Alumnae Memorials

Josephine “Jo” Bonomo ’41 passed away at her home on Sept. 19, 2025. A student of journalism and longtime secretary for her class, she credited her Wellesley education and WWII (all the men were away fighting) with launching her career as a reporter for several papers including her beloved Newark Evening News, where she covered Queen Elizabeth’s first state visit to the U.S. and the inaugurations of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. She was predeceased by her sister, Angela, brother, Gerard, and son Frank Urga and is survived by her son John Urga and her nieces and nephews, who will miss her greatly.

Laura Bonomo Colton ’79, niece

Irene Schiff Groban ’45 of Scarsdale, N.Y., died on Nov. 12, 2025. She was an extremely proud and active alumna and served as president of Wellesley-in-Westchester into her 80s. Irene earned an M.S.W. from NYU in 1973 and founded A Different Start, a program that helped low-income parents raise their children, for which she was named Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers. Irene will be remembered for her resilience, humor, Democratic politics, generosity, strong opinions, love of travel, and commitment to family. She will be greatly missed by her three children, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

The Groban Family

Lucile Titus O’Connor ’45 died on Oct. 19, 2025. She was the fourth of five children, and one of three sisters to attend Wellesley College. She went on to study at Cornell University, where she met her husband, William O’Connor. They were married in 1950 and had two sons: William (born 1953) and Robert (born 1956, died 2010). Both she and her husband devoted their lives to public education, moving their family many times throughout New York state and New Jersey as her husband rose from teacher to principal to superintendent of schools. Lucile taught elementary school for several years in New York state. Lucile and her husband were among the first residents of The Woodlands at Furman retirement community in Greenville, S.C., when they moved there in 2009. Her husband died in 2018. She is survived by her son, William, grandchildren Ashlee and Sarah, and many nieces and nephews.

William O’Connor, son

Jean Winslow Spero ’45, 102, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, died on June 13, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Arthur Spero, and is survived by daughters Margaret Spero and Susan Spero, son-in-law, John Berton, and grandchildren Kiersten Spero Berton and Nathan Spero Berton. Although she only attended Wellesley for two years, she always considered herself a “Wellesley woman.” She graduated from The Ohio State University. She chaired the home economics department at Otterbein University, where she founded and was the curator of the Otterbein Historic Costume Collection. Her passions included her family, Jane Austen, gardening, Planned Parenthood, and as a confessed fabric-holic, anything to do with fabric.

Margaret Spero, daughter

Eleanor Stone Fina ’46, born Feb. 27, 1925, in Milwaukee, died on Nov. 15, 2025. She lived a long life marked by warmth, dedication, and service. She was a devoted mother of three and an active contributor to her communities, offering her time and insight to the American School of Milan, the Hollin Hills Civic Association, Meals on Wheels, the League of Women Voters, and advocacy efforts supporting women’s rights. As a caring partner throughout Tom Fina’s distinguished State Department career, she embraced years of life abroad with grace, kindness, and exceptional hospitality, enriching all who knew her. She was proud to have attended Wellesley and often spoke to her family about it, as well as attending many reunions over the years.

Nancy Fina, daughter

Sally Martyn Lacy ’50 died on Oct. 17, 2025, at 97. A talented artist, she drew and made notations about what she saw in nature. A devoted equestrian, she spent the last years of her life riding her pony, Hope. At 90, she completed the Century Club Ride, a judged dressage test. Sally was a skilled sheepdog handler, competing in sheepdog trials throughout the U.S. and Canada. She was the first woman to compete against men in the U.S. Border Collie Handlers Association National Finals. She lived on a farm in New Hampshire with husband Thomas Bowditch Lacy. After his death, Sally moved to Jericho Center, Vt., next door to her son, Charles Lacy, and his wife, Gaye Symington. She leaves behind an extended family of children and grandchildren and many friends and admirers.

Jean Archibald ’50

Nancy “Nan” Jones Stevens ’51 died peacefully on Oct. 3, 2025, in New Hampshire, where she had been living close to her younger daughter for the past year. After graduation, she earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Harvard, married a Harvard Law School graduate, and taught in Massachusetts. She was the mother of five children; she fostered children as well. In the 1960s, she earned a second master’s degree, in education of the visually handicapped, from the University of Pittsburgh, subsequently teaching in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Always proud to be a Wellesley alumna, she loved books, dogs, gardening, music, Bible study, crossword puzzles, birds, and helping people. Nan leaves four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Melanie Wicker, daughter

Margaret “Mardie” Gleason Zehner ’52 died peacefully on July 20, 2025, in Newtown Square, Pa. She was 95. Mardie was a music major at Wellesley. She earned a J.D. from Villanova Law School in 1992. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Louis Zehner, Jr., and is survived by her four sons and their wives. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Mardie served as president of the League of Women Voters of Radnor Township and served as president of the Main Line Unitarian Church. She was always positive, graceful, warm, and intrepid.

Jon Zehner, son

Elizabeth “Pebble” Stone Potter ’53 passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2025. She had recently celebrated her 94th birthday. Elizabeth was a proud member of the Wellesley class of 1953. She loved the College, and her many friends from that time remained close throughout her life. Her education at Wellesley inspired a lifetime of teaching girls, most notably a nearly 40-year career at the Chapin School in New York City. Elizabeth is survived by her sons, her daughters-in-law, her grandchildren, and most recently a great-grandson. We all will miss her dearly.

Nick Potter, son

Martha Tuttle Shannon ’53, 93, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on Sept. 8, 2025, surrounded by family. Martha was born in Summit, N.J., graduating from Summit High School in 1949. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wellesley. She spent her life volunteering and working for various civic organizations. She was elected to the Spokane City Council in 1978, and then to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in Washington, D.C. (1991–1995; 1999–2001). She worked as a development director for local and national public radio. She is survived by her three children and three grandchildren.

Kimberly Shannon, daughter

Beverly Simpson ’54 died in Marblehead, Mass., on Aug. 30, 2025. We met as freshmen in Navy House, roomed together as sophomores in Beebe, and remained good friends for 75 years. Warm, funny, and smart, Bev was devoted to Wellesley. In our junior year, she arranged a blind date between me and LeRoy Malouf from MIT. We are still together 72 years later! During that significant period of time, we spent many wonderful occasions visiting with Bev at her Commonwealth Avenue digs, where her Wellesley sisterhood hospitality was always on display. Her death leaves a big void in our hearts.

Antoinette “Toni” Antoine Malouf ’54

Luanne Law Sukenik ’54 died on Oct. 31, 2025, at the age of 93 years. She was at peace and in the company of those who loved and adored her. She was the epitome of grace, kindness, and love that spurred on generations of engineers and rebels, artists and lawyers, accountants and architects, business leaders and overall achievers. The impact she made on this world will be felt for generations with the unbridled love she instilled throughout her grateful family.

Bob Sukenik, son

Eleanor “Lannie” Burritt McNichols ’56 died in spring 2025 in Omaha, Neb. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Col. William L. “Larry” McNichols, a son, a daughter, and two grandsons. She served as president of many boards including the Wellesley College Alumnae Association, the National Society of Colonial Dames of Nebraska, and her neighborhood association (including Warren Buffett) and received a key to the city. She was active in the Symphony Debutante Ball, Junior League, historical preservation, and church. She taught special education, was an audiologist, and prepared taxes for 20 years. She loved Wellesley College and her get-togethers with her Munger friends.

Elizabeth McNichols, daughter

Norma Ruth Hewett Johnson ’57 died on Aug. 6, 2025, in her home in Commerce, Texas, at 90. Norma completed the University of Oklahoma and later earned a doctorate in education at East Texas State University. For 16 years, she enthusiastically taught sixth grade. She loved words, history, and politics (she never missed a vote!) and was a regular in the local book club. She enjoyed quilting, calligraphy, and painting, and found joy in poetry. Near her kitchen table was the latest Wellesley magazine. Two daughters, her son-in-law, and three granddaughters survive her.

Amy Johnson, daughter

Phyllis Beck Katz ’58 died on Sept. 5, 2025. Phyllis was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, mentor, and author of numerous works in classics and poetry. Phyllis received a degree in English literature from Wellesley, a master’s in Greek from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in classics from Columbia University. She had a long and distinguished teaching career in both classics and English and won many accolades. Wellesley, where she made many lifelong friends, played a significant role in Phyllis’s life. She will be hugely missed by everyone who met her. We shared a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Myra Warren Isenhart ’58
Amy Katz Schick ’87, daughter

Judith Collison Foss ’63 died in March 2025. In 1963, following graduation, we went to Europe, visiting Judy’s relatives in Sweden and mine in Holland. It was an unforgettable, adventure-filled time that cemented our friendship for a lifetime. Judy, with husband Peter, settled in Yarmouth, Maine, where she became well known for her involvement in community affairs. A member of the school board for a number of years, she later ran for a seat in the Maine state legislature, where she remained for five terms. She was an active legislator even though she was a member of the minority party, often challenging the speaker of the house. In 1994, she was unsuccessful in her bid for governor, but that didn’t stop her from staying involved in politics. Hers was a moderate conservative voice that demanded to be heard.

Harriet Rinse Whalen ’63

Margaret “Maggie” Fleischer Kaufman ’63 died of Alzheimer’s on Jan. 3, 2025, after a long, good life of poetry, teaching, service, and friendship. A great storyteller, Margaret published multiple books of poetry, many with Janus Press, and a novella, Where Somebody Waits. She was witty, irreverent, and kind. Born in St. Louis, she was a resident of Kentfield, Calif. She was a founding member of Sixteen Rivers Press, served on numerous boards in San Francisco, and helped make the world a better place. She is survived by her children Jennifer Kaufman ’92 and Richard Kaufman. Her daughter Alisa Kaufman Rubel predeceased her.

Jennifer Kaufman ’92, daughter

Lynn Dusinberre ’67 died in Maryland on Nov. 17, 2025, at age 79. After graduation, Lynn moved to Washington, D.C. She enjoyed working for the Labor Department for many years until, at age 38, her life was interrupted by mental illness. Lynn chose to be open about her illness. Her sister Jill wrote, “Lynn was determined, in spite of her mental illness, to be a productive person. She supported many humanitarian and conservation causes. She was an avid supporter of NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), a member of the Montgomery County Women’s Democratic Club, and donated to many causes. She was a generous person who believed strongly in justice.” The grace and dignity with which Lynn faced her challenges are an inspiration to us all.

Leigh Hallingby ’67

Andrea Craig Roth ’68 of Richmond, Calif., passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 17, 2025. Born in Hot Springs, Ark., Andrea lived a life full of creativity, curiosity, and connection. A gifted photographer, writer, and artist, she worked at several newspapers and pursued art in many forms. A longtime Buddhist practitioner and student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, she was deeply devoted to her spiritual community. Andrea will be remembered for her strength, independence, humor, and warmth. She is survived by her son, Justin Roth, and a loving extended family and circle of friends.

Justin Roth, son

Linda Laning Shearman ’69 passed away on Nov. 22, 2025. We remember her smile, her pride in her family, and her love of sports, her garden, and church. Our lifelong friendships with Linda started for one of us in the 4th grade. We remember shared ski trips, travels abroad, weddings, and Sunday brunches in the post-Wellesley shared house in Washington, D.C. Linda remained positive and upbeat even under the most trying circumstances. She was a great and understanding friend, always available, and a good listener as well as advisor. In 1976, Linda gifted a snake plant to one of us; 50 years later, it is over four feet tall, a living reminder of the wonderful person who sent it.

Peggy Czyzak-Dannenbaum ’69, Janis Adkins Ennis ’69, Spenta Captain Kandawalla ’69, Margie Sondheim Kelk ’69, Eleanor Horsey Ridley ’69, Deborah Bowe Reagan ’69, Bonnie Sontag ’69, and Karen Williamson ’69

Nancy Williams Bryant ’71 died of respiratory failure on her 76th birthday, Aug. 30, 2025. She had had a stroke in 2018, and meningitis subsequently. A music major, Nancy enjoyed the choir and the madrigal group. A graduate degree in library science led to positions at the John F. Kennedy Library, Radio City Music Hall, the Morehouse School of Medicine, and the CDC. She also had a career as a professional choral singer. She was married to composer Curtis Bryant for 46 years, and was able to travel to Hawai‘i last December for her son Colman’s wedding. She followed her mother (Emma Clark Williams ’42) and her sister (Dodie Williams Headington ’66) to Wellesley. Nancy’s spirit and warmth were always remarkable, never more than in her last years.

Frances Fowler Slade ’71
Dodie Williams Headington ’66, sister

Lucille Beth Bearon ’72 died on Oct. 21, 2025. Luci was a loving wife, adoring mother, and caring friend. She was a distinguished gerontologist and champion for older adults for more than 50 years. She was a pioneer in the field of positive aging and an expert on the topics of grandparents raising grandchildren and family caregiving. After studying sociology at Wellesley, Luci continued her education at Penn (M.A., 1973) and Duke (Ph.D., 1982). Luci cherished her connections to the Wellesley community and even inspired me to attend Wellesley. Her inquisitiveness, empathy, and good sense of humor will be dearly missed.

Sarah Jane Huber ’14, daughter

Jane Sanford Stabile ’73 of Cambridge, Mass., formerly of Wayland, Mass., died at age 72 on July 23, 2025, at home with her family. She was a hospital administrator, tax accountant, gym manager, and improv and stand-up comedy performer. Jane was also a world champion powerlifter, an inspiration to many women who took her lead to pursue the sport. Jane loved her church, First Parish in Cambridge, and served on several of its boards and committees, including during difficult transition periods like COVID. Jane also loved her family, and she is survived by her husband of 50 years, Larry, daughters Marianne, Paula, and Kim, and grandsons Noah, Miles, and Reid.

Larry Stabile, husband

Loretta “Lori” Seyer ’77 went to heaven on June 18, 2025, having battled uterine cancer and other medical issues. She studied medieval history, film, and economics at Wellesley and through the MIT exchange. In her early post-college years she was editor of the Catholic Twin Circle and later founded the Catholic Faith & Family publication. Lori was my sophomore roommate in Severance, and I will never forget her wit, intelligence, and endless reading of news magazines, and books into the night. She enjoyed Shakespeare Society, crew, hiking, and skiing. She gave me the book The Priest With Dirty Clothes, which I recommend.

Trudi Berlin Hays ’77

Victoria “Vicky” Leslie Austin ’79 passed away on Nov. 12, 2025, in Castro Valley, Calif. Over the course of her life Vicky was an activist, bridge player, rower, voracious reader, children’s basketball coach, college professor, pickleball player, fine dining food and beverage director, avid supporter of local women’s sports, salt-and-pepper shaker collector, and a mother who wore all the hats of motherhood at once for her three daughters. She was a dedicated friend, cared deeply about her family, and spoke constantly about how much her Wellesley community mattered to her throughout her life.

Zeila Henderson, daughter

Jennifer Emnett-LaMonte ’82 passed away after a long illness on May 9, 2025, with Mark Johnson, her cherished husband of 37 years, by her side. Jennie was born in Ohio, raised in Alabama, and educated at the Westover School, founded by an aunt. On campus, she was a vibrant, vivacious force of nature, and she enlivened many a class, Cazenove dinnertime discussion, Junior Show meeting, and party. She earned two master’s in history (Harvard, Lehigh) and completed coursework for a Ph.D. (Harvard). She held positions in fellowship and academic advising at Harvard, N.C. State, and Clemson. Through the years, in Raleigh, Washington, D.C., and Greenville, S.C., she and Mark hosted generations of students, government colleagues, friends, family, mentees, godchildren, and others. Their homes were filled with love, laughter, books, stimulating discussion, and many dogs. She loved and was loved by many.

Jean McCormick ’82

Diane Holmes Anderson ’94 was born on May 15, 1972, and died in 2025. An effervescent, transcendent Wellesley woman, she was a wife, mother, proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and a phenomenal friend. After graduating from Wellesley in 1994, she received an M.F.A. from Columbia University. She was a lover of people and truly beloved. Her drive, ebullience, faith, and devotion both to her daughter, Isabelle “Isa” Anderson, and her mother, Isabelle “Izzy” Holmes, were prominent anchors in her life. Although her time in this world was too brief, her presence continues to resound in the hearts of those privileged to have known her.

Kristi Jordan Graham ’94

Barbara Colonna, a beloved member of the Wellesley College community, died peacefully at home on Thanksgiving Day 2025. Last year marked Barbara’s 50th anniversary working at Wellesley. Her favorite role was taking care of her “ladies,” as she affectionately called her Wellesley Fund class representatives. She loved everything about Wellesley, including the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks she fed daily in the Academic Quad. At the 2025 Wellesley College Alumnae Association annual meeting, Barbara was made an honorary member of the association. She said it was the happiest day of her life. Barbara did not wish for any services after her passing, so we are respecting that wish, but we will always keep her in our hearts.

Amy Burke, senior director of annual giving programs