A. Cuomo on November 28, 1934 in Princeton, she attended grammar school at Saint Paul’s and graduated from Princeton High in 1952.

In 1953 she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph King. They lived for
several years in Portsmouth, VA, before returning to Princeton to raise three children.

A devout Catholic, Kathryn taught physical education at St. Paul’s in the 1960s. She worked for Weidel Reality, Peyton Associates, and later for Stockton Real Estate, where she retired in 2020.

Kathryn was an avid reader and enjoyed writing. She loved relaxing at her house in Point Pleasant Beach, treasure hunting at yard sales, dancing with her husband, and spending time with friends and family. Kind, selfless, generous, and gracious, she will be sorely missed.

Kathryn is proceeded in death by her parents Anthony and Harriet Cuomo, her sister Ellen Cuomo, and her husband Joseph King.

She is survived by daughter Cheri-Ellen (David) Crowl of Farmingdale, NJ; sons Patrick (Lindsay) King of Belle Mead, NJ, and Michael (Joanna) King of Rochester, MN; grandchildren Caitlin (James) Rumbaugh, Lacey King, and Katie King; and great-grandchildren Jordan Rumbaugh, Cameron Rumbaugh, and Scarlett Jensen-Lida.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kathryn King Scholarship Fund at St. Paul’s School, 218 Nassau Street,
Princeton, NJ 08540.

———

Justine Casteel Rolland

February 24, 1922 – January 27, 2024

Justine Casteel Rolland of Pennington, New Jersey, died peacefully at home on January 27. She was 101 years old.

Justine was born in Tarpon, Virginia, on February 24, 1922 to Martha Lucretia and Eric Galeon Casteel. She was the fourth of eight children. Raised in Virginia and West Virginia, she enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp in 1943 and served until 1945.  She served in the South Pacific and was posted to Australia, New Guinea, and ended her service in the Philippines.

After the war she moved to New York City to go to college on the G.I. Bill. There she met her husband Kermit Rolland, a writer.  They moved to Princeton, New Jersey, in the 1950s and opened a business on Nassau Street, Kermit Rolland and Associates, which became Scribe International. The family later moved to Cranbury.

Justine was predeceased by her husband, Kermit, all her siblings, and her granddaughter, Katherine Wright Gorrie.

She is survived by her children, Christopher Rolland (Martha) of Dallas, TX, Margaret Gorrie (Thomas) of Pennington, NJ, and Elizabeth Mattison (Robert) of Easton, PA. Justine is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Ginny Miller (Mike) of Gastonia, NC, Alex Gorrie (Mary) of London, England, Matthew Rolland and Michael Rolland of Belmont, NC, Robert Gorrie (Amanda) of Princeton, NJ, Margo Lapinski (Todd) of Houston, TX, Anna Mattison of Allentown, PA, and Spencer Mattison (Brittany) of Bethlehem, PA; and 12 great-grandchildren, Katherine and Madeline Miller, Luke and Henry Gorrie, Samantha, Haley, and Turner Rolland, Lucy and Genevieve Lapinski, and Noah, Isla, and Leo Gorrie.

Justine had a wonderful sense of adventure and was an intrepid traveler. She observed and cherished the beauty of the natural world.

Justine will be remembered for her passion for reading and poetry, gracious nature, kindness, sense of humor, and her love of friends and family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home. Burial will be private. A celebration of Justine’s life will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534.

Justine’s family gives our heartfelt thanks to Amedisys Hospice for their extraordinary compassion and care.

———

Carol Lynn Middlebrook

Carol Lynn Middlebrook passed away suddenly on January 22, 2024, with family and loved ones by her side, after complications from breast cancer. She was 70.

Born in Princeton, NJ, Carol graduated from Princeton High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Douglass College of Rutgers University. She earned her master’s degree from American University and continued her education throughout her professional career with ongoing studies at Middlebury College Language Schools and The Taft Educational Center of the Taft School.

A resident of Kensington, MD, Carol taught Spanish at Springbrook High School in Montgomery County, MD, for nearly 40 years. She was also an instructor at The Taft Educational Center. She was a gifted and inspiring teacher. She taught AP and IB Spanish and was a sponsor of the Spanish National Honor Society. She loved her students and the dynamics of the classroom and brought so much energy and creativity to her teaching, as she did to everything in her life. Always active, she was a lifelong tennis player, and she loved hiking and kayaking. She deeply appreciated the beauty of nature. She traveled extensively throughout the world and immersed herself with local people and in the local culture everywhere she went. She had a raucous, boisterous laugh that was distinctively hers.

Most important to Carol were the connections she made with family, dear friends, and her beloved Shelties. She relished quality time spent with those she cared about. She lived fully and deeply and will be missed immensely.

Preceded in death by her parents, Marilyn J. and Robert B., Carol is survived by her brother Robert David (Dave), sister-in-law Amy, niece Alison, soul mate Cherie (Perkins), John (Uncle Jack) Middlebrook and wife Marci, many cousins, and her beloved Sheltie Simba Kai.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. A memorial service will also be held at Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, 268 Washington Crossing – Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ 08560 on Monday, May 6 at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Princeton
Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make an “In Memory” donation to Susan G. Komen, 13370 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380.

———

Ann (Schramm) Judson

A longtime Princeton resident, Ann (Schramm) Judson, who lived at Cuyler Road since 1969, died on the morning of February 1, 2024, while in hospice at the Princeton Medical Center.  Born in Covington, Kentucky, on January 10, 1930 to Emma (Stahel) Schramm and Cyril Robert Schramm, Ann was salutatorian at Holmes High School before graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1951.

She filled a life of 94 years with gardening, conversations, and acting, from summer stock at the Maxinkuckee Playhouse in Indiana to performing for community theater in Princeton.  After working 15 years as a bookkeeper for Princeton Regional Schools, Ann retired in 1995.

Surviving her are a daughter, Grace Judson, and a son, Tom Judson, who took care of her in her later years. 

Her thoughtful questions and cheerful smile are profoundly missed. Memorial service to be planned later.

January 31, 2024

Obituaries 1/31/2024

Suki Lewin

Suki Lewin, longtime Princeton resident, passed away on January 17 from natural causes; close to her 92nd birthday.

She had a unique and colorful origin: she was born in Manhattan as a first generation American from Eastern European parents, but she was largely raised in the Panama Canal Zone, so she spoke English, Spanish, and Yiddish fluently. As a teenager she worked at a Jewish Culture secular socialist-leaning camp called Boiberik, located in Rhinebeck NY. This is where she met her future husband, Mort; all four of her children were campers/employees at Boiberik as well.

Her husband was still an undergrad in the mid 1950s when she first came to Princeton. During her earlier days in town, Suki raised her two older children and formed lifelong friendships at the Princeton University’s Butler Tract on South Harrison Street. She was fond of recounting a conversation she overheard of 3-year-olds seated on the porch. “Who is the boss of everything?” one asked. One little boy answered, “My mom and dad.” “No,” another offered, “God is the boss of everything.” Still a third differed, “No, the university is the boss of everything.”

As a young mother, Suki’s family lived on Jefferson Road near Wiggins Street before moving to Deer Path. Suki worked for many years with the Princeton real estate broker Adlerman & Click. She became enamored with that business, and changed family residences regularly, always in the Princeton area. She joked that she never had to do serious housecleaning – whenever the house got too dirty, the family would just move.

In the 1960s Suki took charge of annual art shows at the Princeton Jewish Center through B’nai Brith. In this capacity she befriended local legendary artists including Rex Gorleigh, Gregorio Prestopino, and Stefan Martin. This experience led to a friendship and business partnership with Princeton’s Sue Abrams. They started a gallery on Kingston’s Main Street dubbed Susuki. They embarked on a global buying trip which included Haiti and nourished her love for primitive art. Her signature pitch to browsing customers at the gallery was “You have very good taste!”

To her children at least, it seemed like everyone in town knew Suki. Regularly in the 1970s they would shop on Nassau Street and ask establishments such as the Army Navy store, or Zinder’s, to “put it on Suki’s tab,” and all the storekeepers were happy to comply. In the ’80s and ’90s, she had several office assistant jobs, culminating in her favorite at the Institute for Advanced Study.

After retiring, she enjoyed visiting Florida, playing bridge, and daily long walks. In her later years she suffered from cognitive decline. Despite this burden, Suki remained open and warm, and was beloved by those who cared for her. Although her brain was impaired, one friend suggested, her heart remained fully functional. She maintained her positive outlook until the end, smiling even when it was difficult to speak.

She was predeceased by her husband Mort in 2013, and is survived by her children Cherie Maharam (Stanley), Brandon Lewin, Julie Barudin Cole (Butch), and Gene Lewin (Suzanne Aptman), as well as daughter-in-law Miki Mendelsohn and son-in-law Guy Barudin. She also leaves eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Suki taught her children to be kind; she imparted her love of nature and animals, and instilled a primary value from an early age to be generous and help others. She had a talent for writing and was a voracious reader. Mostly she was a true character – with unique style (often thrift–store bought and artfully put together), a buoyant sense of humor, and a true passion for life.

———

Dorothy Anne Metzger Walker

Our dear mother, Dorothy Anne Metzger Walker, passed away on January 26, 2024 at the age of 82. Dorothy was born in Philadelphia in 1941. She studied chemistry at Barnard College and received her PhD in organic chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University. She loved animals and was a lifelong learner. 

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Nicholas and Aino Walker; two daughters and a son-in-law Barbara Walker, Karen and Daryle Masters; and two grandchildren Michael and Clara Masters.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the MJ Murphy Funeral Home, Monmouth Junction, NJ.

January 24, 2024

Obituaries 1/24/2024

Ellen Molwitz Tabell

Ellen Molwitz Tabell, 93, of Exeter, NH, and formerly of Princeton, NJ, died peacefully with her daughters at her side, on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

She was born in New York City on May 5, 1930 to Henry and Roberta (McClenahan) Molwitz. Ellen grew up and attended schools in New York City until her family moved to Connecticut in 1944. She graduated in 1948 at the top of her class at Greenwich Academy, and went on to study history at Wellesley College, from which she graduated in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, Anthony W. Tabell, in 1953. They were married for 67 years before his death in 2020.

She embraced the roles and responsibilities of a woman of her generation with grace, determination, and patience. She chose not to have a job outside the home after having children, opting for the life of primary caregiver for her three daughters. She was an indefatigable household manager and parent, and an active community volunteer. She never missed a school event. She contributed countless hours of service to the Wellesley Club of Princeton and Stuart Country Day School; she coordinated regular meetings of a local women’s investment group that she founded, and she was recognized for her longtime service as an adult literacy teacher for the Princeton Public Library. She never missed her shift at the soup kitchen in Trenton.

Ellen embraced travel adventures with her family, no matter what challenges were involved. She managed numerous solo drives to Vermont under treacherous conditions. She also presided over glorious family vacations in Africa, numerous tropical destinations, as well as ski trips to Canada, Sun Valley, Switzerland, and France.

She enjoyed downhill skiing well into her 60s. She was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, Scrabble fiend, acrostic solver, and a fiercely competitive backgammon and bridge player.

Anyone who knew Ellen knew what she was thinking. She was never shy about sharing her thoughts, and even if someone disagreed, most people seemed to appreciate her direct (at times blunt) judgments. While Ellen adhered to many of the traditional values of her generation, her mind remained open, and she never expected or pressured her daughters or grandchildren to replicate her choices. Instead, she remained engaged in and curious about their lives. Her firmly held opinions about many subjects may have belied this open-mindedness, a paradox that perhaps best defined her.

She is survived by her three daughters: Meg Kasprak and her husband John; Roberta Jordan and her husband Bob; and Sarah Nocka and her husband Steve. She will be missed by her eight grandchildren: Alex Kasprak; Nicholas Kasprak (wife
Emily Burton); Chris Kasprak (husband Danny Chin); Molly Jordan Kim (husband Andrew Kim); Sarah Jordan (wife Elle Yesnes); and Andrew, Kristen, and Thomas Nocka. She leaves behind one great-granddaughter, Alice. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Molwitz, of Katonah, NY, several nephews, and a niece. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 (give.stuartschool.org) or The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, NY, NY 10017 (freshair.org/june-mid-donate).

For more information, visit brewittfuneralhome.com.

———

Robin Fox

Robin Fox, 89, passed away on January 18, 2024, while in skilled nursing at Stonebridge. He had noticeable dementia in the last year of his life. He was born in Yorkshire, England. He told stories of his boyhood that included visiting prisoners of war near his home. His parents, John, a British soldier, and Nancy, a nanny, predeceased him. He had no siblings.

Robin attended Harvard and the London School of Economics. He taught anthropology at Exeter University, and later returned to the LSE to teach.

His early lectures were turned into the book Kinship and Marriage. He later wrote The Imperial Animal with Lionel Tiger, whom he met at the London Zoo.

From his first marriage he had three sweetheart daughters: Kate, Ellie, and Anne, all of whom live in England. He also had grandsons and great-grandchildren. They knew their Pappy adored them.

Robin became an American citizen in 2002. On that rainy day he immediately went to a diner and had Yankee pot roast to celebrate.

In between writing other books, he enjoyed sailing around Sanibel Island with friends and his loving wife, Lin, where they kept a winter retreat. His other interests included choral groups, watching football, and even entering into the fray around the Shakespeare authorship question.

Robin started the Graduate Dept/Anthropology at Rutgers University in 1967. He retired after 50 years.

Near the end, he struggled to play Bingo with his wife and devoted sister-in-law Charmaine Smiklo.

Lin and Robin’s 49 years together nurtured each other. They were married at West Point at the Hotel Thayer. The military connection always made Robin smile.

Robin was Lin’s sunshine, and the last song they sang together a week before he died was “What’ll I Do When You are Gone.”

Lin expresses her gratitude to all who cared for Robin in his final days. There will be no memorial service.

January 10, 2024

Obituaries 1/10/2024

Maria Josephina Barbara Cosentino

Maria Josephina Barbara Cosentino, aka Nina, formerly Josephine Maria Barbara Lisi before her marriage to Frank John Cosentino, was born on July 22, 1934 to Jean and Sebastian Lisi, and went to Heaven on January 3, 2024.

She had an older sister, Aurora Seeley, and two older brothers, Michael and Samuel Lisi. The family lived in Princeton, New Jersey.

She won a “beautiful baby” contest at Princeton Hospital when she was 3 days old. She was an artist and attended the Academy of Arts Norman Rockwell in Ewing, New Jersey. She won $100 in 1951 for designing the best Halloween window display on the boulevard on Nassau Street in Princeton.

She was a model and an actress. She performed plays for several years with Pennington Players in the Open Air Theatre in Pennington New Jersey.

She was a gifted antique dealer and had her own shop at the Tomato Factory in Hopewell, New Jersey, called “Antiques and Bygones.”

She is survived by her devoted daughter and family, Laura Cosentino, Sally Bryant, and Suzanne Garrigues. She is also survived by her loving cousin Edwina Gaiser Marchev (daughter of Rose Gaiser who raised her as a child and championed her throughout her life), her nephew Jack Seeley, his wife Betty, and her niece Kristin. Also she loved animals and her present day cat family: Sophie (who went over the rainbow bridge), Theo, Zena, Ling, and Monkey.

She was lovingly cared for by friends; some of whom gave her their personal time regularly. Samantha Rickell, who cared for her like she was her own family; Mary Carol Reilly, a longtime friend who gave her spiritual companionship and provided cognitive activities and games; John McFadden, who provided religious support, prayed with her, and gave her Eucharist every week; and Beverly F. Di Benedetto, who was so loyal and consistent in her attention and phone calls to Nina.

Josephine was wonderfully cared for by the staff at Autumn Lake nursing facility in Ruxton, Maryland, from July 2020 until January 3, 2024. Gilcrest Hospice was also vital to her care the last three months of her earthly life.

Mass will be said for her in her familial church at St. Paul Parish in Princeton, New Jersey, on her birthday of this year, July 22, 2024 at 8:15 a.m. Her family attended this church since the 1930s. She went to grammar school at St. Paul, was married there, and had her daughter baptized there. If you cannot attend the mass, you can watch it on the website (stpaulsofprinceton.org).

If you would like to make a donation, please donate to your local wildlife center or animal shelter.

If you would like a prayer card or information concerning the Celebration of Life dinner we are having for her, please contact Laura: (609) 851–9555.

———

Walter Marshall Schmidt

2/20/1926 – 12/29/2023

W. Marshall Schmidt died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 29, 2023, in his apartment at the Princeton Windrows in Plainsboro, NJ, where he lived with his beloved wife of 76 years, Cornelia “Kinnie” Schmidt.

Marshall was born on February 20, 1926, in San Francisco, CA, and grew up primarily in Pelham Manor, NY, and then Swarthmore, PA. He graduated in 1947 from Swarthmore College, where his academics were interrupted when he served in WWII on the battleship USS Wisconsin in the Pacific theater.

After graduating from Swarthmore and marrying Kinnie, Marshall began his business career in the financial sector in Philadelphia, first as municipal bond trader with Drexel & Co, and then with Hornblower, Weeks, Hemphill, Noyes where he made partner. In 1971, he became chairman of Schmidt, Roberts & Parke and finished his career with W.H. Newbold’s and then Janney Montgomery Scott, finally retiring in 2000.

In addition to his business career, Marshall was very proud of his contributions to various executive and civic organizations. While at Windrows, he served on five finance committees and eight staff appreciation fund drives. Marshall served as chair of Swarthmore College’s Alumni Association and served on its Board of Managers for one term. He was on the board of directors (1981-1986) and served as vice president (1986-1989) of the Union League of Philadelphia, and he served as the 77th president of the St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia. He also had a lifelong commitment to youth development. Marshall was an original board member and emeritus trustee of Agawam Council, which operates Camp Agawam for boys in Raymond, ME. Beginning in 1971, he was actively involved with the Children’s Country Week Association (CCWA), which operates Paradise Farm Camps in Downingtown, PA, serving as president 1974-1994, and president emeritus beginning in 1994. Marshall was instrumental in helping to ensure the financial stability of CCWA, including creating a trust at the Chester Country Community Foundation for the benefit of CCWA. He and Kinnie were also members of the Yardley (PA) Friends Meeting.

In addition to his wife, Marshall is survived by his daughter Eleanor (“Peggy”) Clark (Robert) and his son John Schmidt (Liz Vogel). His son William Schmidt (Cathy) predeceased him. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Courtney Clark Metakis (Marc), Kenneth Clark (Kristen Ritenour), John Schmidt (Sarah), Sarah E. Schmidt (Scott Tremblay), Reid Schmidt (Corey Rosenbloom), Sarah A. Schmidt (Kyle Starr), Emily Schmidt (Kevin Stursberg), Margaret Schmidt, Abigail Schmidt (Matthew Caulfield), and William Schmidt, plus nine great-grandchildren.

Marshall led a life well-lived, marked by his devotion to his family, talent for connecting people, enthusiastic engagement in worthy causes, complicated baseball pool that predated online sports fantasy leagues, faithful attendance at Friday poker games, endless supply of stories, fascination with jigsaw puzzles, and fondness for raw oysters.

Marshall’s family offer their heartfelt thanks to David Barile, M.D., Marshall’s primary care physician, for his expert and empathetic medical care; Beth Morley, MSW, of Friends Life Care, for her accessibility and extraordinary support; and Booker Mbiti, home health aide, for his dedication and his perceptive care, which made it possible for Marshall to remain fully engaged in life at Windrows for the past three years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be directed to the Children’s Country Week Association, 1300 Valley Creek Road, Downingtown, PA 19335.

———

Helen Joy Smith

Helen Joy Smith, of Princeton, passed away on November 24, 2023 at Stonebridge at Montgomery. She was 101.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, where her parents were stationed, Joy grew up with four brothers — playing in formal gardens, exploring castle ruins, and hiking in the mountains. Choral music and piano practice were part of their upbringing, along with impromptu performances for visiting dignitaries.

At age 14, Joy left for boarding school in America as her brothers had before her. Home base became Thetford, Vermont, where the family had relatives, a house, and an association with Camp Hanoum. As a camp counselor, Joy discovered her love for working with children. She studied Biblical history at Wellesley, graduating in the class of 1943, and went on to do graduate work at Haverford. After receiving a degree from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education, Joy became an elementary school teacher in NYC. She had fond memories of taking students on field trips to the Natural History Museum and other attractions.

While volunteering at a Quaker workroom, she met Gale M. Smith, an engineer at AT&T. Gale had grown up in a coastal community in Florida and was fond of boating. Weekends, they often left the city for time on Lake Carnegie in Princeton. They were married in June of 1956, and, eventually, bought a little boathouse there — a wonderful place to raise a family.

Joy and Gale’s involvement with the Quaker Meeting continued in Princeton. Joy rode trains to and from Philadelphia for various committee meetings while the whole family enjoyed conferences in Cape May and the Pine Barrens. Joy was especially proud to be involved with the formation of the Princeton Friends School, and to share her knowledge of Quaker history.

Joy was predeceased by her husband, Gale, and her first daughter, Althea. She leaves behind two daughters, Allegra Anaya of Princeton and Delia Gardiner of Flemington; a son, Halley Smith of Robbinsville; and four grandchildren, Zach, Gavin, Jessica, and Michaela.

A memorial service will be held at Princeton Friends Meeting, 470 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 later this year.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Julia Gallup Laughlin

12/29/1937 – 12/17/2023

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Julia Gallup Laughlin, daughter of Ophelia Miller Gallup and George Horace Gallup, founder of the Gallup Poll, died at the age of 85.

Born December 29, 1937, in Princeton, New Jersey, Julia spent her early years at Miss Fine’s School before moving on to Bennett Junior College. She wed James Ben Laughlin in 1957, at the age of 19. Besides being a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, Julia occasionally modeled for a local Princeton clothing store, hosted dinner parties for friends and family, perfected her cooking abilities, and rescued numerous dogs.

The loss of Julia means the loss of her homemade strawberry shortcake (made with extra butter), her perfect pie crusts (check the trash for the three she threw out before deeming the fourth one edible), a best friend to all animals (her dogs only ate the best steak for dinner), and her firecracker personality that kept everyone laughing until the end.

We are fortunate that Julia left us with unforgettable memories. Who can forget her specialized vocabulary, calling all dogs “Doodee,” for instance, and answering the phone as “Mrs. Shnorflur.” We will treasure her numerous Le Creuset pots, her multiple sets of China, and her endless supply of tablecloths, which she used when entertaining her friends. Julia’s legacy also includes the stories she loved to share, like when she threw her teacher’s books out the window.

There will never be another “Juju.” We will cherish the memories we are so lucky to have, as well as the deep impact of her lively spirit on all of us and on all animals lucky enough to cross her path. 

Julia is survived by her two children, daughter Ophelia G. Laughlin and son James Y. Laughlin, and her four grandchildren, Eric and Alex Keller, and Katelyn and Margaret Laughlin.

Julia will be greatly missed.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be determined. Any contributions can be made in Julia’s name to SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals (1010 Route 601, Skillman, NJ 08558).

———

Nils Steven Pearson

Nils Steven Pearson of Princeton died on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Princeton Penn Medical Center. Born in Manhattan on February 24, 1943, he was the son of Frederick and Nina Harriton Pearson.

He received his BA degree and his PhD from Rutgers University. He worked at Catholic Charities until he opened his private practice, where he continued seeing patients for 35 years. Nils specialized in adolescents and, more recently, in post-9/11 trauma patients.

He enjoyed cycling, skiing, and travel.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ann Maurer Pearson; his son, Stephen Nils Pearson of Atlanta, GA; his stepchildren, Ann Swart, David Kalb, and Hilary Kalb; and his grandchildren, Madison Hailey Pearson and Stephen John Pearson. He was predeceased by his brother, Frederick Theodore Pearson, and his sister, Nina Cecelia Pearson.

A memorial service will be held at Princeton Friends Meeting, 470 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 on February 3, 2024 at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org).

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Audrey Steinberg

Audrey Steinberg passed away on January 5, 2024 at the age of 100.

She was born in Jersey City in 1923, graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark, attended Ohio State University and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from New York University with a major in English literature.

Audrey, a great beauty, married the love of her life, the late Howard L. Steinberg, an engineer and home builder, while he was stationed in the Army Air Corps in California during World War II. Audrey and her future mother-in-law drove unescorted cross country during wartime so that Audrey and Howard could wed. That love endured past his death, to the day she died.

Audrey worked as a legal secretary and as a substitute teacher at Orange High School and East Orange High School before receiving a Master’s Degree in Education and Business from Montclair State College (now University) after which she taught business subjects at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and East Orange Catholic School. In a second career, Audrey joined her husband working as sought-after title searchers for various title companies and private clients.

Actively athletic, Audrey played doubles tennis until she was 80 and golf until she broke her hip at the age of 90. She was a member of Brandeis Women and the Organization for Rehabilitation and Training (ORT), as well as a volunteer at East Orange General Hospital.

After moving to Central New Jersey at 70, Audrey became a docent at Grounds For Sculpture.

She was an avid reader and enthralled with the arts and the news. Possessed of a wonderful sense of humor and a gentle, loving nature, she was worshiped by her husband, and was devoted to her family, who adored her. In love with life, she hauled her children to every available lesson, play, concert, and museum within 50 miles.

With a soft little girl’s voice, and a small stature, she was a fierce defender of her family when necessary, always full of surprises.

Some 67 years later, after her son’s teacher humiliated him, St. Cloud Elementary School still vibrates with her yelling; “You try that again and I’ll wipe the floor with you.”

Her children, Sally Steinberg-Brent and Robert J. Steinberg; her son-in-law, Daniel F. Brent; her daughter-in-law, Sura Steinberg; her five grandchildren; and her six great-grandchildren, all cherished “Grandma Audrey,” and gathered in Princeton in September to celebrate her 100th birthday with her. She enriched us all.

Funeral services were held on January 7 at The Jewish Center of Princeton, followed by burial at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to ORT, Grounds For Sculpture, CARE, or The Jewish Center.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit Audrey’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

———

Richard D. Kuhn

Richard D. Kuhn, 89, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at his home in Princeton, NJ, on January 1, 2024. He personified the “Renaissance man” as a firm believer in the importance of having a broad-based education and set of pursuits. He was highly accomplished as author and scholar, respected attorney for over 65 years, amateur athlete and musician, committed to giving back to his community, and devoted family man.

Richard “Dick” Kuhn was born and raised in New York City (Staten Island), and graduated from Columbia College (undergraduate and law schools) and Georgetown University (Masters of Law in Taxation). Dick and his wife, Perla, moved to Princeton in 1991, where they have resided since.

Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, and then worked in Washington, D.C., for the IRS early in his career. He was in private practice for almost 60 years, most recently at the Staten Island, NY, law firm of Kuhn O’Toole & Maietta, LLP, only recently retiring. As a practitioner, Dick assisted thousands of clients with their estate planning and had a particular passion for and represented numerous nonprofits where he was instrumental in their formation, support, and fundraising efforts. He was honored by many of these institutions, including the Jewish Community Center, where he was a past president (1976-1978); the Staten Island Mental Health Society (1984 Man of the Year); and Lavelle Prep (for his efforts towards establishing the school).

Apart from his professional and charitable pursuits, Dick had many other interests. An avid musician, he formed and played (sax) in a professional “big band” jazz ensemble, which helped pay his way through college and law school. Dick continued to play piano (mostly jazz and classical music) at countless social gatherings over decades. As an amateur athlete, he had success in many sports, including a SI Men’s Open Tennis Doubles Championship. He was also an author of scholarly and professional publications and a self-published book, Against the Grain, which embodied much of his philosophy on life.

Married over 60 years to his beloved wife, Perla, they resided in Staten Island until 1991 before relocating to Princeton, NJ. He is survived by his wife, Perla; sons Daniel, Jonathan, and Eric; seven grandchildren; and siblings Bob and Betty.

A memorial service will follow later in the year. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island.

———

Michel Mockers

Michel Mockers, fifteen days short of turning 101 on December 17, 2023, left us from this world on December 2, 2023, to continue his well-earned journey in God’s love, eternal light, and peace. Michel moved to Princeton in 1984 and lived there for 20 years before passing away in Franklin, Somerset. He left behind his wife Claudine Mockers, four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Born on December 17, 1922, in Nantes, France, Michel Mockers was a World War II Veteran. At the age of 18, he joined the French Resistance and eventually became a leader overseeing about 2,000 resistance soldiers over the course of the war, while he kept in mind: “I am an artist. All I want is peace. Therefore, I serve my country.” On March 21, 2023, at the age of 100, he was decorated at the town hall of Franklin Township, with the highest French honor, the Insignia of Knight of “La Legion D’ Honor,” on the behalf of the French Government through the French Consulate of New York. He accepted that honor in respect to all the resistance soldiers he had served with.

Michel Mockers lived in Cannes and Paris, France, before he became an American citizen and moved with his family to the USA in the 1970s. He was an oil painter, a sculptor, a traditional lithography printer, a philosopher, a book author, and an admirer of classical music. He cared about humanity, searching for solutions expressed in his philosophy, believing that all human beings had a right to the basic needs of life and that nature was to be respected and cared for.

According to his wife, Claudine Mockers, Michel’s art was infused by his Catholic background and his educational upbringing at the Benedictine Abbey of En Calcat, a monastery located in Tarn-et-Garonne of France. There, he attended a traditional boarding school from the age of 10 to 15 where he learned classical humanities, Greek, and Latin. The presence of the monks, who themselves held different kinds of talents (artists, farmers, builders, musicians, painters, writers, artisans, cooks, etc.) within the walls of the Abbey, had an important influence on the students’ lives. The monastery also offered a Gregorian Choir Chant environment on a daily basis. There, the students learned patience, humility, and the desire to complete their work with perfection.

When Michel started a painting, he first carefully selected a piece of flat, wooden board and painted over it with a traditional coating. Then, he would trace his pencil drawing on paper onto his board until he deemed it ready to be painted. In his atelier, while listening to classical music, he would work on several paintings at the same time. He would give time for them to dry or would retouch them or even modify them until he felt his work was completed. He used a traditional painting technique, called “L’art du Glacis,” that he had learned in his early twenties following the end of the war under the guidance of a professor from “Des Beaux Art de Paris.” Michel used colored pigments, layering them on the painting, playing with transparency and the natural lighting. Therefore, starting with a simple piece of wood, with infinite patience and perfection, he would create a masterpiece.

Over the course of his life, Michel did drawings, oil paintings, sculptures, and frescos, as well as some artwork renovations. In general, the subjects of his paintings were of biblical inspiration and his most repeated theme was the Virgin Mary holding her infant, Jesus. He also painted angels, musicians, prophets, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and Jesus on the Cross. On occasions, he painted other themes such as horses, boats, portraits, roses, and other figures. He did bronze portraits and statues as well. His art work was mostly sold in Europe and the USA.

In the 1970s, Michel provided to the Saint Thomas Aquinas Church of Brooklyn with several of his oil paintings. One was the Tree of Life representing Jesus and all the prophets of Israel. The other painting is the Pentecost, which is still there inside the church. In the Bronx, at the entrance of St. Frances de Chantal Church there is one of Michel’s bronze statues. This statue represents St. Frances De Chantal holding a globe in her hands with a cross standing on the globe.

On November 5, 2023, Michel had just finished renovating one of his paintings representing the Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus in her arms. While he was looking at that painting, he was asked: “Why did you paint so many paintings of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus in her arms throughout your life? Why the Virgin Mary?” After a short reflective pause, he replied: “She is the most beautiful woman in the world. She is my greatest inspiration.” He then added, “Maybe the day I go to the other side I will see the Virgin Mary the way I see her in my painting today” and he peacefully smiled.

Yes, at the age of near 101, he was still painting or renovating some of his artwork that needed to be retouched. How amazing is that? He lived a modest life to its fullness, until he was called to return to the Divine Source of Life.

Michel, we love you forever and thank you.

Your family and friends.

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January 3, 2024

Obituaries 1/3/2024

Angelina Cilenti

Angelina Cilenti, 96, of Princeton died on December 20, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born and raised in Rionero in Vulture, Italy, she immigrated to the United States in 1949. She met and married her husband while on vacation in Italy in 1952. The couple settled in Plainfield, New Jersey, moving to Warren, NJ, in 1972. She worked for Aramark, at the former Bell Laboratories, for over 20 years. She enjoyed entertaining, gardening and most of all cooking. Following the death of her husband in 2010, she moved to
Princeton. She was a member of the St Paul’s Rosary Society where she developed many treasured friendships.

Daughter of the late Antonio and Rosa (Cardillo-Catena) Iannetta, wife of the late Armando Cilenti, she is survived by four daughters and three sons-in-law: Rosemary and Herman Parish, Gilda and Stan Piltin, Diana Cilenti, Lisa Cilenti and Allan Quinn; seven adoring grandchildren: Stan, Philip and Margaret Parish, Chris and Mara Piltin, Sumaya Cilenti, and Roger Quinn, and four great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton. The Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. on Saturday until the time of the service at the Trinity Church. Entombment in Somerset Hills Cemetery will be private.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton. Memorial Contributions can be made to The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (trentonsoupkitchen.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

———

Donald Bernard Gibson

Donald Bernard Gibson, 90, of Princeton, New Jersey, died peacefully at his home in Princeton on November 18, 2023. He is survived by his partner Linda Fitch, his former wife JoAnne Gibson, his sons David and Douglas, and grandchildren Olivia, Harrison, and Mia. A service of remembrance and a reception will take place at the Unitarian Church of Princeton on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Donald Gibson was born in Kansas City, Mo, on July 2, 1933 of Oscar J. and Florine C. Myers Gibson. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri in Kansas, and his Ph.D. from Brown University. He taught at Wayne State, the University of Connecticut, Brown University, Harvard, and Rutgers. In 1972 his Twentieth-Century Interpretations of Modern Black Poets was published. In 1974, he was on the editorial board of the Black American Literature Forum. He retired from Rutgers in 2001.

Professor, author, and critic, during his lifetime a particularly notable achievement was his creation of a university course previously unknown in most colleges, that of African American literature. During 40 years of teaching and scholarship, and through his books, essays, articles, and public lectures, Gibson helped to establish the study of literature created by black writers as a legitimate university course.

As he has written, “When I was a student, during the 1940s and 1950s, Kansas City was entirely segregated, and so all of my teachers, the school staff, and even the janitors that I knew, were black. My teachers took the time to teach us about black history, black literature, and black culture. The whole effort of the system and of our teachers was to prepare us to attend college and to be successful there.”

By the time he completed high school in 1951 the University of Kansas City was becoming integrated and Gibson was invited to apply. As an undergraduate Gibson found that for the first time he was a member of a minority group in school. His teachers, along with most of his classmates, were white.

Though an exemplary graduate student at Brown (as he had been in schools throughout his education), superior grades and strong recommendations did not lead to many job offers for black scholars. He once wrote, “It was 1962. Segregation and some of the first rumblings of racial unrest resulted in limited job opportunities for black men, even well-educated black men. I was finally hired as an assistant professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.”

Shortly after his arrival in Detroit, he met JoAnn Ivory, whom he married in 1963. In December of 1963, he received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach in Cracow, Poland, where the couple lived from 1964 to 1966.

Subsequently he returned to Wayne State where he proposed to teach African American literature. Through the years he had been steadily building an extensive collection of books by African American authors, but his proposal met with resistance as it was a subject that most white academics knew nothing about. After some effort he was permitted to teach one course on African American literature on the graduate level.

In 1967 Gibson took a position as an associate professor at the University of Connecticut where he was actually encouraged to teach classes in African American literature. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he published several articles including “Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, Native Son and the Tyranny of Social Convention by Richard Wright” and “The Politics of Literary Expression: A Study of Major Black Writers” (Contributions in Political Science). In 1970, Gibson was awarded a study grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a research grant by the American Council of Learned Services. He also accepted an appointment to the editorial board of the Langston Hughes Society Journal. 

At the same time, Gibson edited two books. The first was a collection of essays, Five Black Writers: Essays on Wright, Ellison, Baldwin, Hughes and LeRoi Jones published in 1970 by New York University Press. The second, Black and White: Stories of American Life, was a collection of short stories by W.E.B. Du Bois for which he wrote the introduction, edited with Carol Anselment, and published in 1971. Other essays included “Is there a Black Literary Tradition? (1971), Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin (1971), and The Good Black Poet and the Good Gray Poet (1971).

In retirement his travels took him to Senegal and South Africa where he lectured at local universities. His final years were spent in both Princeton, New Jersey, and Isle La Motte, Vermont, with his partner, Linda Fitch.

Not only was Donald a distinguished academic — he was a man of many interests and talents. Most people would remember his humility (he would never have written a long list of his achievements!) and his unending kindness. His sly humor and shoulder shaking laughter was well known to all who knew him. He loved folk singing and was an excellent tennis player well into his 80s. He was a carver of wood as well as his famous smoked turkeys.

Gibson’s legacy will live on as a notable scholar of African American literature, distinguished, by his introduction to the world, of some of the great writers of our time. He will be deeply missed by family and a host of friends and colleagues.

———

Peter E.B. Erdman

Peter Edwin Bulkley Erdman of Princeton, NJ, and Edgartown, MA, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2023. He was 95 years old. Peter was the third of five sons born to Lucy Kidder Bulkley and Dr. Charles R. Erdman, Jr.  His father was a professor of political science at Princeton University, a two-term mayor of Princeton Borough, and the Commissioner of Economic Development for the State of New Jersey.

Peter was educated at Miss Fines and Princeton Country Day schools (graduating in 1943), Phillips Exeter Academy (Class of 1946), and Princeton University (Class of 1950), where he majored in the basic engineering program. While at Princeton he also pursued his love for ice hockey and lacrosse, and served as an officer of Dial Lodge. 

Upon graduation Peter immediately went to work for Bethlehem Steel Company in Bethlehem, PA. When the Korean War started, he applied and was accepted for service as a naval aviator.  But he ultimately served as an officer on the U.S. Navy Destroyer, USS Conway, participating in operations in Korean waters and around the world from 1951-53.

Peter married Hope Hamilton English (“Patsy”), daughter of William H. and Margaret English of New York City and Edgartown, MA, on October 16, 1954, Reverend Charles R. Erdman, Sr. presiding. In 1955, he went to work for NJ Aluminum Extrusion Company, which had been co-founded by his brother Harold.  As VP of the company, he oversaw all technical operations of their extrusion business which grew to have operations in many parts of the country under various names. He and Patsy moved to Princeton in 1955, four children began to arrive, and they built their home on Russell Road where they lived for 48 years prior to moving to Stonebridge at Montgomery in 2004.

Peter presided over life on Russell Road with reason and understanding. He ensured the family always ate and played together. The house and yard were always full of neighbors’ children, dogs, and other pets. Peter relaxed through yard work, growing huge tomatoes, building playhouses, and co-hosting backyard touch football and July 4 celebrations. 

Peter supported the community and alma maters throughout his life. He was a devoted alumnus of Princeton University. He chaired many class reunions, served as a Dial Lodge Trustee, and became (like his father) a regular fan at home varsity ice hockey and lacrosse games. Saturday nights at Baker Rink were often a family affair, and his children remember many raucous evenings spent there. 

Retirement enabled Peter to put his self-taught carpentry skills to use. He volunteered weekly for Habitat for Humanity from 1988 through 2003 putting plastic siding on houses under construction in Trenton. After a knee injury put an end to his adult recreational hockey career, Peter discovered a passion for ice dancing. For many years, he skated with the Princeton Skating Club, passing his first ice dance test in 1970 and his final one in 1996, at the masters gold level.  Peter continued to visit his beloved Edgartown home, named “Chapeda,” until the house was sold in 2015. Memories of summer visits to Martha’s Vineyard with “Grandpa” are forever etched in the minds and hearts of his children and grandchildren as a great and precious gift.

Peter found comfort and inspiration from the Presbyterian faith, in which his family was deeply rooted. He was active as a Deacon in Nassau Presbyterian Church and served as a Trustee for Princeton Theological Seminary, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of his brother Harold.

Peter’s final years were physically challenging, but he remained forever an optimist. Prior to passing, he was able to express to family (in his customarily reflective fashion) that he was so privileged to have had a long and happy life surrounded by friends and loved ones. His children and grandchildren are sad, and we will miss our devoted father, friend, and advisor. 

Peter is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Hope English Erdman, and his brothers Charles R. Erdman, III and Harold Bulkley Erdman.  He is survived by his four children, Margy (and Jim) Becker, Caroline E. Hare, William P. Erdman, Andrew E. Erdman, seven grandchildren, and his brothers David and Michael Erdman and their families. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey, 530 Route 38 East, Maple Shade, NJ  08052 (habitatscnj.org) or Arm In Arm, 1 N. Johnston Avenue, Suite A230, Hamilton, NJ  08609 (arminarm.org).

Graveside and memorial services are planned for spring 2024. Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ.

———

Helen Frances Hillman

Helen Frances Hillman died on December 28, 2023 in Princeton, NJ, at age 99 after a short illness. She is survived by three children, Brent Hillman, Brenda Hillman, and Bradley Hillman, and their spouses Susan McNabb, Robert Hass, and Valerie Werstler. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Louisa Michaels, Elizabeth Camber (née Hillman), and Thomas Hillman, and by six great-grandchildren.

Helen was born in São Paulo into a large Baptist missionary family, some of whom had founded secondary schools in Brazil. Helen, her two siblings Thelma and Paul, and the multiple young women adopted into their busy household were educated in multiple languages. During WWII, Helen traveled to Texas where she graduated from Mary Hardin Baylor College, majoring in botany. In 1947 she married Jimmye Hillman who hailed from Mississippi. The young couple moved to Berkeley where their first son Brent was born, and where Jimmye finished his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. In 1950, they moved to Tucson where Brenda and Brad were born, and where Jimmye served on the faculty for nearly five decades at the University of Arizona.

Helen was a gifted, brilliant, and complex person, a fiercely loving mother and wife, a devoted family member, and a kind friend to many; she integrated her deeply private spiritual life into her many active and demanding social commitments. Though primarily the manager of a busy household on the east side of Tucson, at times she also taught Portuguese for the Peace Corps, was active in the neighborhood associations, and traveled extensively internationally with Jimmye for his professional meetings. They were active in University arts programs, offering special support for the U of A Poetry Center. Helen was a gracious and lovely host to countless international students and visitors in their bright home. Late in life, she co-translated a poetry book by Ana Cristina Cesar, At Your Feet, with her daughter Brenda that was published when Helen was 94.

Like many women of her generation, Helen led an admirably organized life of extraordinary service that included using a variety of impressive skills in textile arts — sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. She could play many songs on the piano by ear, a skill maintained from her childhood of playing hymns in church. She loved and studied the beauty of the natural world every day, dedicating herself to non-human and human creatures in the environment of her beloved Sonoran Desert for over 60 years. She was friends with every bird in Arizona.

After her husband’s death in 2015, Helen moved to Princeton to live with Brad and Valerie. She maintained her language from childhood with her Brazilian friend Eliã Barreto. Family was always Helen’s main joy. Though in her last years she had some dementia, she knew and interacted with her children until the end.

A memorial will be held in Tucson in the spring, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in the desert ground.

———

Shushma Kallan Frazier

Shushma Kallan Frazier, 67, of Princeton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in New Delhi, India, she was a resident of Princeton for 50 years. Shushma was a Quality Control Coordinator with Cenlar in Ewing for 10 plus years. She was a member of Trinity Church in Princeton. Some of her hobbies and passions included being an Assistant Troop Leader for Girl Scouts Troop 1817. She loved animals, especially her cats, and was known to feed the local wildlife along with maintaining a koi pond. She once saved a 2-week-old kitten from the bio lab at Mercer County College. She carried her home in her knit hat, fed her baby formula and cereal from a honey bear bottle, and brought her to school in her pocket until she was big enough to stay home alone. Tashika lived over 20 years. If there was an animal she could save, she would.

This did not end with animals. You could say she was a collector of “strays,” if you will. When a child felt as if their life was beyond repair and that all they did was disappoint their family, she welcomed them into her home. She housed, fed, and clothed them with no questions asked, all along treating them like a member of the family. When asked how they could thank her, she simply told them to “pay it forward someday to someone who needs the same.” She made an everlasting impact on those who felt marginalized by society in a truly loving and unique way. When the house was quiet or she needed “me” time, she explored the historical background of the various places she visited, reading the latest historical romance or learning a new language; her latest venture being Korean.

Daughter of the late Samson and Mariam Kallan and preceded in death by brother Paul Kallan and grandfather James B. Orrick, she is survived by her husband Brian C. Frazier; her daughters Radhika Frazier, Annie Ferry (spouse James M. Ferry), and son Juvenal Ortiz; siblings Shusila K. Singh (spouse Sean Singh), Sabrina K. Crooks (late spouse Geoffrey Crooks), Peter Kallan (spouse Michelle Overcast-Kallan); and nephews Kiran Crooks and Joshua P. Kallan. Also her dear friends Terry Barry, Angela McMillon, Andrea Billups, and Patrice Turner.

She was the best friend: genteel, loyal, funny, and always an available shoulder when needed. Her soft counsel was always welcome along with her ability to listen. Shushma touched so many lives for the better. She was one of a kind.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1-4  p.m. at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at the visitation and funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey at https://gscsnj.wufoo.com/forms/zrl7ifj1cw63w7/ —  choose Option 3 “This gift is in tribute/memory/honor of” and indicate in memory/tribute of Shushma Frazier (Assistant Leader and Cookie Manager).

To leave a condolence or for directions, please visit www.poulsonvanhise.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, Lawrenceville.

December 27, 2023

Obituaries, 12/27/2023

Lucia A. Cahill

Lucia A. Cahill, 88, of Princeton Junction, NJ, passed away on December 14, 2023.

Born in Princeton, NJ, Lucia has been a lifelong resident of the area. Lucia worked in Medical Records for 47 years at Princeton Hospital before retirement. She was on the Cancer Board of New Jersey and had a seemingly insatiable curiosity for all things medical and always surprised the doctors and nurses she met with her questions and knowledge.

Away from her career, Lucia was a dedicated wife and mother. She loved her family first and foremost and then good food — especially her daughter’s eggplant parmesan, pasta fagioli, grilled scallops, and a good steak. Her next love would be the New York Yankees. Even back before cable television she would sit for hours with a radio to her ear listening to the away games. One of her happiest moments was when the YES network launched.

She traveled extensively with her husband throughout the Caribbean, Italy (with stops in Ischia to see relatives), Ireland, the Outer Banks in North Carolina, and wine country in California. She was always the life of the party with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other and was even known to jump up on a table to get the dancing started. She loved meeting new people and always had a smile on her face and a hearty laugh for all.

Most recently she was a frequent visitor to Bay Head, New Jersey, to see her daughter and enjoyed sitting in a rocking chair on the porch sipping on some white wine and petting one of her “grand cats.” In her later years she was not traveling as much but loved to hear where her daughter had just returned from and what new outfits she bought. If there was a Yankee game on, she never missed an opportunity to tease her son-in-law on how much better of a team they were vs. the Boston Red Sox. She loved the beach and had the Jersey Shore sand between her toes for most of her life — even meeting her husband at the Osprey Bar in Manasquan, NJ.

Lucia is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, James T. Cahill and her beloved daughter, Lauren Cahill and her husband Karl Dimlich; her siblings Carmela Drummond (late George Drummond), Mary Bartolino (late Alex (Butzy) Bartolino), Ann Fortson (late O.D. Fortson); John Armonia, her late sister Denise Wiltshire and her husband Thomas Wiltshire; her cousin Cathi Consoli; brother-in-law Joseph Cahill (late Kathy Cahill); and her eight nieces and nephews, Jeff Bartolino, Kenny Bartolino, Stacy Keyton, Alfie Harris, Allyn Bonilla, Kathleen Cahill, Patrick Cahill and the late Peter Cahill.

Visitation will be held on January 3 from 4-7 p.m. and January 4 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 4 at 10 a.m. in St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Princeton.

Interment will be held privately for her immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. #1.

December 20, 2023

Obituaries 12/20/2023

Steven Schlossstein, age 82, of Princeton, NJ, passed away December 2. He is survived by his wife, two children and their spouses, two grandchildren, and two cats.

He was a resident of Princeton for more than 30 years. He was an internationally acclaimed author, a former executive with J. P. Morgan, and a past strategy consultant with extensive experience in global markets, trend analysis, and strategic planning. His particular professional expertise was in the Far East business and commercial markets.

He was an accomplished author, publishing a number of books and screenplays. His earlier works focused on non-fiction surrounding his experience in Asia, including Trade War, an American Library Association “Best Business Book” of 1984 and a bestseller in the Japanese edition (1985). His fictional titles spanned a number of scenarios including a three-book detective series, a satire about aging, and an essay anthology written entirely in Japanese. He also contributed columns and articles to various periodicals over the years in both local and major markets.

His international experience led to career opportunities with J.P. Morgan, taking him to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Dusseldorf before returning to the United States in their New York office where he continued his work involving Japan and East Asian business.

After 1982, as founder and president of his Princeton-based strategy consulting firm, SBS Associates, he designed, negotiated, and implemented strategic assignments for American corporations in the Far East. In his role as strategy consultant, Steve’s last major client was the Sarnoff Corporation of Princeton, where he contributed to a wide range of new applications for East Asian corporate clients in the fields of solid-state technologies, telecommunications, computing, information technology, and advanced video display systems.

Steve is a former member of the Princeton Regional School Board; a past candidate for the New Jersey State Legislature; a former board member of the Advisory Council of the Department of East Asian Studies, Princeton University; a past board member of the Princeton Public Library Foundation; a former fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute of Philadelphia; a benefactor and former board member of the Mercer Street Friends Center in Trenton; a former Leadership Council member of the Princeton Medical Center Foundation; a benefactor of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children, New York; and a past benefactor of the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI).

Steve enjoyed an active lifestyle of hiking, golf, and his lifelong passion, tennis, which he played from boyhood into his seventies. He spoke and read fluent Japanese, German, and French.

Services will be held privately. Donations to Mercer Street Friends Center, Princeton Public Library, or SAVE — A Friend to Homeless Animals may be made in his name as an alternative to flowers.

December 13, 2023

Obituaries 12/13/2023

Marsha Wolf Beidler

Marsha Wolf Beidler of Princeton died unexpectedly on November 6 in Chapel Hill, NC. She was 75. Prior to moving to Chapel Hill for the winters in 2022, Marsha lived in Princeton for over 45 years, and served as an estate planner to many elite clients in the Princeton area.

She was born on Leap Day in Bridgeton, NJ, in 1948 and enjoyed celebrating two birthdays on years without February 29ths. She was the second daughter of the late Esther Wolf and Benjamin Wolf and grew up in Southern New Jersey and Hollywood, Florida. Since Esther died of cancer when Marsha was 11, and Benjamin remarried shortly thereafter, she very much considered Margaret “Manci” Wolf a second mother.

Those who knew her well knew she could talk to anyone, and her vibrancy lit up a room whether she was talking about the law, politics, her children, or the latest history book she devoured. Marsha loved people, and they loved her. She was often described as the “energizer bunny,” able to stay active and keep hours that made others tired. She often went to bed at 4 a.m. and awoke at 11 a.m. She loved spending time with her family and extended family, playing bridge, learning everything she could about World War II, traveling, and shopping.

Marsha was a devoted wife to her husband, John Beidler, whom she married in 1974 and who also recently passed away in late August. Many who loved her think she died of a broken heart since John pre-deceased her by only two months, and she had spent many hours every day for 10 weeks sitting by his bedside in the ICU this past summer.

Marsha was quick as a whip and skipped kindergarten. She attended South Broward High School and earned her BA from Dickinson College in 1969. She loved Dickinson College and encouraged many students to attend. She then went on to law school at Rutgers University School of Law where she graduated in 1972 and received the American Jurisprudence Award in Estates and Trusts. It was at Rutgers that she met John Beidler, her husband of 49 years.

After earning her JD, she worked at the IRS in the Estate and Gift Tax section from 1972-1976 but then went on to get additional training in tax law and received her Master’s of Law in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 1979. After that, she was in private practice, concentrating her practice on estate tax planning and probate law, where she prepared hundreds of trusts and wills yearly, mostly at Drinker Biddle & Reath (DBR), now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP of Princeton.

Marsha loved the law and particularly estate planning. Her understanding and love of people as well as the intricacies of tax law helped her to be a very sought-after estates attorney with academics, executives, authors, and even Nobel Prize winners. Over her lifetime, she was licensed to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. She was a Fellow in the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel and served on the board of directors of many nonprofit organizations and had leadership roles in the Mercer County Estate Planning Council. She lectured on estate planning for numerous organizations, including Princeton and Rutgers Universities and numerous national corporations. She was awarded the “Super Lawyers” distinction for 2005-2014

Marsha and John adopted two children, Dora and Evan Beidler, from Bulgaria in 1997 when they were ages 5 and 3. The children, now adults, live in Kingston and work in Princeton. She loved her children deeply and tirelessly supported their growth, education, and lives. She was also a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews and had many friends.   

She is survived by her older sister Andrea Wolf Miller, with whom she was tremendously close, and brother-in-law Norman Miller; her step-sister Agnes Ross; her step-brother George Chillag; her sister- and brother-in-law, Mary and Nils Hovik; her children, Dora Beidler and Evan Beidler; and her nieces, Eliana Perrin (married to Andrew), Suzanne Colman (Steve), Dana Gaines (Ric), Amy Chillag (Wayne), and nephew, Thomas Ross (Laura). She is survived by many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. She was also particularly close to her great-nephews Jonah and Daniel Perrin, and cousin Kathi Wolfe.

Marsha’s ashes will be buried in Princeton Cemetery next to her beloved husband. Gatherings of friends and family will take place in Princeton and in Chapel Hill in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in the name of Marsha Beidler to “HomeFrontNJ: Helping Families Break the Cycle of Poverty” or “Learning Ally: Audiobooks for Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities.”

———

Claire R. Jacobus

Claire Robinson Jacobus of Princeton, NJ, passed away following a brief hospital stay on November 28, 2023 at the age of 89. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, David P. Jacobus, MD; three daughters, Marget of Westfield, MA, Claire (Hughie) and her husband Andrew Hildick-Smith of Winchester, MA, and Laura of Princeton, NJ; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Claire was predeceased by her sons, David, who died in infancy, William, and John.

Claire was born in Centerville, Iowa, and named Claire Lee Robinson, but was called Kiki by her friends and family until she graduated from college.  She was the only child of William Henry Robinson and Ruby Herschberg Robinson. She and her parents moved frequently but she was happy to have all four years in Connecticut at Fairfield High. She then attended Bryn Mawr College, Class of 1954, majoring in English. Claire said of her time at Bryn Mawr: “I very much wanted to go there, and I loved it. Everyone read all the time! It was a deeply intellectual life. You could learn as much as you wanted to. What I learned, of course, was how to ask the questions and find the answers. The ‘how,’ not the ‘why,’ which is deeply important, and I think is really the value of a liberal arts education.”

While at Bryn Mawr, she made many good friends, who remained an important part of her life. When she was a junior, she went out on a blind date and met David Jacobus, who was a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation from college, Claire worked at The New Yorker magazine for two years under Katharine White. In 1956 she and David married in New York City. Their first child, Marget, was born in Philadelphia and their subsequent children were born in Washington, D.C., where David worked in basic research at the Army Institute of Research at Walter Reed Hospital. In 1970, the family moved to Princeton, NJ, when David became vice president of basic research for the pharmaceutical company, Merck. 

Claire believed in family and community and was equally devoted to both.  She raised five children who were close in age with only six years between the oldest and youngest. She loved reading aloud with her children fanned out on either side of her and continued to read to them throughout their school years. The kitchen was the nucleus of the house and she was adept at making five brown bag lunches for the next day and homemade soup as a first course for the nightly family dinner while quizzing someone on spelling words or state capitals. She enjoyed participating in her children’s activities, making a kayak during a mother/daughter woodworking night class at Princeton Day School, coming to home games, and theater events. When her eldest was in college and the four younger kids in 6th through 11th grade, Claire “went back to work” as an editor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, riding the train into New York City three days a week for the next 12 years until she retired. Claire then hit her stride becoming involved in the greater Princeton community. She served on boards and committees of numerous organizations that focused on books, education, health, community, the arts, and history. Claire’s work was recognized by the town, including being selected for the Bud Vivien Award for community service and with the establishment of the Claire R. Jacobus lecture series by the Princeton Adult School.

When asked about her civic involvement she said, “Education, enlightenment, and enrichment are the best representation of community service; they make the cornerstone of the community.” She truly lived those words. Many of her most important friendships were made through her community work and those friendships continued to flourish and sustain her throughout her life.

Claire, David, and their children loved spending August in Maine on Isle Au Haut. An annual summer tradition which was always a highlight for her was hosting a musical at the house where all on the Island were welcomed to sing folk songs by firelight in the living room. After their children had grown up, Claire and David traveled extensively; their trips always included the theater, museums, and local culinary fare.

Claire brought her joie de vivre to everything she did, and she loved to celebrate events, from the townwide opening of a new building or a visiting author, to smaller gatherings at her own home. For many years she hosted a “Lily Party” to honor the quiet work and beauty that her brother-in-law, John, brought to their garden. Her Fourth of July gathering in the backyard featured the reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by the lighting of fireworks (with only minor run-ins with the police). She enjoyed dressing up, wishing in each New Year with a black-tie party and singing “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight. She was an avid reader and belonged to many book and poetry groups, adored folk music, and had an incredible sense of humor.

A memorial service is planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Claire’s name to: Planned Parenthood of Central Jersey, HiTOPS, or the Princeton Public Library.

———

Lucina (Tina) Johnson Lewis

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, sister, and consumer of life experience. Lucina (Tina) Johnson Lewis died suddenly of natural causes on September 29, 2023 at age 77 at her home in Durham, North Carolina.

Tina was preceded in death by her husband Winslow Lewis, Jr. in 2012. “Mom/Ma/Totally Mom/Eedie” loved to brag about giving birth to 19 feet of men, and she is survived by those three sons: Whitman Thompson (Shannon), Winslow Lewis III (Andrea), and Crandell Parker Lewis (Allison). “Granny” is also survived by grandsons Spencer Philip Thompson, Ramsey Roy Thompson, Tuckerman Winslow Lewis, and Hart Frederick Lewis. In addition, she leaves behind siblings George F.B. Johnson III, Leigh Johnson Yarbrough, Isabelle Johnson Mender, Jaqueline Johnson Pile, and Rosamond J. Strong. Joining them are hundreds of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other lifelong friends who mourn her loss, but celebrate her life.

Born to George F.B. Johnson, Jr. and Audrey Strong Johnson on January 25, 1946, Tina grew up in Greenwich, CT, and graduated from the Rosemary Hall school. Her enrollment at Endicott College was interrupted when her striking beauty took her to New York City to launch a successful career in modeling and acting. That career was also brief, as she soon decided her heart was leading her toward marriage and motherhood.

Tina loved to open and share her homes with friends, family, first-time guests, and other out-of-town visitors. Under her roof, dinners and parties reverberated with stories and laughter, while weekend mornings were commonly set to a bluegrass soundtrack with a breeze blowing through open windows. Along with Durham, her homes over the years included New York, NY; Sausalito, CA; Atlanta, GA; Princeton, NJ; Falmouth, MA; Boulder, CO; and Newport, RI. She was an enthusiastic collector of American folk art, and the walls of those homes were a tapestry of storytelling, personal history, and a life well-lived.

Life inside those homes was to experience Tina at her loving, supportive, and stubborn best. She ran a tight ship, punctuated with “Tina-isms” that echo to this day. The consummate sports mom, she earned her stripes on rainy soccer and lacrosse fields, dusty baseball diamonds, tree-lined rivers, and cold hockey rinks. Wins were celebrated, losses were shared, and minor injuries were greeted with calls to “Shake it off!” and get back out there. As a reluctant chef who made prodigious use of her prized chest freezer, meals were often served to her skeptical kids with a side dish of “This is not a restaurant.” But above all else, she seeded an appetite for expanding horizons into her children by exposing them to unique experiences, pushing them out of their comfort zones, and reminding them to seize their opportunities with a refrain of, “When the bus is there, you’ve gotta get on.”

No matter where Tina lived, she was quickly on a first-name basis with the people she encountered at her places — the market, post office, coffee shop, and so many more. The way she embraced local cultures and new experiences was perfectly captured by her membership in the alias-required Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) in Boulder, where “Silky McGill” embraced the sport of cowboy action shooting. Even local buskers knew that playing “Ripple” by the Grateful Dead when they saw her coming would get them a smile, a kind word about their playing, and a tip. Perhaps most importantly, she could tell you how to get anywhere in town without taking any left turns, which she disliked intensely.

Tina had a wicked sense of humor, punctuated with a high-pitched giggle that filled any room she was in. Nearly every holiday in the calendar year provided an opportunity to let people know she was thinking about them in the form of small packages with themed napkins, tea towels, and other handpicked goodies. It will be those days when her memory is freshest, and her loss will be felt the most.

A memorial service will be held next autumn in Newport, RI, where friends and family will say goodbye and she will be reunited with Winslow, the love of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please put a few dollars into the instrument case of the next busker you encounter bringing light to the world through music.

———

Dr. Sarane Spence Boocock

Dr. Sarane Spence Boocock, a trailblazing sociologist, educator, and author, passed away peacefully in her home on December 1, 2023. Boocock was the first woman to secure a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, and first woman to lead the Sociology Department at Rutgers University, from which she retired as a Professor Emeritus of the Graduate School of Education (GSE) in 2007. Her research on early childhood education spanned over 50 years, establishing the positive correlation between early education to change children’s lives — particularly children in poverty.

Boocock taught at Yale University and the University of Southern California, was a sociologist at the Russell Sage Foundation, lecturer at the Universities of Stockholm and Goteborg in Sweden, and visiting professor at Hebrew University in Israel. Winner of a 1970 Dart Award, she was a 1985 Fulbright scholar, researching Japanese childcare systems. Boocock authored or co-authored several books, including (with Kimberly Ann Scott) Kids in Context: The Sociological Study of Children and Childhoods.

Dr. Boocock was a longtime supporter of GSE’s South Africa Initiative (SAI) run by Dr. Darren Clarke. SAI brings GSE students to South Africa, with a vision to empowering educators and students as active participants in a diverse democracy.

In retirement, Boocock enjoyed playing Bach on the harpsichord. Her partner of 40 years, Princeton University Professor Emeritus Dr. Walter Wallace, predeceased her. She is survived by her son Paul Boocock, daughter-in-law Dr. Peggy Grauwiler, and granddaughter Chloe, as well as nieces Kate, Anne, and Harriett Hopkins and nephew Will Hopkins.

———

Isabella Livaudais de la Houssaye

Isabella Livaudais de la Houssaye, 59, of Lawrenceville, died on December 2, 2023 surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, she resided most of her life in Princeton, NJ.

Isabella was a graduate of Princeton University Class of 1986 and received her JD from Columbia University class of 1990. She was the co-owner of Material Culture in Philadelphia, Pa., for over 18 years.

Daughter of the late Benton Cason de la Houssaye Jr., she is survived by her husband of 33 years David W. Crane; five children and a son-in-law: Philip Cason Crane (Francis McGill), David H. Crane, Isabella LD Crane, Oliver Crane, Christopher Crane; her mother Isabella (Livaudais) de la Houssaye; a brother Benton Cason de la Houssaye III; two sisters Nadia de la Houssaye and Elise de la Houssaye; and nieces and nephews, Nadia Vreeland, Oliver Vreeland, Cason de la Houssaye, Tolson Frantzen, Story Frantzen, Ella Frantzen, Arden Frantzen, Mark Snider, Brian Snider, Lisa Snider, Molly Hennessy, and Jack Hennessy.

The Funeral Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday December 15, 2023 at the Princeton University Chapel. Burial will be private.

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

December 6, 2023

Obituaries 12/6/2023

Evan R. Wolarsky M.D.

Evan Wolarsky died Saturday November 25 at home in Pennington, NJ, surrounded by his family.

Born in The Bronx, NY, in 1942, Evan was a graduate of Horace Mann ’59, Harvard College ’63 and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School ’67. He completed a five-year surgical residency at Columbia Presbyterian in New York in June 1974 with a two-year break after his internship year, during which he did research on wound-healing on a NIH grant.

Drafted during the Vietnam War, then deferred until the end of his residency, he served two years accompanied at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, retiring with the rank of full Commander in the USN.

He joined Hunterdon Surgical Associates in Flemington, NJ, in July 1976, where he practiced General Surgery until 1990, after which he assumed the newly created position of Medical Director of Hunterdon Medical Center. While working as Medical Director he joined the Executive MBA program at Wharton (at the time the oldest student Wharton had in the program), graduating in 1997 alongside his daughter Nina obtaining her B.A. from U Penn.

Evan was a gifted photographer. When he was a boy he received a Leica camera from his father, after which he became a serious, dedicated photographer. Many of his photographs hang in the homes of his friends. He was also a terrific home chef and baker, his talents in the kitchen widely enjoyed by his friends and family. He completed the NYC Marathon twice as well as the Boston Marathon.

Evan leaves his wife, Rosalie Siegel Wolarsky of Pennington, NJ; son Eric Wolarsky of Newtown PA, daughter-in-law Julia Nickles; daughter Nina Wolarsky of Los Angeles, son-in-law Hal Pohl; and grandchildren, Marcus and Yael Wolarsky and Lucy Margaret Pohl.

November 22, 2023

Obituaries 11/22/2023

———

Elias Bloxom Baker

Elias Bloxom Baker

E. Bloxom (Bloxy) Baker IV, formerly of Princeton, NJ, passed away on November 12, 2023, in Salisbury, CT. Born in Philadelphia, PA, on February 18, 1945, he was the son of Elias Bloxom and Marjorie Credo Baker. He grew up in Princeton, NJ, attended Princeton Day School, and later graduated from the St. Georges School in Newport, RI, in 1963. He attended Princeton University, graduated in 1967, and was a member of the Cap and Gown eating club.

After graduation, he enlisted as an officer in the United States Army and later helicopter flight school. He served in the Army’s 3rd Calvary Infantry Division in Vietnam, stationed in Bien Hoa as a Bell Cobra helicopter pilot in the Blue Max Squadron. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service and the Broken Wing Award for safely landing his helicopter when his tail rotor blade was shot off by enemy fire. After his tour of duty, he was stationed in Fort Hood Texas and trained in low level flying with night vision binoculars, followed by an assignment for several months to England in the Salisbury Plains teaching British pilots the same.

After his honorable discharge with the rank of Captain, he worked for Merrill Lynch in Manhattan as a commodities broker. Dissatisfied with corporate life he learned that Grover Lumber Company in Princeton was for sale, where he had worked for many years part time growing up. With the help of family and friends, he and his wife were able to buy the company. He was President of Grover Lumber Co for 20 years until the company was later sold to Princeton University.

A lifelong devotee to the sport of ice hockey, Bloxy was both a coach and the ultimate “hockey dad” to his three sons.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Luria of Salisbury and two step daughters, Cary Ullman of Lakeville, CT, and Samantha Harlow of Middlebury, VT; his three sons, with his former wife Nancy Howell Rogers, Charles of Sarasota, Fl, Henry (his wife Tiffany) of Wilton, CT, and Peter (his wife Wendy) of Montvale, NJ; three grandchildren (Henry, Lily, and Sophie); sisters Gertrude Millar (James) of Marshfield, MA, Leanne Baker of Nantucket, MA; and brother Warren Baker (wife Deborah) of Lakeside, MI.

A memorial service is planned for a later date in Princeton, NJ.

November 15, 2023

Obituaries 11/15/2023

Joyce Howe

Joyce Howe, 65, passed away on November 6 at home in Princeton, NJ, after a nine-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Alex Levine, her husband of 35 years, was at her side.

Manhattan-born, she grew up in Queens, first behind her father’s laundry in Jackson Heights, then in Corona. A proud 1976 graduate of Stuyvesant High School, she attended SUNY Buffalo, majoring in English, the school newspaper, and rock concerts and club shows. She returned to New York and worked for The New York Times, then Glamour Magazine, first as a flunky, later as a writer and editor, and began an 18-year career freelancing for countless publications and working for government agencies and nonprofits. Much of her writing dealt with women’s and Asian American issues. She and Alex lived in the East Village, Paris, Berkeley, Aix-en-Provence, and Oakland before moving to Princeton in 2002.

Joyce loved being an adoptive Princetonian almost as much as she loved considering herself a lifelong New Yorker. Her utter devotion to her daughters, Nathalie and Jade, included working at Community Park School in a variety of volunteer positions. Later, she ran the Power Lunch reading program and worked as an instructional assistant (and was a proud PRESSA member). She was also a passionate volunteer with Democratic presidential campaigns throughout her life, including with the PCDO in 2004, 2008, and 2012.

Joyce was a familiar face at each and every church rummage sale and countless garage sales, at the Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale, and in a comfortable chair near the magazines at Princeton Public Library, which she never left without visiting the used bookstore. She loved walking around town. Her favorite haunts included the Record Exchange, the Nearly New Shop, Tomo Sushi, Another Angle, the Garden Theatre and Montgomery Cinemas, McCarter Theatre, and anywhere she could meet a friend for coffee. She loved bumping into neighbors at Conte’s and Main Street, whose closing she lamented, along with those of Abel Bagel, Jordan’s, Micawber Books, and Jane. She never missed a CP, JW, or PHS musical, orchestra, or choir concert, talent show, or cabaret night. She was also an avid Town Topics reader.

Predeceased by her parents and sister Mary, she is survived by her loving husband and daughters Nathalie Levine (Anna Rose Gable) of Highland Park, NJ, and Jade Levine (Julia Lubey) of Manhattan; by her sisters Joan and Janet of Queens; her sister- and brother-in-law Lisa and Jim Levine of Princeton; her nephews Zeke and Elijah Levine and niece Freddie Levine; and countless other relatives and friends in Princeton, New York, the Bay Area, and around the country.

Her kind, loving, and devoted caregivers Ayishatu Ibrahim and Mariama Sumareh, whom we cannot thank enough, helped us through many difficult years and knew how to make Joyce laugh. We also thank the staff of Penn Medicine-Princeton Home Care for years of steadfast and compassionate support.

A celebration of her life will be held in Princeton in early 2024. Anyone so inclined is invited to contribute in her memory to 101fund.org, which supports Princeton High School graduates with need-based college aid. Joyce taught and loved many of them, and they loved her back.

———

Alfred Lavern Bush

Alfred Lavern Bush of Princeton died at home on November 9, 2023. He was born in 1933 in Denver, Colorado, into a fifth-generation Mormon family. An avid mountain climber in his youth, Bush graduated from Brigham Young University in 1957 where he continued graduate studies in archaeology before joining the Fifth University Archaeological Society excavations at the Mayan site of Aguacatal in Campeche, Mexico, in the winter of 1958. The following summer he was a student at the Institute for Archival and Historical Management at Radcliffe College. Bush served in the Medical Service Corps of the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone.

Alfred Bush moved to Princeton in 1958 to become an editor of the Papers of Thomas Jefferson. In the course of his research, he discovered a lost 1800 portrait of Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale, which was announced in his monograph The Life Portraits of Thomas Jefferson (1962). This portrait of President Jefferson now hangs in the White House and is featured on the Jefferson nickel.

In 1971 Bush proposed and organized an exhibition of ancient Mayan hieroglyphic texts at the Grolier Club in New York — a show that exhibited a purported fourth surviving Maya codex. Highly controversial, the codex underwent nearly 50 years of extensive testing before Mexican authorities declared it genuine in September 2018. Referred to as the Grolier Codex, it dates from the 11th century and is now recognized as the earliest surviving book from ancient America.

Bush became Curator of Western Americana at Princeton University’s Firestone Library in 1961 and served in that position for over 35 years. During his tenure he enlarged the size of the collection tenfold, expanded the collections of Native American materials, and added an important photographic archive. With Lee Clark Mitchell, he published The Photograph and the American Indian (1994) in conjunction with a major exhibition at Firestone Library. In 2006, following his retirement, the Princeton University Library Chronicle devoted an entire volume to Bush’s contributions to Native American studies. Equally at home in Princeton and in the American Southwest, Bush worked tirelessly to recruit Native American students and acted as an undergraduate advisor and friend to many. In 2020 he received the Princeton University Alumni Award, a rare honor for a non-alumnus, for his interest in and commitment to Native American students. Throughout his life, Bush remained an active researcher and essay writer.

Alfred Bush served for three decades on the editorial board of the Princeton University Library Chronicle, and was its editor from 1962 to 1977. He was elected an Honorary Member of the Friends in June 2023. Bush was also founding editor of Princeton History, first issued in 1971. In 2019 he was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Western History Association. He served until his death on the Visiting Committee of the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Alfred Bush had a genius for friendship. He took great pleasure in introducing his many diverse friends to one another, thus creating new webs of friendship that now span Mexico and the United States.

He is survived by his brother Vernon Bush of American Fork, Utah, and his sister Peggy Arnold of Grand Junction, Colorado; his adopted son Paul Tioux of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

At Alfred’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service. Donations in his honor may be made to the Friends of Princeton University Library or the School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe, NM.

———

Reinhard Paul-Gunter Kruegel

1939 – 2023

Reinhard Paul-Gunter Kruegel, 84, passed away in Elizabeth City, N.C., on September 27 after a long struggle with the aftereffects of Covid and other health issues. Reinhard was born in Bad Godesberg, Germany, to Gottwald Hugo Reinhard and Eleonore (née Hunninghaus) Kruegel on June 2, 1939, the youngest of five children.

Reinhard is missed dearly by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Kruegel, his children and grandchildren: Michele (Lincoln Cairns) Kruegel and their daughter, Tallulah; Brian (Jenn) Kruegel and their daughter, Lahna. He also leaves behind his sisters Helga Waldinger and Gudrun Graff, his brother Hartmann Kruegel, numerous in-laws, and nieces and nephews across the United States, Germany, and Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister, Lore Grohsgart.

Reinhard grew up in post-WWII Germany. After serving in the German Navy under NATO from 1957-61 he immigrated to Ontario, Canada, where his brother, Hartmann, and his family had established roots. He studied data processing before moving to Chicago in 1963 where he worked during the day at Continental Coffee. At night, Reinhard took classes at Lakeview High School to improve his English.

Due to his dedication and hard work, Continental Coffee transferred Reinhard to their New Jersey location where he managed the office as well as the data processing and credit departments. This is where he met Linda and they started their family.

Reinhard shared his passion for downhill skiing with Linda, Michele, and Brian. As a couple, Reinhard and Linda spent their off-hours ballroom dancing and playing tennis. Reinhard’s lifelong love of soccer motivated him to teach his son and anyone else who wanted to learn how to play the game. He turned his passion into action by getting involved with the Princeton Soccer Association and was one of the first parents to bring professional coaching to the fledgling club. A steward of the game, Reinhard blew his whistle or raised his flag as a referee for hundreds of matches at the club and high school levels.

In 1976, Reinhard became a naturalized U.S. citizen and his name is listed on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor on Ellis Island.

Reinhard earned his GED at Hackensack High School in N.J., later receiving his BS in Business Administration at Thomas Edison University in 1989. After a fulfilling career at Continental Coffee, he was Vice President of Information Technology at Brunswick Bank and Trust until retiring. Reinhard was at the forefront of computer programming. As a Certified Network Engineer, he contributed to the seamless transition of Y2K spending countless hours testing code and analyzing data. His efforts helped ensure customers had the proper balances in their accounts on January 1, 2000. After retirement, he was happy to remind people of how he paid his dues and didn’t want to troubleshoot problems with cell phones, computers, or television remotes.

Reinhard and Linda moved to Hertford, N.C., shortly after retiring. They made amazing new friends and filled their time with engaging activities. Reinhard sang bass with the Albemarle Chorale and volunteered for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). He enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and poker, bicycling, bowling, reading voraciously, solving sudoku, and complaining about North Carolina drivers. Reinhard loved going to the opera and enjoyed classical music. He could name any piece playing on the radio and its composer, usually before the DJ announced it.

A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he was always ready with a glass of champagne to celebrate moments big and small alike. His booming voice and big heart will never be forgotten.

November 8, 2023

Obituaries 11/8/2023

Robert J. Galick

Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 20, 1929. He passed away at Capital Health Medical Center of Hopewell, Pennington, NJ on October 31, 2023.

Bob grew up on his parents’ dairy farm with many siblings in Harlingen, NJ. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1948.

Bob was a skilled union carpenter and construction superintendent in Princeton Local 781, where he was a member for 70 years. He worked on many projects in the area, including a number at Princeton University, where he was also an arborist and tree surgeon.

Bob was an avid reader, enthusiastic trout fisherman, and dog lover. He was also a founding member of the Cedar Grove Sportsmen’s Club, where he enjoyed hunting.

He loved to visit the Jersey shore, in particular Point Pleasant with his wife Doris, to whom he was married for 62 years, and his daughter, Deborah. He lived with his family in Princeton, NJ, in a house that he proudly built himself.

Bob was predeceased by the love of his life Doris in 2012. He then lived firstly at Acorn Glen/Brandywine assisted living facility in Princeton, and then at Brandywine assisted living in Pennington, NJ. In later life he always considered this to be his home, a place where he made many friends and participated in several activities.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah (Galick) Dalton, Robert Dalton (husband); grandchildren Michael Dalton (wife Ashley), Matthew Dalton (wife Kristin); two great-grandchildren James and Charlotte Dalton; and many nieces and nephews as well as two great-grand puppies Meha and Olive.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, George and Anna Galick.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Wilson Apple Funeral Home, Pennington, NJ, with visitation from 10-10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Highland Cemetery, Hopewell, NJ.

Condolences are welcome at wilsonapple.com

———

Hilda B. Melconian

Hilda Melconian, of Rumson, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was 88.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 11, 1935, Hilda was the second youngest of 11 children of Armenak and Marie Berejikian. After early schooling in Beirut, she moved to New York City in 1950, and graduated from George Washington High School, then attended City College of New York.

Soon after, Hilda began a fulfilling career at the United Nations, working for the Saudi Arabian and Cambodian Missions. She married Melcon Melconian, an engineer with Mobil Oil, in 1961, and together they enjoyed a socially active life in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and London. Their first son Gregory arrived in 1969, promptly followed by their second son Philip. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where Mr. and Mrs. Melconian raised their children and lived for 45 years. Together with her husband, Mrs. Melconian emphasized the importance of family, faith, and community service.

Mrs. Melconian proudly served the Armenian-American community over the course of her life. Motivated by a sense of personal responsibility, she actively participated in and consistently supported many organizations, such as the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York (Board Member), Armenian General Benevolent Union (President’s Club), Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian Missionary Association of America (Board Member), and the Armenia Fund USA (Board Member). Throughout the years, Mrs. Melconian was valued by her fellow members for her balanced views, sound judgment, and desire to advance the mission of each organization while maintaining unity.

Reared in the Armenian Evangelical Church, Mrs. Melconian actively practiced her faith throughout her life. She regularly attended services and served for many years on the Church’s Board and other committees. She was instrumental in solidifying her Church’s financial future, managing a real estate transaction involving the sale of air rights in midtown Manhattan.

Those close to Hilda were aware of her genuine intellectual curiosity and cosmopolitan style. She loved history and following current events. She enjoyed classical music and the arts, and spoke five languages. She reveled in great conversations and always made people feel welcome. Hilda also participated in many cultural activities in Princeton and New York over many decades. Friends and family always will remember her as a cultured, elegant ,and warm lady who was motivated to help others.

Hilda was predeceased by her devoted husband of 46 years Melcon, and eight siblings. She is survived by two sons: Gregory (Nyire) Melconian and Philip (Rachel) Melconian; five grandchildren: Henry, Chloe, Carter, Cooper, and Kylie; two sisters: Jeanette Kendirgi and Ceta Amato; and many nephews and nieces.

Family and friends paid their respects on October 21 at St. Stepanos Armenian Church in Elberon, NJ, and at the Lawrenceville Cemetery in Lawrenceville, NJ. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ, was entrusted with the arrangements.

November 1, 2023

Obituaries 11/1/2023

Dr. William F. Besser

Revered, respected, and renowned for his professional and personal accomplishments affecting thousands of Princeton-area residents over the course of decades, Dr. William F. Besser, MD, 93, died of cancer on October 28, 2023, in his home.

Bill, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Princeton for half a century, and Ruth, his wife of 73 years, were residents of the Princeton community for more than 60 years.

His wisdom, skills, ethics, and integrity defined his years in private practice and his affiliation with Princeton Hospital, now known as Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. He maintained a leadership role in the hospital’s Bioethics Committee since the committee’s establishment more than 40 years ago. He was a founding member, along with his medical practice partner, Dr. David Rose, of the local chapter of Planned Parenthood and went on to serve on the chapter’s board. 

His community service commitment was applauded far beyond Princeton. He and Ruth spent many summers volunteering on a Navaho Reservation at a United States Public Health Service facility in Shiprock, Arizona. He passed on the spirit of service to all of his children.

Bill’s most revered extracurricular activity was interacting with his family — his wife and four children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. When their 48-year-old daughter Karen died in 2004, their lives were changed forever, but the tragedy had the effect of bringing the parents and three sons even closer together. Geographic distance never stopped Bill from maintaining continual contact with the children and grandchildren on a daily basis via email and text.

Bill loved to play and to compete. For years it was tennis, but he loved golf, bridge, cribbage, backgammon, bocce, and poker — any type of game. And he loved to win! In addition to games, he had many hobbies over his lifetime — painting and needlepoint were two favorites. Every wedding or birth was followed by a beautiful needlepoint pillow commemorating the event. He even taught a class at the Princeton Adult School, “Needlepoint for Men.” His needlepoint masterpieces are on display throughout their homes.

He and Ruth loved the Jersey shore and had a home in Barnegat Light. Their favorite activities were sailing, crabbing, and walking by the lighthouse with one of their beloved black Labs. His face would light up when people would stop to pet his dog and share some conversation. For each of his grandchildren when they were little, he would set out a pirate scavenger hunt for buried treasure. It was never clear who was having more fun, Bill or his grandchildren. The shore was also a place where he was able to enjoy his passion for food. He loved to cook, eat, and share recipes.

Born in Philadelphia on Christmas Day, 1929, two months after the crash of the stock market that marked the start of the Great Depression, to Dr. Joseph Besser, a family physician, and Pauline Besser, who worked alongside Joe as a nurse. Bill Besser said his professional and personal ethic was instilled in him by his parents. He attended Central High in Philadelphia, as had his father, brother, and other men in the family. He remained a loyal alum throughout his entire life. He went to Penn State as an undergraduate, where he met his wife and partner in life, Ruth. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, as had his father, and followed that by a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Following residency, the family set off to Germany, where he served in the U.S. Army during peacetime. It was the perfect place to enjoy life with his young family.

Bill made friends for life. From his days as a counselor at SGF camp, his time as camp doctor at Camp Comet, his poker buddies at Windrows, and his deep friendships from a lifetime in Princeton and Barnegat Light. He was a true and loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife Ruth Besser; children: Mitchell Besser (Annie) of Los Angeles; Andrew Besser (Joannie) of Los Angeles; Richard Besser (Jeanne) of New York; and eight grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Karen and his brother, Gilbert.

A service honoring the life of Dr. William Besser will be held at Windrows in Plainsboro on November 11,
at 1 p.m.

The family requests donations in Dr. William Besser’s memory be made to Eden Autism. Bill and Ruth participated every year in the Eden Autism walk/run fundraiser. Edenautism.org or by mail: Eden Autism, 2 Merwick Road, Princeton NJ 08540.

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

October 25, 2023

Obituaries 10/25/2023

Paul Harding Rutherford

Paul and Audrey Rutherford

Paul Harding Rutherford, 85, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2023, at the Riverwoods Retirement Community in Exeter, NH. He had been a resident of Princeton for 45 years before moving to New Hampshire in 2010.

Paul was born on January 22, 1938 in Yorkshire, England, the son of Joseph William Rutherford and the former Annie Harding. After his family was required to relocate early in World War II, he attended the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne. He won a scholarship to Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, where he earned a B.A. in 1959, receiving first-class honors in the Mathematical Tripos. He remained at Cambridge for graduate work and completed a Ph.D. in 1962. After postdoctoral appointments at Princeton (1962-63) and the U.K.’s Culham Laboratory (1963-65), he returned to the United States as an immigrant in 1965 to join the research staff at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where he remained for his entire subsequent career, serving as Associate Director for Research from 1980 to 1995. His research was in the theory of fully-ionized plasmas in strong magnetic fields and was supported as part of the quest for a controlled thermonuclear fusion reactor.

Paul met his future wife, the former Audrey J. Irvine, in Newcastle upon Tyne, and she accompanied him first to Cambridge for the completion of his graduate work and subsequently to Princeton. The Rutherfords became United States citizens in 1976.

Paul taught courses in plasma physics at Princeton University, and co-authored with Robert J. Goldston a graduate text, “Introduction to Plasma Physics”, published in 1995. He was the recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy’s E. 0. Lawrence Memorial Award for physics in 1983, with a citation for contributions to the basic theory of plasma confinement and to the toroidal fusion reactor concept.

Throughout his career, he had always been prominently involved in the international aspects of fusion research. In 1992, he was appointed Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee for the design phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), and he continued in that role from 1992 to 1998. The ITER is presently under construction at Cadarache in the south of France.

Having been an active member of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, he was equally active in the Congregational Church in Exeter, UCC.

In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, Paul was survived by daughters, Andrea Christine Rutherford of Andover, Massachusetts, and Julia Irvine Rutherford, of North Andover, Massachusetts, and by two grandchildren, Alexander McClintick and Samantha Trombly.

———

Audrey J. Rutherford

Audrey Jones Rutherford, 89, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2023 at the RiverWoods Retirement Community in Exeter, NH. She had been a resident of Princeton for 45 years before moving to New Hampshire in 2010.

Audrey was born December 12, 1934, in Berwick upon Tweed, the daughter of James Irvine and the former Jane Ellen Thompson. Although she retained strong family ties to Berwick, on the border between England and Scotland, she spent her childhood in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, attending Heaton High School for Girls. The death of her father while she was still in high school precluded her from attending a full-time college, but she enrolled in the College of Commerce, now part of Newcastle University, taking evening and weekend classes. While serving in various positions in the Health Department for the County of Northumberland, she pursued further studies in local government. After becoming qualified as a Committee Clerk by the Local Government Examinations Board in 1958, she was appointed Committee Clerk of the Health Committee — becoming the first woman in the county to hold a position at that level.

After marrying Paul Rutherford, she moved with her husband to Cambridge, where she lived from 1959 to 1962, working at Pye Electronics Ltd while her husband completed a Ph.D. in theoretical physics. She then spent a year in Princeton, New Jersey, after which the couple returned to England and lived in Wantage, Berkshire, for two years. In 1965, she and her husband emigrated to the U.S., where they lived for 45 years in Princeton, New Jersey, becoming U.S. citizens in 1976.

After raising two daughters in Princeton, Audrey was then able to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a preschool teacher. After appropriate certification, she taught for 10 years at the Cherry Hill Nursery School, following which she was a frequent substitute teacher at the University League Nursery School.

After her husband’s retirement, she moved to the RiverWoods retirement community in Exeter, New Hampshire, where she had lived since 2010. Having been an active member of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, she became active in the Congregational Church in Exeter, UCC. From early childhood, she has enjoyed all forms of needlework and was especially skilled in tapestry needlepoint.

The Rutherfords are survived by two daughters, Andrea C. Rutherford of Andover, Massachusetts, and Julia I. Rutherford of North Andover, Massachusetts; and two grandchildren, Alexander Rutherford McClintick and Samantha Grace Trombly.

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Manuel del Cerro

Manuel del Cerro, MD, died in Princeton, NJ, on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the age of 92.

He was an Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurobiology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Dr. del Cerro was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the 30th of August 1931. He grew up in that city, where he undertook all his formal education receiving his MD degree in 1958. After completing his residence in the department of Intensive Care, where he reached the position of Chief Resident, he became a member of the Faculty in the Department of Cell Biology of the Medical School of the University of Buenos Aires.

In 1957 he married Constancia (Coca) Nuñez. He and his wife left Argentina at the end of 1964 for the USA where Dr. del Cerro had been offered a faculty position at the Center for Brain Research of the University of Rochester, Medical School. He moved up through the academic ranks reaching the position of Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurobiology at the University of Rochester. Starting in the middle 1980s, Dr. del Cerro and his team, which included his wife Coca, did pioneering work on transplantation of developing retinal cells into the retinas of blind animals and humans. That work, published in national and international medical journals, proved the viability and in many cases the beneficial effects of those transplants. Dr. del Cerro was an invited speaker at numerous national and international professional meetings. He was a mentor to numerous students, many of whom reached prominence in the medical profession in the USA and abroad. After his retirement in 1989, Dr. del Cerro and his wife traveled extensively; he also pursued his hobbies of photography, chess, and reading, particularly of world history and history of art.

He is survived by his daughter Marilu DeCoste, and grandchildren Thomas, Samuel, and Christopher Joseph.

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Mary Jane Hayes

Mary Jane Hayes, 81, of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 16, 2023. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mary Jane moved to Princeton as a young child and lived there most of her life, except for periods when she lived abroad. She attended the Miss Fine School and graduated from Princeton High School in 1960.

Mary Jane was a worldwide traveler and lived and worked abroad, including living on a Kibbutz in Israel, as well as time in Australia and Turkey.

A lover of all animals, she had two beloved dogs Amtrack and Johann. In her spare time, Mary Jane loved to be in her garden.

Mary Jane worked for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and then was the Administrative Officer for 29 years at the School of Mathematics of the Institute for Advanced Study, before retiring in 2017.

Mary Jane is predeceased by her father, Dr. John Raymond Burbidge, her mother Thelma Kirksey Burbidge, and her brother John Burbidge, Jr. She is survived by her sister Bettina Anne Burbidge, her niece Amy (John) Israelsson, her nephew James (Anna Maria) Hummerstone, and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey.

Mary Jane will be truly missed by her close friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Esther LaFranco

Esther LaFranco (nee Rubin), 91, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Monday, October 16, 2023. She was born on September 13, 1932, in Trenton, N.J., to the late Abraham Rubin and Bessie Barker. She was married to the late Antonio LaFranco and lived in Lawrenceville before moving to Princeton 29 years ago.

While singlehandedly raising her three young children, Esther earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration. She worked as a paralegal at the NJ Public Employment Relations Commission for more than 20 years. She was a proud member of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization and the Princeton Senior Center, where she was involved in memoir writing and other activities. She was an avid supporter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. In addition to memoir writing, Esther also was passionate about astrology, antiquing, politics, health and wellness, movies, the Boston Red Sox, and, most of all, her children and grandchildren.

She loved to share her stories and insights with family and friends and was always generous with her time and her love. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Esther’s favorite quotation was, “Family is the most important thing.” She lived by this motto, always prioritizing her family over herself. She taught her children and grandchildren to “always do the hard, right thing not the easy, wrong thing.” She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Esther is survived by three children, Mark Anthony LaFranco, Audrey Rita Maest, and Barry Richard LaFranco; her son-in-law, Christopher Maest; two grandchildren, Eric and Rachel Maest; and one sister, Frances Rubin.

Funeral service was on Thursday, October 19 at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road in Ewing Township. Interment followed at Brothers of Israel Cemetery, 1100 Cedar Lane Cemetery, Hamilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

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Wesley Thompson

January 4, 1947 – October 17, 2023

Wesley R. Thompson, 76, of Caledonia, Michigan, formerly of Indiana and New Jersey, died at 10:07 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at StoryPoint Assisted Living in Rockford, Michigan. He was born on January 4, 1947, in New York City to Ralph and Ruth (Lindveit) Thompson. Wes grew up in Griggstown, New Jersey, and married Sandra (Sandie) Thompson on September 5, 1970.

Surviving are his son Matthew (Erin) Thompson of Newaygo, Michigan; grandchildren Wyatt, Ruby, and Scarlett; cousin Elaine Trapp; niece Dana Oley; and nephews-in-law Patrick and Allen Carns of New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and sister Arlene Oley.

Wes was an insurance underwriter and part time pastor by occupation. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1971. Wes had a passion for theological studies, volunteering, music, and walking. He had a unique ability to listen to others with true care, provide compassion, and relate to all perspectives.  Above all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a man of God who always put the needs of others in front of his.

According to his wishes, there will not be a memorial service. His ashes will be spread by family members.

Donations in his memory can be made to Feed My Starving Children (fmsc.org).

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Lawrence Hunter Parsons

April 11, 1944 – October 18, 2023

Lawrence Hunter Parsons, known by all as Larry, passed away peacefully October 18, after many years of declining from dementia. He was a kind, generous, and respected member of the Princeton community, which he loved. A friend said of Larry that he was, “someone who rarely expressed criticisms of others, preferring to support, rather than destroy.”

Larry was a wonderful listener with great creative vision and insight. He used these qualities to contribute to many good causes and organizations in leadership roles such as the Princeton Photography Club and the Princeton Adult School. He is survived by his wife, Jean, his daughter, Meg D’Incecco and her husband John, their son, Leslie, and by his son Hunter and his wife Amber, and children Margot and Sheppard.

Though Larry’s career was in finance, his heart was with culture and beauty, which he expressed through his photographic art. He was devoted to Gallery 14 on Mercer Street in Hopewell where he was a member for many years.

As almost a miracle, a retrospective of Larry’s artwork at the Gallery was scheduled some time ago to open at the Gallery 14 on Saturday, November 4. Now it can be an immediate celebration of his life through his art! The opening reception will be from 1-5 p.m. on that day, and the show will run through December 3. It would be an honor to him for you to come to see the show when you can. A celebration service of Larry’s life is being planned for March at Nassau Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, he would have loved you to support the organizations of your choice that support the arts, education, the environment, and justice for humankind. Some of his favorites were Princeton Adult School, Princeton Pro Musica, Princeton Public Library, Centurion, Young Audiences, and Nassau Presbyterian Church, especially the hunger relief programs.

October 18, 2023

Obituaries 10/18/2023

Jeremiah Anthony “Tony” Dowling

Jeremiah Anthony “Tony” Dowling left for Heaven to find an eternal pot of Gold on October 9, 2023. Tony was a long time resident of Princeton Junction, NJ. He was born on May 31, 1935 in Dublin, Ireland. He spent his childhood on his grandparents’ farm in Ballylongford, County Kerry.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents Mary Dineen Dowling, Jeremiah Anthony Dowling, a guardian Uncle Thomas Dineen, Uncle Paddy Dineen, and a beloved grandson Patrick Thomas Marchbank.

Tony is survived by loving son Brendan Anthony Dowling, grandchildren Cameron, Cassidy, and Jackson of Cranbury, NJ, adoring daughter B. Kelly Dowling Marchbank (Jim) and granddaughter Sean Kerry of Black Forest, CO. He is also survived by the honorary family of Billy and Paula Hall of Princeton Junction, NJ, Dineen Family cousins in County Kerry, Ireland, and special lifelong family and friends: Millie (Dowling) and Joe Ratcliff, the Pisani/Trani/Wolf Family, the Consoli Family, the Cahills, the Fontaines, the Murphys, the Gennarellis, the Perones, the Herrmanns, the Ninis, the Turner Domestic and International family, all the “Shub” faithful, and thousands of others friends worldwide.

Prior to migrating to the United States, Tony graduated from Sheffield College, England, with a Civil Engineering Degree in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Service from 1957 to 1960 as a Dental Assistant. Tony worked several jobs sometimes simultaneously to include Fortunato Construction of Long Island, NY, and Princeton Rug and Furtniture Mart. In 1976, he began his illustrious career at Turner Construction: International and Domestic as Senior Estimating Engineer. Tony was excellent at his job working quotes down to the penny. His clients as well as his peers trusted his knowledge and integrity for all of his projects. While working for Turner, Tony literally traveled the world, gracing at least 55 countries. He spent the majority of time working in the Middle East. Some of his favorite projects were the Dubai Sail Building, Taipei 101, and the Amari Diwan Palace in Kuwait. But his proudest project and one of his last was the new Yankee Stadium where he wrote his children and grandchildren’s names and birthdays in the I-beam of the right field bleachers. Tony “Topped Out” his amazing construction career after more than 45 years, retiring in 2009.

Tony was a decades-long member of St. Paul’s Parish of Princeton, NJ, where he served as an usher for over 30 years. He also attended St. David the King in West Windsor, NJ. His Catholic Faith has always been foremost in his life and service to others. Tony has always been a cheerful giver.

Tony’s love of anything Celtic taking him back to his roots and everything New York Giants is truly what has made him infamous. The combination of these two loves is evident by the invention of the “Shub” — a shed that is a pub where Tony has created a loving community. A New York Giants season ticket holder since 1957, Tony is one of New Jersey’s most known “Super Fans” — even winning a radio contest while celebrating in the Meadowlands. Epic tailgate parties with the Giants’ “mobile” bus garnered him media attention. He has been interviewed by local media outlets highlighing his Giants Memorabilia Collections and the novelty of the Shub. His latest interview was only last year when NBC/New York reported on the rivalry of the Giants vs. Eagles NFC playoffs and that Princeton Junction is the dividing line between fans. His quote said it all, “We dislike the Cowboys, but we hate the Eagles.” The Shub is also tailgate central as traveling to the stadium grew harder in recent years. Watching the Giants in the Shub with the community of neighbors and friends near and far is where you would find Tony every Sunday after church of course. The Shub is truly a Cheers-like place where everybody knows your name and beverage of choice. It was his happy, safe, Shire-like place where everyone is always welcome and greeted with Irish cheer and “Big Blue” enthusiasm. A tray of fried chicken from Chicken Holiday, potato salad, and a cold Bud Ice in hand with the big screens lit up was Tony’s favorite place to be.

“TD” will be remembered as a man who was funny with a great sense of humor. He was smart and generous to a fault. He was fiercely loyal to his loved ones. He and his heart were bigger than life. He will be missed by so many and his absence will be a void never to be filled. Slan gofoill Gaelic for Bye for now!!! Here we go Giants here we go … it’s “tird and tree” …

Visitation and Wake were held at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. A buffet tailgate party followed immediately after at the “Shub” in Princeton Junction. Funeral Mass was held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 218 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tony’s name can be made to St. Paul’s School or your favorite Catholic Charities.

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William B. Russel

William B. Russel, a 49-year resident of Princeton, passed away on September 24. He was 77.

Born in Corpus Christi and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Bill attended Rice University where he earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees while also playing intercollegiate baseball in the Southwest Conference. During his five years there, Bill formed an abiding allegiance to Rice as the place which had awakened and nurtured his passion for math. He continued his education with a Ph.D. at Stanford University. There he met and married Priscilla Griffiths, a fellow graduate student. They then moved to England for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge.

Arriving at Princeton University in 1974 Bill took a faculty position in the Department of Chemical Engineering (now Chemical and Biological Engineering). During his 42 years at Princeton, Bill served the university as member and chair of his department, director of the Materials Science Institute and, as dean of the Graduate School. He mentored 40 graduate students, who called themselves “Russel’s Sprouts” and produced numerous books and papers in the field of colloid science. His students recall him as patient, kind, and gentle blended with high standards and great depth of knowledge and, despite the numerous awards he received, unassuming in manner.

In Bill’s final professional chapter as dean of the Graduate School, he determined that a major goal would be to create much needed connections with both the students and the alumni. His first step was restoring and living in Wyman House, the unoccupied dean’s house next to the Graduate College. He then hosted frequent “Dinners with the dean” and “High Tables”’ for current graduate students and traveled the world gathering alumni for receptions and dinners. Bill retired from the university in 2016.

He approached his family life with the same passion and profound sense of responsibility that guided his professional life. Following the arrival of his sons Daniel and Bailey, for 18 years he arose each school day at 6 a.m. to prepare breakfast for the family, and then walked or biked the boys to school before heading to campus. He would return home for dinner before family reading for at least an hour, finally heading into his study to work. An avid hiker, biker, and camper, Bill started the boys early on these activities, taking them on a short backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail when they were 6 and 8 in anticipation of a weeklong expedition in the Grand Tetons later that year. Soccer and track were new to him, having grown up with baseball and basketball, and he learned to appreciate his sons’ accomplishments in these sports and, also, in ultimate frisbee which both boys eventually settled on as their sport of choice. In his final years, Bill loved to be outdoors and was often seen walking or biking around town.

Bill is survived by his wife, Priscilla, his sons and daughters-in-laws, Daniel and Lena of Palo Alto, California, and Bailey and Annika Walters of Laramie, Wyoming; by his beloved grandchildren, Kai and Katla; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Edwin Keath of Bend, Oregon.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Somos Amigos Medical Mission in the Dominican Republic, (somosamigos.org) in support of his sister’s and brother-in-law’s volunteer work there, or to the Princeton Public Library (princetonlibrarywv.com/donate) which Bill enjoyed visiting during his retirement.

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John F. Wilson

John F. Wilson (90) of Peterborough, NH, died on Thursday, October 5, 2023, when COVID rapidly overwhelmed his precarious health.

Born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1933 to Esther Gregory and Frederick Colburn Wilson, John spent his youth exploring the parsonage of the First Congregational Church where his father was the minister, and it was rumored that pirates had buried treasure. He learned woodworking skills from a local craftsman and helped his father identify planes during WWII, among other adventures. After graduating from Mount Herman School, he attended Harvard College, where John met Ruth Alden Cooke. The two married between final exams and their graduation in 1954.

After earning his doctoral degree from Union Theological Seminary, John joined the Princeton University faculty in 1960, where he remained until his retirement in 2003. A historian of American religious history, John pursued scholarly work focused primarily on the relationship between church and state in America. His publications include Public Religion in American Culture, a critical edition of Jonathan Edwards’s History of the Work of Redemption, The Study of Religion in American Universities and Colleges, and Religion and the American Nation. He developed and was the director of the Princeton Project on Church and State and was president of the American Society of Church History. Within his academic field, John is remembered as a quiet but forceful presence. He served as an exemplary mentor to many doctoral students and young scholars.

In addition to producing scholarly work in his field, John spent countless hours serving Princeton University as a whole and the broader academic community. He was instrumental in developing the University’s residential college system and served as Dean of the Graduate School until he retired. He also served on the boards of Northfield Mount Hermon School, Union Theological Seminary, and Educational Testing Service. One of his graduate students observed that John’s four-decade career provides eloquent illustration for the maxim that there is no limit to what one person can accomplish if they don’t care who receives the credit.

Along the way, John and Ruth raised four children: Abigail, Nathaniel, Johanna, and Jeremy; they have 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In spare time, John loved to tackle challenging electrical or plumbing projects and any number of other household problems. New wasn’t better. A solution could be conceived and built with materials found in the garage or basement — which were always packed with things that may be useful some day! John was also the family navigator. From memory, he could recite the directions one should take and what lane to be in before taking an exit. He also maintained a vast collection of old-fashioned road maps; his children didn’t need AAA or Google maps, they had John.

In 2009, John and Ruth moved to RiverMead in Peterborough, where John made many close friendships and involved himself in several committees. He also served on the boards of the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music and Peterborough Players, and enjoyed visiting his lake home, doing projects, and engaging with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a celebration of his life in spring or summer 2024.

To share a memory, or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit John’s tribute page at jellisonfuneralhome.com.