A sweet and kind light has gone out. It is with deep sadness that at 2:20p on Monday, April 19, 2021, we released Glynis Ann Douglass back to the ethereal universe. She was a constant caring presence to those of us who were blessed by her love. Quietly and subtly, she would leave notes and thoughtful little gifts of food and soul nourishment to ease our daily journeys. Glynis was a gifted artist with a keen intellect and spot-on moral compass. She saw and reflected our flaws and frailties in the kindest of lights. Her judgements were true, but carefully tempered for only the slightest sting. She had a razor-sharp wit, but she lived by moderation and never hit harder than necessary to reveal an alternative perspective.
Glynis was born in Manhattan on January 9, 1959, to Sharon Luley Douglass and Malcolm Welsh Douglass. On May 4, 1961, Glynis lost her only (then) four-year-old brother, Angus Fitzgerald Douglass, to the sea. Arianna and I (Jillian) were born thereafter, but the loss of Angus left a void for her, that was only filled 28 years later on September 21, 1987, with the birth of Jared Maurice Sacks, the true Light of Glynis’s Love. Glynis was a gentle, but fiercely protective, and completely devoted mother.
As a child Glynis had an extraordinary will. At the tender age of 5, she challenged my father to a race that lasted at least a mile, before my father called out to her that she had won. For the rest of his life, my father would confide in Glynis and trust her to be strong, independent and capable. She carried this lesson of mutual respect forth in everything she did.
Glynis was a sharp and curious student. She attended Williston Northampton School from 1974 to 1976, where she studied visual and performance arts. She quickly learned and applied vast amounts of information and feeling into well-organized and well-founded original works. She became a talented printer, painter and lithographer. She went on to receive a BA in Art History from UMass Amherst, graduating early in 1979. She became an Assistant Editor for Boston Arts Magazine and continued her art studies at Massachusetts College of Art. She was awarded a Guggenheim scholarship and pursued a Masters’ degree abroad, in Italy.
Glynis exhibited her greatest creativity and passion in her boundless generosity and constant capacity to share “random acts of kindness”. She enjoyed cooking and planning meals and gatherings, but her highest joy was serving & tasting delicious foods. She loved volunteering with Food4Kids at Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans. Those of us in her care and under her protective wings (including her close friends, and especially my mother during her final years of life) were, and will always be, truly blessed.
In her final days at Tufts Medical Center, with deepest gratitude to all the doctors and staff, Glynis chose Hospice over life-extending treatments. In honor of Glynis’s gracious spirit, please give as generously as you can to Hospice, the Tibetan Nun Project, or the humanitarian charity of your choice.
Tag Archives: Class of 1976
Randall S. Shelden ’76
Randall Stuart Shelden, local businessman, entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer, and multi-sport athlete passed away peacefully July 10, 2018 surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Rockford, IL, May 28, 1957, son of James and Norma Shelden, Randy attended Keith School and West High School before graduating from Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. He later graduated from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Randy was a fitness enthusiast, and to that end he founded The Edge Fitness Center in Belvidere. He had a keen awareness of the need for proper nutrition and physical fitness to maintain a healthy mind and body.
He was a hard-working real estate investor having rental properties in Lake Geneva, as well as several local properties. He enjoyed rehabbing homes and improving neighborhoods in the process. And through vacation rentals, he truly enjoyed creating a welcoming and relaxing environment for his guests.
Randy had a love of photography, gardening and camping, which he enjoyed throughout his life. To say Randy loved sports, might be considered an understatement. He excelled at snow and water skiing, lake and ocean sailing, Nordic skiing and canoeing. And his competitive pursuits ran the gamut from sailing with the Lake Waubesa Sailing Club to the “Mac” race to running numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and completing four Iron Man Triathlons. His true passion was Nordic skiing, and he completed his 33rd annual 50K American Birkebeiner (Birkie) ski marathon in February, where he was an uberlegger finisher, having skied thirty or more Birkies. Randy was a past member of Second Congregational Church and more recently attended Heartland Community Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Kay Lynne, Rockford; brother James Shelden Jr. (Carrie), Atlanta; brother Charles Shelden ’77 (Kittie Hook), Denver; sister Julia Trowbridge, Clarendon Hills, IL; aunt Carolyn Bailey, Rockford; and several cousins, nieces and nephews whom he adored. Randy was humorous, generous, loyal, fun-loving, loved to laugh, and cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed by friends and family. Preceded in death by parents James Whitney and Norma J. Shelden, uncles James Bailey and Bennett Griggs, and an aunt, Margaret Shelden Griggs.
David Brakey ’76
David S. Brakey, 44, of Natick, died unexpectedly Sunday, April 27, 2003, at his home.
He was the husband of Ellen (Rosenfeld) Brakey. Born in Holyoke, he was the son of Gladys (Pryor) Brakey of Easthampton and the late Walter Brakey. He was a resident of Natick for the past 11 years.
He was employed as a chemist at Abbott Bioresearch and formerly was employed by DuPont and New England Nuclear Laboratories.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, hiking, backpacking and skiing. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts and received his master’s degree from Northeastern University.
Besides his wife and mother, he leaves two children, Jesse and Danielle Brakey, both of Natick; a brother, Glenn Brakey of South Hadley; a sister, Laurie LaPointe of Greenwich, Conn.; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robert and Ida Rosenfeld of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Priscilla Walker ’76
Priscilla Elaine Walker was born in Mt. Kisco, New York on November 22, 1958 to the late Reverend John Wesley and Alice Suzanne Walker.
She was called home to be with the Lord on October 28, 2011.
Priscilla leaves three lovely children, Kyle Francis (Kate) of California; Daeveon Alyce and Adriene Sylar both of Beacon. Also two sisters Sharon T. Allen-Ladson and Barbara A. Walker-Brickhouse both of Beacon. Three nephews James Laroy Reddrick(wife Mary),Palmer Lamont Allen(wife Beatriz) and Turone Wesley Walker;two nieces, Ashley Dawn-Suzanne Walker and Janai BreeAnnie Brickhouse all of Beacon. Two greatnieces Alaetra Lyn and Grace Teresa and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Christopher Maher ’76
Chris Maher, 55 years, passed suddenly Sunday of respiratory failure at home.
He was born in Holyoke, MA and attended schools on the east coast. He graduated from Williston-Northampton School in Easthampton, MA. He also attended Amherst College in Amherst, MA. He graduated from Yale University in New Haven, CT. It was then he made his home in California. He gained his Masters Degree from Mills College in Oakland, CA.
A lifelong learner, Chris had many talents in languages, music, and the arts. After his post graduate experiences, he worked for a hotel as a translator in San Francisco for a number of years. He relocated to Los Angeles and has made him home there for the last 20 plus years. He has been active in the arts.
Chris was predeceased by his mother, Mary T. Maher in 1997. His father, Richard J,. Maher died in 2004. He leaves his sisters, Maureen Cotter (Mike), Eileen Maher (Mark LaFrancis), and brother, Richard F. Maher (Liza). He also leaves five nieces: Laura O’Brien, Elizabeth Barsalou, Carolyn Cotter, Grace Maher, and Mary LaFrancis) and three nephews (Christopher Cotter, Dylan Maher, and Mark LaFrancis), and two grandnieces Abby and Caitlin O’Brien), whom he loved very much, to remember him. He has two dear friends in Los Angeles, David Douglas and Stephen Rau who have cared for him. Chris also leaves Nick Jordan who remembers him respectfully.
Joni A. Jurkowski ’76
Joni A. Jurkowski passed away on July 4, 2013, at Baystate Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born in Northampton on June 15, 1958.
Joni is survived by her uncle, Robert M. Laprade of Easthampton, with whom she lived. She is also survived by her cousin, Kitty Maxey, and husband, Dee of Dallas, Texas. In addition, she is survived by her feline companions, Mittens and Midnight. Joni was predeceased by her mother, Pauline, in 2013; her aunt, Georgette L. O’Connor, in 2000; her uncle, Jerry O’Connor, in 2001; and her cousin, Maggi O’Connor, in 2007.
Joni was a graduate of Williston Northampton School and Roger Williams University. She was employed for many years by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue in Springfield.
The family would like to thank Kimberly Soutra and Dr. Andrew Hall for their continued kindness and support. In addition, the family extends special thanks to Dr. Bogdan Tiru and the ICU staff at Baystate Medical Center for their professionalism and compassion in their treatment of Joni.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Easthampton Ambulance Fund, Attn.: Fire Chief, 32 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 or a charity of one’s choice .