All posts by hstauder

Theodore B. Wiehe, Jr. ’60

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On Saturday, April 11, 2020, Theodore Baird Wiehe, Jr., husband, father of two children, teacher and coach, passed away peacefully, at Judson Park in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 78. Baird was born on June 24, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland to the parents of Mary House and Theodore Baird Wiehe. He was a graduate of Williston Academy. He received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and earned his Master’s in Teaching from Brown University in 1964. Baird taught for 32 years at Shaker Heights High School. On August 21, 1965, he married Sarah Bell Noble. They raised two sons, Peter and Oliver. Baird had a passion for and loved teaching, coaching soccer, watching baseball and running. Baird believed it was his duty to make the world a better place. He chose a life of service and one of educating our country’s greatest resource, our children. Known for creating innovative classes like “Country Capitalism” and “Death, Dying and Old Age,” he loved the challenge of teaching analytical thinking. He started and built the first-ever Men’s and Women’s soccer teams at Shaker Heights High School and was selected to be a member of the Ohio State Soccer Hall of Fame. For many years Baird rode his red bicycle (a gift from one of his soccer teams) to work. An avid runner, he could be seen into his 70s running the streets of Shaker. Known for having a great sense of humor and being an excellent conversationalist, Baird had a way of making those he met feel welcome and included. He is survived by his wife Sarah of 54 years, his two children, Peter ’86 and Oliver ’88, his sister Betty, brother Phil ’67, and several cousins, nieces, and a nephew. A service in his memory will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Judson Foundation, 2181 Ambleside Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106.

Posted in: 1960s

Jennifer Dumont Quiet ’86

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After a courageous battle with cancer, Jennifer Dumont Quiet of Hopkinton, NH, passed at home on April 5, 2020 with her family by her side. Jen was born on August 16, 1968, in Westfield, MA.
She grew up in Southampton, MA, and was a graduate of the Williston Northampton School, where she excelled in lacrosse and hockey. She went on to receive degrees from the University of New Hampshire and Fitchburg State College. She began a career in social work with special need clients on Cape Cod where she met her devoted husband Mike. In later years, Jen entered the field of education testing and worked with Measured Progress in Dover, NH and Aquifer in Lebanon, NH.
Jennifer was happiest when camping or skiing with her family. She loved long hikes with her favorite dogs and playing music with her friends. She was the ultimate “Mom-Fan”, a side-line regular, proudly cheering for her boys at every game.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Michael Quiet; her loving sons Carter and Colby Quiet; her sister Andrea Dumont ’88, brother-in-law Michael Badger and nephew Alex Badger of Westborough, MA; her brother Michael Dumont ’84 of Easthampton, MA her parents Richard and Nancy Dumont of Southampton, MA; in-laws Ed and Merle Quiet of Bradenton, FL, and many supportive aunts, uncles and cousins who loved Jen for the amazing woman she was.
Family and friends will gather at a later date for a celebration of her beautiful life. In lieu of flowers, a go-fund-me scholarship has been established for Carter Quiet, a sophomore at UNH and Colby Quiet, an entering freshman at Keene State. Contributions made to https://ww.gofundme.com/fin-memory-of-jen-quiet

Posted in: 1980s

Alan Hagstrom ’58

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Alan “Chip” Hagstrom, 81, beloved husband of Grace C. (Callahan) Hagstrom, of Rockport, MA, passed away on Sunday morning, April 5, 2020.

Born in Gloucester on July 16, 1938, he was son of the late Edward and Ruth (Currier) Hagstrom. Chip was a graduate of Gloucester High School where he was a standout baseball and basketball player. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton and played on the school’s soccer and tennis team. He went on to graduate from Boston University with his Bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was also a four year member of the BU crew team. After college, Chip had served in the U.S. National Guard.

Chip worked in the family business with his father Edward and his uncle George in the Hagstrom Construction Co. which he ran for many years and became well known on Cape Ann for his meticulous work. He later built and operated the Captain’s Lodge on Eastern Avenue where he also ran a coffee and sandwich shop, frequented not only by his lodgers but many family friends. In later years, Chip ran the buses for the Rockport school system.

Throughout his life, Chip remained very active in the community having served on the Board of Directors of Bank Gloucester for 39 years, longtime volunteer at Day by Day Adult Care, devout member of the Trinity Congregational Church and advocate for the YMCA. He was a member of the Economic Development Commission and was instrumental in the construction of the Blackburn Industrial Park. Chip was also an avid golfer and former member of the Bass Rocks Golf Club and Rockport Golf Club.

In addition to his wife Grace, he is survived by his son Alan Kyle Hagstrom and wife Anne and their children Alan Tyler, Gil, Caroline and Jon Gunnar all of Florida; his daughter Alison McNamara and husband Dennis and their children Alison Kate, Clare, Margaret and Connor all of Raleigh, N.C. He was predeceased by his sister Marcie Moore.

A memorial service will be held in the Trinity Congregational Church at a later date. Contributions may be made in Chip’s memory to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA.

Posted in: 1950s

Kathryn P. Downey ’87

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Kathryn Paddock Downey of Eugene, Oregon, died in her sleep at the Pete Moore Hospice House on March 4, 2020 after a 23-year battle with brain cancer. She was surrounded by her twin sister, Kristen, her mother, father, and other family members.
Kathryn was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on October 22, 1969 and was raised on both Coasts, living in Piedmont, California; Chatham and Summit, NJ; and New York City, as well as London, England. Until age 17, she spent every summer in paradise at Beaver Lake, the family lake house in Franklin, New Jersey. She attended public and private schools, and graduated from the Williston Northampton School in 1987. After high school she attended college for a year in Pennsylvania. She lived in Colorado and Hawaii for brief stints and traveled to art and music festivals around the US. She also visited Central America and Europe before following her sister into the University of Oregon, earning a Fine Arts degree. She was a gifted artist, specializing in handcrafted fine jewelry and beadwork. She co-owned Imagine Gallery for several years, an endeavor of which she was particularly proud.
Kathryn was stricken with a brain tumor in 1996. In addition to being cared for by Eugene cancer specialists, she was treated principally, and lovingly, at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF). Despite the profound and negative impacts brain cancer had on her adult life, Kathryn always remained positive, upbeat, and hopeful.
Kathryn was loved by all who knew her for her art, her great sense of humor, endless laughter and joy, and her uncanny ability to ruin Subarus, her preferred means of transportation. She loved to go out for dinner and have a local microbrew with her twin sister and mom. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors, crafting, and hanging out with her beloved niece and nephew in Eugene.
In addition to her twin, Kathryn is survived by her mother, Marjorie Downey of Eugene; her father, Paul Downey of Healdsburg, California; brothers Paul, of Hollis, NH and Robert of Burlington, VT and their families; her brother-in-law David Helton, niece Ella and nephew Spencer, all of Eugene; her stepmother, Hallie Beacham; a stepbrother and sister; many uncles and aunts; and more than 20 first cousins scattered all over the country.
A Remembrance of Kathryn will be held in Eugene at a date and place to be determined. Any contributions in her memory can be made to the Kathryn Downey Brain Cancer Fund at UCSF.

Posted in: 1980s

Richard P. Dec ’73

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Richard Peter Dec of Hadley, MA, born January 31, 1955, passed away on March 29, 2020 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a long illness. Rick graduated from the Williston Northampton School where he excelled in soccer, hockey, baseball and art. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UMass and a Master of Arts Degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City.

While studying for his Masters Degree, Rick became interested in carpentry while renovating apartment units in Brooklyn. After graduating from Pratt, he returned to the Pioneer Valley and embarked on a 30-year career that would become the Northampton Brewery. He was a big fan of all Boston sports teams, especially the Bruins and Red Sox. After 30 years of building construction, with an artist’s talent for finished work, his knees gave out, and he returned to his love of art.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Doris and Wallace Dec. He is survived by his sister Doreen Dec, brother David Dec (Mona Balicki) of South Hadley, and brother Steven Dec (Claire Largesse) of Louisville, CO.

There will be no funeral services, but a retrospective of Rick’s artwork is being planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Williston Art Department, Williston Northampton School, 19 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027.

Czelusniak Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Posted in: 1970s

Nana Staub ’84

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Nana Staub, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020. She was born April 25, 1966 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Dr. Roy T. Staub, M.D. and Nancy Lohman Staub.

Nana was Catholic by faith. She attended Tulane University and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality. Nana worked in the film industry and was a very talented interior decorator. She enjoyed collecting odd and wonderful things, and she was always with her Weimaraner.

Nana was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Roy T. Staub, M.D.  She is survived by her mother, Nancy Lohman Staub; her brother, Tommy Staub; and her sisters, Liz Staub and Leslie Staub, all of New Orleans.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in New Orleans at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alaqua Animal Refuge at https://www.alaqua.org/donate/

Posted in: 1980s

Ralph L. Sautter ’51

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Ralph L. Sautter, of Lexington, Massachusetts and Biddeford Pool, Maine, passed away on March 28, 2020 at home.

Ralph Leonard Sautter was born and raised in Nichols, Connecticut, the son of the late Harry A. Sautter and Marine Leonard Sautter. He was the beloved husband of Carol Cacciamani, the cherished father of Janet Wendle, the loving and proud grandfather of Caroline, Tanner and Harlan Wendle, who made his eyes sparkle, and the uncle of his devoted niece and nephew, Laura and Frank Ganat.

Ralph attended Williston Academy, Easthampton, MA and Dartmouth College from which he graduated in 1955. Following graduation, Ralph served as a Captain in the U.S Marine Corps. After leaving the military, Ralph joined State Street Bank, spending his entire 40 year career with the company in corporate banking. He retired in 1999 as a Senior Vice President.

He was active in various boards and committees over the years, including as trustee and treasurer of MA Multiple Sclerosis Society, trustee and treasurer of Hale Reservation, trustee of First Parish Church and member of the board of overseers of Williston Academy. Formerly of Westwood, he served as chairman of the finance committee and a member of the school committee.

Ralph remained active with, and close to, his Dartmouth classmates, serving as class treasurer for forty years up until the time of his death.

He was well loved and he loved well.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Ralph’s honor to the Class of 1955 Wright Scholarship Fund, Dartmouth College, 6066 Development Office, Hanover, NH 03755.

Posted in: 1950s

Carol Phillips Ailes ’67

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Carol Jean Phillips Ailes, 71, passed away very peacefully March 20, 2020 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, MD of advanced lung disease. The only daughter and youngest child of Pratt D. Phillips, Jr and Jean Price Phillips. Carol was educated in Salisbury until she went to the Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, MA (now the Williston Northampton School). At Northampton she excelled in athletics, winning the athletic award at graduation. She then attended Bradford College for two years and finished her education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Upon graduation, Carol and her best friend and college roommate, Fay Schneider Bright, who remained her most cherished friend and confidant throughout the remainder of her life, went to Munich, Germany for two and a half years to study and work. Returning to the states, Carol began her career in travel with Vacations International in Salisbury, which truly suited Carol’s personality, love of people and travel. She then met and married Robert (Bob) E. Ailes and moved to the Western Shore. Continuing in the same field, she then began her 37 year career at the Smithsonian Institution in the travel management office. Retiring in 2018, she and her husband moved back to the Eastern Shore. Carol had a real zest for life and people. She made so many friends from all over the world with whom she never lost contact. Her passions were family first always, cooking and gardening to which she devoted much of her spare time developing and maintaining a truly amazing garden. She was a member of the Bowie Crofton Garden Club, The National Capital Daylily Club and a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She is survived by her husband, Bob, her brothers, PD Phillips III (Jo), Norcross, GA, and John P. Phillips of Salisbury as well as three nephews, Pratt D. Phillips IV (Phil) (Sara), J. Price Phillips Jr., Salisbury, MD, Christian S. Phillips, Ocean City, MD and two very treasured nieces, Katherine and Elizabeth Phillips. She also leaves many extremely devoted cousins and friends. A Funeral Eucharist will be held on Friday, March 27, 2020 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Salisbury, MD at 10:00 a.m. for the immediate family only. Interment will follow immediately at Parsons Cemetery. The service will be streamed at www.facebook.com/stPetersSby . A public Memorial Eucharist will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made in her memory to Coastal Hospice of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, PO Box 1733 Salisbury, MD 21802 or to the St. Celelia Guild at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 115 St. Peter’s St, Salisbury, MD 21801. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804.

Posted in: 1960s

Howard J. Lamson ’67

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Howard Jewett (Hank) Lamson passed away on March 19, 2020.  Howard was the son of the late Edward Nathan Lamson and Barbara Tunison Lamson. He is survived by his brother Edward Fay Lamson and his wife, Marsha, and their children Ted (wife Kristi) and Haley (fiancé Jimmy), his sister Susan Lamson Strickler and her husband Herb, and their children Brooks (wife Carla) and Nathan (wife Erin). He is also survived by his step-daughter Jennifer Swabowicz and her husband Edward and their children Hannah and Haleigh, also two great nephews and a great niece, Wade Strickler, Eddie Lamson and Bridget Lamson.

Hank attended Westford Academy, Williston Academy and Bentley University. Professionally, he spent his entire career with the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, Lowell, MA, serving in many capacities.

Hank came back to Maine, after spending summers there growing up, at the time of retirement and lived in Kennebunkport until his death. He had a passion for reading mysteries until his eyesight created problems. His love of vegetable gardening came from his father and he enjoyed giving away some of his delicious zucchinis. Golfing, cooking, photography and carpentry were also part of his life, including trips to Mulligan’s for lunch or dinner.

A celebration of Hank’s life will be held this summer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kennebunk Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 7004, Cape Porpoise, ME 04014 or to Maine Warden Service, 284 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330.

Posted in: 1960s

Brenda Minisci, Former Faculty

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Brenda Minisci, 80, of North Hatfield, MA, passed away in her home, of natural causes on March 2, 2020. She was born June 15, 1939, the second daughter of Vincent L. and Anne (Webster) Minisci. She is pre-deceased by her life-partner, Vincent Fasolino, also of North Hatfield. She is survived by her two sisters: Sandra Minisci and Diana Minisci Appleton, both of Windsor, CT., and her niece, Saarin Appleton of Bloomfield, CT. She is also survived by numerous cousins and second cousins. Brenda lived in North Hatfield from 1968 until the time of her death in 2020.

After graduating as an honor student from Wachusett Regional High School, she attended Rhode Island School of Design and participated in RISD’s first European Honors Program in Rome, Italy, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ceramics. She later attended Cranbrook Academy of Fine Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, earning an MFA Degree, and was also active in The American Craft Council. Her work is in the permanent collections of several museums and institutions.

Brenda’s teaching career began at the Worcester Craft Center. She then taught for a short time in Worcester Public Schools, followed by teaching positions at UMass in Amherst and then Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, where she taught ceramics and sculpture for many years.

Brenda was a fiercely independent woman who greatly enjoyed her North Hatfield property and home /studio, and the special friends she grew to know and love, there. She loved all aspects of nature, especially watching her plants and trees grow and the animals who constantly challenged her for ownership of her property! Whales and birds were ongoing motifs in her later sculptural work. She loved kayaking and built several kayaks. She also loved seeing her former students, many of whom expressed appreciation for what they learned as a result of her inspirational teaching.

A private gathering in celebration of Brenda’s life will be held at a later date. Her family requests that an act of kindness be done in her honor, or a donation be made in her honor to the charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Posted in: Former Faculty