Ethel Grimmer Spindell ’29 passed away on Oct. 18, 2014, in Sarasota, Fla., at age 107.

After attending the New York School of Design, Ethel was associated with Thedlow, Inc., in New York City until she married and moved to Chicago, where she continued her interior-design practice. She was a nationally accredited flower-show judge and chair of the flower-judging school in Chicago. A member of the Town and Country Arts Club since 1945, she was also involved with the Lyric Opera Guild of Chicago, Kenilworth Garden Clubs, and many other groups. She was proud of her Wellesley experience and attributed much of her success, professional and otherwise, to the College.

Robert Spindell

Hilda Warshaw Lichtenstein ’39 died on July 6, 2014.

After graduation, Hilda worked at Filene’s in Boston where she met her husband, Carl (Harvard ’34). They relocated to New Jersey, and when their daughter, Sarah, started high school, Hilda returned to work, serving many years in bank operations. The family’s first dog, a boxer, introduced her to obedience training and trials, a hobby she pursued with her beloved Doberman pinschers. She served as the treasurer of the residents’ association of her continuing-care residential community and as secretary and president of the class of 1939, enthusiastically attending her 65th and 70th reunions, and disappointed she couldn’t travel to her 75th. I am proud to follow in her footsteps.

Sarah Lichtenstein ’75

Helen Stroud Hamilton ’43 died on Nov. 22, 2014.

A talented, inspiring artist, Helen was a renowned printmaker, painter, illustrator, collagist, and weaver. After winning her class’s Hooprolling race, she taught art at the Pennsylvania Museum College (University of the Arts), where she met and married artist William Hamilton. Together, they raised four children, while she also did many illustration jobs, including the much-loved, 33-book Happy Hollister series. She was active in local politics and supported libraries fiercely. Throughout her life, her artistic involvement never stopped; she was working at her loom the night before she died.

Faith, Kate, Andy, and Liz Hamilton

Phoebe Cover Thomas ’51 died on May 29, 2014.

We met Phoebe in 1998 after arriving at Oxford University as Rhodes scholars. Phoebe, a retired psychiatric social worker, and her husband, Duncan, took us on outings every month, and became our in loco parentis who were there for the small and big events. We continued to see them—at our weddings, on visits to the UK, and when Phoebe returned to the College for reunions. Our best lesson in Wellesley sisterhood came after graduation, thousands of miles from campus, from someone nearly 50 years our senior. We hope our story can inspire more Wellesley friendships across generations.

Laura Tavares ’98
Julie Levison ’98

June Sigler Siegel ’51 died on Sept. 5, 2014.

June loved literature and had extraordinary insights into the whole English canon. When we occasionally shared a course, we’d discuss it late in the evening over the noise of the shower, our favorite venue. June went on to get a Ph.D. at Columbia, then taught there during the tumultuous late 1960s.

June’s verbal agility eventually found an ideal outlet in her second career as a lyricist for musicals. Her humor was often employed in the service of social activism, showcasing, for example, the burden African women carried in the AIDS epidemic.

Perhaps most of all, however, we will remember June’s gift for friendship, her kindness, and her generosity.

Fi Warren Herbert ’51

Eustis Barber Cowardin ’56 died on Nov. 6, 2014, surrounded by her family.

Eusty, my Wellesley roommate, was a great friend, always loving and nurturing. Soon after graduation, Eusty married Lewis Cowardin and embarked on a remarkable life. Not only was she devoted to her husband and four children, but she also engaged in a large range of activities and volunteer work. Her devotion to service and faith was exemplified in her professional hospice and pastoral work, including ordination to the Episcopal priesthood. She embodied the Wellesley motto and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Deepest sympathy goes to Lew and Bill, John, Nancy, and Ted.

Ann Forger Homsy ’56

Irma Miller Lessell ’56 died on Aug. 27, 2014.

After marrying Simmons, Irma had four sons, and was deeply involved in homemaking, mothering, and gourmet cooking. Then, at 38, with her family’s strong support, she graduated from BU’s school of medicine, and went on to a distinguished career at the Lahey Clinic as a neuro-ophthalmologist and pediatric neurologist.

Irma always claimed to be practical, realistic, and unsentimental. To me, though, she was the heroine of a storybook romance. As I’ve been writing this, I want to ask, “Is it okay, Irm?” I hear the faintest trace of a whisper, “Put in more about Simmons.”

Irma is survived by Simmons, sons Miller, Ephraim, and Newell (Jason died earlier), and four grandchildren.

Judith Mandell Bruder ’56

Judith Holzman Litt ’58 died on July 2.

Judy had grown up in Israel and had an abiding interest in Middle Eastern affairs. With her many friends, she had a “mixer” every Sunday in her room and stayed on the phone until wee hours in the morning. After her stint as a teacher, Judy worked for the Department of Labor, and then the General Accounting Office. In Washington, she combined two of her favorite interests by joining Hexagon, a political-satire theater group. The daughter and mother of Wellesley graduates, Judy was active in the Alumnae Association. I will miss her intelligent insight, sharp wit, and fierce friendship. We welcome memories of Judy at JudyInMemoriam​@gmail.com.

Margo Kanof Norden ’58

Lois Alex ’66 died on Oct. 25, 2014, after three years of battling cancer that started in a lung. She passed away in the comforting presence of her husband, Peter Lipsitt, and two sons, Daniel and Alex, who were at her side. After completing a M.S.W. degree at Smith, Lois pursued a career as a psychotherapist in both a clinical setting and in private practice. She particularly loved beaches, and enjoyed spending time at her weekend home in Marion on Cape Cod. One of the many wonderful gifts of her friendship was her engaging and often entertaining conversation, which ranged from the zany and hilarious to the compassionate and humane.

Jennie Gerard ’66

Pamela McLucas Byers ’69 died on Oct. 27, 2014.

Pam was loyal and generous in spirit, courageous, principled, and kind. My roommate and lifelong friend, Pam was a singer (she was always humming), an occasional poet, and a brilliant scholar. After Wellesley, Pam earned a Ph.D. in English literature from Rutgers and had a remarkable career in publishing in New York and San Francisco. In 1997, she brought her prodigious talents to the Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder and founding executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, working for equality and justice in the national church. Truly, Pam lived life to the fullest and brought compassion and joy to everyone she knew.

Christine Aini Howe ’69

Nan Harbison ’73 died on Oct. 14, 2014.

Active, athletic, compassionate, and a fan of all things organic, Nan fought an eight-month battle against cancer with courage and determination. As a long-time resident of Concord, Mass., Nan enriched her community in many ways, including tutoring high-school students. An inveterate knowledge seeker, she was an original member of our Concord Wellesley book club. Nan loved audio books and made enough suggestions to Audible.com that Audible sought her opinions on their products. She leaves behind her husband, Bob, three daughters, two grandchildren, and other family members and friends who will miss her caring presence and lively intelligence.

Karen Lea Gaylin ’78

Maryann Dahlborg Loveday CE/DS ’93 died of cancer at home on Nov. 25, 2014, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered for her warmth, elegance, class, and steadfastness. Although a quiet presence, she was so much fun, and her laugh was infectious.

An English major, Maryann loved the written word and wrote with precision. Her thank-you notes penned in calligraphic script were delightful. She loved designing events for our class, and they were always artistic and creative.

She treated everyone with tenderness, care, and kindness—friends, family, the children she tutored, and her horse, Star. She is missed by husband Jim, children Carleen, Brendan, and Molly, and two grandchildren.

Laraine Stepner CE/DS ’78