Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

Christian Murray-Allen Gerhard ’40

Christian Gerhard, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1924, died at home in Bethesda on October 10, 2021. The daughter of Christine and John Murray-Allen, late of Cambridge, England and Mombassa, Kenya. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Hans Gerhard; daughters Lynn Gerhard of Spring, TX, Suzanne with husband Allen Tubis of Annapolis, MD; and son John with Berit Holthe of Jaerna, Sweden; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Christian came to the United States at the outset of WWII, and after graduation from Radcliffe College served as a coder in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. After the war she continued her studies in musicology, earning a Master’s degree, and playing cello and piano in university orchestras. Dedicated to raising her three children, Christian paused her professional career until they had outgrown the home. She then changed direction to devote most of her professional work to education, specializing in reading. She taught that subject at local high schools, and, after earning a doctoral degree, at George Washington University. Her book on the subject (Making Sense) was published by the International Reading Association in 1975, and she lectured at professional conferences at home and abroad. Christian’s professional work reflected her deep commitment to social and political causes. Private service scheduled for a later date

Lynda Elliott Swenson ’71

Lynda Swenson’s sparkling blue eyes, gentle spirit, and beautiful smile warmed the hearts of all who knew her. She was full of kindness yet also possessed a quiet inner strength and stubbornness, which helped her live a full and happy life, even during her long battle with brain cancer. Lynda was born and raised in the New Hampshire lakes region. A native of Center Sandwich, she never missed the fair. She went on to elementary school in New Hampton’s little red schoolhouse and attended Northampton School for Girls. Lynda met her husband, Lenny, on the shores of Lake Waukewan. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Lynda’s positive influence was deeply felt by many in the Monadnock Region. Raising her three children, she was a vital and supportive piece of the New Ipswich community for over 38 years. Lynda was the favorite neighborhood mom, loving and accepting as her own, her children’s friends. Always cheering, present, and helpful during community activities, school performances, and Mascenic Viking sporting events. In 2015, she retired to Center Harbor to enjoy the lakes and mountains of her youth.
Lynda had the loveliest flower gardens and a true gift for horticulture. She relished working in the earth, making her passion her profession: one full of flowering colors, bright designs, and happy growth. Lynda had great expertise in gardening and landscaping; she worked with herbs, in greenhouses, commercial spaces, garden centers, and in the community. Lynda loved all things outdoors. Many have fond memories of shared early morning walks, serene (sometimes exhilarating) X-C skiing, hikes, and kayaking adventures. By the gallery of joyful memories proudly displayed on her walls, there is no doubt of her immense love for her children, grandchildren, sisters, family, and friends. Lynda will always be remembered for the beautiful things she grew, her sweet cheerful smile, kind soul, and loving spirit.
In honor of her wishes, there will not be a service, but a celebration of life will be held later this summer.

Arthur B. Locke ’54

Arthur Bailey Locke of West Granby, CT, passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. He was the son of Alice Bailey and William S. Locke. Born in Hartford in 1936, Art moved to West Hartford a few years later where he lived until moving to Bloomfield in 1961. A graduate of Williston Northampton School, Hobart College, and Harvard Law School, Art joined the law firm Murtha, Cullina (then Shephard, Murtha, and Merritt) in Hartford where he practiced law until his retirement in 1992. An outdoorsman at heart, Art enjoyed gardening, splitting wood, building stone walls, and making maple syrup. He liked walking around in the woods, especially after moving to West Granby in 1994 where he could walk in “his” woods.
Art is survived by his wife of 56 years, Aurelle Smoot Locke; three daughters, Alison Perchuk (Andrew) of Santa Monica, CA, Amanda Locke (Jonathan Chesler) of New Milford, CT, and Katharine Locke (Julian Wiggins) of Orono, ME; and his granddaughter, Hazel Bailey Wiggins.
Calling hours will be Sunday, February 6, 1:00 pm at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby CT. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Northern Woodlands Education, PO Box 270, Lyme, NH 03768, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

David V. DeLuca ’60

David DeLuca, loving husband, father and grandfather died suddenly on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from complications following heart surgery. He was a scholar, musician, photographer, collegiate Hall of Fame athlete, and a well-known Rochester attorney for the past 53 years.

Predeceased by his parents, Carl & Arlene DeLuca of Gloversville, NY, David is survived by his wife of fifty two years, Susan Secrest DeLuca, his sons and their families, Michael, April & Lily DeLuca of Enfield, CT, Benton, Laurie, Ellie & Annie DeLuca of Hockessin, DE, and James ’95, Sonya, Max & Dylan DeLuca of Napa, CA, his sister & brother in law Deanna DeLuca Goldstein & Dr. Earl Goldstein of Carlsbad, CA, his step mother in law, Camille Adams of Sarasota, FL, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

David was born on July 2, 1942 in Gloversville, NY. He graduated from Williston Academy, Brown University and Syracuse University College of Law. He was a practicing attorney in Rochester for 53 years, and continued to enjoy going into his office every day. The highlight of many of his days was his lunch with clients, fellow attorneys and friends.

David was a gifted athlete in several sports before choosing to focus on baseball in college. He earned Division 1 All-America honors and was selected to the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame. After moving to Rochester in 1968 he enjoyed playing fast pitch baseball, slow pitch softball, flag football and golf and many of his teammates remained his closest friends. He was a loyal Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed many games at Fenway Park. David had a great eye for photography and enjoyed capturing the moment by taking and developing his own pictures.

David’s favorite hobby was music and he was an avid record collector. At one time he owned two juke boxes which he filled with choice 45’s from his legendary record collection. David was the co-founder of the acapella doo-wop group the Showvinistics which published two award winning albums and opened for a “Who’s Who” of Rock and Roll, including the Beach Boys, the Temptations, Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, the Isely Brothers and the Neville Brothers among others. The group performed at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sang our national anthem live at Jacobs Field, Camden Yards, and Buffalo Bills Stadium, and entertained countless guests at various Rochester venues & private parties.

David’s passion was his family and he was a loving, giving husband, father and grandfather. Those who knew him also knew all about his kids and grandkids as he never failed to share stories about them. He was the master of the “family meeting” technique of resolving conflict, a tradition his sons have carried on with their families. He taught everyone how to communicate clearly, acknowledge a mistake, apologize and hug it out.

David was a great “boy dad”, role model, mentor, youth coach and counselor. He was a proud GrandPa who delighted in his grandchildren’s accomplishments in academics, athletics, dance, gymnastics, music and photography. He enjoyed playing cards and games with them, and telling them all about their fathers.

We will dearly miss his enthusiasm and smile, his wisdom and sense of humor, his stories and hugs. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to The Williston Northampton School, www.williston.com or The Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation, www.boiardifoundation.org or to a charity of your choice.

Paul W. Brown, Jr. ’51

Paul W. Brown, Jr., 89, of Westborough, MA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 27, 2022.

Paul was born in Northampton on September 15, 1932 and was raised in Hadley where he attended Hopkins Academy. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1951 and from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1955 and then joined the Army where he was stationed in Germany. Paul was a civil engineer who started his own construction company, P. W. Brown, Inc. in Westborough. He took great pride in the construction projects that his company completed. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and adored grandfather. He got the most joy out of spending time with his family and friends. Paul will be remembered for his generosity and kindness to all.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betty Brown, and their four children: Paul W. Brown III, Douglas Brown and his wife Robin, Susan Swirbalus and her husband Robert, Kristin Nyren and her husband Jeffrey. Paul leaves four grandchildren: Jessica Whittier and her husband Christopher, Justin Brown, Paige and Brooke Nyren. He leaves his brother, Raymond ’55 and wife Cathleen; sisters-in-law Grayce Jones and Betty Jane Carlson; nephew Steven Jones; and nieces Karen Golding ‘81 and Amy Brown ‘84. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ruth Brown; sisters-in-law Logie Brown and Evelyn Carlson; brothers-in-law Robert Carlson, Calvin Jones, and John Carlson; and nephew Bradley Jones.

Family and friends are invited to gather for calling hours on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4 PM to 7 PM at Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough. Paul’s Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 10 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 120 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Westborough. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s honor to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Duncan R. McMartin ’69

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Duncan Roy McMartin, in his 71st year, loving husband of Gwen Rich-McMartin of Harrington Sound Road, Bermuda. Duncan is also survived by his sister Marcia McMartin; sister-in-law Katherine Rich; cousins Charlie McMartin, Duncan Cameron McMartin and Bruce McMartin; godson Michael Midgett; goddaughters Alexandra McMartin and Jacquelyn Midgett. Duncan was predeceased by his father Duncan McMartin and mother Hilda (Ferguson) McMartin. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the family plot at St. John’s Church, Pembroke. In accordance with Covid-19 restrictions attendees are required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PALS www.pals.bm or Bermuda SPCA www.spca.bm.

Paul Luikart, Former Faculty

It is with a deep sadness that I report the passing of longtime former faculty member Paul Luikart this past weekend after his long battle with cancer.

As many of you may know, Paul officially retired from Williston at the end of the 2021 academic year, following remote work during the heart of the pandemic. At last year’s year-end faculty and staff celebration, Jen Fulcher captured the breadth of his legacy, built from a career at Williston that began in 1997, teaching science in both the upper and middle schools and coaching judo for many years. As she said, “Paul’s passion for science and teaching are what got him out of bed every morning. No matter what the day before threw at him, he would make his way across campus to the Middle School. He had to be there to show those kids how amazing and fun life and science are.”

In his subject area, chemistry, Paul was encyclopedic, but his interests and life experience revealed a Renaissance scholar’s breadth of knowledge, and he was an absolutely devoted mentor to his students and advisees. A Vermonter to the core, Paul’s presence on campus was unmistakable and it did not take much to elicit his broad smile by asking him about a canoe trip or fishing expedition.

For most of the past decade, Paul taught exclusively in Whitaker-Bement, and so there are many current upper school day students who will have known him well and seen him teach despite days of obvious discomfort. As former Dean of Faculty Peter Valine stated so succinctly, “It was a privilege to know Paul and always inspiring to watch him teach.”

We will post a full obituary when one becomes available. In the meantime, I know I speak for so many of his friends, colleagues, and former students in saying that all of Williston extends our deepest sympathy and support to his daughter Bella ’16 and to Paul’s extended family.

Sincerely,
Robert W. Hill III, P’15, ’19
Head of School

Emily Gilman Hayden ’61

On Friday, January 7, 2022, Emily Gilman Hayden of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, passed comfortably to meet her many friends and loved ones in God’s kingdom and take her place in the alto section of the Heavenly choir, wearing Groucho Marx glasses and a fake mustache. She was surrounded by loving friends and family, and, after a mostly successful seven-year battle with lung cancer, she was ready to meet Jesus at last. Emily was predeceased by her parents, Doris (Ekstrom) and Donald Bertram Gilman, and brother, Hugh Gilman ’57, of Wellington, New Zealand. She is survived by her husband John ’62; son Peter ’88 and daughter-in-law Melissa; son Daniel ’93; grandchildren Kyra, Tyler, Giles and Ian; and siblings-in-law Peg Gilman, Priscilla Santiago and Tony Santiago, and many nieces and nephews. Emily was born on July 18th ,1943 in Elmhurst, Illinois. She spent her early years in Jackson, Mississippi before the family relocated to Warren, Massachusetts. However, she retained the ability to call up her best southern drawl on command. She attended the Northampton School for Girls, where she met John, her husband of 54 years, at a Valentine’s Day dance with the nearby boys school he attended. She was a gifted athlete (including archery and field hockey) and singer. She would go on to graduate from Skidmore College, where she was a member of the Sonneteers, with whom she toured. A life-long lover of books and knowledge, she earned her graduate degree from Springfield College, and held positions at several area bookstores, including Logos, Johnson’s, and the Christian Bookstore, before opening her own bookstore, The Last Word, in West Springfield, which she operated for years in person and later online. Above all, she was a homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. In her later years, she was nearly always adorned with some item from one of her grandchildren’s colleges, and for whose school football teams she cheered raucously each fall weekend. She was also a caretaker of a several cats, who were her constant companions. In her later years, Emily devoted her time, passion, and creative energy to service in the Orchard Covenant Church and to the Community Survival Center of Indian Orchard. She was grateful to be welcomed into the community of Kenyan and Congolese families that have settled in our area. Through her many travels around the country and abroad, perhaps her most satisfying visit was to the village of Muhudu, in Kenya, where she was able to meet and share in the love of her adopted family. She faced her illness with characteristic frankness and toughness, but also with the reassurance that her journey would bring her home to the Lord. She was very grateful for the excellent care and support she received from doctors Michael Rosen and Philip Glynn; Lisa, Bonnie, and the nursing staff at the Sister Caritas Cancer Center, and the staff at Mercy Hospital. She could not have continued without the enduring support of her loving husband John, who was constantly by her side. She passed on at home, cared for by friends and family, and was welcomed in Heaven at last with love. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham, MA 01095 is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests those who wish to to consider a donation to Community Survival Center of Indian Orchard, 240 Main St., Indian Orchard MA 01151, https://communitysurvivalcenter.org. or Orchard Covenant Church, 95 Berkshire St. Indian Orchard, MA 01151, https://www.orchardcovenant.org.

Clayton T. Hardon ’50

Clayton Thomas Hardon of Fox Chapel, PA, died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 11th, 2022, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Sally Flannery Hardon and son, Clay Jr. ’78 (Claire ’79), daughter, Meg, daughter, Kelly O’Leary (Frank), son, Chris ’81, son, Tony (Michele) and daughter, Sara Aros (Steve), plus his eight grandchildren, including Tommy (Donna), Michael (Ida), Kelley, William, Margot, Jack, Callie, and Addie. He was raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts by his mother, Elizabeth Coulter Hardon, an immigrant from Scotland. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, and graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served as a navigator bombardier in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force. Following his service in the Air Force, he came to Pittsburgh to start his career at Westinghouse Electric as an engineer in their nuclear division. It was in Pittsburgh that he met his beloved wife, Sally, and where they raised their six children. His entrepreneurial ventures started with a steel fabrication business that served the steel and electronics industries, followed by a commercial signage business. He was an active member of his many communities including Judge of Elections in Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, Fox Chapel Hackers golf group, and the Pittsburgh Field Club. As a lifelong athlete and competitor, Clay played ice hockey, football, squash, paddle tennis and had a lifetime enjoyment of golf. He passed his love of paddle and golf on to his kids and grandkids who enjoyed competing with him on the course and the court. Cover-to-cover reader of The New Yorker, faithful completer of the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle and jazz aficionado, he appreciated creativity, philosophy, and the arts. Clay approached life with an easy-going and unpretentious warmth. He will be remembered with love and fondness by his family and friends for his natty dress, dry wit, and grateful spirit. Friends will be received on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. in the Atrium of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church followed by a Funeral Service at 2 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in memory of Clayton Hardon to Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, 749 Hemlock Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Barbara Mitchell Scilipoti ’51

Barbara E. (Mitchell-Frieswick) Scilipoti, 87, passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 27, 2021. She was predeceased by her loving husband and companion, Sergio. She was the daughter of the late Edward L. and Mildred M. Mitchell of Mendon, MA. She was born in Milford, MA and raised her family in Milford and Upton, moving to Framingham, Marlborough and her final residence at Atria Draper Place in Hopedale. She is survived by her children, William Frieswick and his wife Kathleen of Haverhill, Nancy Phipps and her husband Wayne of Mendon, Renata Parsons and her husband Douglas of North Carolina, Robert Frieswick of Douglas and Daniel Frieswick of Dudley. She was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara of Parker, CO and brother Edward B. Mitchell. She was a loving aunt, nana and great-grandmother. Barbara graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1951 and attended Michigan State College before returning home to marry William Frieswick of Milford and starting her family. Barbara loved serving the public and was President of the Upton PTA, Director of the Upton District Nurse’s Association and First Vice President of the Milford Hospital Ladies Aide. She also owned and operated the Upton Shuttle Service. Over her life she worked as an Employment Interviewer and Acting Personnel Director at the Milford Hospital, Commonwealth of MA Department of Public Health in Boston, Monster Board and Whitney Place in Natick. You often heard Barbara state that she loved being a mom and was blessed with 5 children by the age of 28. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and loved tap dancing as a child. She loved helping at her parents restaurant, Milly Mitchell’s where she handled the take out and hamburger/ hot dog window. When not working, she loved swimming in Lake Nipmuc. She was a woman of style, elegance and grace with a happy heart, delightful sense of humor and a warm and kind smile that made everyone that met her smile too. She will be deeply missed. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 31, 2021 from 9:30-11AM in the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford, MA followed by a funeral service at 11AM in the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Barbara Scilipoti to the Fisher House Inc., 7323 West Highway 90, Suite 107, San Antonio, TX 78227. These donations will be made to the Lackland Air Force Base Chapter. The Fisher House provided housing/food for family during her daughter’s medical treatments. www.bumafuneralhome.com

Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community