Obituaries | Town Topics (2024)

Obituaries 8/21/2024

Landon Y. (“Lanny”) Jones, Jr.

Landon Y. (“Lanny”) Jones, Jr., writer, editor, and beloved family member and citizen of the Princeton community, died on Saturday, August 17. He will be missed by all who knew his lively and generous spirit.

Born in Rome, Georgia, in 1943, raised in St. Louis, and a longtime resident of Princeton, Lanny spent his adult life on the East Coast, with an eye on the American West. He was known for his boundless energy, his unfailing generosity, and his insatiable appetite for meeting new and interesting people, while maintaining innumerable friendships and deep family connections.

Lanny reached the pinnacle of his editorial career during the heyday of magazine journalism in the 1980s and ’90s. From 1984-89, he was the Managing Editor (the highest editorial position at Time Inc.) of Money magazine. Under his direction, the financial monthly won three consecutive National Magazine Awards, including General Excellence.

From 1989-97, Lanny was the Managing Editor of People magazine, the most successful magazine in publishing history. While at People, he directed the launch of three new magazines: Who Weekly (1992), In Style (1994), and People en Español (1996). In 2015, he was awarded the Time Inc. Lifetime Achievement Award.

Throughout his life, Lanny served as a mentor and champion for countless writers and journalists. He taught courses in nonfiction writing at Princeton University (1995), Northwestern University (2006), and Montana State University (2008). He served in formal and informal advisory roles for the Princeton Alumni Weekly, the Daily Princetonian, and the Princeton University English Department.

Lanny’s first nonfiction work, Great Expectations: America and the Baby Boom Generation (Putman, 1980), introduced the world to the term “baby boomer,” and was the first close examination of the Baby Boom generation as a cultural phenomenon. It was nominated for the American Book Award in Nonfiction.

A college summer spent on a ranch in Ennis, Montana, proved fateful. Lanny was inspired by the American West and returned throughout his life. He spent more than 20 summers with his wife Sarah at their second home in Bozeman, Montana, where they welcomed family members and countless friends. He also cherished many family vacations at the A-Bar-A Ranch in Encampment, Wyoming. Lanny merged his personal interest in the West with his professional life when he wrote a 2016 cover story in the New York Times Sunday Travel section about Vladimir Nabokov’s travels in the West, which won the New York Press Club Award as the Best Travel Article of the Year. He published two books relating to Meriwether Lewis and William Clark: William Clark and the Shaping of the West (Hill and Wang, 2004), and The Essential Lewis and Clark (Ecco/HarperCollins, 2000).

In his final published book, Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved Into a Culture of Fans and Followers (Beacon Press, 2023), Lanny explored the celebrity culture that he played a role in developing during his time at People. He recounted his interviews with, among others, Malcolm X, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, President Bill Clinton, President George H.W. Bush, Bill Gates, and singers Bobby Short and Arlo Guthrie.

As a child in St. Louis, Lanny suffered significant hearing loss following a mumps infection. He learned to read lips at the Central Institute for the Deaf. With that skill, Lanny appeared to consider the problem solved, rarely complaining and still managing to be the life of any bustling party.

He attended Saint Louis Country Day School, where he played soccer and football, ran track, and served as Student Council President. He came east to Princeton University, graduating magna cum laude in 1966. At Princeton, he was active with the Daily Princetonian, wrote the “On the Campus” column for Princeton Alumni Weekly, and was a member of Colonial Club. He edited the Princeton Alumni Weekly from 1969-1974 and wrote for Time and People before joining Money in 1984. In 1967 he was a member of a special Life magazine investigation of the assassination of President Kennedy that received the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service.

Living in Princeton, Lanny was a consummate connector of people. Everybody knew Lanny and Lanny knew everybody – distinguished professors and academics at the University and Institute for Advanced Study, businesspersons, members of the arts and letters community, and staff at local establishments he frequented. Lanny was a prolific member of the Old Guard, for which he arranged and introduced over 100 speakers and received an Exemplary Service Award for his efforts.

At the time of his death, Lanny was serving on the board of The Rita Allen Foundation. He previously served on the boards of The Alzheimer’s Association, American Rivers, and Princeton Alumni Corps.

Lanny was a cheerleader for his family and friends to the end. He worked extraordinarily hard during his career with Time Inc., but always prioritized his family, including by coaching the soccer teams of his children. He dove headlong into family life following his retirement at age 57. He was a steadfast supporter of his children, gifted at eliciting a laugh from his grandchildren, and always eager to share tales of their latest adventures. With his diagnosis of myelofibrosis and subsequent ordeal of his bone marrow transplant, Lanny became increasingly aware of the fleeting nature of his time with his family. He never once finished a holiday toast with a dry eye. And he was forever grateful for the gift of extended life provided by his medical team at Memorial Sloan Kettering and other institutions.

Lanny is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sarah Brown Jones; their three children, Rebecca J. Urciuoli, Landon Y. Jones III, and Catherine (“Cassie”) M. Jones; their respective spouses, Christian J.A. Urciuoli, Beth Nell Vaccaro, and Mark C. Wethli; six grandchildren: Jane Urciuoli, Nina Urciuoli, Luke Jones, Adam Jones, Wren Wethli, and Reed Wethli; and brothers Charles E. (Carol Ann) Jones and Byron W. (Julie Morrison) Jones.

Services and Contributions: The family will update this page when arrangements for a fall memorial service have been finalized. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Princeton Public Library, the Institute for Advanced Study, and Princeton University for the benefit of the Princeton University Library.

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Georgette Ferrante

Georgette Davis Ferrante “Gette” passed away peacefully on August 2, 2024, surrounded by her children.

Born in January 1933 in New York City to Philip and Beverly Davis, she grew up in Greenwich, CT. As the only girl in her family, including nearby cousins, she was doted on and beloved by them all. Then tragedy struck her family with the death of her older brother to leukemia when she was just 14, and right after WWII when the world was reeling from so many deaths and senseless destruction. Perhaps this was why she became a peacemaker with a lifelong conviction that war and conflict were idiotic and mostly perpetrated by men.

Avant-garde as her parents were, she called them by name, “Mig” and “Phil.” Her mother was of southern roots in a large fun-loving family. Her father was one of two close but competitive brothers. Gette made a mental note early on that lots of children were better than few.

She was an equestrian, an avid reader, and a wonderful student. She went to Abbot Academy in Andover, MA, and college at Bryn Mawr where she made lifelong friends, one with whom she spent her junior year in Florence. She then left school to marry Giovanni Ferrante di Ruffano, with whom she moved to Pampa, TX ,and Dugway, UT, before settling in Kingston, NJ. They quickly had seven children in nine years, an achievement of which she was very proud and always said she wanted more. She was the center of a supportive, welcoming home for all of her children’s friends, and the house was always full. She had a way of making everyone feel special and relevant. Several of those Princeton friends attended her 90th birthday celebration last year in CT.

Following her divorce in 1978, she had regretted not finishing college, and so completed her degree at Rutgers with highest honors. She was fluent in three languages. She was a lifelong feminist and an example to all of cheerful, critical thinking and quiet skepticism.

Conversation with her was always easy and delightful, enhanced by her willingness to engage on any topic and her amazing memory and knowledge of current and past events in the world and in her family. She seemed to have up to the minute information on the doings of each of her 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren when their own parents had difficulty keeping them straight. She was an adroit record keeper and meticulously documented her family history through scrapbooking and video recordings that our family will cherish forever. In that same vein, despite near blindness, she hand wrote 600 pages of her reflections titled “Stuff I Think About,” to pass on to future generations.

Her final years were happily spent at Waveny Inn in New Canaan, CT, where she established and led the current events discussion group, and participated in a book group, writing group, a French discussion and poetry group, and was appointed to greet new and prospective residents. She is already missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she is survived by her children: Giaff (Alison), Cam (Liz McGrath), Gray (Dee Harris), Francesca Segalas, Catherine Tapsall (Mark Loehr), Virginia Ferrante-Iqbal (Manzar Iqbal), and Philip (Pamela), residing in Hingham, Albuquerque, Princeton, New Canaan, Old Greenwich, Nashville, and Scottsdale.

Burial will be in her mother’s family plot in Yazoo City, MS. There will be a celebration of her life for family and friends on a date to be announced. If you would like to honor Gette’s memory, please consider a donation to NPR and voting!

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream, remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me

—ee cummings

For online condolences please visithoytfuneralhome.com.

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Jacqueline “Jackie” Wadsworth

Jacqueline N. Wadsworth, 88, of Princeton passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

She was born in Milltown, NJ, and settled in Princeton with her husband Ray where she lived for over 65 years. She spent most of her summers after the school year at their shore house in South Seaside Park. She was the Director of Nurses for Princeton Regional Schools for 40 years, where she became known as “Nurse Jackie” by everyone at Princeton High School.

Jacqueline was a devout Catholic and parishioner at St. Paul’s Church where she always lent a helping hand for every event at the church. When she was not at church, she loved coordinating trips for her and her friends in the getaway club. Jacqueline’s love for traveling stemmed from chaperoning the annual PHS Choir Club international choir trips.

Predeceased by her parents Sylvester and Elizabeth (Leonowicz) Nebus and her husband Raymond R. Wadsworth. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law R. Keith and Elizabeth Wadsworth; grandson Keith and wife Melissa along with their son Jamie Raymond: grandsons Jesse and Andrew; daughter Kathleen Wadsworth; and granddaughters Samantha and Morgan.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Funeral will begin at 9 a.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Church (for the Prayer Garden).

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Rhoda Rosenzweig Lewis
November 9, 1942 – August 8, 2024

Rhoda Rosenzweig Lewis, of Princeton, NJ, died on August 8, 2024 of esophageal adenocarcinoma. She was 81.

Rhoda was born in Philadelphia to Max and Phyllis Rosenzweig, graduated from Akiba Hebrew Academy in 1959, and subsequently attended the University of Pennsylvania. She spent two years of study (and one year of being a ballroom dance instructor) at Penn before marrying her husband and moving to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at Antioch College. While in Yellow Springs, Rhoda was active in the civil rights movement, particularly in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, worked as a psychology research assistant, lived on a farm with lots of feral cats, and gave birth to her son.

The family moved to Princeton, NJ in 1970, where Rhoda’s daughter was born. In the late 1970s, Rhoda returned to school and earned a master’s degree in special education from St. John’s University; her subsequent years teaching adjudicated children at the Skillman Training School for Boys were particularly indelible for her, and she was able to change a lot of lives for the better.

Rhoda’s house in the 1970s and 1980s was full of various children and adolescents who all thought she was the beautiful mom they could trust most, the sounds of WBAI on the radio, discussions about social justice, and the smells of her wonderful cooking. At age 50, after her son and daughter had graduated from college, Rhoda put her shoulders back, dove into a new chapter, and in 1997 earned a Juris Doctor with distinction from Rutgers University Law School.

After a year of clerkship, Rhoda began practicing as Deputy Public Defender for the state of New Jersey in the area of mental health advocacy law. She loved this work, was able to meaningfully change state law, and always gave herself fully to her vulnerable clients until her retirement in 2014.

Her marriage having ended in divorce, she enjoyed traveling, birding, and attending the ballet with her longtime companion Steve until his death in 2019. Rhoda was absolutely one of a kind — brilliant, insightful, observant, empathetic, loving, gorgeous, quirky, a little naughty, an excellent swimmer, a collector and wearer of things she thought beautiful, and a determined defender of people whom she knew needed her help.

She is survived by her son Benjamin, her daughter Felicia (Kermit), her beloved grandchildren Rana, Vivian, and Maron, her brothers Michael (Carole) and Arthur (Susan) Rosenzweig and Paul Seigel (Phillip), her cousins Barry, Trudy, and Hank, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Burial was private; a celebration of her life will occur in the Princeton area at a later date. Donations in her honor can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union or the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Andrew “Andy” Thurm

Andrew “Andy” Thurm, passed away at the age of 80 at Princeton Hospital after a very brief illness.

Andy was born in Manhattan in 1944 and always considered himself a New Yorker. His family moved to Scarsdale where Andy graduated from high school. He then graduated from Dartmouth College and came back to New York to earn an MBA from Columbia Business School.

He worked at Exxon in the aviation fuel division and then at McGraw Hill for Business Week Magazine.

He married Ann Thomson in 1969 and they lived on 57th Street while they worked and saved money to take a two-year trip around the world, working wherever they could find jobs.

Friends and family knew they were saving money but assured it was to buy a house in the suburbs and were surprised – not to say shocked – when they heard their plans.

Most of the places they stayed in were in the $1-2 range and many of them included all the bananas you could eat. Virtually none had running water.

Andy and Ann started the trip staying with Indians on the Amazon and then proceeded through South America.

They then spend many months in Africa on camping Safari trips and climbing Kilimanjaro.

They celebrated Christmas in Bethlehem and then spent the next year traveling and working in Asia.

In Africa they worked for a small market research company run by a husband and wife and Andy discovered that he preferred that environment to working for a large company.

When he returned to New York he opened his own company, Thurm Marketing and Consulting, which he ran until his retirement.

While he enjoyed marketing and having his own business, his first love was music. He had studied music from age 4 and was a very accomplished pianist.

Shortly after his retirement he saw an ad from Stuart Country Day School that was looking for an accompanist. He was thrilled to get the job and spent 10 very happy years in the classrooms, theater productions, and accompanying individual students.

He used his musical skills in churches as well including St. Matthew’s Church and Montgomery Ministries.

For Christmas he and Ann would host a Carol Party that people said they looked forward to all year.

Andy was very active in the Princeton Dartmouth Club. Andy was an excellent tennis player with a serve that was very hard to return.

He was a voracious reader and started a monthly men’s book group when he retired that is still going strong.

Andy was compassionate and caring. He was a generous donor to charitable causes, sponsored a child in need in developing countries for many years, and was always willing to help out friends and family in many ways. He will be greatly missed.

He was predeceased by his brother Allen Thurm and his cousin Tanya Roberts. He is survived by Ann his wife of 55 years and his daughter London Thomson-Thurm.

He will be missed by his extended family including nieces Shelley Hughes, Heidi Thomson, and Aileen Thurm, as well as cousins Kevin Thurm, Karen Thurm, Barbara Leary, Zachary Leary, Nany Salz, and Richard Mickey.

Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024 with a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Blawenburg Reformed Church, 424 Route 518, Skillman, NJ 08558.

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

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Christa Weigmann

It’s been a year, and we miss you and think of you every day.

Last August 20, Christa Charlotte Weigmann passed away in her sleep at Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, New Jersey, at the age of 89. A longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, Christa had been living at Stonebridge for five years.

Christa was born in Windhoek, Namibia, on July 8, 1934. Her parents, Herwarth and Else Schmidt von Schwind, had a sheep farm in Namibia (then called South West Africa), where they had relocated after leaving Germany in 1929. Christa grew up on the farm and developed a deep and abiding love for the landscape, the wildlife, and the people. She attended a German boarding school in Swakopmund and later in the capital, Windhoek, since there were no schools near where she lived. Her schooling was trilingual, and she always relished her knowledge of German, English, and Afrikaans.

Upon graduation she moved to Heidelberg, Germany, where she studied to be a translator. During a Fasching (German Carnival) party she met Dieter Weigmann, who she married in 1958.

In 1961 she traveled on an ocean liner across the Atlantic with her baby daughter Stefanie to live on the third continent in her life. She joined her husband in Princeton, New Jersey, where he was doing post-doctoral work. They decided to settle in America and moved to Kendall Park, New Jersey, where their second daughter, Jessica, was born in 1964. There she discovered her passion for education, starting as a preschool teacher. In 1973 the family moved back to Princeton, and she went back to school at Trenton State College where she earned her teaching degree. She would teach fourth grade at the Perry L. Drew Lewis School in East Windsor for 15 years. She was a passionate and energetic teacher, dedicated to opening her students’ minds to the wider world. She founded a school zoo, traveled to the Museum of Natural History weekly to further her training, and of course she brought her love of Africa into her classroom.

In 1975 she traveled with her family back to Namibia for the first time since she had left. She would go on to visit Namibia countless times and reconnect with the place and the people, even teaching school there for a year. Beyond Namibia, Christa and Dieter loved to travel and explored many places: China, Japan, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Botswana, to name but a few. Eventually, they discovered a small town in West Texas called Marathon, where the light and the high desert landscape reminded Christa of her beloved Namibia. They eventually would live half the year in their Marathon adobe home and the other half in Princeton, where they would host their beloved grandchildren, Zeke, Oona, and Mai for summers and holidays, including the most joyous (and delicious) German Christmases.

She lived her life with passion and generosity, and we celebrate her memory today.

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

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Timothy Wade Miller
March 26, 1965 – June 27, 2024

Tim Miller passed away peacefully on June 27, 2024, surrounded by family in his happy place near the beach in Delaware.

Tim was known for his incredible talent in woodworking and construction, coaching girls’ softball, the gift of cooking, and his love for his family.

He fought a courageous battle with throat cancer, overcoming treatment that left him with incredible difficulties and poor quality of life, but he continued to persevere and still enjoyed time with friends and family and especially cooking for everyone.

Throughout his life Tim especially enjoyed music, watching the Food Network, building, mentoring young girls’ softball, and took great pride in his development of good sportsmanship. He loved being a father and was so proud of his daughters. He fought so hard to try to be there for every important moment in their lives.
Tim was predeceased by his parents Bob and Sherry Miller.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; his daughters, Taylor Wagner (Brad) and Barrett Miller; his granddaughter, Emerson Wagner; his brother, Randy Miller (Zina) and their children, Tatiana and Tad.

Jeanne Dollar (Ed), JP Crosson (Stephanie) and their children, Ryan Dollar and Charlie Crosson, as well as many friends who will miss him dearly.

Tim did not want a service, but he would like to be remembered with a story, laughs, and a raised beer. For all who knew him this should make you smile!

He will always be in our hearts and never forgotten.

Please visit Tim’s Life Memorial atparsellfuneralhomes.com.

Obituaries 8/14/2024

Timothy Wade Miller
March 26, 1965 – June 27, 2024

Tim Miller passed away peacefully on June 27, 2024, surrounded by family in his happy place near the beach in Delaware.

Tim was known for his incredible talent in woodworking and construction, coaching girls’ softball, the gift of cooking, and his love for his family.

He fought a courageous battle with throat cancer, overcoming treatment that left him with incredible difficulties and poor quality of life, but he continued to persevere and still enjoyed time with friends and family and especially cooking for everyone.

Throughout his life Tim especially enjoyed music, watching the Food Network, building, mentoring young girls’ softball, and took great pride in his development of good sportsmanship. He loved being a father and was so proud of his daughters. He fought so hard to try to be there for every important moment in their lives.

Tim was predeceased by his parents Bob and Sherry Miller.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; his daughters, Taylor Wagner (Brad) and Barrett Miller; his granddaughter, Emerson Wagner; his brother, Randy Miller (Zina) and their children, Tatiana and Tad. Jeanne Dollar (Ed), JP Crosson (Stephanie) and their children, Ryan Dollar and Charlie Crosson, as well as many friends who will miss him dearly.

Tim did not want a service, but he would like to be remembered with a story, laughs, and a raised beer. For all who knew him this should make you smile!

He will always be in our hearts and never forgotten.

Please visit Tim’s Life Memorial atparsellfuneralhomes.com.

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Paul A. Cruser

Paul A. Cruser, Princeton, NJ, age 91, died July 29 at Princeton Medical Center.

Born in Pennington, NJ, November 20, 1932, to Fred and Elsie Cruser, Paul grew up in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School. His undergraduate education at Ohio Wesleyan University was interrupted by two years of service in the U.S. Army. After completing his BA degree, Paul earned MA and PhD degrees in English literature at the University of Pennsylvania. He taught at Penn and Drexel University before accepting a position at the College of New Jersey, where he taught literature and writing. He also served as the Associate to the Dean of Arts and Science and as Interim Dean, then returned to the English Department, happy to be teaching again. He retired in 1999 after 27 years at TCNJ.

Paul is survived by his wife of 20 years Karen Murray and his nieces Barbara Stalcup and Mary Skarzenski. Paul and Karen traveled abroad extensively: to Europe, South and Central America, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Paul was such an animal lover that they took four African safaris. Back at home, he relished classical music, especially concerts at Princeton University and performances at the Metropolitan Opera.

Paul requested his services to be private.

Donations in Paul’s memory suggested to the World Wildlife Fund, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or Princeton University Concerts.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Everard K. Pinneo

Everard Kempshall Pinneo died on August 2, 2024 at his son Tom’s home in Princeton where he’d been living for the last year. He was born in Elizabeth, NJ, on January 16, 1927, graduated from the Pingry School in 1944, and earned a B.A. in Economics from Princeton University in 1950 as a member of the class of 1948 after serving in the U.S. Navy for two years.

Ev’s first job was at Owens-Corning Fiberglass selling insulation yarn to electrical cable manufacturers. “When the allure of that occupation began to run dry,” as Ev said himself, he pivoted to education. In 1955 he became Assistant Director and later Director of Admissions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

In 1960 he took on the role of Director of Admissions at the University of Pittsburgh. Those were exciting years not only professionally but personally as well, with his marriage to Katharine Anne Salter in 1962. Ev’s romance with Pitt, though, ended in 1964. He and his admissions colleagues “drew the line over beefy football applications, some of whose talents were exceptional in all areas except reading, writing, adding, subtracting, and consecutive thinking. A call from the front office suggested that some things were sacred, but that I was not.”

Ev, Kay, and their newborn son Tom piled into their ’63 Volvo wagon and drove east to the Central Office of the State University of New York. For 15 years he traveled the SUNY system’s 67 campuses as Assistant Vice Chancellor participating actively in what he regarded as a remarkable vision to provide education at a modest price for all citizens of New York State.

From 1979 to 1992 Ev was director of the Princeton Educational Center at Blairstown, an adventure-based outdoor education center that he first knew as The Princeton Summer Camp when he served as its undergraduate director from 1948-1950. He maintained a nearly eight-decade-long affiliation with PBC, serving, in retirement, as a Trustee and then Honorary Trustee. He also served on and supported a variety of nonprofit organizations including the Trenton After School Program, Youth Concerns Committee, Corner House, Trinity Church Grants Committee, the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, and the Southern Poverty Law Center as part of his vision of a world in which all people have access to “opportunities and health, a share of the abundance of life, and the undying hope of peace and justice for all.” In addition to his service to the community, he will be remembered for the way he would “tune in” to someone, give them his full attention, and leave them feeling heard and encouraged.

Ev is survived by his daughter Nell and grandson Martin of Pau, France, and son Tom, grandson Steven, and daughter-in-law Julie Pantelick of Princeton. Jackie Martin provided warmth, care, and companionship when Ev moved back to Princeton in the fall of 2023. Patrons of the library knew them as puzzle masters fueled by Halo Pub ice cream.

Nell, Martin, Tom, Steven, Julie, and Jackie made Ev’s casket from weathered barn planks as was his wish after seeing his son Tom do the same for his wife Kay. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please consider honoring Ev’s memory with a gift to the Princeton-Blairstown Center.

Obituaries 8/7/2024

Robert K. Cromwell

Robert K. “Bob” Cromwell passed away on July 31, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the age of 72.

Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Bob served 22 honorable years with the FBI. Prior to his FBI career, he was a Cryptology Technician in the U.S. Navy, a New Jersey Police Officer, and a Special Agent with the U.S. Naval Investigative Services. His book Fugitive Man tells his story.

Bob was a champion for justice, and proudly served on the board of the Florida Innocence Project, helping innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives.

He met his beloved wife of 50 years, Rosa Lee (Evans), when he was stationed in Washington State. They married in 1974, and raised three sons who made them proud beyond measure. He taught them so much: everything about the Beatles; the value of a great sense of humor; and the importance of family.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Ken and Erna Bovie Cromwell, his brother David, and his daughter-in-law, Emerald Cromwell. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosa, and his three sons, Michael, Daniel (Kim), and Johnny (Elana), all of St. Petersburg. He is also survived by one sister, Kim Cromwell (Kath), and sister-in-law, Carol Cromwell.

He delighted in his grandchildren: Spiro, Sofia, Joe, Izzy, and Leah Cromwell.

How we will all miss our Bob.

Burial will be at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Florida Innocence Project or to the Suncoast Hospice Foundation.

Obituaries 7/21/2024

Ingrid W. Reed

Ingrid Wagner Reed passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024 surrounded by her children.

Ingrid Reed loved all things New Jersey dedicating her life to the enrichment and improvement of the lives of New Jersey’s young and old. Her enthusiastic contributions as a feminist pioneer; civil rights advocate; public policy expert; supporter of the arts; environmental leader; local, state, and tri-state regional planning proponent; state and regional government task force leader; and board member and chair of countless New Jersey organizations leaves an enduring legacy. Foremost she was a proud mother and grandmother, supportive wife and life partner, and loyal and supportive friend.

Ingrid was born in 1936 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to the late Fred and Ruth (Straumer) Wagner and was raised in Vineland, New Jersey. She graduated as valedictorian of her Vineland High School class and enrolled as a member of the Class of 1958 at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn’s first class of women, on a full scholarship graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Economics.

Following graduation, Ingrid moved to New York City where she met her husband, Marvin Reed. They married in Vineland and settled in Princeton beginning a more than 60-year partnership supporting each other’s careers, volunteer efforts, families, friends, and neighbors.

In 1961, the family bought a house in ‘Glen Acres’ in West Windsor, a new racially integrated neighborhood where they raised their two children David and Liza. Shortly thereafter Ingrid joined the League of Women Voters and began her civic work. In 1972, she ran for West Windsor Township Committee on the platform of forming a master plan for the community. Her bid was unsuccessful but her focus on planning led to 18 years on the Mercer County Planning Board as the first woman appointee and where she served as chair for 11 years. She also joined the Watershed Institute Board of Trustees, serving as chair 1975 to 1978.

In 1974, Ingrid began a new career at Princeton University’s Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and the family moved to Princeton Borough. She served as Director of the Rockefeller Public Service Awards program from 1975 to 1981 and Assistant Dean. In 1987, Governor Tom Kean established the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation with Ingrid as chair, a position she held until 2010. Ingrid’s commitment to improving the State was her motivation in helping to establish New Jersey Future in 1987 — an organization dedicated to advancing policies and practices to curb sprawl and promote redevelopment. She was a founding board member and served on the board for more than 30 years including time as chair and its first senior fellow. While at Princeton University, Ingrid received a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Leadership Fellowship allowing her to study private sector real estate development in Kenya, East Asia, and Chicago.

In 1992, Ingrid became Vice-President for Public Affairs and Corporate Secretary at the Rockefeller University in New York City. During this time, she was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration and served on the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association.

In 1996, she joined the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University to lead The New Jersey Project for the next 15 years. From 2000 to 2009, Ingrid served on the board of the Community Foundation of New Jersey when the foundation’s assets grew nine-fold. In 2009, Ingrid’s passion of providing voter information and government transparency led to becoming a founder and board chair of NJ Spotlight. Ingrid also joined the Community Advisory Board of NJ PBS serving as chair. Her involvement with both organizations helped facilitate the merger of NJ Spotlight with NJTV under WNET in 2019. In addition, Ingrid chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Ethics Administration (2009-2011). Ingrid served on the Board and Advisory Council on the Children’s Committee of Womanspace and actively supported the Princeton Adult School, Arts Council of Princeton, and New Jersey Conservation Foundation. Ingrid was a frequent program host at the Princeton Public Library including her annual election reviews with MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki. In addition, she was active with AARP New Jersey and honored with the MVP Award in 2020 for 10 years of service.

In 2015, Ingrid and Marvin moved to Stonebridge at Montgomery Senior Living Community in Skillman. At Stonebridge, Ingrid created and hosted more than 90 episodes of the “Getting to Know You” video series.

Ingrid found great pleasure in traveling the globe, opera, classical music, art, ballet, theater, and frequent visits to New York City. Ingrid’s local involvement with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra embodied her passion for classical music and conviction that arts are an essential part of communities. Serving on the Board, Ingrid was instrumental in developing the PSO Bravo program which provides music education to New Jersey public school students, and as an advisor to the Princeton Festival.

Ingrid was predeceased by her husband Marvin Reed in 2020, former mayor of Princeton Borough, and her sister Barbara Suess. She leaves her son David and wife Nan Reed of San Francisco, CA; daughter Elizabeth (Liza) and husband Thomas O’Reilly of Hingham, MA; sisters Doris and husband Marty Schwartz of East Lansing, MI, and Susan Levin of Port Hueneme, CA; and grandchildren Cecilia and husband Raymond C. Smith IV of Boston, MA; Jacquelyn O’Reilly of Cambridge, MA; Agnes O’Reilly of Hingham, MA; and Owen Reed of Boston, MA.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Please consider honoring Ingrid’s memory by donating to the Princeton Symphony Orchestra Bravo program to benefit the youth who are New Jersey’s future (princetonsymphony.org/support/donate).

———

Alexander B. Vincent, Jr.

Alexander Billmeyer Vincent, Jr., 91, of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away on July 10, 2024. Alex was born and raised in Lewistown, PA. After high school, he attended Dickinson College and the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. Upon graduation from Cornell, he moved to Princeton for a position in Princeton University Dining Services. This began a longtime affiliation with the University and a career in the hospitality industry. It was at Princeton University where he met the love of his life, Jill. After marrying Jill in 1969, they remained in Princeton and raised their family in the Palmer House, Princeton University’s guesthouse, for the next 29 years.

Away from his career, Alex had many interests. He and Jill loved entertaining, the Palmer House serving as a beautiful backdrop to dinner parties and Sunday lunches that were enjoyed by family and friends. An avid baker, Alex was well known for his decadent chocolate cakes and lavish cookie trays at Christmas. He was a well-known lover of Christmas and Santa Claus collector. He also enjoyed gardening, attending Princeton University football and basketball games and family history.

Alex is survived by his children, Virginia Vincent Sayer and her husband, Dorsey Sayer, and their children Tim and Emory of Wyndmoor, PA; Alexander B. Vincent, III and his wife Jessica Lockhart Vincent and their children Alexander IV and Catherine, of Yardley, PA; and his sister, Alice Vincent Davis (late James) of Columbus, OH. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Alex was predeceased by his parents Alexander Billmeyer Vincent and Virginia Sullivan Vincent; his wife, Jill Blandford Vincent; and sister Lucritia Vincent Bossert (late Jack).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Nassau Presbyterian Church’s Compassion Fund.

A Memorial Service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1 p.m. Reception following at the Nassau Club.

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

———

Kathleen Cuffy

Kathleen Cuffy was born on October 7, 1954, in Trinidad and Tobago. She was a resident of Princeton, NJ, for over 30 years. Kathleen accepted her angel invitation and transitioned on July 20, 2024, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Borris; siblings, Leila (Lansing), Corinne (Carl), Roslyn (late Steve), Delia, Hiliva, Erica, Arthur, and Raymond (Karen). She was a loving aunt to 17 nieces and nephews and a great-aunt to 18 great-nieces and great-nephews. She was greatly loved by her extended family, the Resnicks.

Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, Evelyn and Clement Cuffy, and her two younger brothers, Eric and David.

Kathleen was an amazing mother, sister, friend, and neighbor. With a strong love of her faith in Christ, Kathleen enjoyed reading her Bible and worshipping the Lord. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ.

Kathleen got her greatest joy by helping others. She was a caregiver to many and had a hand in raising each and every one of her nieces and nephews. She was full of life with a sharp and witty tongue. She loved to sing and dance and was easily appointed the best cook in her family.

Kathleen had a love for the beauty of nature all around her. Her phone is full of pictures of sunrises, sunsets, clouds, snowfall, rain, and foggy sceneries. She also had a love for flowers and plants.
Most of all, Kathleen loved spending quality time with her family, especially her godchildren Laila, Zoey, Zion, and great-niece Ava. Her role as a mother went beyond her daughter and her kind heart touched everyone she encountered.

Kathleen will be greatly missed but will continue to live in our hearts forever.

———

Corinne Glenda Riefman Barsky
5/5/1935–7/28/2024

Corinne Glenda Riefman Barsky was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The things she taught her loved ones were priceless and will be remembered always. She cared for people without judging them, and she let nothing get in her way of achieving great things.

Corinne was born on May 5, 1935, to Ruth and Max Riefman. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father a skilled Glazier. Her father ran his business from home and his wife took the phone calls and made the appointments; together they were successful. She met her husband, Marvin Barsky, in 1954, when she was 19 years old. They were married a year later in Elizabeth, NJ, and they celebrated 68 years of marriage this year.

Corinne acquired a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. During her studies there, she fought with administration and managed to become the first woman ever to take an astronomy class, which previously was not allowed. She knew when to not take no for an answer. She taught people how to know their worth.

Corinne knew how to appreciate the beauty that this earth has to offer. She had a bond with nature that those that she leaves behind have yet to see anyone replicate. She chose to be strong, optimistic, and dedicated her time to caring deeply for her family while accomplishing her aspirations. She knew how to make anyone feel like the most important person in the room. She cared for others in this way, by truly understanding the challenges and achievements they brought to her, and she helped navigate and celebrate them, respectively.

She was absolutely magnetic. People of all kinds were drawn to her, and she made them feel loved. She took wonderful care of her home and decorated it in an artistic and beautiful way, keeping each room filled with many flourishing plants that she understood the care for so well. She had a precise instinct for that which went on around her and never missed a thing, from a beautiful flower to a meaningful glance. She was generous, loving, and so very smart, and she articulated this in an empowering and inspiring way. She taught people to find their best self and to do whatever it takes to maintain that strength.

Some people leave behind a smattering of colorful memories that last a lifetime, but Corinne Barsky was an intricate kaleidoscope of love and beauty that we were all exceptionally lucky to have observed. She is a woman to always admire and her beautiful soul lives forever in all of us.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin Barsky; her two children, Barbara Brown and Susan Barsky; her four grandchildren; and her seven great-grandchildren of whom she was so very proud of.

Obituaries 7/24/2024

Robert Louis B. Sanz

Robert Louis B. Sanz of Houston, TX, and Princeton, NJ, passed away suddenly of cardiac arrest July 13, 2024 while enjoying a cold morning swim. He was on a pilgrimage visit to his grandfather Arthur G. Boughner’s home, Brookhaven, in Confluence, PA, where he fondly recalled his childhood summers.

Beloved husband, father, brother, son, uncle, cousin, devoted Catholic, lifelong student, mentor, philosopher, a mover of mountains, confidant, advisor, coach, golfer, competitor, swim buddy, laugher, toastmaster, storyteller, humorist, champion of the force, animal lover, dog walker, world traveler, gift giver, conversationalist, patriot, warrior, protector, and sincere friend; he will be widely and often missed.

Robert was born October 21,1949 in Washington, DC, to Robert B. Sanz and Elaine Boughner Sanz, and sister Elaine Sanz Engels. He was a successful amateur golfer from an early age at his home course Congressional Country Club in Potomac, MD, attended Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, MD, and Mercersburg Academy in PA. At Vanderbilt University he would play football and participate in track and field, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy and earning the cherished moniker “Mad Spaniard” as a UDT SEAL.

Following his time in the SEAL Teams he would train with the Master Jhoon Rhee. He met his wife of 51 years, Irene Randel Sanz, while running the family-owned Sanz School of Languages in Washington, DC.

During his next 48-year career in the global energy field, Robert was instrumental in the development of the industry. He built decades-long friendships with trusted comrades across the world. And still, Robert’s most proud and passionate accomplishments are his two children, Regina and Gregory.

Robert was always keen for a proper steak and a chilled dry martini, all the while maintaining a daily morning regimen of exercise and cardamon coffee. Surrounded by his library of history and philosophy, Robert’s written word was profound and compassionate. He was well known for lending his hand to anyone in need, and lived out his faith through his generous spirit, sage advice, tenacity and determination to bring joy to others. He will be sorely missed by many.

Robert was predeceased by his mother Elaine and father Robert, and sister Elaine.

He is survived by his wife Irene Randel Sanz, daughter Regina L.B. Sanz Dahnoun of Sonoma County, CA, son Gregory L. B. Sanz of Seattle, WA, son-in-law Rachid Dahnoun, sister-in-law Mulan Chan Randel of Santa Fe, NM, niece Tara Engels Mendicino Riles of Houston, TX, nephews Cody W. Randel of Berlin, MD, and Alistair J. Coyte of Concord, NC, and their families, as well as his many beloved pets.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning July 25, 2024 at St Paul Catholic Church, Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ, at 10 a.m.

Final interment to be at a later date in the custody of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to veterans’ services organizations of your choice or animal rescue charities.

For additional information or to share condolences, please contact The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ, at matherhodge.com.

———

James A. Gatsch

James A. Gatsch, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and accomplished architect passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the age of 72. A longtime resident of Lawrenceville, NJ, Jim was the son of the late James “Albert” and Jean Halliday Gatsch.

Jim graduated from Lawrence High School where he was a member of the championship golf team and met and later married his high school sweetheart, Mary Sorrentino. They married in 1975 and built a loving family together. He will be deeply missed by his family; Mary; Chris and Ali Gatsch; his grandchildren, Lucia, Mason and Dominic; Jeanne and Robert Bushar; Jennifer and Thomas Tuffy, Joseph Sorrentino; and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim’s life was so accomplished that it cannot be fully captured within the limits of this notice. He attended Virginia Tech, where he earned his Bachelor in Architecture in 1974. He went on to pursue his passion in architecture throughout his career. He was an ardent supporter of the practice of architecture having served on multiple levels within the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), culminating as its Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Member of the nearly 100,000-member association.

Jim’s contributions to architecture were recognized with numerous accolades. As an accomplished Architect, he was elected to the College of Fellows in 2002 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the profession. With the exception of the Gold Medal, Fellowship is the highest honor the AIA can bestow on a member. He was awarded the Richard Upjohn Fellowship from the AIA and also received the Citation for Outstanding Leadership from AIA New Jersey. He retired from his career as the managing partner of Farewell, Mills & Gatsch, a prominent architecture practice in Princeton.

Beyond his career achievements, Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a man of many passions. Outside of his professional life he was an avid golfer and traveled all over to play golf at some of the most renowned courses. He was a past member of Springdale Golf Club for over 10 years and still remembered every detail of his hole-in-one on the 5th hole at the Springdale Member-Guest tournament in 2010. Jim shared the sport with his son, Chris, as well as passed on his love for skiing. Jim was proudly promoted to “G-pa” in 2016 and will be greatly missed by his grandchildren.

Services to celebrate Jim’s life will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday July 27 at Wilson Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ. Condolences are welcome at wilsonapple.com.

For those who feel inclined and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrier Project.

———

Abby Robinson

Abby Robinson, 76, of New York, NY, passed away on July 13, 2024 at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Princeton, NJ.

Born in Derby, Connecticut, to Herman and Bessie Glazer, Abby spent many years with her family and friends in Connecticut. After high school, Abby moved to NYC and received her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College. She then completed a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

Abby always had a passion for the Arts and in particular, photography. She established her career as a faculty member at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City in 1977 and taught there for 47 years. Throughout her time at SVA, Abby taught in the undergraduate program, Continuing Education, the Korean Photography Program, and the International Students Program. Over the course of her tenure at the school she touched the lives of hundreds of students. She encouraged them and challenged them with her special warmth, humor and great generosity.

An accomplished photographer and writer, Abby’s awards and honors include the Asian Cultural Council’s Fellowship Award; American Institute of Sri Lanka Studies Individual Photographer’s Fellowship, Aaron Siskind Foundation, Photo District News Photo Annual Book Award, and the Webby Award. In 1999, Abby was the recipient of the Fulbright Scholar Award Research Program to work for one year in Sri Lanka and India.

Abby’s work was exhibited nationally and internationally with one-person shows in New York, Houston, Portland, Oregon, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. Her photographs appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Newsweek, People, Asian Artnews, ART India, and Photographers International.

In addition to photography, Abby enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends.

Predeceased by her parents, Herman and Bessie (Goldstein) Glazer, she is survived by her sister, Dr. Joyce Glazer; her niece Hannah Theodat and her husband Billy, along with their children, Miles and Logan; and many caring and loving friends.

A celebration of Abby’s life is being planned for the fall in conjunction with the School of Visual Arts; details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/other-ways-give) and/or the Visual Arts Foundation (pages.donately.com/visualartsfoundation/donate).

Obituaries 7/17/2024

Jane Russell Dennison

Jane Dennison a longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, and then later Skillman and Duxbury, MA, died Sunday, June 30 at the age of 100 a week after attending her 100th birthday party with her family.

The daughter of John Burnett and Lucille Harvey Russell of Wilkes-Barre, PA, she was raised there and later in Farmington, CT. She attended the Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, CT, and upon graduation from Garland Junior College in Boston, she moved to New York and worked in advertising before moving to Bermuda to marry Sam Wharton. The marriage ended after two years and Jane became a single mother of 2-year-old son, James. She stayed in Bermuda, and with an enterprising friend founded Bermuda Cottages, a tourist accommodation competing with the hotels by renting the homes of Bermudians frequently absent on business or vacation. The venture became and remains a very successful component of Bermuda’s tourist business today.

She moved to New York for her son’s schooling and in1957 she met and married Charles P. Dennison. In 1959 they welcomed their daughter Anne and moved to Washington, DC, so that Charles could take on an appointment to the U.S. Office of Education and later at the State Department. In 1961 their daughter Laura (Lolli) was born. Jane thrived on the fringes of government, and she took an active volunteer role in several organizations, particularly the American Field Service’s major annual Washington visit program bringing to Washington all its British commonwealth grantees attending schools in the U.S.

The family returned to Princeton in 1966 as Charles commuted to New York for jobs in the U.S. Department of Education and later as Executive Director of the English-Speaking Union. Jane’s artistic and community interests joined in volunteer work for the Princeton University Art Museum and in her decisive role in saving Guernsey Hall, the now historic home of the Marquand Family. Jane formed a corporation to purchase it and turn it into a six-apartment condominium. The project survived with landmark designation and remains a landscape feature on the border of Marquand Park.

Jane was a founding member of the Friends of the YWCA, a group that raised money to support the organization, and in 2014 was given The Waxwood award, a lifetime achievement honor for the decades of volunteer service she had given to the YWCA. A member for most of her life, Jane credited the YWCA with helping her feel settled each time her life felt unbalanced.

Jane was collector of American women artists of the late 18th and early 19th century. In 1981, Jane became a founding member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC, the only museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women artists.

Jane was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club in New York, the Coral Beach Club in Bermuda, and a member of the Present Day Club in Princeton. She and Charles were members of the Nassau Club, Pretty Brook Tennis Club, and Springdale Golf Club.

She was an avid tennis and bridge player, loved travel and her garden, and read voraciously. Jane worked hard on her relationships with friends and family and it showed as she had legions of lifelong friends who were treated to her quick wit and wicked sense of humor.

Jane is survived by her son James D. Wharton and Mary Hutchinson of Jamestown, RI; Anne Dennison Fleming and her husband Steve of Duxbury, MA; and Laura (Lolli) Dennison Leeson and her husband Robert of Marblehead, MA. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Robert Charles Leeson Mace and his wife Jaclyn, William Russell Fleming, Nathaniel Hazard Leeson and his wife Katey, Christopher Wright Fleming, and Annabelle Hope Leeson.

A memorial service for Jane will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 3 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution in her name, please consider the Friends of the YWCA, Princeton, New Jersey.

David Erdman

David Erdman, adored and adoring husband of Eleanor (Ellie) Crosby Erdman, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024 at the age of 94. The fourth of five sons of Lucy Kidder Bulkley and Dr. Charles R. Erdman Jr., David lived in Princeton, NJ, Edgartown, MA, and Rockland, ME. His father, Dr. Erdman, was a prominent professor of Political Science at Princeton University, two-term mayor of Princeton Borough, and Commissioner of Economic Development for the State of New Jersey.

David was educated at Miss Fine’s, Princeton Country Day School, Phillips Exeter Academy (Class of 1949), and Princeton University (Class of 1953) where he was a member of Cottage Club and the 1953 Princeton Championship Hockey team. Upon graduation, David served abroad in the U.S. Army. He spent his career in the aluminum industry, culminating as Sales Manager for New Jersey Aluminum.

David is predeceased by his parents and brothers, Harold, Charles, and Peter. He is survived by his wife Eleanor Crosby Erdman and a broad and loving family of children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and his younger brother, Michael Erdman of Avon, PA.

In 1960, David married Eldred Eve Pearce (deceased) in England. They had three children: Charlotte Eve (Peter) Rizzo, Jon (Nathalie) Erdman, and Jane (Charlie) Abrahams, and seven grandchildren: Meredith, Hilary, Matthew, Alexander, Hadley, Eryn, and Riley.

In 1980, David married Eleanor Crosby Sinclair of New York City, who remained his wife for 44 years. His stepchildren include Jay (Sherry) and Ian (Stephanie) Sinclair. He was also a loving grandfather to Ian and Stephanie’s children, Parker and Clay Sinclair.

A passionate and accomplished sailor, David spent many summers on Martha’s Vineyard, followed by decades living harborside in Rockland, ME, with his wife Ellie and their beloved Westies.

David’s family would like to thank his many devoted friends and tireless caregivers for all of their support during his final years.

Lois Young

Lois Dickason Young, a beloved mother, grandmother, and visionary leader, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, at the age of 88. A longtime resident of Princeton, NJ, Deer Isle, Maine, and Penney Farms, FL, she leaves a legacy of compassion, dedication, and service that touched countless lives across the globe.

Born in Burma to missionary parents, Lois was an adventurer from the start. She attended the Kodaikanal International School in India from an early age. She attended The College of Wooster and Case Western University School of Nursing and earned her master’s degree from Columbia Teachers College. Lois supplemented her education by working at Camp Green Lake, in Wisconsin. While waiting tables there, she spied a tall busboy with a welcoming smile. It didn’t take long for Lois and Jack to realize they were meant to be. They married during the winter break of their senior years in college in December 1957.

Jack, it turns out, had as much (or more) of an adventurous streak. The newlyweds spent their “honeymoon” as fire lookouts in a mountaintop cabin in Glacier National Park. Thus the stage was set for a lifetime of wonder.

In the late 1950s Lois was a visiting nurse to underprivileged new mothers in Harlem. While raising her three children, Jennifer, David, and Charles, she (and Jack) attended Riverside Church and were active in civil rights protests. Later, her attention turned to Vietnam War protests. She was always standing with and speaking out for those less fortunate.

Lois’ life was so accomplished that it cannot be done justice within the boundaries of this notice. She was a nurse to the underprivileged. As a visionary, nationally recognized educator, and school leader, Lois co-founded the Newgrange School and coordinated countless professional development conferences that opened the doors for a better understanding of learning different students. Once retired (but not done working), she became involved with the Prison Literacy Project at Trenton State Prison where she taught inmates to read. Finally, Lois was reunited with her birth country, Burma (now Myanmar), where she helped to start Cetena Educational Foundation, a foundation dedicated to teaching English to local people throughout the country. As a part of this work, Lois and Jack led trips to the amazing sites in-country for more than 20 years.

Lois’ faith in God was important to her. She was particularly involved and an active member at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ.

A leader. A supporter of others. Lois could talk to anyone (and often did!) and find something interesting to report. She was a connector and intensely interested in helping others to succeed. As one of her former colleagues said, “Lois Young was one of the sweetest nicest people that I’ve ever met in my life, but she was also one of the toughest and her legacy still lives.”

For all of her professional accomplishments, Lois’ true joy came from her family. Her family; Jennifer and Jim Suddath, David and Melaina Young, and Charlie and Georgann Young, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her “happy place” was the family home on Deer Isle, Maine, where she baked, sewed, and painted rocks with her family.

Services to celebrate Lois’ life are yet to be planned. For those who feel inclined, donations may be made to Cetana Educational Foundation, online at cetena.org/donate or by mail to: Cetana Educational Foundation 487 Jefferson Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Obituaries 7/3/2024

Lucy Patterson Cox

Lucy Patterson Cox of West Tisbury, Mass., died peacefully on June 20, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 69.

Born in Princeton, N.J., Lucy was the third child of the late Henry S. Patterson II and the late Suzanne Virden Patterson of Princeton, N.J. and West Tisbury.

She attended Stuart Country Day School, Mary C. Wheeler, and St. Mark’s School. She graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications.

Her love for Martha’s Vineyard began at a young age, when her mother brought her to the Island at two weeks old to spend time together in a special place — a place that would come to hold a large part of her heart. As a young girl, she learned to sail at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, race in regattas with children from Lambert’s Cove, play in the woods with friends in West Tisbury, and visit family on Chappaquiddick.

It was during this time she met a young boy from West Chop named Peter. Years later, in her 20s, while working at Poole’s Fish Market in Menemsha, she would look down the dock and lock eyes with that same boy, now a rugged sword-fisherman. Peter would go on to become her beloved husband of 38 years, and the father of their two beautiful daughters, Madeline and Kelsey.

After working in banking, she found a career advising young students at Sacred Heart University, starting in the career development office. For 12 years, she was senior associate director of athletics for Student-Athlete Support Services. She dedicated endless hours to advising student athletes, attending countless sporting events, and helping young students from across the world navigate the trials of adulthood.

In retirement, she moved to the Vineyard full time where she continued to influence the lives of many as a drug and alcohol counselor and recovery coach. She was an active board member for Vineyard House, the only sober living community on the Island. Her work with the sober community was one of her greatest passions. She helped so many and found so much joy in helping others find peace in their sobriety.

Her love of nature was evident in her long beach walks, often exploring with her grandchildren. She looked forward to the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles each year, and chased glimpses of the elusive snowy owl. Recently, she ventured further afield, to a new adventure, mudlarking along the Thames River in London.

Her endless talents and interests included founding MadKel designs, needle point, upholstery, ancestral research, card games, climbing Mayan ruins, decorating for Christmas, gardening, watching hockey, sewing, jewelry making, antiquing, and traveling and fishing with her husband, especially during the Derby, where one of her greatest accomplishments was winning biggest shore bass in 2019.

She was predeceased by her dear sister Abby Ann Patterson.

Lucy leaves an enormous legacy and is survived by her husband, Peter Cox; her two daughters, Madeline Giosa (née Cox) and Kelsey Crimmins Cox, and their spouses, Eric Giosa and Margaret Blair Cox; her two beloved grandchildren, Rocco and Lulu (Lucy) Giosa; her brothers, Henry S. Patterson III, his partner Jeanne Herb, her brother Michael V. Patterson Sr., his wife Meg Patterson, their children, Michael V. Patterson Jr. and Nina Henze (née Patterson) and their spouses Rachel Patterson and Christian Henze; her nephews Nicholas Cammann, his partner Anna Corrado, their children Henry and Luca Cammann, Cortlandt Cammann, his partner Tara Gayle; her darling niece Katharine Cammann and husband Michael Cadman. She is also survived by her cherished furry children, Raven and Leroy.

A celebration of life ceremony is planned for the fall.

Obituaries 6/26/2024

Eleanor Caithness Kuser

Eleanor Caithness Kuser died on Sunday, June 16, in Santa Barbara, CA, with her son, Emilio Madrid, by her side. She was 66.

The daughter of John Erdmann Kuser and Eleanor Caithness Will Kuser, she was born in Princeton Hospital, living first on Cedar Lane and later in the Columbus Boy Choir neighborhood on Galbreath Drive. Part of a scrum of five friends all through Johnson Park School, she moved on to Community Park and graduated from Princeton Day School in 1976 in a graduation dress she sewed herself. It was at Princeton Day where her natural artistry was discovered in life drawing, architecture, and especially in photography. Taught by Mr. Denby, her darkroom work was diligent; throughout the rest of her life, she continued to have a natural eye for composition.

Fluent in Spanish since attending a summer abroad program while in high school, Eleanor graduated from Occidental College in 1980, majoring in Hispanic Studies. After college she freelanced as a Spanish-English translator for attorneys at the Criminal Court Building in downtown Los Angeles. She continued to work after the birth of her only child, Emilio. They moved to Montecito and later Santa Barbara.

Adventurous, high-spirited and vivacious (nicknamed The Cruise Director by one of her mother’s friends), sometimes a ham in family photographs, and very athletic, she became a competitive figure skater through the Princeton Skating Club at Baker Rink. At age 10, she began training with a pro during summers in Aspen. She and others in the Skating Club continually won competitions in the Eastern Regionals; often the youngest, she frequently held the trophy in newspaper photos. She dropped figure skating in her mid-teens and with her high school best friend, Rhoda Jaffin, began the country’s first high school girls’ ice hockey team. The two friends and the team were highlighted in a segment on Public Television. Soon other high school girls’ ice hockey teams were formed, including one at nearby Stuart Country Day School, and competitive games between girls’ teams began at the secondary school level.

Her enthusiasm, her inimitable laugh, and her beautiful photographs will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her son, Emilio; two sisters, Olivia Kuser of San Francisco, CA, and Caryl Kuser of Princeton, NJ; and a brother-in-law, Alfred Bay of Palo Alto, CA. Linda Ryan, her first year roommate from Occidental College, took time away from her own family to drive up regularly from Manhattan Beach to help Eleanor.

Emilio is planning a memorial for his mother on the West Coast, possibly on Butterfly Beach in Montecito, her favorite place to watch the ocean and sunsets.

A lifelong moon-watcher, she always found a view of the full moon from a beach taking advantage of the coastal geography of Santa Barbara. She always began watching a few days in advance in case of inclement weather on the day of.

All love to you, sweet sister.

———

Kathleen Macdonald Bingeman

Kathleen Macdonald Bingeman, age 100, passed away on June 14, 2024 at her home in Skillman, NJ. Kathleen was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada on October 19, 1923. She was raised in Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia, and Ottawa, Ontario. After graduating from high school, Kathleen earned a BA from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and later earned a Master of Library Science at UCLA.

Kathleen was the older of two children born to John and Katherine Macdonald and was the beloved wife of the late Jonas Byron Bingeman for nearly 70 years. After meeting at Queen’s and marrying in 1948, Jonas and Kathleen enjoyed living in Minnesota, Louisiana, California, Virginia, and New Jersey while Jonas pursued his successful engineering career. During their years in Los Angeles, Kathleen worked for RCA Aerospace as a librarian and thoroughly enjoyed her professional career.

Kathleen was always very sociable and engaged in her communities. She particularly enjoyed volunteer activities that focused on her children, local libraries, and philanthropy. While living in Richmond, VA, she was a member of the Chesterfield County Library Board and a substitute teacher in the county schools. She also managed the Meadowbrook Country Club swim team for two years and traveled throughout the state for meets. While living in Convent Station, NJ, she volunteered at the Morristown Library and the Morris Museum. When the couple retired in Princeton, NJ, Kathleen was an active member and officer in several community organizations, including The Present Day Club, The Women’s College Club of Princeton, Nassau Presbyterian Church, and Springdale Golf Club.

In addition to her community activities, Kathleen enjoyed visiting family and friends, playing bridge and hearts, gardening, reading, and pursuing her passion for golf at 104 courses throughout the world.

Kathleen was a beloved mother and devoted to her children, the late Grant Bingeman (Ruthann), Leslie Sillinger (Glenn, late), John Bingeman, and Claire Hatten (Jimmie). She will forever be remembered by her treasured family, including grandchildren, Jeanette Ellefson (Eddie), Keith Bingeman, Jared Bingeman, Michael Sillinger, Chris Sillinger (Nancy), Angela Taylor, Michael Bingeman (Joyce), Courtney Weld (Thomas), James Hatten, and Ainsley Hatten, along with 25 great-grandchildren and countless other family and friends. Kathleen was predeceased by her husband, Jonas Byron Bingeman, and her brother, Ian Macdonald.

Kathleen donated her body to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

———

Barbara Johnson

Barbara Lamb Johnson, former Princeton resident and Town Topics Associate Editor, died peacefully on June 18, 2024 in Concord, Massachusetts, She was 92.

For Barbara, the features of a good life included a career as a newspaper reporter, a great love for the outdoors, rowing crew, leadership roles in community organizations, and importantly, raising her four boys.

Born March 8, 1932 in New York City to Horace Lamb and Beatrice Pitney Lamb, Barbara grew up in New Canaan, CT. At age 10, with asthma, she was sent to school in the dry climate of Arizona. Later she credited the years in Arizona, and time at Westover School, back East, with building self-reliance and discipline so important to her life.

In 1949 she enrolled in Vassar College. She married her first husband, Franklin Reeve, a year later, and soon they had two sons, Christopher in 1952 and Benjamin in 1953. The marriage ended in divorce. She moved to Princeton, NJ, to begin a new life and married Tristam Johnson in 1959, gaining four beloved stepchildren from Tristam’s first marriage. Two more boys, Jeffrey and Kevin, arrived in the early 1960s.

Barbara soon became actively engaged in the Princeton community. During her six decades there, she played important roles in many organizations, including Carnegie Lake Rowing Association, the Chapin School Parents Association, the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament, Community without Walls, Friends of the Princeton Public Library, the Nassau Street School PTA, the Princeton Hospital Fete, Trinity Church of Princeton, and the Vassar Club of Central New Jersey.

In 1975, Barbara joined the reporting staff of Town Topics, a weekly paper in Princeton. She wrote and edited the music, theater, religion, and obituary sections, while also covering Township Committee, planning and zoning boards, and events at Princeton University. She particularly enjoyed the chance to write longer profiles of notable Princeton residents, including Svetlana Alliluyeva (Joseph Stalin’s daughter) and John McPhee.

She took pride in her accuracy in reporting. When she retired in 1997, the Township Committee and Planning Board both issued proclamations of appreciation for her work, and the Township Mayor held a retirement party in her honor.

At age 57, Barbara took up rowing on Princeton’s Carnegie Lake. She started in eights and progressed to single scull, winning the event for her age group at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, MA, in 1999, as well as a fine collection of medals from other events. She was selected by Princeton residents to carry the Olympic torch on part of its journey past Princeton to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

In younger years, Barbara yearned “to hike every trail and read every book.” She embraced an active retirement in the same spirit, traveling on Elderhostel trips, sometimes including grandchildren. She visited her children in Vermont, Martha’s Vineyard, and more far-flung locales including West Africa, Jerusalem, and Bali. She also continued to write in retirement, taking on several book-length projects. In 2016, she moved to Newbury Court retirement community, in Concord, MA. She spent her last years there, close by her sons and many of her grandchildren.

Barbara was predeceased by her son Christopher Reeve and by daughter-in-law Dana Reeve. She is survived by three sons and their partners: Benjamin Reeve and Katharine Sterling, Jeffrey and Lynsie Johnson, and Kevin Johnson and Linda Lynch; by four stepchildren: Kate Johnson, Tristam Johnson Jr., Thomas Laabs-Johnson, and Elizabeth Johnson; by 10 grandchildren: Matthew, Alexandra, Will, Sebastian, Julia, Trista, Conner, Theo, Lucy, and Annie; and by six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Lamb Crawford, niece Susan Crawford, and nephew Peter Crawford.

A celebration of her life will be held in Duvall Chapel at Newbury Court, Concord, Massachusetts, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with a reception to follow at Newbury Court.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either of two organizations important to her: Friends of the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 or Carnegie Lake Rowing Association, PO Box 330, Princeton, NJ 08542-0330.

Obituaries 6/19/2024

Janice Phillips Pell
March 22, 1931 – June 14, 2024

Janice Phillips Pell died just before midnight on Flag Day, June 14, following a day of heavy winds, a brilliant sunset, and a double rainbow. Jan was 93, a resident of Princeton and Pennington, and a member of Trinity Church for the last 45 years.

Raised in Short Hills, NJ, Jan attended the Kent Place School and Smith College before her family moved to NYC in 1951. There she met her husband John, a spirited and smart Princeton graduate Class of ’48. They were married in 1953 and lived the greatest love story for 59 years.

Jan had a short career in adverting at O.S. Tyson NY before the Pells moved to Short Hills, NJ, to raise their family. In 1968 John was offered the opportunity to move to London, England, a position he took as director of the Standard Bank responsible for 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Jan traveled below the Sahara and to the Middle East eight times in a liaison capacity with John on business. During this time, she wrote two long “impression” essays of West and South Africa for the International Department of Chase Bank.

At home in London, Jan shifted her focus to mission work and counseling. She served as the head of the American Church in London’s Mission Guild with interests in Africa, Asia, U.K., and the U.S., and served on the church vestry. She helped found the first Marriage Research Centre in England at the Central Middlesex Hospital, serving as one of the five trustees on the board for many years. In 1974 Jan undertook professional training as a psychotherapist for three years and proceeded to help clients through a wide range of challenges including trauma faced from concentration camp internment during World War II. In 1975 Jan chaired the British American Ball which funds the British American Associates’ lecture foundation, an organization that exchanges lecturers between the U.K. and U.S. Jan and John served on the board of directors of this foundation for 10 years.

1979 brought the Pells back to the U.S. They settled in Princeton to share their next chapter with Princeton alumni friends. Jan and John enjoyed the breadth of activities Princeton has to offer from University football games to the communities they joined at Trinity Church, the Nassau Club, and the Bedens Brook Club. Separately Jan was an active member of the Women’s Investment Group, Present Day Club, and the Stony Brook Garden Club.

As a one-year swan song to John’s banking career, the couple moved to Hong Kong, China, in 1992 where John was president of the Bank of Asia. During this time Jan served on the St. John’s Cathedral mission committee responsible for prisoners returning from China.

In life there are flowers, weeds, and gardeners and Jan Pell was most definitely a gardener. She grew and nurtured not only her family and wide group of friends, but built a vast garden at their home on Westcott Road. She enjoyed entertaining the Princeton Class of ’48 in the garden for reunions, counseling friends over a cup of tea on the back patio, and opening her garden for tours. Jan loved her time as a member of Stony Brook Garden Club tremendously and her friends of all generations that she made there.

When Jan wasn’t in her garden, she was often taking trips with clients to the Philadelphia Design Center. Jan Pell Interiors was launched in 1982 and she worked with clients on their interior design needs for the next 23 years.

Over the years, Jan served on the board of directors of Trinity Counseling Service and was an active volunteer at the YWCA extension program as a reader at the Riverside School. At Trinity Church, Jan helped build the Trinity Memorial Garden, donated her famous lemon whiskey cake each year to the Trinity St. Nicholas Bazaar, and was a member of the Altar Guild. Reflecting on the Altar Guild, Jan often told the story of being the last person to leave and lock up the church one Christmas Eve following the midnight service, walking peacefully home to Westcott Road in the falling snow.

Predeceased by her husband John, she is survived by her three children and six grandchildren: Richard and Lisa Pell, Rye, NY, and daughters Roxanna and Lila; Wil and Sandy de Groot, Frenchtown, NJ, and children Sam, Lucinda, and stepchildren Veronique, Eric, and Alex; Leslie Pell, Pennington, NJ, and children Kate and Gibson Linnehan. Also, her niece Sarah Phillips and husband Tom Hatch, Wilton, CT, and their son Nicholas; and her nephew James T. Phillips III, GA.

The family is eternally grateful to Dr Regan Tuder for watching over their mom, and to Lydia Konedu and Cecile Nonez for their nurturing care.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, on Tuesday, July 9 at 11a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Center at 353 center353.org (formerly Trinity Counseling Service) or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Janet A. Westrick

Jan Westrick, founder of the Princeton Girlchoir and the inspiration for the Westrick Music Academy, passed away peacefully under the care of hospice in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on March 13, 2024.

Janet Ann Westrick was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on August 18, 1938 to Joseph Jerome Westrick and Anna Belle (Woodrey) Westrick. A lifelong musician, Jan learned to play the piano at age 9 and continued to hone her gift for music throughout her life.

Jan attended Hamilton High School where she served as the school accompanist. Jan went on to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where she sang in the Chapel Choir and studied Music Education, with a major in Piano and a minor in Voice. Upon graduation she began teaching music in the Whitehall, Ohio school system and working as musical director for a local church.

Jan married Tom Oesterling in 1960. They had their first child, Tom Jr., in 1962. In 1966, upon completion of Tom’s Ph.D., the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they had two more children, Jennifer and Daniel. Tom took a job at Johnson and Johnson in 1976 and the family moved to Princeton, NJ.

The marriage broke up in 1980 and Jan raised her two youngest children independently. She taught piano lessons out of the home, and played for the Lutheran Church Prince of Peace, until the opportunity to teach at Princeton Day School was presented to her in 1983.

Jan joined Princeton Day School as music teacher for the Lower School in 1983. She went on to become the Choir Director of the Middle School and was also named Chair of the Music and Performing Arts Department. Jan also worked continuously as a church musician, playing piano and organ to accompany services as well as directing church choirs.

In 1989, when her son Dan was a senior at Princeton High School, Jan attended a performance by the American Boy Choir. She felt that she knew girls who could perform like this and she put an ad in the paper to see if local girls would be interested in joining a group to sing and perform under her choral direction. The response was immediate. Jan selected 27 girls after intensive auditions, and the Princeton Girlchoir was born. The Princeton Girlchoir grew into an organization of several performing and training choirs and they traveled and performed extensively throughout Europe, Canada, and the USA. The mission of the PGC is to provide excellence in choral education and performance opportunities, while inspiring confidence, character, and a lifelong love of making music together.

In 1990, Jan married her love, Fred Schott, who was working as a mental health therapist and clinical director at mental health facilities in central New Jersey. Jan continued to grow and inspire the Girlchoir until 2009, the 20th anniversary, when she retired and became Artistic Director Emerita.

In 2017, after the close of the American Boy Choir, the Princeton Girlchoir decided to include the boys who had been singing in the American Boy Choir. With the inclusion of the boys, the organization was renamed the Westrick Music Academy, after its founder, Jan Westrick.

In 2014, Jan and Fred moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to live near Dan, Jennifer, and granddaughter Evelyn. In Santa Fe, Jan sang with various choral groups and directed choirs at senior-living facilities until the early stages of Alzheimer’s interfered. She was diagnosed in 2018 and began a slow decline until her death on March 13, 2024.

Jan is survived by her husband, Fred Schott, of Santa Fe; her brother, Jim Westrick of Cincinnati, OH, and his wife Mary; her son, Tom Oesterling of Boston, MA; her daughter, Jennifer Oesterling of Albuquerque, NM; her son, Daniel Oesterling of Santa Fe, NM; her only granddaughter, Evelyn Oesterling Mobley of Albuquerque, NM; her son-in-law, John Myers of Albuquerque; and step daughters Lisa Schott of West Windsor, NJ, and Cheryl Schott Zielkowski and her husband Rob Zielkowski, their daughter Lena, of Howell MI, and her most dear college “sister” and friend, Joyce Melchert, as well as many, many dear friends, from Princeton and Santa Fe.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Enchanted Sky Hospice, Scott’s House, and Nurses with Heart for their kind, compassionate, and expert care of Jan during the final months of her life. Tom, Jennifer, and Dan would also like to recognize Fred for his unwavering love, honor, and respectful care of our dear mother. Whenever we thanked him for doing so, his response was always, “It’s my privilege.” Because of his dedicated care, Jan was able to reside at home with Fred until one week before her death, when she moved into Scott’s House.

Jan’s memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 30 at 4 p.m., at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 177 Princeton Hightstown Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550. All are welcome to attend.

For those who would like to memorialize Jan, the family suggests making donations to the Westrick Music Academy, 231 Clarksville Road, Suite 8, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 (westrickmusic.org).

——-

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Judith McCartin Scheide

The family of Judith McCartin Scheide will hold a service to celebrate her life on June 24, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in the Princeton University Chapel.

A reception will immediately follow at the Chancellor Green Pavilion, just steps from the Chapel.

Obituaries 6/12/2024

Agnes Dunn Dalley

Agnes Dunn Dalley died June 1, 2024 at her home in Wilmington, NC. She was born in 1928 in Washington, DC, to Richard Price Dunn and Agnes Davis Jones. She married Lawrence Cutting Dalley Jr. in 1950 and together raised four children: Laura Dalley Tobin, Lawrence Cutting Dalley III (Kip), Richard Dunn Dalley, and Sarah Dalley Shannon. Following her husband’s death in 2007, she remarried to Philip Hyland Burch.

Agnes was raised in Washington, DC, and attended The Potomac School and Mt. Vernon Seminary and College before graduating from George Washington University. Following her marriage to Larry, the newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon in Paris and Beirut, as they traveled to Calcutta, India, to live, while Larry served in the Foreign Service. Their return to Washington, DC, marked the start of their young family. While raising her children, Agnes began a career with J. F. Begg Realtors in the 1960s — her 45-year career was punctuated throughout with many awards from the Washington, DC Association of Realtors. She was active in many volunteer activities as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Potomac School, the Board of Lady Visitors Children’s Hospital, Vice President of the Junior League, Founder and twice President of The Acorn Garden Club, and President of The Antique Study Group. Agnes developed strong and loyal friendships, many of which lasted a lifetime. A highlight in any given year, was spending quality time with family, hosting lively gatherings especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Her interests were many and included gardening, birding, antiquing, auctions, reading, and bridge — somehow all sandwiched between ferrying her children to and from swim meets, figure skating events, and ice hockey games. She was particularly fond of gardening and maintained beautiful gardens at her houses on Martha’s Vineyard and Maryland’s eastern shore — they were labors of love — digging, planting, and enjoying the seasons. Barely second to gardening, Agnes was a dedicated birder, an interest she shared with Larry, an interest that took them on memorable travels. As a fifth grader, she was invited to display her collection of bird nests complete with identifications and drawings of the many different inhabitants — a passion that lasted a lifetime. She enjoyed recounting how she would pay her sister, Adrian, a nickel to bring her a nest she didn’t have. Her youthful summers were spent on Nantucket Island before building a house on Martha’s Vineyard Island to escape the DC summer swelter.

Agnes and Larry moved to Princeton, NJ, in 2007 to be closer to their children as Larry declined from Lewy body disease and whom she lovingly care for at home. She lived and enjoyed her 15 years in Princeton which included her eight-year marriage to Philip Burch. Agnes then followed her children to Wilmington, NC, in 2022.

Her memberships included The Chevy Chase Club, The Sulgrave Club, The Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, The West Chop Club, The Junior League of Washington, The Nassau Club of Princeton, NJ, and The Present Day Club of Princeton, NJ.

She is survived by three children Kip Dalley (and wife Kim), Richard Dalley (and wife Alison), Sarah Shannon (and husband Mike); her son-in-law Jim Tobin; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Laura Tobin, her sister Adrian Dunn Bellinger, her half-brother Elliott Hunter Muse Jr., and her second husband Philip Burch.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Brain Foundation, 201 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1126, or go to americanbrainfoundation.org, in an effort to support finding a cure for brain diseases such as Lewy body dementia and multiple sclerosis.

The family will be celebrating Agnes’ life privately.

Condolences may be expressed online at quinnmcgowen.com.

Harrison James Marks

Harrison James Marks, 26, tragically passed away on June 7, 2024. He grew up and was raised in Princeton. He was the nicest person who had a big heart, and beautiful and gentle soul. He was caring, sweet, and generous to others. Harrison was beloved by all and was a loving son, brother, grandson, and friend. He adored animals.

He was an out-of-the-box thinker who was very creative and artistic. He enjoyed building cars and motorcycles, and working with technology. He was a hard worker who worked as a customer engineer with Vertiv Corporation.

He is survived by his parents Stephen and Linda Sweet Marks; brother Spencer “Ash” Marks; maternal grandmother Merriel Sweet; and aunt Marcelle Sweet and aunt Linda Marks.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Star of David Memorial Chapel of Princeton, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow in Beth Israel Cemetery, 19 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927.

Patrick Joseph Keenan

Patrick Joseph Keenan died on May 30 in his home with his children beside him. He was 90 years old.

Patrick was raised in Jersey City, NJ, with his seven sisters: Kitty, Ellie, Pat, Peggy, Anna, Rose, and Mary. His father and mother, William John Keenan and Agnes Maguire Keenan, emigrated to the U.S. from Newry, Ireland, in 1920. Patrick described his childhood as full of fun and mischief. A Catholic nun at St. Michael’s grammar school, who saw potential in him for broader pursuits, warned him that he was “going nowhere fast.” She thus began a program of study to prepare him for the entrance exam to Saint Peter’s Prep, a Jesuit high school. He was admitted and later continued his education at Saint Peter’s College.

He left Jersey City to attend graduate school in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. A shared ride back to Pittsburgh with Roseanne Reilly, a fellow Jersey City native, led to an introduction to Roseanne’s college roommate, Margaret McGurty. Patrick and Margaret married in 1959 and spent their first years together in Pittsburgh, where their sons, Patrick and Sean, were born. Although he lived most of his life in NJ, Patrick’s attachment to Pittsburgh and the friends he made there was steadfast, as were his allegiances to the Steelers and Pirates.

After receiving degrees in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and Business Administration from Mellon Institute (now Carnegie Mellon University), Patrick accepted a position at Kerry Chemical. He travelled from Pittsburgh to NJ in search of a family home. He described driving west on Washington Road from Route 1 — a road lined with Dutch Elms that crossed Carnegie Lake, ran through the Princeton University campus, and ended at Nassau Street in the town of Princeton. He fell in love with the town. His daughters Kate and Elizabeth were born in Princeton, and 17 Random Road was the Keenan Family home for 45 years.

Intersecting expertise and interests in chemistry, energy, economics, and finance yielded diverse working environments and collaborations. Early in his career, Patrick served as a financial analyst focusing on the utility industry at Chase Manhattan Bank. He collaborated on the development of and patented the Dynaflux, an alternator capable of increasing the output power for a given shaft speed via the positioning of the rotor at an oblique angle. For five years, he wrote a monthly subscription newsletter, The Income Builder, within which his economic analysis on utility and other stocks was paired with his wry humor.

Patrick was remarkable for his ingenuity. He was an imaginative problem solver, especially when it came to extending the lives of dying family cars. His methods included supporting corroded exhaust pipes with orange juice cans and replacing missing knobs with Parcheesi pieces. He produced fantastic Halloween costumes for himself, often from discarded items in the basem*nt, and wore them as he accompanied his children trick or treating, while on occasion requesting his own treat by extending an empty shot glass. For his grandchildren, grandnieces, and nephews, he fashioned secret decoder rings from milk carton tops, created treasure maps, and led treks though Herrontown Woods to spy on the witch’s house.

Patrick and Margaret were married for 60 years. Most days, perhaps each day, they shared laughter. Patrick was still making others laugh with his witty retorts the week before he died. Join us as we come together to celebrate Patrick and his mischief, creative ingenuity, warmth, and humor on Saturday June 29, 3-5 p.m., at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen, 94 University Place, Princeton, NJ.

June Crehore Gulick

June Crehore Gulick passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, at the age of 94 in Charlottesville, VA.

June was born in New York, New York, on February 2, 1929, to Austen Ballard Crehore and Katherine Dennis Crehore. She grew up in Westfield, New Jersey, and attended Wellesley College where she graduated in 1950 with a degree in Economics.

June’s diverse and impressive career spanned over six decades. She worked as a bridal fashion buyer, and then as a Wall Street analyst and accountant in New York. Though she cherished finance and accounting, her most enduring legacy stems from her role as a devoted school teacher of various grades, first through high school. Throughout her teaching career, June educated students at Miss Mason’s School, Miss Fine’s School, Princeton Day School, and The Hun School. Her passion and dedication to building strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics left a positive and lasting impact on the many students who adored and appreciated her.

June was described as hardworking, good natured, and compassionate. She co-founded and ran the Wellesley Club of Central New Jersey Antique Show to fund scholarships at Wellesley College. Throughout her lifetime she provided assistance to numerous local businesses and organizations in managing their accounting and finances, a commitment that extended well into her 80s.

June is survived by her daughters, Katherine “Kobby” Hoffman and Anne MacCurdy (Doug) and her son, John “Jack” Gulick (Steve). June’s legacy extends to her granddaughters: Courtney Aquilla (Joseph), Austen Brown (Nathan), and Katherine MacCurdy. Additionally, she is survived by a great-grandchild, Hugh.

In accordance with June’s wishes, there will be no services held to commemorate her life. Instead, she requested that each person give two hours of your time and energy to someone needing assistance as a way to honor her memory.

June Gulick will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.

Obituaries 6/5/2024

David Penman Jacobus, MD

David Penman Jacobus, MD, of Princeton, NJ, passed away on May 23, 2024, at the age of 97, following a brief hospital stay. He is survived by three daughters and a son-in-law: Marget Jacobus, of Westfield, MA; Claire (Hughie) Jacobus and her husband Andrew Hildick-Smith, of Winchester, MA; and Laura Jacobus of Princeton, NJ. He is survived by four grandchildren and their respective partners: Gordon Hildick-Smith and his wife Alice Wisener of Boston, MA; Seth Hildick-Smith of Los Angeles, CA; Neil Hildick-Smith and his partner Alex Zivkovic of New York City; and Ellen Jacobus and her partner Justin Lim of Oakland, CA. He also leaves two great-grandchildren. David was predeceased by Claire, his beloved wife of 67 years, who died six months ago; by his much loved brother, John, who died in 2018; and by three sons: David, who died in infancy, William, who died in 2019, and John, who died in 2021.

The eldest of two sons, David was born in Boston, MA, to Margaret Elizabeth (née Penman) Jacobus, known as Gar, and David Dinkel Jacobus, a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology and later a mechanical engineer who designed nuclear accelerators.

David Jacobus had fond memories of growing up on the Stevens campus in Hoboken, NJ. He graduated from the Philips Exeter Academy in 1945 and from Harvard University in 1949; he earned an MD in 1953 at the University of Pennsylvania, staying on at Penn to complete his internship and residency in internal medicine. While in medical school, he went out on a blind date and met his future wife, Claire Robinson, whom he married in 1956. After completing his residency, he was drafted into the United States Army and served as a captain at Walter Reed Army Institute from 1957 to 1959, in the Department of Nuclear Medicine. After leaving the army, he continued as a civilian on the Walter Reed staff, serving as chief of the Radiobiology Division of Nuclear Medicine; in 1965, he became director of the Division of Medicinal Chemistry. His research interests included the effects of ionizing radiation and the development of antimalarial agents. In 1969, he received the Department of the Army’s Decorated Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Later that year, David took a job as vice president of basic research at Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories. Rather than move his wife and five children from Washington, DC, to New Jersey in the middle of the school year, David opted to commute to Rahway, NJ, for nine months, returning to Washington on weekends. In August 1970, the family moved to Princeton, NJ, settling into a house and a community that would be their home for the next 54 years. In 1977, David left Merck and started the Jacobus Pharmaceutical Company, initially synthesizing dapsone, an antileprosy drug, and then developing PASER, a drug for the treatment of tuberculosis.

David’s professional distinctions included awards, affiliations, and numerous publications; his last publication appeared when he was 93. His interests were both broad and deep, and he was guided by an insatiable, lifelong curiosity; he loved to learn. Sheer force of personality was evident in all he did; armed with a laserlike focus and unflagging determination, he never questioned his capacity to solve critical issues of global significance. Throughout his life, David formed lasting friendships. Isle au Haut, ME, held a special place in his heart from his first visit to the island as a teenager; he helped his dad build a family home in Moores Harbor, and he later spent time there with his own children and grandchildren. When on vacation on Isle au Haut, David loved to fish; he went fishing in an open Newfoundland dory with his 4-year-old daughter Marget and an island fisherman and friend, Phil Alley. That trip turned into an epic fishing adventure; David caught a large halibut during a hurricane and, more important, his friend Phil kept him and Marget safe during the storm, teaching him to remove water by tipping the boat from side to side and showing them how to tie themselves into the boat in case they got swept out.

David and Claire loved to entertain and had many close friends in the Princeton community. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad (pfars.org); to the Isle Au Haut School (a check may be sent directly to the school; make checks out to The Isle Au Haut School, c/o Lisa Turner, PO Box 56, Isle au Haut, ME 04645); or to the Outer Islands Teaching and Learning Collaborative (islandinstitute.org).

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

Obituaries 5/29/2024

Charles Edward Bush Sr., Ph.D.

Dr. Charles Edward Bush Sr., 85, formerly of Loomis Court in Princeton, died on April 21, 2024, in Glendale, California. He was a longtime resident of Princeton before moving to California in 2017.

Dr. Bush was born on August 21, 1938, in Miami, Florida, to the late Charles and Izetta Bush. He was the fourth of eight children, all of whom were first-generation college graduates.

He earned four higher-education degrees: Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics and engineering from Knoxville College (Tennessee) and Lafayette University (Pennsylvania), and Masters and Doctorate degrees in nuclear engineering and nuclear physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was a veteran who served two years in the U.S. Army.

His talents in math and science sparked a lifelong passion for pursuing the most difficult scientific challenges of humanity, particularly, safe, clean, and renewable energy. He had a 35-year career as an experimental physicist in nuclear fusion energy and plasma physics research at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee. He was a pioneer in the study of Tokamaks, H-mode (high confinement) plasmas, toroidal plasmas, and novel applications of lasers. He authored and co-authored many scientific papers, conference papers, and presentation reports, some of which have been cited by other authors in his field.

Dr. Bush relished opportunities to share ideas with peers in his field as the pursuit of nuclear fusion became a global effort. He participated in conferences and visited laboratories and universities throughout North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The pinnacle of his career was a three-year assignment at CEA Cadarache Technological Research and Development Center for Energy in the South of France, near Aix-en-Provence. During his tenure at Cadarache, he collaborated with scientists from around the world during the design phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). He and his wife, Alyce, lived in Venelles, a village outside of Aix-en-Provence. They made friends among the locals and immersed themselves in French culture and cuisine. They traveled throughout France and Italy and considered it to be one of the best times of their lives. Every day was an adventure for them.

Dr. Bush was a member and elder of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in Princeton, a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He belonged to several professional societies: the American Physical Society, Sigma Xi, the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, the American Nuclear Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Society of Black Physicists, and the review panel for the Department of Energy’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Nuclear Energy Training Program.

He loved computers (especially Macs), photography, basketball, football, track and field, the music of Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Motown, and Mozart, Westerns, science fiction, and his Loomis Court neighborhood.

He was a beloved and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and is survived by his wife of 58 years, Alyce (Walker) Bush; daughter, Lisa C. Bush; son, Charles Edward Bush Jr.; daughter-in-law, Kate Eberle; two grandsons; two sisters, Gertrude (Bush) Thomas and Vanessa (Bush) Gibson; and several nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dr. Bush’s memory to Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, 112 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540 (witherspoonchurch.org/give), or to The Paul Robeson House and Museum of Princeton, 112 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 (give-usa.keela.co/Donate2023).

Irene M. Amarel

Irene M. Amarel died quietly in her home in Princeton, NJ, on May 22, 2024. She was 89 and had been battling glioblastoma for a year and a half.

Irene was born on October 20, 1934 in Newark NJ. Her father, Jacob Kaplan, had emigrated to the U.S. as a young boy and had attained a law degree and later became a Rabbi. Jacob died when Irene was 13 and her mother Sade, supported the family which included her beloved brother Daniel and older sister, Helen.

Irene attended Weequahic High School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Douglass College as an English major. After college, she taught high school English at Verona High School. She loved poetry and literature, captivating her students with her enthusiasm and passion.

In 1957 she married Dr. Stanley Rosenberg. They had two children, James and Drew Ann.

Although Irene and Stan divorced in 1971, they later became close friends along with their partners, Dave and Betsy. This was a great blessing for their kids and grandkids.

In 1972, Irene attended Rutgers Law School and earned a law degree. Irene was a trailblazer and one of the leading female matrimonial lawyers in N.J. at a time when they were scarce. She was one of the first female members of the AAML, New Jersey chapter. This is an organization whose members take tests and must show high qualifications and are considered to be the crème de la crème from each state. She started her career working for the renowned firm of Skoloff and Wolfe and then practiced family law with the firm of Ulrichsen, Amarel & Freed. When that firm ended, Irene established a mediation practice. As an attorney, Irene was beloved by her clients, adversaries, and coworkers alike. She was a respected adversary, always vigorously promoting her clients’ interests, while maintaining the civility and graciousness that were her trademark. In 2002 she received the award from the Mercer County bar association for professional lawyer of the year.

Irene loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. She sang throughout high school and college and often sang show tunes with her children, loving to harmonize with them. She often took her kids to musical theater in NYC. Irene was an actress as well, attending classes in NYC, and was cast in starring roles in many plays in the Princeton community.

Irene married Saul David Amarel in October of 1990 and spent many happy years with him until he died in 2002. Irene loved to travel and took many trips with Saul all over the world. She collected beautiful pieces from her trips abroad and antique stores, decorating their home with style and elegance.

Later, when she retired, she studied and became a docent at the Princeton University Art Museum, allowing her passion for beautiful works to become a vehicle to educate others. One of her favorite programs as a docent was leading tours for children from underprivileged neighborhoods. Schools would bus the kids to the museum and Irene was given the opportunity to excite them with the art from ancient civilizations. They would create their own drawings as well, which was especially fun.

Irene was a huge dog lover and although she never had dogs as a child, was never without one or two as an adult. They attended all of her mediations!

Irene also volunteered in many community organizations. She was secretary of the Evergreen Society and active in the Glenn Neighborhood. She joined a book club and was a member of an acting troupe called the Senior Players, and Nia, a dance group. An accomplished cook and hostess, Irene hosted many memorable dinner parties at her Princeton home.

Irene met her partner, Dave Miller, in 2012. Dave is a musician and he and Irene loved to play and sing together and they loved to dance! One of their favorite times was the yearly Princeton Festival, where they got to dress up in formal attire and cut the rug. Dave co-owned a property with his siblings in Glen Lake, Michigan, and Irene joined forces with them and together they built a beautiful vacation home where they spent many happy summers, along with Dave’s kids and grandkids who often came to visit.

Irene’s incredible style and elegance was always a topic for her many admirers. When she walked in a room, she captivated everyone with her beauty, sophistication, and charm. People felt honored to have her as a friend. When she was in her 80s, younger women were blown away by her youthfulness and vitality. One woman asked her how she managed to look so young. She replied simply, “Good posture.” Irene’s kindness, warmth, intelligence, and wit will be remembered by many people whose lives she touched.

She is survived by her partner, Dave Miller; her son, James Allen Rosenberg; daughter, Drew Ann Rosenberg; daughter-in-law Giovanna Holden; son-in-law, John Anderson; and grandsons, Jeff, Dan Rosenberg, Sam Anderson and granddaughter-in-law, Kristin Mason.

She will be very much missed by all of her friends and family.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on June 8 at 5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. All are welcome.

Donations in honor of Irene can be made to Sciencementors.org.

Janet Marino Hautau

Janet Marino Hautau, one of the earliest women art directors in the field of advertising, died on March 8, in Princeton, NJ. She was 92.

Featured on the cover of Madison Avenue magazine in 1963 as the lone female Art Director in the all-male world of New York advertising, Janet stood out – and alongside – other female advertising trailblazers of the time such as Mary Wells Lawrence and Shirley Polykoff.

An alumna of Pratt Institute, Janet’s first job was with a one-man agency which proved to be more workout than work, as she spent her days being chased around the desk by her boss. Not one to be discouraged, nor chased, she quickly landed a job as a renderer at Ellington & Company in Manhattan, where she worked for advertising legend Julian Koenig, and counted Fred Papert, George Lois, Helmut Krone and Harold Kreiger, among other industry notables, as her close friends. After a decade at Ellington, she moved on to the Young & Rubicam (Y&R) agency.

Janet met her husband Fred Hautau in the revolving door at Y&R and legend has it that when Janet told her then boyfriend Alan that she would be marrying Fred, Alan fainted on the kitchen floor of her parent’s house. Janet had that effect on people.

Some of her award-winning ad campaigns necessitated working with an elephant, drawing bubble baths at a suite in the Plaza, and being kissed on both cheeks by Laurel & Hardy (impersonators).

Janet Ann Marino was born in 1932 in Tenafly, NJ. Her father, Mike Marino, was a stockbroker until the 1929 market crash, and then a men’s clothing salesman at Sears & Roebuck. Her mother Jean (Fasano) Marino was a homemaker who raised four children, of which Janet was the oldest.

Janet was a preternaturally gifted artist though she never envisioned working as one. It was her Uncle Larry and high school principal Miss Preston who insisted that Janet apply to Pratt, a school she had never heard of though it was less than 24 miles from her home.

A striking, auburn-haired Italian beauty with an aquiline nose, Janet set her own agenda from an early age and was fond of saying, “Agree with what they ask you to do, but do what you want anyway.”

Though Janet stopped commuting to Manhattan in the ’70s, she never stopped working nor creating art. Janet operated her Princeton-based design studio while pursuing her lifelong interest in fine art as an illustrator, watercolorist, photographer, and printmaker. Her more recent work emphasized monoprints derived from her distinctive photographs.

She exhibited her work throughout the tri-state area, and taught at the Princeton Adult School and Rider University.

Janet is survived by her daughter Michelle Hautau Klein; two grandchildren, Josie and Sam Klein; her brother Michael Marino; her partner David McClure; and a loving extended family. She is preceded in death by her sisters Lois Marino and Caryl Marino Alers.

Janet was known for her ability to create exquisite beauty from the everyday, to make new acquaintances feel like old friends, her playful humor, and unsolicited candor. She shared life learnings freely: “Always wear great shoes — people look at your shoes first” and “Old age is for the birds.”

A private gathering has been held and the family requests that donations be sent to a charity of the donor’s choice in memory of Janet.

Obituaries 5/22/2024

Paula McGuire

Paula McGuire died on May 6 of this year 2024, in Princeton, New Jersey.

She was born Paula Van Doren, in Chicago, IL, on May 23, 1931. She was daughter to Paul and Jesse Van Doren, and younger sister to Peter Van Doren. Her father Paul was a brother of the distinguished literary Van Doren family. Paula spent her formative years in Glen Ridge, NJ.

She was an Oberlin alumna, and subsequently studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and in Germany, where she learned both countries’ languages.

Paula was married to William (Bill) McGuire in May of 1965 in New York City, becoming part of his family including Bill’s two early-teenaged sons Jack and Eddie.

In 1967, the family moved to Princeton. Both were writers and editors; Paula had worked as an editor with Pantheon Books, and later, Random House. She was editor for Alan Watts, Mary Renault, and worked with Dr R. Burack on his important The Handbook of Prescription Drugs, raising awareness of generic alternatives. Bill worked at the Bollingen Series, editing the collected works of C.G. Jung, and other scholars, and other projects, as well as writing several related books.

In 1972, Paula joined Vis Ed in Princeton as a freelancer, editing, notably, Nobel Prize Winners: Supplement 1987-1991, and writing a series of books for teens: Putting It Together (about divorce), Must Try Harder (about anxiety), Alcohol, It Won’t Happen To Me (about teen pregnancy); and a series of books about immigrant groups, Coming to North America: From Mexico, Cuba, & Puerto Rico, and others. Colleagues praised her organization, helpfulness, and generosity to staff. She was cited as a role model.

All along, she maintained her piano playing.

Mary McGuire was born in 1972, the great pride and happiness of her parents. Tragically, within months of completing her studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Mary was killed by a drunk driver in 1994, in San Antonio, TX, while working at Habitat for Humanity. Though she had only been there a month, the overflow crowd at her memorial in San Antonio was a testament to the kind of person she had become. Paula maintained, over the years, relationships with several of Mary’s friends and classmates, and other new friends from the community in San Antonio.

Paula retired from Vis Ed at that time, and she and Bill spent the next seven years rebuilding their lives.

Paula generously and devotedly donated her time and skills for several local causes. She was a major force on a state-sanctioned committee of New Jersey citizens that worked on alternative plans for the Penns Neck bypass. As part of that, she was a forceful leader in preserving the Washington Road Elms.

Paula’s beloved husband Bill died in September of 2009.

Paula is survived by sons Jack and Eddie, her grandchildren and their families, her Van Doren family — and her dear friends, the Fiori family.

———

Judith L. Pinch

Judith L. Pinch, 92, died at her home in Princeton on May 17, 2024.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she graduated from Fort Hamilton High School. She received her B.A. in English literature from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and her M.A. in English literature from Penn State University. At Penn State, she met her husband, Harry L. Pinch. They married in 1955 and moved to Princeton in 1957.

She had a long, illustrious career at the former Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Foundation (now the Institute for Citizens and Scholars), directing programs that fostered the expansion and inclusiveness of humanities education, teacher education, the arts, and women’s and gender studies. In 2003, she retired as Vice President of the Foundation.

Along with her husband, Judith was one of the founders of The Evergreen Forum, a learning-in-retirement program in Princeton. She also served a term as a member of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Judith was preceded in death by her husband, Harry L. Pinch, and her parents Jacob and Anna Emdin. She is survived by her sister Josepha Cook (Stuart), her children Adam andAdela (Webb Keane), and her granddaughter Clara Keane. She will be remembered forever by her family and friends for her warmth, her keen intelligence, her love of literature, and her strength of character.

Obituaries 5/15/2024

Grace Butler Johnson

Grace Butler Johnson, a longtime resident of Blawenburg, NJ, died surrounded by family at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick, NJ, on Saturday, April 6.

Grace was born on November 22, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Jonathan Fairchild Butler and Mary Elizabeth Putnam. She grew up on Manursing Way in Rye, NY, where she attended the Rye Country Day School and spent her summers learning to sail at the American Yacht Club. She attended high school at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT, and then went on to major in French at Sweet Briar College (VA), where she played field hockey and lacrosse. She had many happy memories of her time at Sweet Briar and was an instrumental part of the recent “Save Sweet Briar” fundraising campaign.

After college, Grace lived in New York City where she worked as a social worker and then held a position with Citibank. While living there, she met her husband of nearly 51 years, Jotham Johnson. They were married in Rye, NY, in 1971. They moved together to Blawenburg, NJ, in 1972, and Grace became heavily involved in the Blawenburg Reformed Church. She held many leadership positions in the church and in the Delaware-Raritan Classis, the regional governance of the Reformed Church in America. At Blawenburg Reformed Church, she served as Deacon, Elder, and Vice President of Consistory. She also initiated the Tentoonstelling and Sinterklaas fundraisers in the Dutch tradition. Gracie led the CROP walk for hunger for many years, and served the Cemetery, Properties, and Worship Teams. Grace also served numerous terms on the local Classis, including a term as its President.

Her commitment to the church did not stop with Blawenburg. Involved for many years with the Regional Synod, she was described as an enthusiastic volunteer who was generous with her time, talents, and support. In addition to her role as President of the regional Synod for two years, she also served on the Synod’s Executive Committee, Cultural Diversity Team, and Lay Recognition Dinner Planning Committee.

Grace devoted her life to helping and caring for others — be it in the church, the community, her family where she raised three children, or her husband Jotham.

Grace is survived by her three children: Alex and his wife Andrea; Tom and his wife Leigh Morrison; and Sarah and her husband Josh Hendrick; and her brother, Jonathan Butler. She was especially proud of her three grandchildren: Gabriel, Victoria, and Harper. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Sally Butler Somers, her sister Nancy Butler White, and her husband Jotham Johnson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Blawenburg Reformed Church, 424 Route 518, Skillman, NJ 08558 (BlawenburgChurch.org) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, with a celebration and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Gracie may be made to Blawenburg Reformed Church, PO Box 266, Blawenburg, NJ 08504.

Obituaries 5/8/24

Janis Fishman

Janis Pulsifer Fishman, 89, of Princeton, passedpeacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, in her home with her loving daughter by her side.

Known affectionately as the “turtle lady” in her community, Jan found joy in her lifelong hobby caring for water and land turtles, growing to over 100 of these beloved creatures. Over the years, her reputation also grew for her unique ability to aid injured turtles and her willingness to provide them with a loving home. Local elementary schools invited her as the turtle lady for Show & Tell. Jan hosted students at her home to see her diverse collection too. She leaves behind a small group of turtles, some of whom have been with her for over 40 years. Her passion for the natural world extended to her living room, adorned with freshwater fish tanks. To friends, she would say, “Come over, we can watch fishy vision together.” Jan also had a deep affection for her feline companions, particularly Beaux. To her, they were all beloved family members.

A graduate of Cornell University, Jan paid her way through college working as a waitress for sororities. She pursued a degree in horticulture with the dream of owning her own floral shop one day. Although she did not realize this dream, she found fulfillment in gardening, where she indulged her love for trees, plants, and flowers. After retiring, she worked part-time at Wildflowers of Princeton Junction, finding pride in her creative talents, and treasuring the friendships she formed with the “flower shop guys,” Michael, Eddie, and Riley.

Following graduation, Janis embarked on a career in technology, a bold choice for a woman in the 1950s. Despite the male-dominated nature of the field, she remained steadfast and became a respected computer consultant, spending four decades in the profession. While working full-time and raising a family, Jan’s delight for turtles and gardening also included being an exquisite seamstress from making dresses to ball gowns to a man’s silk suit.

In the 1980s, there was a drastic increase in property taxes affecting many in the community. Jan became an advocate and educator, voicing the concerns of those on fixed incomes at town hall meetings. She only got involved in causes that held deep personal meaning to her.

In her later years, Jan became an active member of the local chapter of P.E.O., finding purpose in its mission and cherishing the friendships she formed with her fellow Sisters. It was a special time for Jan, as she found herself among women of intellect, compassion, and unique talents.

Jan was a kind and gentle listener exhibiting no judgment and sharing advice in the most thoughtful manner, she will be sorely missed.

Janis Fishman is predeceased by her late husband, Herbert Fishman. Janis is survived by her daughter, Sarah Fishman Mertz; granddaughter, Laura Mertz; sister-in-law, Joyce Fishman; nephew, Doron Fishman; niece, Eileen Nalda; her dear friends Brenda, Audrey, Jane and Charles, Elaine, Pedro, and her devoted caregiver, Lida.

A celebration of Jan’s life will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 10am in the communal area of Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton (ccprinceton.org).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory to Jan to P.E.O., philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.

Memorial contributions can be made to the P.E.O. Foundation, c/o P.E.O. International Sisterhood, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 or peointernational.org.

———

Roderick B. Anderson

Roderick B. Anderson, 90, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at his home in Princeton.

He was born in Hammer, South Dakota, and raised in Sisseton, South Dakota. Roderick’s parents taught him the values of hard work, ambition, and tenacity, values which Roderick imparted upon his family. Roderick was determined to be the first in his family to attend college and began working odd jobs in the fourth grade to save money. Throughout high school, he worked in construction, poultry processing, house painting, and others. He continued working while attending South Dakota State University, including as a construction worker for the state Highway Department and as the teacher at a one-room elementary schoolhouse. Rod was also able to make money by playing in jazz and swing bands, which Rod recalled as more of a pleasure than a job, as music was Rod’s true passion and was an endeavor he pursued with great joy and discipline until his final day. Roderick received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering.

Upon graduation, he immediately moved to Washington, D.C., to work at the United States Patent and Trademark Office before accepting a position at the prestigious AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ. Bell Labs sponsored Rod’s law school education at Seton Hall University. For 38 years, Rod was a Patent Attorney for AT&T. He started his career prosecuting patents for the wide range of inventions at Bell Labs, and later broadened his experience litigating patent disputes and handling international patents for AT&T. He was at the forefront of the solid-state semi-conductor electronics revolution and the expansion of telecommunications technology, including the voice over internet protocol.

Roderick was an active member of each community he called home throughout his life. He visited his hometown as often as he could and remained connected to many of his schoolmates despite settling on the East Coast. While raising his family in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Roderick became involved in local politics, becoming the first Democratic mayor to be elected in the township and serving his community for about seven years. Since moving to Princeton, Roderick was a patron of the McCarter Theatre Center, and, with his many bands, he performed around the area including at nursing homes.

Roderick is survived by his three daughters, Elizabeth Anderson, Katherine Anderson, Carolyn A. Greene (and son-in-law Gary A. Greene); a son, Terence Lindgren (and daughter-in-law Margie Lindgren); and six grandchildren, Alexandra Miklebost, Emily Choi-Greene (and her husband Joseph Choi-Greene), Alison Greene, Amelia Lindgren, Niels Lindgren (and his wife Emily Morris), and Anders Lindgren.

Predeceased by his parents Ralph Alexander and Mildred Elizabeth (Knight) Anderson, and by his longtime partner Florence Stewart of Hamilton Township, Roderick was loved by many, most especially his family, the folks in his hometown of Sisseton, South Dakota, his fellow tennis players and his fellow band members and musicians. He will be remembered for his hardy laugh, jovial attitude, unyielding support of his family, perseverance in spirit, and the inspirational discipline and diligent approach that he took to all of his endeavors.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Roderick to South Dakota State University (Highest Priorities Fund, The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band Fund, or Electrical Engineering Fund) at sdstatefoundation.org or SDSU Foundation, 815 Medary Avenue, PO Box 525, Brookings, SD 57007 or to McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ.

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Dallas Caskey

Dallas Caskey, a beloved father, husband, and brother; a treasured chef; and a revered fisherman passed away in Philadelphia, PA, on April 24, 2024 after treatment for blood cancer. Born in New York City on January 18, 1964 and raised in Princeton, NJ, Dallas attended Littlebrook School, John Witherspoon Middle School, Princeton High School, the University of New Orleans, and culminated in culinary school at Johnson & Wales.

His love of cooking began in high school at the Mainline Diner in Princeton where he worked as a cook. His culinary career continued in New Orleans at Arnaud’s and with Susan Spicer at the Bistro at Maison de Ville. Later in NYC, he cooked at Baby Jake’s, The Kitano Hotel, the Grand Hyatt, and finally in Philadelphia at the Canopy Hotel. Dallas called many places home including New Orleans, the East Village, Key West, Brooklyn, Mt. Kisco, and Philadelphia, where his son, Liam has attended Drexel University and will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the music industry this June.

Dallas’ passion for and expertise in fishing was legendary amongst his friends and fishing buddies. He also loved to ski, travel, ride his motorcycle, and enjoy music with his family, longtime friends, and coworkers. Dallas was a devoted and loyal papa to his son Liam, 22, he was the partner of 24 years to Mary Novak Caskey, and a doting pet dad to Knuckles the pitbull and Lorelei the cat.

Dallas is also survived by his sisters Diana Caskey of NY, NY, and Julie Caskey of Piedmont, CA; his uncle and best man, Richard Kirvan; and the village of friends who were like family to him. His memory will be held dear by those fortunate enough to know his kindness, humor, and love.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Valley Green Inn at Wissahickon Creek, 6885 Forbidden Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19118, on June 21 from 12 to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center, where he received care.

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Marie (Lill) Maman

Marie (Lill) Maman, 92, of Princeton, NJ, died on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the house in which she raised her family and tended her garden.

Lill and her twin sister, Lillemor, were born in Åmli, Norway on December 27, 1931. She spent her early days skiing throughout Norway, often going on weekend long trips with her sister and cousins. The German occupation of Norway during WWII shaped her early adolescence. Her father, a local veterinarian, was a leader among the Norwegian resistance and was taken as a prisoner of war for several months. He survived prison and returned to his family when the war ended in 1945. Lill worked in England as an au pair for a year and then earned her degree in chemistry from the Stockholm Technical Institute in Sweden. There she met a Frenchman, André Maman, who she went on to marry in Paris on September 7, 1957. They were married for more than 60 years.

They moved to Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, where they lived for a year. And then in 1958 they moved to Princeton, New Jersey. While raising four children, she also managed to attend night school at Rutgers. She received an undergraduate degree in English, and a master’s degree in library science. She worked as a librarian at Mobil Oil, Rutgers’ Center for Alcohol Studies, and the Mabel Smith Douglass Library at Rutgers.

She spent many years tending her garden, turning both her front and back yards into flower sanctuaries. People often stopped to smell the lavender and the lilac, or to admire the peonies and the roses. But there was nothing that she enjoyed more than preparing a good homemade meal for her family and having everyone around the table eating, talking, and laughing together for hours.

She and her husband often traveled to France and Norway. From 1992 to 2018 they maintained an apartment in Paris. While living in Paris she enjoyed the museums, the public gardens, and the weekly markets.

In 1996 she published her first book, Women in Agriculture: A Guide to Research. And in 2000 she published Sigrid Undset in America: An Annotated Bibliography and Research Guide.

She was predeceased by her husband André, her parents Sigurd and Asta Dalane, and her twin sister Lillemor Furulund.

Lill is survived by her four children, Jean-Paul, Anne-Marie, Pierre (and his wife Gail), and Suzanne (and her husband Massai); and 10 grandchildren, Mazie Stephens Sweet (Brandon), Paul Stephens, Caz Maman (Cailey), Pierre Maman, Henri Maman, Philippe Maman, André Maman, Emile Charles, Miles Charles, and Marie Charles.

A family burial will be held in Princeton Cemetery.

———

Rosanna Webster Jaffin

Longtime resident of Princeton and Greensboro, Vermont, Rosanna Webster Jaffin died on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at home in Princeton. She was 98.

Rosanna was born on September 19, 1925 in Columbus, Ohio, to Chauncey Wilson Webster and Eleanor Litschauer Webster. When she was small, her family moved to Loda, Illinois, where she grew up with her four siblings. After graduating Phi Beta Kapa and first in her class at 19 from the University of Illinois in 1946, Rosanna headed to New York City, ultimately becoming the administrative assistant to the Sunday editor of the New York Times. On one fateful day, when her date fell ill and couldn’t escort her to a tea dance, he asked a Princeton classmate, Charlie Jaffin, to fill in. Charlie’s famous words were, “Okay, but I’ll only commit to 7 p.m.” He committed a lot longer than that, as Charlie and Rosanna were married for 60 years until his death in 2011.

In 1952 Rosanna was given the opportunity to work for physicist Robert Oppenheimer at the Institute for Advanced Study, which brought the young couple to Princeton. Rosanna spent the rest of her life in Princeton and summered in her beloved Greensboro, Vermont.

Rosanna raised her five children in Princeton, and took a leadership role in many community organizations, including Princeton Hospital (trustee), The Garden Club of Princeton (President), McCosh Infirmary of Princeton University, The Institute for Advanced Study, and numerous others. She was a member of Nassau Presbyterian Church for 70 years.

A wonderful gardener, pianist, hostess, and mother, Rosanna was greatly admired for her warmth and kindness.

She is survived by her sister, Eleanor Winsor, and her children: David Jaffin (spouse Elizabeth Allen), Jonathan Jaffin (spouse Dianna Purvis), Rhoda Jaffin Murphy, Lora Jaffin Peters (spouse Donald Peters), Katherine Jaffin Gibson (spouse Andrew Gibson); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as her beloved aide Gloria Williams. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles L. Jaffin and grandson David A. Jaffin.

A memorial service will be held May 17 at 11 a.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow at The Nassau Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Greensboro Nursing Home of Greensboro, Vermont.

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

———

Charles F. Mapes Jr.

Charles (Charlie) Francis Mapes Jr., 91, of Princeton and Stone Harbor, NJ, passed away on April 30, 2024. Born on November 26, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY, the only child of Charles Francis and Catherine McMullen Mapes. Charlie spent the majority of his life living in the Princeton area. After attending Miss Fine’s School (now Princeton Day School), Charlie graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy (1951) and Princeton University (1955). In 1956 Charlie married Doris (Dodie) Kleiber. In 1972, he co-founded Mapes & Ross, an advertising research company.

As integral members of the Princeton University Class of 1955, Charlie and Dodie never missed a reunion. Charlie served as a Board member for Princeton AlumniCorps (Princeton Project 55) and Co-Chair (along with Dodie) of the Building and Grounds Committee. He was a die-hard Princeton fan, attending numerous Princeton football and basketball games over the years. They made lifelong friendships with so many class members living in Princeton, in other states, and outside the country. These friendships first forged on the campus of Princeton endured for decades, many of whom have also passed and are back together with Charlie and Dodie — yelling “HIP HIP OLE!”

A 50+ year member of the Bedens Brook Club, Charlie was a beloved member of the community. Charlie and Dodie took many domestic and international trips on their own as well as with the class of 1955. In his retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, for AARP preparing taxes for seniors, as well as tutoring Trenton children in math.

Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Dodie, who left this earth on February 23. He is survived by his children, Charles F. Mapes III and his wife Maureen, Linda Mapes, and Elizabeth “Libby” Yarnall and her husband Stephen; 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; his niece Karen Aveyard; and nephew Eric Kleiber.

A private luncheon to celebrate the lives of both Charlie and Dodie will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels.

———

Jacqueline (Jackie) Corman Meisel

Jacqueline (Jackie) Corman Meisel of Princeton passed away on May 4, 2024.

She was born in Champaign, Illinois, on February 17, 1927 to Minnie and Julian Corman. She grew up in Champaign-Urbana and graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA in Home Economics in 1946. One week later she married Seymour (Cy) Meisel, who was in the Chemistry PHD program at the university. They met on a blind date, and their marriage lasted 69 years.

When Cy took a position with Mobil Oil Corporation, they moved to Woodbury, NJ, which is near Philadelphia. Jackie became a dedicated mother to her three sons, but she also developed a lifelong passion for art. She graduated from Drexel University with an MA in Fine and Applied Arts, and later she earned her MA in Art History from the University of Delaware.

One of Jackie’s favorite jobs was her part-time position in the education department at the Philadelphia Art Museum, where she worked until Cy was transferred to NYC in 1970. Jackie and Cy enjoyed the cultural richness of Manhattan, attending plays, concerts, opera, and, of course, art museums. Jackie worked part time at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and she gave lectures and walking tours for several senior citizens group. She also taught for a year at Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, NJ.
Cy was transferred to Princeton, NJ in 1983, where Jackie became a volunteer docent at the Princeton University Art Museum. She was on the board of Morven, and she was also the board of the Historical Society of Princeton, where she led walking and bus tours. She also taught art history for a year at The College of New Jersey. Jackie belonged to the Present-Day Club. Jackie and Cy were friends of the Institute for Advanced Study and members of the Nassau Club. One of her lunchtime lectures at the Nassau Club broke all previous attendance records.

After Cy died, she moved to Windrows in 2016. Jackie and Cy developed lifelong friendships wherever they went, and they enjoyed traveling immensely, traveling to over 100 countries together. They shared their love of traveling with their family, taking their entire family on numerous vacations.

Jackie’s oldest son Mark recently died from multiple sclerosis complications. She is survived by her two sons, Alan (Barbara) and Neil (Ann), her five grandchildren, and her three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 7 at The Jewish Center of Princeton, with burial at Princeton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Princeton University Art Museum or to The Jewish Center of Princeton.

Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel.For Condolences please visit the obituary page atOrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

Obituaries 5/1/2024

Janis Fishman

Janis Pulsifer Fishman, 89, of Princeton, passed peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, in her home with her loving daughter by her side.

Known affectionately as the “turtle lady” in her community, Jan found joy in her lifelong hobby caring for water and land turtles, growing to over 100 of these beloved creatures. Over the years, her reputation also grew for her unique ability to aid injured turtles and her willingness to provide them with a loving home. Local elementary schools invited her as the turtle lady for Show & Tell. Jan hosted students at her home to see her diverse collection too. She leaves behind a small group of turtles, some of whom have been with her for over 40 years. Her passion for the natural world extended to her living room, adorned with freshwater fish tanks. To friends, she would say, “Come over, we can watch fishy vision together.” Jan also had a deep affection for her feline companions, particularly Beaux. To her, they were all beloved family members.

A graduate of Cornell University, Jan paid her way through college working as a waitress for sororities. She pursued a degree in horticulture with the dream of owning her own floral shop one day. Although she did not realize this dream, she found fulfillment in gardening, where she indulged her love for trees, plants, and flowers. After retiring, she worked part-time at Wildflowers of Princeton Junction, finding pride in her creative talents, and treasuring the friendships she formed with the “flower shop guys,” Michael, Eddie, and Riley.

Following graduation, Janis embarked on a career in technology, a bold choice for a woman in the 1950s. Despite the male-dominated nature of the field, she remained steadfast and became a respected computer consultant, spending four decades in the profession. While working full-time and raising a family, Jan’s delight for turtles and gardening also included being an exquisite seamstress from making dresses to ball gowns to a man’s silk suit.

In the 1980s, there was a drastic increase in property taxes affecting many in the community. Jan became an advocate and educator, voicing the concerns of those on fixed incomes at town hall meetings. She only got involved in causes that held deep personal meaning to her.

In her later years, Jan became an active member of the local chapter of P.E.O., finding purpose in its mission and cherishing the friendships she formed with her fellow Sisters. It was a special time for Jan, as she found herself among women of intellect, compassion, and unique talents.

Jan was a kind and gentle listener exhibiting no judgment and sharing advice in the most thoughtful manner, she will be sorely missed.

Janis Fishman is predeceased by her late husband, Herbert Fishman. Janis is survived by her daughter, Sarah Fishman Mertz; granddaughter, Laura Mertz; sister-in-law, Joyce Fishman; nephew, Doron Fishman; niece, Eileen Nalda; her dear friends Brenda, Audrey, Jane and Charles, Elaine, Pedro and her devoted caregiver, Lida.

A celebration of Jan’s life will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the communal area of Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton (ccprinceton.org).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory to Jan to P.E.O., philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.

Dolores S. Allaire

Dolores S. Allaire of Princeton and Ocean Grove, NJ, peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 96. Dolores was born and raised in Belleville, NJ, before moving to Princeton, where she resided for 60 years and raised her family. Dolores was also a summer resident of Ocean Grove.

The joy of her life was being a mother. She dedicated herself to her children and grandchildren. In addition to her family, she also was deeply involved in her community as an active member of Springdale Golf Club, The Present Day Club, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. She enjoyed volunteering with the Princeton Hospital Fete, S.A.V.E, and the Princeton Regional Scholarship Foundation. She and her family were members of the Nassau Presbyterian Church for 60 years. She was also proud of her days working as a Real Estate Agent for Audrey Short and Burgdorff Realty.

Dolores loved spending time with her family, summers at the beach, bowling, playing bridge, and golfing with her husband Bud and their many friends. In addition to her adoration for the many important people in her life, she had a deep love for animals and always had a beloved pet by her side.

Dolores was predeceased by her parents Olga and Theodore Schmidt, her husband Ralph “Bud” Allaire, and daughter Suzanne, who passed away at the age of 9. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Petrone (James), Beth Cox (Steve); three granddaughters, Jaime Yamamoto (Akira), Kelsey Petrone (Bobby Warshaw), and Jillian Petrone; and four great-granddaughters, Cameran, Rory, Wren, and Allaire.

Arrangements have been made by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday May 2, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to S.A.V.E. Animal Rescue at 1010 County Road 601, Skillman, NJ 08558.

Robert Merrihew Adams
1937-2024

The Reverend Doctor Robert Merrihew Adams, 86, died peacefully in his home in Montgomery, NJ, on April 16, 2024. Bob was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Septembr 8, 1937 to Margaret Baker Adams and Reverend Doctor Arthur Merrihew Adams. He is survived by his nephew Prof. James D. Fearon (Teal Derrer) and niece Mary Fearon Jack (Wellborn Jack, III) and great nieces and nephews, Sadie and Ben Fearon, and Sarah, Spencer, and William Jack. Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, the Reverend Doctor Marilyn McCord Adams.

As a child Bob exhibited remarkable curiosity and concentration and when he found a topic of interest, he explored it to its depth and shared his observances with whomever he could captivate — most frequently his sister Janet, who was his constant companion throughout childhood. Bob was fascinated by the behavior of wild animals, in particular elephants and birds. He became a life-long “birder,” taking his binoculars whenever he travelled in hopes of adding to his life list.

In 1955 Bob graduated from East High School in Rochester, NY, and as the top student in the state was named a Regents Scholar. He matriculated to Princeton University in the fall where he developed his interest in philosophy. His inspiration during this period included Hilary Putnam, a young Assistant Professor at the time. After graduating in 1959 the next three years were devoted first to the study of theology, for two years at Oxford and then one year at Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1962. Bob then became pastor of a small Presbyterian church in Montauk at the eastern tip of Long Island, where he continued to study philosophy and theology.

In 1965 he entered the doctoral program in philosophy at Cornell University. There he met Marilyn McCord, and they were married in 1966, the beginning of more than 50 years of close companionship and mutual inspiration. At Cornell he wrote a doctoral dissertation on philosophy of religion that featured an interpretation of Anselm’s ontological argument for the existence of God. His advisors included Norman Malcolm and Nelson Pike.

In 1968 he and Marilyn took faculty positions in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After four formative years there, he and Marilyn joined the Department of Philosophy at UCLA in 1972. This was to be their longest academic appointment, more than 21 years. At UCLA Bob developed his mature views in philosophy of religion, metaphysics, ethics, and history of modern philosophy. There he wrote his celebrated Leibniz: Determinist, Theist, Idealist (Oxford University Press,1994), and drafted much of his great work on theological ethics, Finite and Infinite Goods (Oxford University Press, 1999). In 1993, Bob and Marilyn moved to Yale University, Bob as Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Marilyn as Professor of Historical Theology in the Yale Divinity School. Bob was instrumental in transforming a struggling department into one of the best ten worldwide, where it remains today. At UCLA and Yale Bob was an inspiring teacher for undergraduate and graduate students. He advised many doctoral dissertations, notably in history of modern philosophy.

In 2004 Bob and Marilyn moved to Oxford, where Marilyn took a position as Regius Professor of Divinity and as Canon of Christ Church Cathedral. Bob was officially retired, but continued his work on theological ethics, specifically on what was to be his third major book, A Theory of Virtue: Excellence in Being for the Good (Oxford University Press, 2008). In 2009 Bob and Marilyn returned to the United States, taking a joint position in the Department of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 2013 they retired from that position and moved to Princeton, where they served as distinguished research professors at Rutgers University from 2013-15. Marilyn passed away in 2017, of pancreatic cancer. Her loss was difficult for Bob in his remaining years. He brought to publication her final book Housing the Powers: Medieval Debates about Dependence on God (Oxford University Press, 2022), collaborating with Cecilia Trifogli on one of the chapters. In that same period Bob completed his fourth major book, in metaphysics: What is, and What is in Itself: A Systematic Ontology (Oxford University Press, 2022).

In addition to advancing the areas of philosophy that interested him, Bob was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees for the Newcombe Foundation and the Board of Trustees for Princeton Theological Seminary. He served on the Seminary’s investment committee for over 30 years.

Bob devoted his life to the study and teaching of philosophy, and to a better understanding of God and being. He loved gathering with other philosophers and having robust discussions. He and Marilyn were devoted to their students. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, fellow philosophers, and theologians.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Seminary Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08542.

Memorial Service
Peter Edwin Bulkley Erdman

A memorial service and celebration of the life of Peter Edwin Bulkley Erdman will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. A longtime resident of Princeton and Stonebridge at Montgomery, Peter passed during a brief hospitalization 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. He was raised in Princeton and in a summer home in Edgartown, MA. He 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).

Peter married Hope English Erdman (“Patsy”), daughter of William H. and Margaret English of New York City and Edgartown, MA. 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 is preceded in death by his wife Patsy and his brothers Charles R. Erdman III and Harold Bulkley Erdman. Peter is survived by his four children, Margy (and Jim) Becker, Caroline Hare, William P. Erdman, Andrew E. Erdman; seven grandchildren; and his brothers David and Michael Erdman and their families.

On-site church parking for the memorial service will be limited to family. Street parking for visitors is available downtown and covered parking available at the Chambers or Spring Street parking garages. The full obituary is available at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home website at matherhodge.com.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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 visitOrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Gerald-Sternberg.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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).