Louise Tibbetts Smith ’39 died on Dec. 29, 2023, at 105, just short of her 85th reunion. Renowned for her 1939 “Ballad of a Bold, Bad Man,” she was thrilled when the Glenn Miller Orchestra played her 1937 Junior Show song “If a Girl is Cute” at her junior prom. With a master’s in child development from the University of Chicago, she taught in day-care centers and preschools, returning to wrangle 2-year-olds in her 60s. In 2017, she received the Jessie C. McDonald Award from the Washington Wellesley Club for inspiring its community. Survivors include cousins Nancy Tomkinson Nyberg ’64 and Cynthia “Thia” Powell Barnett ’65. More details of her life were recounted in the winter 2024 class notes.

Dan Smith, son

Margaret Harris Swatek ’43 died on Jan. 3. It surprised many that Margaret came all the way from Ada, Okla., to Walnut Hill School in Natick, Mass., and then to Wellesley. After graduation, while traveling the world with Phil, her husband of 76 years, she was an active participant in Wellesley clubs in Cincinnati, Honolulu, Atlanta, Brussels, Belgium, and Washington, D.C. She particularly cherished her time as president of the Washington Wellesley Club. For several years, she served as class secretary for Wellesley magazine and found great satisfaction keeping in touch with her classmates. She attended her 75th reunion in 2018 at the age of 97.

John Swatek, son

Hester Spencer Bliven ’47 died on July 17. After graduation, she completed the management training program at Radcliffe and worked as a personnel manager in Erie, Pa. She was married to her childhood friend, Floyd, for over 50 years. They moved south in 1956, when he joined the Medical College of Georgia. Hester was active in civic affairs all her life, including board leadership with the Girl Scout Council and the Senior Citizens Council. She participated in her Episcopal church choir and local symphony and chamber music societies. Wellesley held a special place in her heart. She, her mother, Rachel Davis Spencer 1915, and her daughter, Rachel Davis Bliven ’79, were all members of yellow classes!

Rachel Davis Bliven ’79, daughter

Joan Appleton Stone ’52 died peacefully at home in Essex, Conn., at age 93, surrounded by her husband of 71 years and her four children. In her sophomore year, Joan was on Manhattan’s Fifth Ave. when a LIFE magazine photographer stopped her and asked to take her picture. When Joan wound up on LIFE’s Dec. 12, 1949, cover, she also found herself grounded. She had failed to ask permission from the Wellesley College publicity department. Around this time, Joan met a blind date, Chip Stone, at a 1949 Harvard Business School dance. Joan is survived by Chip, who calls her “the very best thing that ever happened to me.”

Susan Moorhead, daughter

Elizabeth Smith Brownstein ’52 passed away on Dec. 1, 2023, in Norway, Mich., where she was visiting our brother’s family. Her career began at CBS headquarters in New York City during the Edward R. Murrow era. For the greater part of her professional life she lived in Washington, D.C., where she worked for public television news programs for years, except for a brief time in London, where she earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations at the London School of Economics.

Virginia Smith, sister

Nancy Miller Grace ’53, founder of the Children’s Health Market and publisher of The Great Body Shop health curriculum, died on Dec. 26, 2023, near her home in Wilton, Conn. Born in Denver, Nancy loved Wellesley, meeting renowned scholars, living at Washington House and Tower Court, and being courted by Jim Grace (MIT ’52), who became her husband for of 70 years. In addition to Jim, Nancy is survived by their children, Francie, Cecelia, Jamie, Teresa, Katie, and Tim; daughters-in-law Diane D’Arrigo and Sharon Lewis Grace; and grandchildren Chloe, Tim, James, and Olivia. Nancy was predeceased by daughter-in-law Diane Day Grace.

Francie Grace, daughter

Mary Clifton “Clif” Griswold Horrigan ’54 died in Portsmouth, N.H. on Jan. 16, at the age of 92. Originally from Louisville, Ky., Clif studied chemistry at Wellesley. In 1955, she married James Horrigan, a college professor. While raising her three children, Timothy, Eleanor, and Katherine, Clif earned two master’s degrees: one in education at Notre Dame and one in hydrology from the University of New Hampshire. She worked at the University of New Hampshire and was a tireless volunteer for many environmental causes, with a deep love of the ocean and respect for all creatures, great and small.

Ellie Horrigan Spyropoulos ’80, daughter

Louise Govett Thayer ’56 passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2023, in Orleans, Mass. She was 89 years old. Louise was raised in New York and on Cape Cod. She met her future husband, Brooks Thayer, during sailing races, marrying him in 1956. Together they ran Camp Namequoit Sailing Camp for over 30 years. Her passion for food led her to write articles for the Cape Codder and publish the series Where to Eat on Cape Cod. She loved Key West, golf, and bridge, and becoming a silver master with the American Contract Bridge League. She is survived by her four sons, Brooks, Kent, Todd, and Grant, and five grandchildren.

Kent Thayer, son

Sally Blatz Wilkins ’59 of Sherborn, Mass., passed away on Jan. 3. She is survived by her husband, George Wilkins, Jr., three daughters, four grandchildren, and two siblings. During her time at Wellesley, Sally met George (Harvard ’59), made lifelong friends, and was inspired to lead a life of leadership and service. In 1980, she earned an M.B.A. from Babson at a time when few women did, later earning her C.F.P., and starting a 30-year business helping clients (many Wellesley alumnae) plan for retirement and manage their money.

Carolyn Wilkins, daughter

Ellen Farber Schmidt ’59 died on Jan. 24 in Concord, Mass. She spent the bulk of her career teaching math and computer science at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Mass., and was an inspiring teacher and mentor. Ellen raised seven children in a blended family with her husband of 50 years, Allan Schmidt, and was a loving spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a huge presence in the New England folk music and singer/songwriter communities. She nurtured many musicians/artists with her welcoming presence and encouragement, and was a talented singer/songwriter herself who recorded many CDs.

Wendy Santis, daughter

Gwendolyn “Wendy” Wilson Chittenden ’59 died at home on Dec. 7, 2023. After completing a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she taught middle school English before marrying lawyer Tom Chittenden. She raised John and Eva in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y., and earned an M.B.A. from Columbia in her late 30s. She was a financial analyst/officer at nonprofits, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Wendy was an avid reader, devoted friend, chorister, and supporter of many community organizations. She had an enduring love for Wellesley, where she found lifelong friends and a nurturing faculty that helped her heal from childhood trauma.

Eva Hall Chittenden, daughter

Virginia “Vicky” Cox Tulloch ’60 passed away peacefully on Jan. 11 at her home in Vero Beach, Fla., surrounded by her loving family. She grew up and spent much of her adult life in Summit, N.J. For the past 28 years, she divided her time between her homes in Vero Beach and Nantucket, Mass. Vicky was a passionate volunteer and was devoted to her family, especially as a loving wife to Peter for 63 years, a deeply caring and attentive mother to Peter Jr. and Rob, a fun-loving grandmother to Peter III, Elin, and Marley, and a warm-hearted big sister to her brother, Charlie.

Charlie Cox, brother

Susan Gray Detweiler ’60 died on Dec. 26, 2023. At Wellesley, Susan studied art history before continuing on to Harvard, earning her M.A. (via Radcliffe) in 1961. She worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and for 30 years was curator for the McNeil Americana Collection in Wyndmoor, Pa. Susan was the leading expert on American presidential china. Her award-winning books include George Washington’s Chinaware and American Presidential China: The Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Susan led a quiet life of dedicated community service and enjoyed spending time in her garden, her many dogs, her work in genealogy, and her daily New York Times crossword puzzles—the harder the better.

Margit Detweiler, daughter

Linda Baker Hunter ’62 died on Jan. 21. Linda’s life after Wellesley beautifully embodied the Non Ministrari sed Ministrare motto. In 1969, she landed on Maui after sailing the South Pacific, where she raised her children on a remote rustic farm. Joyfully growing plants, animals, and people became her passions. Eternally both student and teacher, she had two doctorates and three master’s degrees, and authored Images of Resiliency. She used sandplay therapy to help heal hurt children around the world, and trained hundreds of volunteers to work with her. She loved the story of the starfish, truly believing in making a difference one person at a time. Her favorite title, however, was Grandma.

Sarah O’Brien, daughter

Martha “Marty” Fetherolf Loutfi ’62 died on Feb. 12. This makes me very sad. We were in Caz freshman year. Then I went off on my “new dorm every year” adventure. But we stayed connected. We were Widows and had a wonderful time—both sophomore and junior year in Jamaica for spring break, where we met up with the Princeton Nassoons. Marty had a very pretty voice. Senior year she was the president and I was the music director. We didn’t keep in touch much, but when we met up after long spaces, it was like no time had elapsed. Marty was quiet—reserved—but strong and determined. A really smart and nice lady.

Judy Kinsey ’62

Diana Phillips Berrier ’63 passed away on Oct. 11, 2023. Diana spent her early years in Tokyo. In 1957, the family moved back to the U.S., settling in Washington, D.C. After college, she returned to Japan and taught at the Nishimachi School. She married Alain Berrier in the Philippines in 1966. They moved to Paris in 1968. Diana was an accomplished ceramic artist, creating pottery in the Japanese style. She founded and taught at Le Cheval à l’Envers and in her pottery studio in Saint-Forget, France. She was active in the Société Anthroposophique in Paris. Her husband, two sisters, two sons, and two grandchildren survive her.

Deborah Phillips Chodoff, sister

Susan Pearsall ’65 died in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 11. Susan and I were Tower Court neighbors and close friends all through college. Even then I was impressed with her intelligence, diligence, and kindness. After graduation she became a congressional aide, met and married her husband, David McCarthy, while pursuing her own graduate studies, and ultimately earned a law degree at the University of Wisconsin. Her law practice focused on the rights of migrant workers and on protecting women and children from abuse. Susan remained close to, and supportive of, her own and David’s families all her life. More than anyone I know, Susan lived the Wellesley motto, Non Ministrari sed Ministrare.

Diane Du Mond Keech ’65

Nancy Adler ’68 died on Jan. 4 in the embrace of family, friends, scientific mentees, and dear classmate Belle Huang. A world-renowned scientist, Nancy co-founded the field of health psychology, was elected to every national scientific honorary body, was a scientific advisor to NIH and vice-chair of UCSF’s departments of pediatrics and psychiatry. How she managed to be academically prolific and a loving, patient wife and mother of two thriving daughters remains a mystery—apt for a woman who embraced Nancy Drew as a role model from childhood. Invited to interview for the College’s presidency, Nancy credited Wellesley with igniting her passion for rigorous science and meeting lifelong friends from worlds very different from that of her modest Colorado childhood.

Arnold Milstein, husband

Marianne Chawluk Drumm ’69 died on Sept. 20, 2023. Marianne was a kind, gentle person whose earnestness was balanced by a lively sense of humor. A grandchild of Ukrainian immigrants, she studied Russian and political science at Wellesley and developed a lifelong bond with her advisor, Prof. Alan Schechter. After earning a Ph.D. in Russian studies at Columbia, she worked at the National Security Agency, along with her husband, Bob Drumm. She earned awards for meritorious service over her 30-year tenure at the NSA. Marianne doted on her family and left them with this inspiration: “Loving kindness is the only completely real thing in the world.”

Rebecca Fitts Lawson ’69

Cathey Sinclair Leitch ’69 died at home on April 14, 2023, after a brief battle with cholangiocarcinoma. Wellesley was special for her, and her daughter grew up singing Wellesley songs on car rides and country walks. She was admired for her joy in lifelong learning, brave leadership, and passion for supporting women. Joe’s wife for 52 years, mother of three, grandmother, three-term president of an international women’s club, Girl Scout leader, published historian, devoted friend, and adventurer who sailed the world with her husband, she will be missed.

Amy Leitch ’03, daughter
Faye Sinclair ’72, sister

Michèle Gorgodian ’80 died peacefully and unexpectedly at her home in London on Dec. 14, 2023. She majored in economics and French at Wellesley. She gained her M.B.A. from INSEAD. Michèle specialized in managing organizational change internationally through her company, Integra, and was appointed to the M.B.A. advisory board by Cass Business School in the City of London. Her latest role was as a world-class independent non-executive director. Michèle was a gifted pianist and lover of the arts, and proud of her Armenian heritage. She was a great supporter and listener, loving, kind, and generous, and is greatly missed by family and friends.

Sonia Duggan, sister

Melody Nye ’84 passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 21. A loyal and devoted daughter, she worked in Boston for a few years before returning home to Dallas to care for her parents until their final days. An art history and medieval/Renaissance studies major, Melody loved all aspects of the arts and volunteered at many art organizations and nonprofits in Dallas. She enjoyed attending plays, lectures, and art exhibitions. Her love of learning never waned. An amazing letter writer, she would send me 15-page letters filled with wonderful stories and details of the plays and lectures she attended. Melody was a dear friend, and I will greatly miss her.

Iphigenia Demetriades ’84

Ruth Samia DS ’89, died on Jan. 3. Ruth was born in Burlington, Vt., and raised in Groton, Mass. She married in 1960, and soon after moved to Natick, Mass., where she raised her family and was a longtime resident. She worked for the College for over 40 years, becoming a fixture in the office of the first-year dean. Ruth loved the theater and to travel, visiting over 25 countries. Her passion for history was shared with her family on her return and made these trips very special. She leaves behind her son, two daughters, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Charlie Samia, son

Diana Chapman Kamilli died on Aug. 2, 2023. After a decade as a professor of geology at Rutgers, Vassar, Community College of New York and Wellesley, she joined the department of anthropology at Harvard. We 12 Wellesley geology majors were captivated by her. In her passionate approach to teaching, Diana made science accessible, and her energy was infectious. We will continue to value her as a fierce advocate for professional women seeking to pursue a field that was at the time overwhelmingly dominated by men. In her post-Wellesley role as an archaeological researcher, she continued to be an inspiration and an outstanding role model. She will be missed by us “geojockettes.”

Maureen Mahoney Barraclough ’74
Stephanie Bruno ’74
Amy Pablo Desender ’74
Lyn Gilmore Eckels ’74
Toya Horn Howard ’74
Carol Glaubman Kroch ’74
Anne Morawski ’74
Mary Bartholomay Raynolds ’74
Ginny Powell Siggia ’ 74
Debbie Winter Struhsacker ’74
Barb VanDyk ’74
Laura Wray ’74

Barbara Fienemann Muise passed away on March 5, in Westborough, Mass. Barbara taught the Wellesley College introductory comparative anatomy and horticulture labs for 26 years. Born in 1926, she received her undergraduate degree from Bates College in 1948. She then earned a master’s degree in zoology while a teaching fellow at Smith College in 1950, at a time when few women pursued graduate degrees, especially in a STEM field. Some of her students characterized her as a kind and caring teacher, a dynamo, and someone to be emulated. One student even suggests that she gardens today because of Barbara.

Elaine Muise Srinivas ’79, daughter