Anne Loeb Ratner ’44 died at her home on Dec. 1, 2021, aged 99. The fourth of six women in our family to attend Wellesley, she was a proud alumna, active in her local chapter, and attending most reunions. Her freshman roommate, Lila Manfield Sapinsley, became a lifelong friend. A vivid College memory was at her 25th reunion in 1969, hearing an impressive young Hillary Rodham give her graduation speech. Anne married my father, Milton, in 1946 and spent most of her life in Tenafly, N.J. They had three children and four grandchildren. Her passions included trips to Jones Beach in her convertible, politics, tennis, travel, and French food. We will miss her sense of humor, unflagging curiosity about the world, and devotion to family and friends.

Judy Ratner ’73, daughter

Anne Noland Winslow ’44 died on Dec. 4, 2021. We were friends together at Springhouse, a senior housing facility in Jamaica Plain, Mass. She noticed that I, too, was a Wellesley graduate. She had an interesting career, and married and lived in the Boston area. She was an active member of the Alumnae Association and of The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., where she was a champion curler. She was a history major at Wellesley and was interested in civic affairs. She always had her nose in a book involving historical information. Here at Springhouse, we played bridge; she was a skilled player. We enjoyed each other’s company. May she rest in peace.

Eleanor Fisher Kaplan ’42

Laurel Cutler ’46 passed away on Nov. 28, 2021, just days short of her 95th birthday. A philosophy major at Wellesley, she was a childhood radio performer, journalist, novelist, corporate executive, and public company director, opening doors for generations of women to follow. She was a member of Wellesley’s Marketing Committee, which addressed the challenge the College faced from the newly coed Ivies. Her solution in 1983—communicate that Wellesley provided an exceptional educational experience for all young women. Laurel was also a founding member of the Business Leadership Council and received Wellesley’s highest honor in 1990, the Alumnae Achievement Award. Most of all, Laurel was a great friend and mentor, a mom so proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter.

Claudine Malone ’63
Lois Juliber ’71

Susan “Sue” Morse Allen ’47 died of natural causes on Jan. 25 in Los Angeles. Born in Cleveland, she attended Hathaway Brown School and majored in economics at Wellesley. After the war, she taught English at Robert College in Istanbul, where she met her husband, Frederick Allen. Sue taught at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Mass., then in New Jersey and DC, and finally settled in Los Angeles, where she earned a master’s in special education from UCLA. She was proud to serve as president of the L.A. Planned Parenthood Guild and the Wellesley College Club of Los Angeles. She is survived by her husband of 72 years; her children, Warren (Sally), Katherine (Andrew), and Peter; four granddaughters, one grandson, three great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Katherine Allen, daughter

Mary Alice Cary Shepard ’48 died on Dec. 12, 2021. After graduation, Mary Alice married Frederick Shepard. In 1954, Mary Alice and Frederick were commissioned as missionaries for the United Church Board for World Ministries. Their work took them to Syria, Turkey, and Cyprus; during those years, Mary Alice was predominantly a teacher. In 1983, they moved to Ashland, Ore., where they continued to teach part-time at the college level. They moved to Uplands Retirement Village in Pleasant Hill, Tenn., in 1997, where they were surrounded by an active and loving community. Mary Alice will be remembered as a loving mother of four; a loyal, equal partner to Frederick, who predeceased her; and a devout Christian. Always ready for a new adventure, book to discuss, or project to tackle, she had boundless energy and was a lifelong learner.

Margaret Mahoney, daughter

Rev. Vivienne Harmon Chapman ’49 passed peacefully on Dec. 7, 2021. Vivienne married Sydney Theodore “Ted” Guild, Jr., the day after her college graduation. (They divorced in 1977.) Vivienne, mother of four, had a fierce intellect and enjoyed theater, opera, dance, cooking, gardening, and sewing; she was a trained singer and avid hiker. She had a long career as a teacher, teaching in public and private high schools and for a community college. Always active in the Unitarian Universalist church, often as director of religious education, Vivienne was ordained as a minister in Lubbock, Texas.

Katherine Guild, daughter

Virginia Herrmann Ray ’49 passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2021. She was born in Rochester, Minn., the third of four daughters, to Dr. S.F. and Myrle Herrmann in 1927. She is survived by three children and one grandchild. After spending her early years in Tacoma, Wash., and graduating from Wellesley, she married, raised three children, and worked as a school librarian. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing in string quartets. After 40 years in the East, she returned to the Northwest. In Port Angeles, Wash., she was active in the music community and a hiking club.

Ginger Ray, daughter

Ann Sylvester Collins ’49 passed away on Jan. 19. She was a past president of the Washington Wellesley Club and was active in Wellesley club activities. The daughter of Wellesley alumna Frances E. Sylvester, class of 1925, Ann took great pride in the fact that daughter Wendy Collins Perdue ’75 and granddaughter Madelena Collins ’18 also graduated from Wellesley. Ann was a lifelong lover of art, music, poetry, and literature. She was a docent at the Corcoran Gallery and the National Museum of Asian Art for over 30 years. Her husband of 68 years, Capt. John T. Collins, died in 2016.

Wendy Collins Perdue ’75

Marsha Moffat York Solmssen ’51 died at home in Bryn Mawr, Pa., on Dec. 12, 2021. “Tuppie” Solmssen, as she was called by everyone, started Intervention Associates, a pioneering form of nonprofit health care service, managed by social workers who found solutions for those with few options. Tuppie graduated from the Annie Wright Seminary in Tacoma, Wash., in 1947 and won a full scholarship to Wellesley. She and her husband, Arthur R.G. Solmssen (Harvard ’50), a Philadelphia lawyer and novelist, lived in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and raised three sons.

Peter Solmssen, son

Susan Stampfer Heller Marcus ’51 died on Jan. 14. My mother and I were 25 years apart at Wellesley, so we shared special reunions. She cared about the St. Louis Wellesley Book Club and stayed in touch with her classmates around the country and her local Wellesley friends. She was a lifelong learner, an adapter of new technologies from Uber to Zoom to Instacart. In recent years, she mentored immigrants via Zoom to improve their English. She loved reading, the Food Network, attending opera performances with me, and staying connected with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

Betsy Heller Cohen ’76, daughter

Carroll Leilani Schuman ’53 died on March 9, 2020, in Honolulu. We chose Leilani to be in our class’s Tree Day Court our senior year. She was one of those rare persons who is beautiful but doesn’t seem to know it. In our informal poetry workshop senior year, she wrote poems about Hawaiian legends, and she taught our poetry group how to pronounce Hawaiian words. Only 12 letters in the alphabet; just say each vowel by itself. Many Hawaiian children have native middle names, and Leilani’s meant heavenly flower. Bing Crosby’s song “Sweet Leilani” could have been written just for her. Aloha nui loa.

Lorine Anderson Parks ’53

Helaine Levy Cohen ’54 died on Jan. 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz. An award-winning realtor, crack bridge player, passionate skier, avid reader, and music lover, “Lainie” met her husband, Jess—a Harvard Law School student—on a blind date on her 18th birthday. For the rest of their years-long courtship, she used Jess’ rubber stamp (of approval?) to sign out of the dorm on their dates. Married for 67 years, the couple traveled extensively, raised two daughters in the Minneapolis area, built their dream house in Grand Junction, Colo., then settled into an active retirement in Scottsdale, Ariz. A life well-lived.

Eleanor Reeves Hoffman ’54

Jean Murphy Howard ’54 died on Dec. 14, 2021, in Boston after a brief illness. A former teacher and hotel executive, Jean will be remembered by her Wellesley classmates for her frequent lead roles in drama club productions and for being an active part of the French corridor. Two years ago, she enjoyed her 65th class reunion. She had been a longtime resident of Old Lyme, Conn., before moving recently to Plymouth, Mass., to be near her daughter. She leaves two children and four grandchildren.

Lee Howard, son

Barbara Booth Moses ’56 died on Feb. 12 in Venice, Fla. After Wellesley, she earned a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Iowa. Together with her husband, Harry, she established welcoming homes in Wellesley Hills; Toronto; Northbrook, Ill. (where she became an excellent curler and served as President of the U.S. Women’s Curling Association); and Rockport, Maine (joining the staff of the Farnsworth Art Museum), before an active retirement in Venice 18 years ago. Barb was a proud daughter of Wellesley and a leader in alumnae activities. She was a wonderful, caring friend whose love and concern for others will be sorely missed by them. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, son John, daughter Julianne, one beloved grandson, and her mourning Pomeroy roommate.

Sally True Haggett ’56

Lois Ann Fraser McCartney ’56 passed away from Alzheimer’s on Sept. 15, 2021. Lois married James Robert McCartney on June 26, 1954, while at Wellesley and earned her B.A. in economics in 1956. She earned a master’s in social work from Adelphi University in 1974 and had a fulfilling career as a social worker, but her greatest joy was her husband and four children. Lois is survived by her husband, Jim, as well as her children and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren (all girls!). Lois always said, “How lucky are we?!” We were lucky to have her in our lives. She will be remembered for her kindness, wisdom, and gentle but strong nature.

Patricia O’Connor, daughter

Eleanor Jane Zurn Hutt ’56, B.A. art history, of Washington, D.C., died on Jan. 23 at age 87. A native of Erie, Pa., Ellie worked after graduation as an editor for D.C. Heath and Co. in Boston and Golden Press in New York City, where she helped edit the Little Golden Books series. Once married, she focused on volunteer work, including for Planned Parenthood and Sidwell Friends School, which her four children attended. Ellie was an accomplished cook who loved architecture, jazz, all types of gatherings, and travel. Her family and many friends remember Ellie for her inexhaustible kindness and unfailing sense of humor and style.

Katherine Hutt Scott ’83, daughter

Paula Kaplan Hawkins ’57 died on Jan. 7 after a long illness. Paula grew up in Flint, Mich., and after Wellesley became a diehard New Yorker. Her lifelong interest in art benefited Wellesley through her participation in the Friends of Art National Committee and as chair of the NY FOA. Professionally, Paula served as development consultant for New York’s Cities and Schools Project, the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Big Apple Circus, Auburn Seminary, and the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Paula is survived by her husband, Eliot Hawkins, her daughters, and members of her blended and extended families.

Nicki Newman Tanner ’57

Ruth “Tucker” Ayers Harris ’59 died on Dec. 27, 2021, in Washington, D.C., from complications of multiple myeloma. Tucker was a beloved leader at Wellesley, in Washington, and in Michigan. She was also a woman of courage and conviction. After retiring from social work, she worked on education for underserved youth, environmental protection, and the arts. Love of art and nature ran deep. She and her husband, Jack, conserved lands and waters in northern Michigan, and Tucker developed into a skilled pastel and watercolor artist. She traveled, she painted, she kayaked, she swam, she laughed. She embraced life, her friends, and especially her family. She was an exemplar, a force for good, and so much fun! The world is a better place because of our friend, Tucker.

Rosamond Brown Vaule ’59

Jane Waddell Baker ’60 died on Feb. 5, 2021. Jane earned an M.A. from Manhattanville College and in retirement enjoyed traveling. Jane was intelligent, indomitable, generous, and stoic. She was a practical, talkative, gracious, direct, and dignified grammarian, a trait she inherited and passed on. She was devoted to and proud of everyone in her family; her grandson, however, was her pride and joy and her favorite topic of conversation. Jane is survived by her sister, Betsy Waddell Benzel ’58; her daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Richard McGowan; and her grandson, Ian R. McGowan.

Wendy McGowan, daughter

Katherine Ann “Kathy” Kitch Hagerman ’61 died on Jan. 17. Kathy’s formative years were split between Wichita, Kan., and New Mexico. At Wellesley, Kathy was known for her musical talents, guitar slung over her shoulder, and her role as the minstrel in The Minstrel’s Tale. After marrying Bud Hagerman (who predeceased her in 2014), she became a permanent resident of Santa Fe. During her lifetime in New Mexico, she worked in farming and ranching, as well as in education, research, and writing. Kathy was an observer, citizen scientist, volunteer, and scholar. She was an avid reader, a friend, and an outdoorswoman—in other words, a Renaissance woman. Kathy is survived by her daughter, two sons, and two grandsons.

Anne Marie Hagerman Wall, daughter

Lynn Kraemer Goldfarb ’61 died on Dec. 12, 2021. Lynn was a trailblazer who paired traditional and modern sensibilities in the workplace, community, and home. At Wellesley, she was inspired by Carolyn Shaw Bell to challenge glass ceilings in the business world. Lynn is fondly remembered for her hallmark graciousness, tenacity, and energy. After serving as an executive in several corporations, she founded L.K. Goldfarb & Associates, a successful business consulting firm. Lynn touched the lives of many, not only by mentoring young professionals, but also by generously supporting Wellesley College and many cultural and religious institutions in the Portland, Maine, area. Less well-known were her delectable skills as a baker.

Leah Beth Byer ’87, daughter
James Goldfarb, son

Marcia Bell de Garmo ’64, my dear friend, died at home in Santa Fe, N.M., on June 28, 2021. She and George raised their children, Jennifer and Andrew, in Washington, D.C. With enormous drive and commitment to causes—a force of nature—she energized the alumni program at Potomac School and founded several environmental organizations in Virginia to restrain unbridled growth through passionate, person-to-person political activism. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2009, she worked valiantly to delay it with exercise, boxing, and choir, while helping to organize local support groups and maintaining her many, often far-flung, friendships.

Sally Wiard Barlow ’64

MaryEllen “Pix” Carlson ’67 died on Sept. 22, 2020. Pix was a quiet, warm, and kind member of the Tower Court ’67 group. Her door was always open. She welcomed conversations with friends and enjoyed being part of our corridor posse. Pix also became fond of my parents, who lived nearby. After graduation, few of her Tower Court friends heard from Pix, but she did write to my mother from time to time. My sense from these letters is that Pix faced some serious challenges. I know that others from our class remember Pix, as I do, with both affection and sadness.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Gesmer Gitter ’67

Christine Young ’67 died on Aug. 27, 2016. After Wellesley, she went to the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Ph.D. in American civilization. Christine become a history instructor and the dean at William Smith College, a private women’s school associated with Hobart College for men. During her 10 years there, she worked against the trend for women’s colleges to become coeducational. Christine had become convinced that effective colleges for women are essential alternatives in American higher education. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she designed and administered grant programs as vice president of the Consortium for the Advancement of Private Higher Education.

Donna-Belle “D-B” Nelson Garvin ’67

Jean Arrington ’68 (Ph.D., Rutgers) died at home in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Jan. 5. After Peace Corps service and marriage, she had a long career as professor of English at Peace College in Raleigh, N.C. In 2005, Jean moved to New York, where, eventually, all three of her daughters and her two granddaughters lived. Jean made the city her own: food vendors, Metropolitan operas, and much in between. She brought the legacy of a forgotten school architect to light in her 2022 book, From Factories to Palaces: Charles B.J. Snyder and the New York City Public Schools. Jean kept in close touch with Wellesley classmates at reunions on and off campus. May her love of learning and teaching and her warmth and joy in life live on through those who loved her.

Jill Vickers ’68

Linda Jane Haines ’69 died on Feb. 27. Linda Jane and I met as lab partners in a freshman physics class. I may have helped pull her through physics, but Linda Jane gave me a much-expanded set of friends from her dorm, and with considerably better people skills than I, taught me a lot about interacting with and befriending professors. She became a lifelong friend of my whole family, much loved by my parents and siblings. My kid brother remembers her fondly as the one among numerous girlfriends of his much older sisters who genuinely enjoyed having a 10-year-old boy tagging along. That love of children shone throughout her medical practice and in the wise yet fun-loving way she raised a most excellent son, Ben.

Gail Suzedell Saxton ’69

Mary “Nicki” Humphries ’70 died unexpectedly on Jan. 26. After graduation, Nicki attended law school at the University of Virginia. Her legal career of 42 years was in Baltimore and included senior positions at the offices of the Maryland attorney general and Baltimore city solicitor, and as well as general counsel and senior vice president of the University of Maryland Medical System. Nicki was fun and funny, endlessly curious, a voracious reader, an avid lifelong learner, a puzzler, a dog lover, and a political junkie. She is survived by her husband, Jack Tranter, and children Rachel and Matthew.

Elizabeth Trimble ’70

Lisa B. Hurwitz Enfield ’77 died on Feb. 11. Always exuberant, Lisa was riding her bike on her 66th birthday in Boca Raton, Fla., when she was struck by a truck and died instantly. She leaves behind a large, loving family, including two grandchildren with a third on the way. Lisa exemplified Wellesley’s motto, Non Ministrari sed Ministrare, always getting things done with her endless energy and enthusiasm. In her 40 years as an immigration attorney, she helped so many start new lives in this country. She was a community leader in South Florida, where she had a passion for Jewish cultural education and humanitarian aid to Israel. At reunion, we’ll enjoy fond memories of Severance, salsa music, love of language, and snowy days with native Floridian Lisa B. She left the world a better place.

Robyn Frey ’77
Alison Heiserman Akant ’77

Annabell Alegria ’85 died at home, surrounded by family, on Dec. 17, 2021. She refused to be defined by cancer, and spent the 11 years she lived with it focusing on continued work and service, escapades with family and friends, wellness, and gratitude. As a friend, parent, partner, alumna, lawyer, municipal court judge, mediator, and mentor for many colleagues and clients, Annabell helped wherever she could. At Wellesley, she was a beautiful, lively presence, driving from south Texas in her white Mustang (Sir Kay), loving her political science curriculum, and galvanized by the ways it connected to her family and life in a border town. She was deeply respected in Brownsville for her community service and her frank, no-nonsense approach to family law and mediation. In her own words, “I have been loved well and have loved well. Con amor, Annabell.”

Erica Harvey ’85
Andrea Sahlin ’85
Felix Recio, husband

Buvana Ramaswamy ’89 passed away from cancer on Jan. 16 in the comfort of family. As a geologist working on water resources, she contributed to projects whose solutions had significant social impact. Buvana’s rich professional life matched her abundant personal life as a friend, sister, daughter, mother to Maya Sullivan ’20 and Tara, and wife to Bob. No matter the adventure—traveling, going for a long bike ride, playing tennis, or sharing a meal—it was a gift to have Buv in our lives and know the feeling of being enveloped by her warm laughter and smile.

Meg Smolenski Ramsdell ’89

Sandra Kristensen Rapp ’91 passed peacefully on Dec. 20, 2021, after living with cancer for over two years. At the center of her life were family, the arts, nature, and kindness. She made those closest to her feel heard and seen for who they are. Pragmatic, smart, and unpretentious, she brought a gentle smile and elegance to every encounter. A biology major, she went on to a master’s program in art history and arts administration at Temple University. While working at the Worcester Art Museum, she met the love of her life, Carl. Together, they raised two daughters, Emma and Charlotte, in the Philadelphia area. Sandra also worked in development and grant writing for many great nonprofit organizations. Sandra’s friends will always remember her kindness, sincerity, smile, and laughter.

Jennifer Bookstein Driker ’91

Anne Bernadette Manning, 63, of Ashland, Mass., passed peacefully, her sons by her side, on Feb. 6 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A former cancer survivor, Anne unfortunately succumbed to the disease only days after receiving a recurrent diagnosis. Anne was a dedicated staff member of Wellesley for 34 years, beginning her career at the College as head of house. Anne always worked to positively impact the lives of students, staff, and faculty. Most recently, working in Library and Technology Services, Anne provided technical leadership and expertise to many departments within Student Life and Auxiliary Services. Anne served on the College’s Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504 and Phi Beta Kappa committees, and was a member of the Library & Technology diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

Nephellie Dobie, assistant CIO, Wellesley College