Virginia “Ginny” Whittemore Packer ’43 died peacefully at home on Feb. 5. She was born on July 23, 1922, in Pittsburgh. She majored in political science at Wellesley. Following graduation, Ginny worked in Washington, D.C., for the State Department, one of the first women to enter at the “professional” level. After the war, she married Charles W. Packer and moved to suburban Chicago. There, she raised three children and stayed active in Episcopal church outreach, as well as starting an antique silver business with her husband. Free time was often spent sailing or gardening. Throughout her life, she carried fond memories of Wellesley.

Bliss Packer, daughter

Fannie Pike Guion ’46 died on April 6. Begin with a strong faith in God. Add a 51-year marital relationship (terminated by the death of her husband, Ced Guion). Mix in four children, 10 grands, and seven great-grandchildren. Throw in liberal doses of humor, cheerfulness, and wisdom. And finally, factor in the je ne sais quoi that makes a person unique, and you have the formula for Fannie Pike Guion. She lived 95 years on this strange planet, and while we are left to mourn, we are blessed to have been called her children. Rest in peace, Mom.

Andrea Guion Goodpasture, daughter

Marilyn Hoopes McKeown ’47 died on April 2. Marilyn (aka Hoopsie) majored in physics at Wellesley. After graduation, she went immediately to work at the Brookhaven National Lab, where she met her husband, Michael. Marilyn was a trailblazer throughout life. She completed two master’s degrees, one in physics and a second in math. She lived an active life raising four daughters. She started running in her 50s and completed four NYC marathons by age 70. She made a lifelong commitment to the Bellport Methodist Church in 1947. Marilyn was widowed in 2013 and moved to Jefferson’s Ferry retirement community.

Chris McKeown Burry, daughter

Nancy Mueller Barnhart ’47 passed away peacefully on March 18 in Williamsburg, Va. Kenneth “Barney” preceded her in death in 2008. Together, they raised three boys. Nancy was an active participant in the Wellesley clubs in New York and New Jersey and in her two senior communities. Nancy traveled to the corners of the globe with her husband and sons. Always even-keeled she will be missed by her family, friends, and admirers. She comforted us all when she said she had a wonderful life with no regrets. Survivors include her children, Kenneth Barnhart III (Nancy) of Williamsburg, Va., Scott Barnhart (Ourania) of Seattle, Gary Barnhart (Barbara) of Greenville, S.C., four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Gary Barnhart, son

Elizabeth “Betty” Broback Bagger ’50 passed away peacefully on April 15. Betty was a Spanish major, and the language and culture of Spain and Latin America remained important to her. She married Donald Bagger in 1952 and returned to her hometown of Westfield, N.J., to raise four children. In 1962, she and Don purchased an 18th-century farmhouse in Westfield and, together with their children, spent the next 30 years researching and restoring the home and its gardens. In retirement, Betty became active in alumnae affairs and enjoyed traveling in Latin America and Europe and continuing her studies, especially in Spanish. She is survived by her children and nine grandchildren. She was predeceased by Don and her sister, Barbara Broback Weigel ’57.

Paula Bagger, daughter

Patricia Cox Mansfield ’51 passed away peacefully on April 1 surrounded by her family. Patty was the epitome of a loyal, enthusiastic alumna. She married Peter Mansfield, the son of Helen “Billie” Swormstedt Mansfield, executive secretary of Wellesley’s Alumnae Association. They lived in Weston, Mass., where she had a successful real estate career while raising three sons, Peter, Geoffrey, and Timothy, and daughter Pamela, Wellesley ’88. The proximity to Wellesley allowed her to audit classes and attend cultural and educational events. She served on reunion committees, was class president from 1996–2001, and co-president 2016–2021. Patty was bright, curious, funny, and strong, but above all, she was a people person who loved her family and many friends.

Mary Ann Crowell Freeman ’51
Kathanne Harter Webster ’51

Molly Anne Heath ’51 died in her sleep in Concord, Mass., on Feb. 22. She was 91 years old. She is survived by her two sons, Nicholas Morgan and Caleb Morgan, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A daughter, Sheila Morgan, predeceased her in 2008. Molly was born April 8, 1929, in Michigan to Dr. and Mrs. Parker Heath. She had a brother, Parker Jr., and a sister, Priscilla, both of whom have predeceased her. She lived in the State College, Pa., area most of her adult life. When Molly’s health began to fail in 2016, she moved back to Massachusetts. She continued to enjoy the outdoors and birdsong until the end.

Nicholas Morgan, son

Nancylu Crosthwait Bennett ’52 passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4, in Waco, Texas. Nancylu loved Wellesley. When she attended, it took more than 24 hours to travel there from Waco. Nancylu graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she met and married Robert S. Bennett. Nancylu returned to Waco, where she taught Spanish at St. Paul’s Episcopal School and raised her four sons. Later, Nancylu thrived as a businesswoman. She ran a store called Papagayo that specialized in Mexican-American jewelry, folk art, and fine handcrafted goods. A fluent Spanish speaker, she loved to go to Oaxaca, Mexico, to meet the artists. Thanks in large part to Nancylu, I graduated from Wellesley, which opened doors for me I could never have imagined.

Gay Crosthwait Grunfeld ’81

Dorothea “Dot” Widmayer ’52 died on March 6. It was my good fortune to live in Washington House my freshman year and to meet Dottie Widmayer my first day as a freshman, 73 years ago. Dottie was always a good friend and ready for fun, as well as for the academic challenges of Wellesley. I stayed in touch with Dottie over the years and kept up with her many accomplishments in academia. She would greet us at our reunions with a smile and a hug. When our class tree went missing one year, Dottie found it! ’52 will miss our jewel, Dottie Widmayer.

Nancy Liberman Ratliff ’52

Alison Morse Shipman ’53 died on March 28, 2019. Alison worked in New York after Wellesley, where she met her husband, Bill Shipman. His job at Bowdoin took them to Maine in 1957. Alison put her love of reading to work as a school librarian. She and Bill spent weekends renovating an old house and spent summers camping out west. By the time they retired in 1992, both kids were settled in Seattle, and the folks knew where to go. Alison spent the next 25 years traveling, gardening, reading, and watching the grandkids grow up. After Bill died, she moved to a community where she made friends, joined book groups, and attended concerts. For her, it was just like heading off to Wellesley!

Hugh Shipman and Jane Kiker, children

Anne Schroeder Anderson ’53 passed away on Jan. 24. Raised outside Chicago, Anne made lifelong friends at Wellesley, through whom she met and married Bob Anderson. An art history major, Anne was a finalist in Vogue’s Prix de Paris. Bob’s Navy service took them to Naples, Italy, for two years, after which she worked for Glamour magazine before they moved to Cincinnati, where her daughter was born. They lived for many years in Darien, Conn., and later in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Los Angeles. In retirement, they split their time between Darien and Key Largo, Fla., before moving to Redding, Conn. Anne was always an active, successful artist who loved rescuing orange kittens.

Katherine Anderson O’Hara, daughter
Martha Schroeder O’Connor, sister

Pamela Hall Park ’55 passed away on March 10 in Falmouth, Mass. Pam met her husband, Harley, when they were both 14 years old and they married during her senior year at Wellesley. They were married over 66 years. Pam was involved with many organizations and activities. She was a substitute teacher, secretary of the Hartford Wellesley Club, and president of the Beaches Newcomers Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Pam loved gardening, traveling, and was an avid sports fan. She and Harley lived in several Eastern states and enjoyed exploring each location. Pam is survived by Harley, her three children, Kimberly, Kristin, and Steven, and three grandchildren, Andrew, Alexander, and Sarah.

Kimberly Park, daughter

Terry Schabacker Reed ’55 died on April 7. Wellesley ’55 lost one of its finest. Terry’s energetic, fun-loving personality, combined with a deep, faith-based commitment to helping those in need, led her to develop expertise in teaching and counseling. At the height of her career, she founded and directed Connecticut’s highly regarded Family ReEntry program that helped as many as 750 prisoners annually in readjusting to community and family life. As a superb counselor, as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and as a dear, loyal friend to many, Terry will live long in the hearts of those who loved her.

Dorothy Sample Hill ’55

Ellen Raab Bienstock ’61 died on March 19 after complications from COVID-19. Ellen was a brilliant, charismatic and loving person. After Wellesley, she studied art history at the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU. She treated everyone with kindness, empathy, and genuine interest. Her own interests and encyclopedic knowledge spanned everything from etymology and politics to pop culture and finding the perfect emojis for her twice-a-day texts to her daughter, Rebecca Bienstock, son-in-law Greg Daniels, and her granddaughter, Lucy. She was a phenomenal mother and created a magical upbringing filled with learning, laughter, affection, unconditional love, and exciting adventures. Ellen is predeceased by her husband Paul Bienstock, a cardiologist, who also died in March from COVID-19.

Rebecca Bienstock, daughter

Judith Lorenz Gosnell Tisdale ’62 passed away in St. Louis on April 6 after a period of declining health. Judy is remembered as a very talented bridge player in college. She was a special force not only as a friend but also as a protector of bees, birds, flowers, and the environment. An elementary school teacher, Judy taught fourth grade, art, and science for almost 40 years, eager to share her knowledge and delighting in the achievements of her many students. In more recent years, Judy served as president of the St. Louis Wellesley Club. Judy’s enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and “can do” spirit will be missed. She leaves her daughters, Miriam Murphy ’87 and Jennifer Gosnell, and granddaughter Maggie Gosnell.

Anne Ruhoff Turtle ’62

Linda Claire Mantooth Honig ’62 passed away on March 14 in Houston. Linda graduated from Wellesley with an honors degree in chemistry. She then continued her studies at Rice University, where she met her husband, Ernest, and went on to receive a master’s degree from the University of Arizona. Later in life, she became a successful realtor. Linda always enjoyed returning to Wellesley for her class reunions, and always wanted to visit campus when she was in town. She is survived by her husband, two daughters (one of them followed her to Wellesley), and one granddaughter.

Melissa Honig ’90, daughter

Elaine Pogostin Brown ’67 died of cancer on Feb. 22. With her Wellesley degree in economics, Elaine moved to the Washington, D.C., area to start her 40-year career as an analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency. She specialized in the economies of China, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. After retirement, Elaine’s deep love of the arts led her to volunteer at the Kennedy Center. She was also active in two congregations in the Jewish community. Elaine had a wonderful marriage to Marvin Brown from 1969 until his death in 2014. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie, and grandson, Bailey.

Leigh Hallingby ’67

Carol Kenna Tierney Griesemer ’69 died on March 15. Carol was in Shafer all four years and served as Vil Junior. She majored in art history. Her sense of humor and adventurous spirit were a magnet for her many friends. Carol and husband Clark’s three sons, Lewis, Kenna, and Chris, were all born while they lived in Philadelphia. Later, they moved to Denver, where Carol continued her community leadership involvement. Carol and her second husband, Jim Griesemer, met in the mid-2000s after both lost their spouses to illness. Throughout her illness with cancer, Jim and her devoted sons were always at her side, tirelessly supporting her in every way.

Helen “Missy” Bush Sittler ’69

Ivy Dreizin Edelman ’70 died on March 29. Ivy had a distinguished medical career as a neuro-ophthalmologist in private practice and as the first female clinical professor of neurology at the University of Wisconsin. During her seven years of living with cancer, she saw daughter Debbie become a psychiatrist, danced at son Josh’s wedding to Rabbi Lea Muhlstein, and traveled monthly to New York to be with Debbie’s son, Alex. She walked the whole journey with her husband, Fred Edelman, whom she met freshman year. As we would all wish for ourselves, Ivy’s two children came from Brooklyn and England to keep Ivy company for her final weeks. We and so many others will miss her.

Leandra Johnson MacDonald ’70
Peggy Adams Parker ’70

Signe Milner Martin ’73 died of ovarian cancer on Feb. 8. An English major at Wellesley and a community activist, Signe worked for the City of Hartford (Conn.) Office of Management, Budget and Grants. She also worked with her uncle, Thirman L. Milner, on his 2014 book, Up from Slavery: A History from Slavery to City Hall in New England, and volunteered as a historical interpreter at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and the Mark Twain House. Signe was a devout Buddhist and a member of Soka Gakkai International. We shared English classes, tutoring at Upward Bound, and visiting a Buddhist temple. She was a kindred spirit who radiated kindness.

Jane Potts Brell ’73