Cornelius A. Moylan ’46

Cornelius Anthony Moylan, 90, of West Hartford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at St. Mary’s Home in West Hartford. He is predeceased by his devoted and loving wife of 57 years, Maria (“Millie”) Lopez Moylan who passed away on January 3, 2009, his brother Robert Francis Moylan who passed away on September 10, 2014, and his brother Gerald Edwin Moylan, who passed away on February 10, 2017. He was born on December 9, 1928 in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of the late Honorable Cornelius A. Moylan and Anne (Durkin) Moylan. Neal briefly attended Buckley High School, then attended and graduated from Williston Academy in Massachusetts. He attended Yale University, graduating in 1950 with honors. Neal then obtained his Master’s Degree in history from Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut. After a stint in the U.S. Naval Reserves, Neal went into his true calling of teaching. He taught for over a decade at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Connecticut, followed by a long and distinguished career as Chairman of the History Department at Greater Hartford Community College in Hartford, Connecticut. He also taught history classes at Central Connecticut State College. Neal met and married the woman of his dreams, Maria “Millie” Lopez Moylan in 1952 in Washington D.C. They loved spending time with their three children and various dogs especially at West Hill Lake in Winsted, Connecticut. Additionally, they loved the opera and classical music which they listened to almost every night. He loved reading historical tomes and novels which he shared with his many friends and family. He spoke often of wonderful childhood memories spent at Old Lyme Shores, Connecticut. Neal is survived by his son, Cornelius A. Moylan III (Patricia) of North Conway, New Hampshire, son, Christopher T. Moylan (Amy) of Wethersfield, Connecticut and grandchildren, Justine, AJ and Christopher, son, Gerald M. Moylan of Loudon, New Hampshire, his brother, Richard D. Moylan (Martha) of Georgetown, Massachusetts, his sister, Muriel (Moylan) Nevens of Delmar, New York, and his sister-in-law, Carol (Neumeister) Moylan (Robert) of West Hartford, Connecticut and by many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the many students whose lives he touched including Joseph Hourihan, former student and family attorney whom he considered family. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Home in West Hartford, Connecticut for their care and compassion in his final days with us. Neal now reunites with the love of his life Maria Moylan throughout eternity, while most assuredly keeping an eye on his family from above. Calling hours are Friday, November 1st from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home,1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, with a mass to be held on Saturday, November 2nd at 10:30 AM at Saint Lawrence O’Toole on 494 New Britain Avenue in Hartford., Connecticut.

Susan Curry Barnett, Former Faculty

Susan Curry Barnett of Florence, Massachusetts, passed away quietly at Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst on October 25, 2019. She was surrounded by close friends.

Sue was born on March 27, 1945, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Rev. Robert Lewis and Elizabeth Moultan Cartwright Curry.

After graduating from the Northfield School and Tufts University, Sue built a career at the Northampton School for Girls and the Williston Northampton School between 1968 and 2011. She held many different positions as an educator: coach, dorm parent, teacher, and administrator. She most loved coaching the girls in soccer, hockey, and softball, stating, “I am still in touch with hundreds of them. I have seen them grow up, fail, pick themselves up again, succeed, and raise families. That is what I loved from start to finish.”

Sue met Roger (Gus) Barnett at Williston. They were married in Phillips Stevens Chapel at Williston in December of 1987. They celebrated their love of travel, good times with family and friends, and a willingness to work long and hard in their yard. Roger died in September of 1998.

At the age of 8, Sue started attending Fleur de Lis Camp in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. Her mother had been Director of the Water Front. Her grandmother had been the camp nurse. Sue was a camper, a Counselor in Training, a Counselor, and the Camp Director during 1972, 1973, and 1976.  As with her Williston students, Sue enjoyed watching the campers grow and become adults. Many girls from school and camp were friends right through the end.

Sue is predeceased by her husband Roger Barnett, her parents, and her stepson Geoffrey Barnett. She is survived by her brother David Curry and his wife Sandra, and her two nieces, Rebecca C. Aupperlee and husband Phil, and Heather Curry. Also surviving are two stepdaughters, Amy Hinton and Alexandra Erickson and her husband David, and Geoffrey’s wife Roxanne.

A memorial service will be held at Phillips Stevens Chapel, November 9, at 2 p.m., Williston Northampton School, Easthampton, Massachusetts.

It would be appreciated if no flowers were sent. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Fleur de Lis Camp Sue Curry Barnett Endowed Campership, 120 Howeville Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447, or the Williston Northampton School Sue Curry Barnett Endowment for the Girls Softball Team, 19 Payson Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Thomas M. Leahy ’66


Thomas M. Leahy, 71, of Baltimore, MD, formerly of North Haven, CT, passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in Baltimore, MD. He was born in New Haven on April 18, 1947; son of the late Clarence J. and Gertrude Butler Leahy.

Thomas graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, King’s Point, NY and served as a Licensed Engineering Officer on many U.S. flag vessels. After retirement he worked for MEBA, Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, as a union official in Baltimore for many years. Thomas is survived by his sister Carole Leahy and many relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 or a charity of one’s choice.

Ruth Jeffers Wellington ’41

Ruth Jeffers Wellington died peacefully in her sleep July 25, 2019 at her beloved “Yellow House” in Pike, NH. She was 96. Her winning smile, outgoing temperament, and boundless enthusiasm for life were obvious to all who met her.
Ruth was born at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH, the daughter of Weston and Ethel Jeffers, and moved to Northampton, MA when very young. After schooling at the Northampton School for Girls she graduated from Smith College where she met her future husband, Stephen Wellington of Boston, MA. Shortly after their marriage in 1946 the couple settled in Newton, MA where they raised 5 children. But they made a summer home in Pike, NH at her family’s long-time homestead on Jeffers Hill Road where they ultimately retired in 1972.
She was a tireless volunteer and leader for women, education and the arts. She volunteered for many years for Smith College, rising to the role of Board Member and President of the Alumnae Association. She was a member of the first NH Commission on the Status of Women which led to the initial State-supported services for battered women. She was a founding member of the Women’s Fund of NH and a long-time Board member at the Circle Program–a mentoring and summer-camp program for at-risk girls. She was an early supporter of the Montshire Museum of Science; a Board Member at Canterbury Shaker Village; Board Chair at the Hopkins Center/Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College; and President of River City Arts, the precursor of Northern Stage and igniter of the creative renaissance of White River Jct, VT. Even into her 80s and 90s she continued her community involvement as a supporter of Haverhill Heritage, the Historical Society, and the Drug Court where she was a frequent attendee of graduation ceremonies.
Despite these many commitments, Ruth remained devoted to her life at the 1895 Yellow House in Pike. The house was originally part of her great-grandfather’s dairy farm, now owned by son Weston. For 25 years Ruth and Steve raised Hereford cattle and produced up to 90 gallons of maple syrup each spring.
A true matriarch, she was intimately involved in the lives of her five children, nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She so enjoyed parties and nothing made her happier than a gathering of family and friends, large or small.
She adored New Orleans-style jazz and, in her later years, she traveled repeatedly to jazz festivals in Florida and New Orleans where she eagerly sought out prominent musicians for conversation and autographs. Closer to home, she frequented jazz performances in Massachusetts and NH, forming friendships with many of the performers.
For her family and friends she epitomized family and community values. To the very end, she kept making new friends of all ages, connecting to people from many different backgrounds. She shared with so many an uninhibited affection for life as it should be lived. Her infectious joy, compassion, and gratitude were an unfailing embrace that swept you up and made you want to come back again and again.
On the porch of her Yellow House this past June, celebrating her 96th birthday surrounded by 21 family members, she exhorted those present to revel in the joy that is all around us. “Take note”, she said, “of all the wonders!”

Arnold J. Gelfman ’61

Arnold J. Gelfman, 75 of Ocean, NJ, passed away peacefully July 23, 2019 at Monmouth Medical Center.

Born in Northampton, MA, Arnie attained his undergraduate degree at University of Massachusetts, his master’s degree from Western Michigan University and began his doctorate at American University. Arnie has resided in Ocean for 43 years where he served on the Planning & Zoning Board and was president of the Kepwell Park Homeowners Association. He was president of the Jewish Federation, Monmouth County in 1990-1992, a board member of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County, a former board member of both Congregation Brothers of Israel and Temple Beth El, now Congregation Torat El and B’nai B’rith, Ocean. Arnie is a member of both Congregation Brothers of Israel and Congregation Torat El.

In 2016, after 43 years, Arnie retired as Executive Director of Planning, Assessment & Research at Brookdale Community College. There is was the co-founder of Brookdale Community College Career Clinic and Testing Center. Arnie was also President and Owner of Career Choice Institute of NJ, a consulting firm, working with insurance companies and attorneys throughout NJ as a vocational expert.

Arnie will be remembered as a kind and giving person who was honored with many community and professional awards. He enjoyed sports, especially the NY Yankees. Family was most important to Arnie.

Arnie was predeceased by his parents Harold and Lena (August) Gelfman and his niece, Victoria Gelfman. Surviving is his wife of 43 years, Margo, his son Austin Gelfman, Sherman Oaks, CA, his brother & sister-in-law Richard & Lenore Gelfman, Columbia, MD; his nieces Hillary Gelfman, Chicago, IL & Dr. Joanna Gelfman, Ellicott City, MD and Leela.

Funeral service Friday, July 26th 1:00 PM at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Burial to follow in Brothers of Israel Cemetery, West Long Branch.

Donations may be made in memory of Arnie to Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, Department of Oncology, 300 Second Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740.