Catherine Fanget Lloyd ’41 passed peacefully on Oct. 22, 2020, shortly after celebrating her 101st birthday. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she will long be remembered as a dedicated teacher of Latin, French, and English whose no-nonsense demeanor and sharp wit had a lifelong impact on many students.

Catherine came to Wellesley from Princeton, N.J., and raised her family in Catonsville, Md. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward. Their 50-plus-year courtship began in seventh grade, continued through her time at Wellesley, but was cut short in 1987 by Eddie’s ALS. Catherine is survived by their three children, Edward III, Pamela (a member of Wellesley ’72 before transferring to Princeton), and Robert, as well as three grandchildren, Alex, Kimberly (Coulter), and Abigail.

Pamela Lloyd Coulter ’72

Gertrude “Trudy” Wright Perkins Godshalk ’43 died peacefully on Oct. 11, 2020, less than five months shy of her 100th birthday, in Palm City, Fla.

While at Wellesley, she met her soulmate, Ernest “Ernie” Lukens Godshalk, Jr., who was a student at Harvard Law School and who soon thereafter joined the U.S. Army. She married her love on Nov. 21, 1942. Due to the urgency of the war years, she petitioned the College to allow her to become a “married student” (forbidden in the dorms!). She had to plead her case before a committee and they agreed, with the caveat that “there will be no babies!” She graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She remained an active alumna, including attending her 65th reunion.

Ernest L. Godshalk, husband

Catharine “Carter” Catlett Williams ’45 died on Sept. 8, 2020, at her home in Gloucester, Va., surrounded by her family. She was 97 years old.

Carter majored in history and received her M.S.W. from the Simmons School of Social Work in Boston. In 1951, she married Thomas Franklin Williams from North Carolina while he was in medical school at Harvard. Carter helped found the Pioneer Network, which changed the culture in American nursing homes. Late in life, she wrote a book, Glorious Adventure, about her aviator father. She is survived by two children and four grandchildren.

Letitia M. Grant, cousin

Anna Meister Burton ’45, beloved and loving mother, grandmother, friend, and colleague, passed away on Jan. 4, 2019, at 93. Daughter of Morris and Florence Meister, devoted wife of the late Murray Burton, she is survived by children, Deborah, Amy (John), Andrew (Deborah Pearl), grandson Joshua, and countless people touched by her generous heart. Senior member of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute and Society, past president of the New Jersey Psychoanalytic, faculty member at Rutgers and NYU, she volunteered for the Soldiers’ Project and the Chinese American Psychoanalytic Alliance. She played several instruments, bringing a lifelong love of music to everything she did. Ahead of her time as a female doctor in 1949, she remains an inspiration for us all. She is sorely missed.

Amy Burton, daughter

Susan Palmer Davis ’47 passed on Sept. 30, 2020.

Susan was predeceased by her husband, James Davis (Harvard Med ’47), and grandson Palmer Baker. She is survived by three daughters, two sons, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Susan was raised in Jacksonville, Fla., and divided her time between there and Cashiers, N.C. She is perhaps best described as “sweet, but with an edge.” At Wellesley she was the Tree Day Queen and, on a lark, entered and won the Yale Record beauty contest! Her embrace of life included a passion for music, gardening, bridge, traveling, and, most of all, time spent with her family.

Susan’s sons and daughters

Neria Kohl Ryder ’49 died on Aug. 7, 2020.

An enthusiastic math major, Neria married her MIT sweetheart in July 1949, worked as a human “computer,” and excelled at sports. Ebullient and adventuresome, she shared activities with each of her five children—scouting, swim team, cooking lessons, ballet, computer programming, skiing in the Adirondacks. After separating from Jim, Neria spent four decades in Tempe, Ariz., as a realtor and 19-year companion to Arthur Drye. A devoted Unitarian, she traveled widely and often to see her 11 grandchildren, especially the New Zealand contingent, until age 87. Above all, she loved her family, as they loved her.

Gretchen Rous Besser ’49

Martha “Marty” McDaniel Ellsberry ’49 died on Oct. 22, 2020.

Fourth-generation Texan, Dallas doyenne, proud mother of three, Marty returned to her roots after Wellesley and earned a master’s in French from Southern Methodist. A broker and co-owner of her mother’s august Lakeside Realty Company, she headed numerous venerable organizations. Wellesley ’49 vice president for five years, Marty founded the long-running local Wellesley book and author luncheon, presided over the Wellesley College Club of Dallas, cheered the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Aggies, and ladled out family-secret eggnog at resplendent Christmas parties. Upbeat and generous with her time and friendship, Marty never voiced a word of complaint. Her great-granddaughter, Ella, irradiated her final years with incomparable joy.

Gretchen Rous Besser ’49

Ann D’Espinosa Maurer ’51 died on Oct. 30, 2020, in Connecticut.

Ann was an accomplished chef, a devoted mother, and an active member of her local community through the Maurer Family Foundation. She co-founded the Public Speaking Program at Wellesley in 2012 and established a scholarship fund there in her name. She was a talented book editor for 30 years and was actively involved with the Norton Museum of Art. She is survived by her husband, Gilbert, their five children, Christopher, David, Peter, Jonathan, and Meredith, her sister, Jane D’Espinosa, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Gilbert C. Maurer, husband

Alice “Kitty” Roberts Pierson ’51 died surrounded by family on Nov. 24, 2020, after hip surgery. After her marriage to Fred Dunn ended, she enjoyed 47 happy years with Richard N. Pierson, Jr., who survives her, as do her two children, Alice and Eric Dunn, and Dick’s four children. Their lives were replete with big adventures: a six-week bicycle camping trip across France; national and international trips with family, friends, and professional colleagues; and building a summer house on Great Cranberry Island, Maine. Family, conversation, tennis, flowers, Wellesley friends, and—always—a cup of hot tea enriched her life.

Kitty’s family

Barbara Nichols ’53 passed away peacefully on Oct. 5, 2020, in Victoria, B.C., after a sudden illness, surrounded by family.

After receiving her B.A. and spending a year in Oxford, she married and moved to Montreal, where her daughter was born. After completing her M.S.W., she taught at Dawson College and then went on to earn her Ph.D. She taught in the School of Social Work at McGill, focusing on women, poverty, aging, and international development. She traveled widely and loved to paint, draw, and sing.

Barbara was an intelligent, gregarious, and compassionate woman who will be missed by many. She is survived by her daughter Mary Heppner (Dan Barrett) and grandchildren Hannah and Andrew.

Mary Heppner, daughter

Rona Cohen Peck ’54 passed away on Sept. 7, 2020.

After graduating from Newton High School with the love of her life, Burton Peck, she majored in economics at Wellesley.

Rona and Burt raised their family in Stamford, Conn., before retiring to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Her loyalty, loving spirit, intellect, and laughter were evident in every aspect of her life. She was Burt’s travel partner on business trips after his illness. In addition to spending time with her three children and five grandchildren, Rona enjoyed mahjongg, bridge, sudoku, New York Times crossword puzzles, and following current events.

Rona’s children, Jim, Linda, and Steve

Jeanne Shapiro Alpert ’54 died on Sept. 26, 2020.

Jeanne had been active in a literacy program in the White Plains, N.Y., schools, working with third grade students. As it happens, many of these students are the first in their families to even hope for college, and we now hope that many of them will be the first to become leaders. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Wellesley, the faculty, and the class of ’54, who combined 70 years ago to turn a naive teenager into a wonderful woman, community leader, and my lifelong companion.

Frank Alpert

Maureen “Mo” Vincent Beck ’54 died on Sept. 17, 2020.

In our 50th reunion record book, Mo is wearing her Wellesley gym suit. The caption, “It still fits!” was vintage Mo: a blend of nostalgia, optimism, and wit. Mo leavened her scholarly nature with a serendipitous love of life. Though she was handed some cruel blows—the early death of her husband, Jim, and subsequent loss of two of their three sons—she held tight to her boundless enthusiasm. Mo moved often and traveled widely, acquiring interests and friends. A lifelong mentor, she culminated her academic career as dean of the Groton (Mass.) School, after which she immersed herself in the life of Nantucket Island.

Doris Schaffer O’Brien ’54

Sarah Emmons Warren ’56 died peacefully on Oct. 31, 2020, from Parkinson’s disease. Her two children, Becky Duseau and Andrew Warren, and her husband of 61 years, Alexander “Zeb” Warren, were with her at the end.

After spending much of the ’60s and ’70s as a dedicated faculty wife at Phillips Academy, she herself became a faculty member. She started working at the language laboratory and eventually became its director. She also coached JV tennis and helped run a dorm. She was a devout Episcopalian at Christ Church Andover, serving as a deacon for many years. Later, she was active at the Episcopal Church in Newburyport, Mass. Sarah was an amazing friend and devoted family member, and she will be greatly missed by those who loved her.

Andrew Warren, son

Hermine Halprin Marshall ’57 died peacefully at home in the company of family on Sept. 11, 2020.

After Wellesley, she got her master’s at Bank Street College of Education before earning her Ph.D. from UC, Berkeley. She headed the early childhood program at San Francisco State University and was associate editor of the Journal of Educational Psychology. Upon retiring, Hermine became a children’s storyteller for the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and mastered Japanese flower arranging and Chinese brush painting. Her proudest accomplishment was raising three sons with her loving husband, Sumner. She will be deeply missed by Sumner, her sons and daughters-in-law, brother and sister, grandchildren, and many friends, colleagues, and students.

Gregory Marshall, son

Dorothy Seidel Wigod ’58 died on Aug. 27, 2020, while reading, her most cherished activity. Dot/Dotty/Suzy was my childhood friend, always the top scholar. English major, editor of the Wellesley News, and honors scholar, she was old young, and grew younger.

Often endearingly discombobulated, she’d rush off to help somebody, and, for a long time, taught disadvantaged children, for whom she had the greatest compassion. I’ll miss her liveliness and her passion for literature, music, Jewish history, and culture. I see her emphatically nodding her head, as she always did, in affirmation of life.

Patricia Brown Specter ’58

Carol Kurson Goldman ’62 passed away on June 28, 2020, two weeks after a diagnosis of aggressive T-cell lymphoma.

Carol had celebrated her 80th birthday on April 4, surrounded with flowers and joy. She shared so much of herself with all of us over the years. She was a beautiful example of a good, honest woman of great character. Carol was so interested in the Wellesley archives and in encouraging our class participation that we set aside time for her to teach us about them. She looked beautiful as she talked, and carried on her archive work at our 50th reunion. We all appreciated her knowledge and her enthusiasm. Carol was a wonderful person. A classmate fondly remembered. Peace to Carol’s family.

Anne Rippy Turtle ’62
Sally Rial Phelps ’62
Anne Steele Hummel ’62
Martha Reardon Bewick ’62

Sue Ellen Parrott ’62 passed away on Oct. 16, 2020, in a Boston health-care facility. Her daughters, Mary Jo and Erin, spent time with her before she died. She was a talented artist (see the end pages of our Legenda) and loved her daughters, five grandchildren, her cats, and travel. When she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s after our 50th reunion, she moved to Boston from the D.C. area, where she had worked for the Trilateral Commission arranging meetings all over the globe. Sue Ellen was a great friend—who could forget her “Why, bless your heart”?—and a wonderful cook and gardener.

Gail Pollack Fels ’62

Gretchen Ruhl McHugh ’63 died on Aug. 20, 2020, after a long illness, which she fought tenaciously. She was a mother, musician, teacher, journalist, and photographer, and turned her love of good food and nature into a popular cookbook for outdoors enthusiasts, The Hungry Hiker’s Book of Good Cooking. In 1989, the New York Press Association named her photographer of the year. She taught English literature at Bronx Community College and, after moving to a 115-acre tree farm in Granville, N.Y., at Adirondack Community College. She sailed the Hudson River as a volunteer editor and photographer for Pete Seeger’s Clearwater Foundation. She is survived by two sisters, daughter Jennifer McHugh ’89, son James Murray McHugh, five grandchildren, and her husband, John Sullivan of Chestertown, N.Y.

John Sullivan and Ann Hollinshead Hurley ’63

Nancy Stark Klath ’63 died on July 11, 2020, at home in Princeton, N.J.

At Wellesley, she majored in history. In 1964, she married Norman Klath, and they moved to Princeton in 1966. Having earned a master’s degree in information science from Drexel University in 1968, she had a wonderful 28-year career as a librarian at Princeton University. She retired in 1996, having served as deputy university librarian for eight years and university librarian for two years. In retirement, she served on the boards of the Friends of the Princeton University and Princeton Public Libraries, as well as the Princeton Adult School. She loved traveling and gardening with her husband, as well as swimming, reading, and needlepointing. Nancy also was a longtime member of the Friends of the Wellesley College Library.

Norman R. Klath, husband

Sally Engle Merry ’66 died on Sept. 8, 2020.

Sally and I met freshman year in Shafer. I had the good sense to attach myself to her as she set off methodically for the library every night, bad weather notwithstanding. Sally became a professor of anthropology at Wellesley and then at NYU, winning all the major awards in her field. For 58 years, we saw each other through four marriages (mostly mine), three children, hikes, dinners, and telephone conversations. The legacy I take from Sally’s friendship is her astonishing memory—even as she lay dying, she told me how to get yellow jackets out of my outdoor shower—and her unwavering commitment to human rights.

Judy Foreman ’66

Christopher Mock ’66 died on Feb. 9, 2020.

As a U.S. Army daughter, Chris arrived at Wellesley from Punahou School in Hawai‘i. She brought with her a hula skirt. Occasionally, freshman year she could be persuaded to perform a very impressive hula dance for her friends in Claflin. After Wellesley, Chris attended Tufts’ Fletcher School and earned a Harvard M.B.A. Always an idealist, she then worked for various government agencies and nonprofit organizations. In later life, she led a rather secluded existence in rural Maryland, looking after her beloved dogs and keeping up with her two main interests, sports and current affairs.

Carol Bruland Allen ’66

Carla Mathes Woodward ’67 died on May 18, 2020.

Carla was born in Providence, R.I, in 1946. Her innate sense of design and art appreciation was honed by her training in art history, first at Wellesley and later at Brown, where Carla earned her master’s degree. Her professional career included employment at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; Wellesley College; and the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. Carla’s aesthetic sensibilities translated into her love of gardening and home design. Gifted with a lovely soprano voice, she sang for many years in the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church choir in Providence. Carla so enjoyed being with her family and is survived by her daughter, Julia Woodward, of Worcester, Mass.

Leigh Hallingby ’67

Margaret “Jean” McQuarrie Salisbury ’67 died on Feb. 1, 2020.

Jean had a full life, with two daughters, one a Wellesley graduate; three grand-urchins; and a stable of friends. She traveled the world following my work in marine geophysics and her love of the arts, awakened in the rare book collection at Wellesley and enriched by trips to the world’s great art museums. She was a fine artist herself, working in watercolors. Jean was born in Canada, and we returned every summer until we finally moved there in 1985. We split our leisure time between hiking in Nova Scotia and her ancestral cottage on Stoney Lake in Ontario, the inspiration for much of her painting, the site of innumerable gatherings, and her favorite place on earth.

Matthew Salisbury, husband

Lee Matthew ’68 died on March 9, 2020.

Her life and career path speak to the spirit of the College: Be open to new ideas!

An aesthetics course taught by Ingrid Stadler led to graduate study in the U.S. and a master’s degree from the Sorbonne. Returning to her native California, she became a media producer and also documented the bristle pine cone forests of the Southwest. Moving to Albuquerque in 1982, she become a licensed massage therapist. Her final career change was a move into financial planning; she ran her own firm until retiring in 2015. She was a great friend, always ready to lend an ear, talk, listen to new ideas, and laugh. She is survived by her partner of 20 years, Karen Patrick.

Katherine “Ducky” Blair Salant ’68

Lynn Christopher ’69 died on Sept. 19, 2020.

Lynn will be remembered for her plucky determination and perseverance. A book lover, she earned a master’s in library science and shared her love of reading as a volunteer literacy tutor.

An intensely private person, Lynn nevertheless attended every class reunion. Among her many Cazenove friends were Frances Tobo Lobe, from Cameroon, with whom she shared many conversations in fluent French. In our 45th reunion record book, Lynn wrote, “I never wanted to be famous, and guess what? I’ve succeeded.” She may not have become famous, but she certainly will be missed.

Nancy Wanderer ’69

Andrea Ericson ’70 died on Oct. 28, 2020.

For the past five years, my husband, Bruce, and I visited with Andrea and her husband, John, at her summer cottage on the coast of Maine. The rest of the year, we corresponded, mostly through old-fashioned, handwritten letters. She was filled with energy and projects, and she could not understand how anyone could be bored. Her death comes as a shock and a terrible loss to her family and friends.

Margaret “Peggy” Adams Parker ’70

Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy ’70 died on Sept. 10, 2020.

Kathy was a friend at Wellesley, but even closer later.

In 1984, at my husband’s Yale reunion, my husband introduced me to his good friends, Bill and Kathy Ruddy. Kathy and I kept eying one another until we realized that we knew each other from Wellesley. Over the years, we spent fun times with Kathy and Bill. I remember a dinner at their home at the end of the road as you left Juneau, Alaska. I remember a beautiful day at the former Yale dean’s farm outside New Haven. I wish I had had more contact with her. She was an amazing person.

Bunny Winter ’70

Jean Seibert Stucky ’73 died peacefully on Nov. 7, 2020, with her loved ones by her side. I fondly remember Jean’s brilliance as a resident of the French floor and as an economics major. Shortly after graduation, Jean married Scott Stucky, her Harvard Law School boyfriend and constant Wellesley visitor. Jean’s long list of accomplishments include an M.A. in economics from Trinity University and a J.D. from Cornell, followed by an illustrious career with the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Energy. Above all, Jean’s enduring love for Scott, their two children, Mary-Clare and Joseph, and for Wellesley far surpassed her many achievements.

Mary Ellen Martin Zellerbach ’73

Susan L. Ware ’75 died at her home on Aug. 28, 2020.

Susan started work in advertising in New York City, then moved to radio sales, where she had a brilliant 30-plus-year career. A special celebration for Susan’s 50th birthday was held at the Harvard Club, where her colleagues sang her praises as a phenomenal worker, friend, and boss. Susan was an upbeat, curious person, always willing to help, and loved to travel. Giving back was important to her; she enjoyed the volunteer work she did for Mt. Sinai Hospital after she retired. Her smiling face and easygoing nature will be missed.

Terry Gibralter ’76

Heidi Horner ’77 died on Sept. 4, 2020.

Heidi was known at Wellesley for her exceptional energy, intelligence, and passion for learning. She majored in molecular biology, which led to a Dartmouth Ph.D. and Stanford postdoc. She began her professional pharma career as a research scientist and later senior VP of Rinat Neuroscience. Diagnosed 15 years ago with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Heidi continued consulting and was a principal at Aspen Neurosciences Institute. Her passion wasn’t limited to finding an effective drug for MS or researching CLL therapies. She skied with the same vigor that she played golf and pickleball. Heidi moved to live with her daughter, Chloe, in Denver. Her courageous journey ended Labor Day weekend.

Polly Munts Talen ’77
Julia MacMillan ’77

Natalie Nelson ’78 died on Aug. 7, 2020, of metastatic breast cancer.

Natalie lived in Munger and then Tower Court West her senior year, and was a beloved friend and confidante to many, especially to younger students. Following Wellesley, Natalie worked for Atari in the San Francisco area before moving to Rosarito Beach, Mexico, and settling in the San Diego area. She spent most of her career in the health-care field, most recently as director, physician services, at Scripps Mercy Physician Partners. Natalie was also president of the San Diego Medical Group Management Association, a volunteer position. Natalie is survived by her children, Adolfo (Fito), Anna, and Daniel Gomez, as well as a grandson, and her many friends.

Alison Denham ’78

Demetra “Deme” Economos Anas ’82 died on Aug. 27, 2020.

We worked together at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and reminisced about Wellesley—down to the pearls. I admired necklaces Deme made, who then provided thin needles so I could repair a pearl necklace myself! Colleagues said they could cross her, but not win.

Deme lived with breast cancer for 23 years. No matter how difficult her health, she was always upbeat. No matter how busy, she always found time to brainstorm. Deme was proud of her kids: a daughter living in New York and a pro hockey son. During chemo, Deme once got permission to postpone treatment to see him play.

Hadas Jacobowitz Kozlowski ’82

Mercedes Benavides ’83 passed away on Oct. 31, 2020, after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Mercedes leaves her parents, her brothers, her sister Rosario Benavides Gallagher ’85, and her beloved nieces and nephews. After a career in corporate finance and private banking and developmental economics, she returned to her native Peru in 2009 and became the CEO of Edpyme Credivision S.A. There she discovered a passion for the conservation and observation of birds and their habitats. A talented and intuitive photographer, she became a sought-after conference speaker. She was a voice of strength, grace, and clarity through all the years when we were separated by thousands of miles. Always optimistic, curious, quick-witted, and kind, Mercedes was an extraordinary person. She is sorely missed.

Jane Flynn Taniskidou ’83