Margery Rome Bendetson ’48 passed away on Dec. 14, 2022, at her residence at Edgewood in North Andover, Mass. Margery’s husband, Norris, was president of Boston Furniture, which later became known as the Cabot House. After Norris died, Margery enjoyed travel on Wellesley College Friends of Art Patrons Society’s trips. On the 2003 trip to Minneapolis, I met Margery. She demonstrated all the positive qualities of a Wellesley alumna: keen intelligence, a kind nature, sense of style, and a great sense of humor. I represent many Friends of Art patrons who enjoyed their travels with Margery and her friendship.

Eileen Conroy ’75

Nancy Hayes Van de Vate Smith ’52 died on July 29 in Vienna, Austria, where she had lived for almost 40 years. She was 92. An internationally known composer, her works include seven operas and numerous chamber and orchestral pieces. In 1975, she established the National League of Women Composers (now the International Alliance for Women in Music). She founded the recording company Vienna Modern Masters for contemporary music, and championed women in composition, endowing a scholarship for women at the University of Mississippi. Visit https://composers.com/composers/nancy-van-de-vate for a fuller obituary.

Katherine Van de Vate, daughter

Jacqueline Taschl Troxell ’52 passed away on March 10 at her home in Weston, Conn. Jackie met Richard Troxell (HBS ’52) at a mixer in the Shafer living room September of her senior year. They were married for 69 years, until his death in April 2022. She is survived by daughters Julie Troxell Alexandre ’79 and Susan Troxell Haven, a son, John Troxell, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Julie Troxell Alexandre ’79, daughter

Patricia Kopf Colagiuri ’55 died on May 10. After graduation, she worked at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She married and moved to Bologna, Italy, while her husband completed his medical education there. Returning, the family settled in Upper Montclair, N.J., where she remained the rest of her life. Patty was a quiet, but most effective and reliable, community figure and philanthropist, who resolutely held to her beliefs and principles. Mother of four, she served multiple years and positions with the local women’s club, the Episcopal church, and the Republican Party. She was a true supporter and benefactor of Wellesley: endowing a chair in her father’s name; donating three stained glass windows to the chapel; providing a mini-reunion day at her family company’s Napa Valley vineyards; and entertaining classmates on many summer Mattituck, N.Y., weekends.

Vivian Hathaway Crouse ’55

Janet Powell Pinci ’55 passed away on June 16 in Bali, Indonesia. Janet was a gifted musician and had a successful career as an opera singer. After her first marriage to James McAlee ended, she moved to Milan, Italy, to pursue her career. There she met Vinicio Pinci; they married in 1962. For most of the past 25 years, they spent part of each year in Milan, part in Spain, and part in Shelter Island, R.I. Janet had a lifelong affection for animals, especially cats, and even delayed selling the family home in Milan for several years until her cat, Melissa, passed away. She leaves her husband of 60 years, three children, 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her sister, two nephews, and a niece.

Richard McAlee, son

Winifred “Win” Weinstein Skolnikoff ’55 died on March 5. Our lifelong friendship began in Tower Court. As post-grads, we shared an apartment in San Francisco, learning to cook and hosting dinner parties. Then Win moved back East, married Gene, a professor at MIT, and settled in Lexington, Mass. An avid reader, Win earned an M.A. in English at Lesley University and taught children’s literature. She relished summers on Isle au Haut, Maine, hiking in the Alps, and exploring the American Southwest. Serious by nature, Win had a keen sense of humor. Classmates join in condolences to Gene and her family.

Susan Dreifus Moscov ’55

Merle Golden Bogin ’56 died on June 22. Merle found her greatest joy in the love of her extended family and friends. Her Wellesley friends were a highlight of her life for 70 years. Merle is survived by her children, James Bogin, Peter Bogin, and Cynthia Bogin Wornick, and nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Merle was the widow of Wallace Berger. (A previous marriage ended in divorce.) She founded a successful golf-glove import business in 1962 and later became a real estate agent in Manhattan, where she lived for 45 years before moving to Napa, Calif., in 2021.

James Bogin, son

Joan Mathes Scales ’56 passed away peacefully on July 9 in Pittsburgh. She majored in economics. The month after graduation, she married a Yalie, John Scales, whom she met on a blind date. They moved to Greensburg, Pa., where they resided and raised a family—three daughters and a son. During her lifetime, Joan enjoyed her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, photography, and trips to the shore. One of her biggest accomplishments was owning and operating her dollhouse and miniatures store, Just Miniature Scale.Visit kepplegraft.com/obituaries/joan-scales for her full obituary.

Laura Scales Wallace, Lisa Scales, and Gretchen Scales Rizzo, daughters

Sherry Scott Putney ’56 died on May 16 at the age of 89. Sherry majored in history at Wellesley and was an inspiring high school history teacher for many years. Throughout her life, she was an avid reader, and in spite of failing eyesight, was a member of several long-term book clubs. She was a leader in her community and an active Wellesley alum, including serving as president of the Albany Wellesley Club. She and Ted often hosted social, community, and fundraising events at their historic home on the Hudson River. College friends treasure memories of their mini-reunions there. Sherry was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Freeman T. “Ted” Putney, and is survived by three talented daughters and six extraordinary grandchildren.

Barbara Gelder Kelley ’56 and Lucy Fowler Klug ’56

Mary “Lolly” Penick Burgin ’57 passed away on June 11. She was a history and French major, played on the tennis and squash teams, and was a constant bridge player at Pomeroy. After graduation, Lolly and I rented a row house in Washington, D.C., where she went to work for the NSA in a highly secret position. She married Tom Burgin, settled in Ridgewood, N.J., had four daughters, started a company that installed computer systems for small businesses, became deeply involved with local politics, and was a dedicated Mets fan. Later, she founded a nonprofit, Read to Know, distributing books to underserved children and enlisting a corps of volunteer readers. Our friendship continued though our similar careers, our competition on tennis and squash courts, and our lifelong commitment to helping others.

Betsy Rauch Rainoff ’57

Nan Tull ’59 died on July 4 at age 85. An artist, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and traveler, Nan received her B.A. from Wellesley and her M.A. from Stanford. She studied at the École du Louvre in Paris and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Her encaustic works and large charcoal drawings have been widely exhibited and reviewed throughout New England and around the United States over the past 35 years. Her work is in many private collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Davis Museum at Wellesley. For 64 years, she was the loving wife of Frank John Wezniak, whom she met on a blind date senior year.

Frank Wezniak, husband

Roberta Palmer Huber ’60 died on June 21 at home in Talca, Chile. She moved to South America in the early 1960s, and over the next 16 years became a traveler and amateur explorer, taking the Trem da Morte railroad on a flatcar in Bolivia, and visiting the Xingu people of Amazonia. She translated for BBC productions in Brazil and copy edited Sanrio’s Hello Kitty in Japan. Returning to the U.S., she continued collecting artwork from South America. Roberta contributed to the field of Colonial Hispanic art, helping bring this art to broader audiences. Committed to the arts, she supported the Hispanic Society, Brooklyn Museum, Wadsworth Atheneum, and Voices of Ascension.

Ben Huber, son

Deborah Palmer Redfearn ’61 died on Aug. 3. Originally from Hingham, Mass., Debbie studied art history at Wellesley. She later earned her B.A. (with honors) and a master’s in speech pathology at Michigan State University. Her career was one of dedication and advocacy for clients and students (especially the nontraditional student). While Debbie lived all over, she relished her time at Wellesley—its challenges and the lifelong friendships created there. A Yankee at heart, she was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Mass. Her family will miss her support, smarts, good humor, and great love.

Karen Redfearn, daughter

Barbara Guss Cohen ’61 died suddenly on June 8, still engaged in her active family, community, and work life. Barbara was a radiant beauty with an easy smile, upbeat personality, and a determined work ethic. It was an inspiration to observe her path from a Phi Beta Kappa mathematics major, where the outcomes are factual and absolute, to a legal/political/social service career, where the work was aspirational. In every organization Barbara touched she became indispensable. She retired as head of legal policy for the UK’s Commission for Racial Equality to become active as a discrimination consultant. Barbara’s expertise was formulating policy that addressed anti-discrimination and equal rights; her passion assured that these laws were implemented and that governments were held accountable.

Abby Huberman Weiss ’61

Mary Jemail ’61 died on Feb. 24 in her New York City home of 50 years. She enjoyed a decades-long career as an English teacher and college guidance counselor at Convent of the Sacred Heart. She will be remembered for her brilliance, mordant humor, avid interest in politics, and passion for the theater. She is survived by her two children, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Stephanie Peek ’61

Mary Althouse Eikel ’62 died on July 28. She lived for 50 years in San Diego, where she made her career as an attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, retiring as principal attorney in 2003. Mary was unfailingly kind and generous, often stepping into the breach when a colleague, friend, child, or fellow alum needed support. Always ready to open her home to guests, she hosted countless parties, receptions, and celebrations. She tirelessly managed both her career and her household and excelled at both. A lifelong musician and music lover, she was a patron of the San Diego Opera, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and Bach Collegium San Diego. She is survived by her brother, two children, and six grandchildren.

Robert Eikel, son

Diane Montgomery Rice ’63 died at home in New London, N.H., on June 19. Born in 1942 in Exeter, N.H, she graduated from Abbot Academy. After Wellesley, she studied at the Middlebury College Language School. Diane was good at everything she did: student, wife, mother, friend, and teacher. Diane was Francophile: She majored in French, lived in France for eight years, spoke as a native, cooked in the French way, sent her children to French public school, taught high school French, and had French friends until her death. She taught by inspiration. Diane is survived by her husband, son, daughter, and four granddaughters.

Charles Rice, husband

Sally Oakes Lauve ’64 died on March 4 after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. Her resilience convinced doctors to give her a lung at age 76. In whimsical Sally fashion, she named her lung Lucy. Sally majored in zoology and had a starring role in Junior Show. She got her Psy.D. degree in 1985, and was an award-winning gardener with a dream to live on Long Island near the water and sailing. That is where she died, leaving behind a loving family and a group of men and women we affectionately called FOS (friends of Sally).

Gabrielle Arakelian Carlson ’64

Antonia “Toni” Snyder Mann ’71 passed away on July 26 after 10 days of hospice care, holding her son’s hand. Toni was a lovely friend. It has been an unusual sort of relationship—friends and dormmates at Wellesley, then a lifetime apart, going our separate ways, before COVID reconnected us in weekly zooms, uniting the Shafer ’71s after 50 years. Here we shared something of Toni’s life, her beloved family and friends, her passion for drama, singing, travel, and cats. Mostly we came to know Toni: her strength and courage, kindness and generosity, her indomitable spirit and wry humor. We are privileged to have been allowed to walk with her a little way along her path.

Julia Halle Moorhouse ’71

Tabby Tuckerman Rappolt ’73 died on May 7 in Newton, Mass. Tabby and I met freshman year and joined Shakespeare Society together. She and George were high school sweethearts who married as soon as she graduated. Tabby was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1979, served until 1991, then became an office manager and raised three children. She danced with the Great Plain Squares Club and volunteered with Metrowest Worker Center, where she was an outspoken proponent for social justice. She served on the 50th reunion committee as residence co-chair. She had an engaging smile and effervescent personality. She will be missed.

Susan Haltmaier ’73

Marguerite McGrath Stanley ’75 wanted everyone around her to feel loved and welcomed. She had one of the most generous and compassionate hearts but was also creative, clever, devastatingly funny, and suffered no fools. A classic alumna, she was a lifelong learner and quickly mastered anything she put her mind to. If not for my Aunt Marguerite, I would never have known about Wellesley. Because of her, it became my dream college. She always treasured and took pride in her time at Wellesley, and the day she dropped me off for my first year, I saw it in her eyes. She leaves behind her husband, Bill, three boys, their wives, and many beautiful grandchildren. We will miss you dearly, Marguerite.

Sarah Dickerson ’10, niece

Flo Davis ’76, an enormously talented and generous member of our class, died on May 21. I was sports editor of the Wellesley News under the great leadership of Flo, who was editor. Flo went on to a distinguished career as legal counsel for Morgan Stanley, insuring compliance all over the world, and she was president of the prestigious Starr Foundation, which gave away hundreds of millions of dollars. My favorite memory was meeting at Legal Seafoods as we organized our 25th reunion in 2001, which set a College record for giving. Flo’s humorous anecdotes had us all in stitches.

Mary Young ’76

Linda Bales Lee ’77 died on March 20. She was a geology major and sang in the Madrigals. Linda married Michael Lee in Boston, moved to Boise, Idaho, and then to Palo Alto, Calif., where she earned an M.S. in hydrology at Stanford and went on to work for Chevron and Earth Science Associates. After their sons were born, the couple moved to Carmel, where Linda focused on homeschooling her boys. She had a passion for understanding learning; she studied learning theory and built a business helping students navigate high school and entrance into college. Jane Timmons-Mitchell ’77 remembers Linda’s “calm competence in the face of challenges which inspired us all. A lovely light has gone out.”

Mary Greene Horvath ’77

Gwenyth Elise Hood ’77 died on May 15. A medieval and Renaissance studies and Latin major at Wellesley, Gwenyth received post-graduate degrees in comparative literature from the University of Michigan. As a professor at Marshall University from 1989 to 2022, she taught creative writing, fantasy, and Chaucer and Dante. Her love of Dante inspired her sci-fi novel, The Coming of the Demons, and a nonfiction book, Dante’s Dream: A Jungian Psychoanalytical Approach. A member of the governing board of the Mythopoeic Society, for 22 years she edited its literary magazine, The Mythic Circle. As a choir member at Trinity Episcopal Church (Huntington, W. Va.), she deepened the personal faith she acquired at an early age. Her family and friends profoundly miss her.

Willajeane McLean ’77

Dorrie Voorhis Graul ’79 died on May 13 in Allentown, Pa. The cornerstones of Dorrie’s life were faith, family, friends, and felines. Active in her Presbyterian church, she served in many capacities, including the Stephen Ministry. Family meant everything to her, and she maintained close ties with relatives near and far. She was equally attentive to her friends, never failing to send beautiful cards in her exquisite penmanship. Dorrie adored cats, sharing her home with countless kitties over the years and volunteering with a shelter. She loved baseball (Go, Yankees!) and was working toward attending a game at every MLB ballpark, sometimes accompanied by daughters Katie and Jessie. Dorrie’s generous spirit and cheerful outlook on life were an inspiration. She lived the Wellesley motto daily.

Pamela Patterson ’81