Ellen Carol “E.C.” Van Deusen Jacke ’47 died on June 1 at age 98, surrounded by children and grandchildren. She followed her mother, Margaret Barlow Van Deusen, class of 1909, to Wellesley, wrote class notes for years, and attended all her reunions. As the lone alum at her 75th, she thoroughly enjoyed leading the parade and impressed the class of ’73 with stories about being the first woman trainee on Wall Street. She left Wall Street to marry Stanley Jacke and raise five children in Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Connecticut. In each new town, she built community by joining the local church and singing in the choir. An adventurous spirit, she engaged in everything from leading Girl Scout trips to Europe to volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Lead on, speed on, E.C.

Karen Jacke ’74, daughter

Phyllis Arlt White ’48 died peacefully in Palo Alto, Calif., at age 98. She loved her years at Wellesley, where she majored in English and coxed for the crew team. Her husband of 71 years, Robert White, predeceased her by seven months. They raised a family of four in California and are survived by them, their spouses, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Phyllis was happiest when traveling and savored three sabbatical experiences in Oxford, England, Tokyo, and Zurich. She was an accomplished pianist, dedicated gardener, and avid reader, and she loved the stimulating company of good friends. She was a creative person who appreciated many contemporary and modern artists, and filled her home with original art. Her spirit lives on in our hearts.

Kim White, daughter

Cyra Duff Sanborn ’48 died on June 14 in Bedford, Mass. Cyra majored in English at Wellesley. She raised four children in The Hague, Old Greenwich, Conn., and Cincinnati. After earning a master’s degree in education at Xavier University, she became a high school English teacher. Cyra reveled in the life of the mind and was a voracious reader, taking particular delight in Thoreau, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and William Blake. She was a lover of the young—particularly her six grandchildren—as well as an astute observer of human behavior and character. Cyra left her mark on many students, whom she challenged to think for themselves. Though she was deeply reflective and independent, her joyful, lively spirit was captured in her constant refrain, “Sing and dance!”

Peter Sanborn, son

Mary Heinrichs Garner ’50 died on Aug. 1 in Springfield, Va. Born in Honolulu, she spent her early years in India, Palestine, and Middlebury, Vt. Her mother, Dorothy Peterson Heinrichs, class of 1918, understood the value of a Wellesley education, sending both her daughters to the College. Mary’s lifelong commitment to service found expression as a clinical social worker for 35 years in several states, as well as her love and support for her extended family. A Navy wife, lifelong reader, bridge player, informed and committed voter, and Unitarian Universalist, she will be sorely missed and dearly remembered.

Cynthia Garner ’79, daughter

Elinor Shaps Turkanis ’53 passed away on Nov. 25, 2022. Elinor often spoke of her love for Wellesley’s “magnificent campus along a lake sparkling in the morning sunlight.” She met her Marvin when he mistakenly attended a Wellesley mixer. They celebrated their 67th anniversary in June 2022. She took great joy in the happy lives of her daughters and grandchildren. Elinor enjoyed bridge, flower arranging, landscaping, enamelwork, and painting. Active in a major women’s charitable organization, she served as its local president. She traveled the world with Marvin, often extending business trips into glorious vacations. She also enjoyed camping, sailing, and family trips.

Caroline Turkanis ’19, granddaughter

Sally Edwards Taylor ’54 died on May 29 at her home in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. All her adult life she was an active Wellesley alum, loyal to the College, her class, and her local Mid-Hudson Wellesley Club. For years she interviewed prospective students, whetting their enthusiasm for the College. She loved returning to campus yearly for Symposiums and the Ruhlman Conferences. After Symposium was no more, she and four classmates traveled together every summer, calling themselves the Symposium Five. For Sally, Wellesley meant more than a four-year degree. It was always with her, propelling her along a continuing learning path that defined her life.

Lois Burnham Pomeroy ’54

Nancy Glover Wilds ’54 died on April 18 in Maine. She grew up in Reading, Mass., and was valedictorian of the Reading High School class of 1950. She was thrilled to win a national Pendleton scholarship to Wellesley, where she spent a wonderful freshman year. In 1951, she married Lewis Bancroft in the College chapel. She later remarried, completed her Ph.D., and served as an English professor at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. After retiring, she built a cottage on Orr’s Island, Maine, where she was active in local historic preservation, and she renovated an 1820 house in Brunswick, Maine. She is survived by four children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Ellen Bancroft ’76, daughter

Cynthia Dunn Fleming ’55 died on June 24, her 70th wedding anniversary. Her Wellesley education inspired a lifelong love of the fine arts. She obtained an M.F.A. from Boston University and worked in art history research in a variety of museums in Boston, Cambridge, Mass., and Washington, D.C. She lived primarily in Boston and summered in Duxbury, Mass., and Arrowsic, Maine. She is survived by her husband, three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. More information is available here.

Lora Fleming, daughter

Charlotte Margolis Goodman ’55 passed away on June 8. At Wellesley, Charlotte roomed with her twin sister, Vivian, in Claflin Hall and made a friend for life in Ann Joy Levitt ’55, who lived in the room next door. She followed up her Wellesley English major with a master’s from Harvard, a Ph.D. from Brandeis, and 27 years as a professor at Skidmore College, teaching writing and literature and helping to develop Skidmore’s first women’s studies program. In April 2024, her family joyfully celebrated the twins’ combined 180th birthday. Charlotte is survived by her twin sister, three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Vivian Margolis Shapiro Rosenberg ’55, sister

Janet Boshes Stern ’57 died peacefully on Dec. 9, 2023. She and her beloved Chuck had three children: Julia (Wellesley ’81), Richard, and Patty. An English major, Durant Scholar, and member of Phi Beta Kappa, Jan also earned an M.A.T. at Harvard. She then created a unique decades-long career teaching literature to adult groups around Chicago, enriching numerous lives with her genius for intellectual exchange. For our 50th reunion she wrote, “I feel fortunate that I have been able to pursue as work the teaching of literature, which I learned to love at Wellesley.” Jan was the first of our group of six to marry, to have a child, and now, to die. A truly generous human being, she is missed by all who had the good fortune to learn from, to love, and to be loved by her.

Judy Aron Rubin ’57

Doreen “Dodo” Crawford Dun ’59 died peacefully at home in East Boothbay Harbor, Maine, on June 18, surrounded and supported by her loving family. She fought ovarian cancer for about six years, never really yielding to being an invalid, remaining active in her community, singing in her church choir, traveling abroad with her daughter and granddaughter, reading books on a wide spectrum of subjects, and keeping in touch with friends and relatives hither and yon. Dodo and I were roommates in Severance for three years and remained very close after college. She was devoted to the friends she made at Wellesley; I for one, have lost my closest friend.

Marit Gundersen Kulleseid ’59

Harper Little ’59, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and sister, passed away on July 7 in Mission Viejo, Calif. Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, her passions were her family, travel, books, and swimming, all of which brought her joy and lifelong friendships. She was still training for swim meets and had just renewed her passport in hopes of more travel. A proud alumna, she had served as a ’59 class officer and was most recently on the nominating committee. Jeanne is survived by her husband, Gary, sisters Lisa and Sally, children Emily and Greg, and grandchildren George and Grace.

Emily Little, daughter

Mary Anne Beach Chew ’64 died on Aug. 16 in her retirement community in Portland, Ore. Frank, her husband of almost 60 years, has been in the memory care unit there for several years. Her daughter, Adrienne (Wellesley ’93), and son, Nick, spent her final weeks with her. Mary Anne and I began a lifelong friendship when we moved into Cazenove our sophomore year. She was one of the kindest, most empathetic and cheerful people I’ve ever known. The sparkle in her eyes always indicated that she was up for every adventure. Her passion for social justice, theater, and music led her to several professional and volunteer activities throughout her life. A dedicated alumna, she rarely missed a Wellesley reunion.

Jean Kilbourne ’64

Linda Harrison ’64 died peacefully on June 3. After graduation from Wellesley, Linda earned a master’s at Yale and then taught European history at Lexington High School for 14 years. In 1980, she took courses in computer science at Boston University and began a career as a database designer and technical consultant, retiring in 2008. Until just 10 weeks before her death, Linda lived happily independently in her own home in Arlington, Mass., just a three-mile walk on Mass. Ave. from her home to Harvard Yard, and just four blocks to historic Spy Pond! On Aug. 30, she was buried at a family remembrance at Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley.

Lorraine Harrison Keating ’67, sister

Janet Johnson Stewart ’64 died on May 29. As first-year Wellesley students living in Freeman, we knew her as J.J., an apt nickname reflecting her lively personality. Always a strong student, she sailed through English 106 and had time to play bridge while her friends were still studying. She double majored in English and Bible and was a generous friend. A stylish dresser, Janet made a special effort to impress Robert Stewart, whom she married right after graduation. She served as class vice president and president, and she co-chaired our 50th reunion after assisting with many others. A longtime Cumberland Foreside, Maine, resident, Janet was a leader in the Maine Wellesley Club.

Carol Jillson Barker ’64
Virginia Mann Pollard ’64
Carolyn McClintock Peter ’64

Toby Karet Eisenstein ’64 died on Aug. 4. Toby and I got to know one another when the two of us spent our senior year at Bryn Mawr College on the Seven Sister Exchange. We had both married and taken advantage of this program, coming back to Wellesley to take comps (remember those?) and subsequently getting our Wellesley degrees. Toby stayed in Philadelphia and was a wonderful medical force to be reckoned with at Temple Medical. I respected her so much for all she did, and I admired her warmth and enthusiasm for life. She will be sorely missed.

Corty Banks Fengler ’64

Gertrude “Trudy” Oliver Bulkley ’64 died of leukemia on Aug. 18 in Ann Arbor, Mich., after a brief illness. We met in 1960, rooming in Dower and Navy. Following sophomore year in Severance, she married her lifelong companion, Jonathan Bulkley, living off campus but remaining close to College friends. In addition to raising Nathaniel and Nancy and nurturing grandchildren Nina and Miles, Trudy was a captivating storyteller performing as Mother Goose. She had a passion for poetry, literature, yoga, and music, and found joy in appreciating the natural world, gardening, and growing a world class bonsai collection. Most of all, with her warm, caring, loving spirit, she was the best of friends.

Davi-Ellen Rosenzweig Chabner ’64

Marjorie “Mardi” Dunlap Birmingham ’68 passed away peacefully on Aug. 21 in Berkeley, Calif. She was ever so proud to be a Wellesley girl, as was her mother, Marjorie Chapman Dunlap ’37, before her, treasuring the lifelong friendships she forged there and her time in McAfee. Mardi was a dedicated member of the reunion committee and had a stockpile of clothes in Wellesley blue for every occasion. Known for her intellect, humor, artistic talent, and creativity, Mardi collected friends wherever she went and was cherished by many. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Dunlap Brooks ’75, four children, and three beloved grandchildren.

Suzy Birmingham, Kate Bontekoe, Maggie Mittan,
and Michael Birmingham, children

Margot Stout Whiting ’71 died peacefully on May 24 in Espoo, Finland. Daughter of Frances Broyles Stout ’40 and great-niece of the College’s longtime physician Elizabeth Broyles, Margot arrived at Wellesley with a passion for archaeology that led to a colorful career excavating around the Mediterranean and Middle East. In 1988, Margot settled in Finland with husband Robert and daughter Marlena. Margot lectured in archaeology at the University of Helsinki and was in high demand as a language editor for her keen eye and sense of humor. She delighted in chance encounters with fellow alumnae on her travels and in welcoming those passing through Helsinki.

Marlena Whiting ’05, daughter

Michele Moeller Chandler ’73 passed away on May 9 after a five-decade battle with autoimmune disease and its related impacts. However, she defied her illness and composed a life full of meaning and love. Told that she could not have children, she had two of her own and became a second mother to two nieces when their mother died. Forced by her health to abandon a full-time career soon after earning her Ph.D., she created a winter study course at Williams College aimed at helping students craft their own fulfilling lives, which she taught for 20 years. Hers was a life well lived, and, per Wellesley’s motto, a ministry completed.

Chip Chandler, husband

Lisa Pollack Rubin ’74 died on April 26 at home in Haifa, Israel, after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. Lisa transferred to Wellesley her sophomore year. In 1980, after having received her M.D., Lisa, her husband, and their infant son moved to Israel. Lisa worked as a pediatrician and served in a senior position in the Ministry of Health, overseeing women’s and children’s health. She spearheaded the creation of a national breast milk bank. Lisa taught for 15 years at the University of Haifa School of Public Health, which she helped establish. She read voraciously in English and Hebrew and traveled extensively with her family. Lisa leaves her husband, Shimshon Rubin, four children, and four grandchildren.

Anne Jacker Kopelman Dubitzky ’74
Rachel Mann Gould ’01

Giannina Antola ’83 died suddenly on July 21 of an aneurysm. A highly respected TV sales executive, Giannina’s career spanned the globe. Over the past 20-plus years she was based in London. Tributes refer to her warmth, intelligence, humor, and graciousness. Whether to plumbers or celebrities, she radiated courtesy and kindness, and I was blessed to share much of her life from carefree Wellesley days in Beebe and Shakespeare Society to the London years. She was like a godmother to my daughter. Giannina was witty, ferociously hardworking, and profoundly insightful. Her commitment to her family and friends was absolute, and she leaves sister Livia Antola Lovell ’79 and brother Millo inconsolable.

Yuriko Tamaki Horgan ’83

Anne Powell Fiske Zuñiga ’85 died on May 6 surrounded by her loving family in her home in Seattle. A graduate of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Md., Anne discovered crew at Wellesley and rowed in the varsity lightweight 8. She majored in East Asian studies, spent her junior year in Japan, and moved to Seattle after graduation. After receiving an M.P.A. from the University of Washington, Anne held leadership positions in several Seattle agencies. The Seattle Housing Authority has constructed a memorial garden in her honor at Yesler Terrace. Images and tributes to Anne can be found at bit.ly/3MHOA1N.

Patricia Fiske ’58, mother

Christine Woodcock Dettor ’92 passed away on June 23 surrounded by her husband, three children, and her beloved siblings in her hometown of Syracuse, N.Y. At Wellesley, she majored in economics and Japanese studies, later earning a law degree from Syracuse University. Christine was a partner at Bousquet Holstein PLLC, where she specialized in trusts and estates for 28 years, while also serving as a member of many nonprofit boards. From a first-year in Tower admonished by her RA for vacuuming after quiet hours to lead dancer in Beebe’s fourth-floor rendition of “I’m Too Sexy,” Christine is remembered most for her joy, her humor, and her boundless energy—a blur of blonde hair and hot pink—always ready for the next adventure.

Joanne Da Giau Del Toro ’92
Emily Espenshade ’92

Alison Fleming DS ’94 passed away peacefully on Aug. 5. A friend who quickly became my sister, Alison leaves behind many beloved family members, including John, Ryan, Liam, Joanne, Michele, and Willie. My friendship with Alison felt like home. We could talk and laugh about anything and everything (for hours), and we wanted what was best for each other. Our Wellesley days provided everlasting memories, including silly things like Friday night waffles, a car that favored left turns, chopsticks, the coveted blue blanket, if “that guy” brought the cookies, husband backrests, and Building 19. Alison will continue to be loved and missed.

Laurie Syms DS ’94, Cedar Lodge housemate

Farida El-Gammal ’98 died on July 20. Both Japanese and Egyptian by birth, Farida grew up in Tokyo. A political science major, she jumped into American politics at Wellesley and studied abroad at the American University in Cairo, where she learned Arabic. Farida built a rich life, career, and family in London, where she was president of the Wellesley Club of London, a managing director at JP Morgan, mother to Laila, and wife to Nikolai. She loved singing, opera, tennis, and politics. Farida joined many Wellesley classmates to celebrate friendship at our 25th reunion in May 2023. We will treasure her memory.

Laurie Straus Skantze ’98