Mary Lee Sands Jabri, 80, of Springfield, MA, died on August 20, 2016 at the Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. Born in Westerly, RI on May 30, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Dr.Harold Collender Sands and Elizabeth (Haynes) Sands Colbath and step daughter of the late Elbridge Percy Colbath of Coventry, CT. She was also the widow of Marwan Anwar Jabri of New York and East Longmeadow, MA. Mr. Jabri had been a Business Editor for the Springfield Republican. Growing up in Northampton, MA, she graduated, in 1955, from the Northampton School for Girls. She attended Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and graduated from the Katherine Gibbs School in Boston, MA in 1958.She spent the next ten years in New York City working in several engineering and stock brokerage firms and became active in the Oratorio Society of New York. Upon settling in Longmeadow in 1970, and eventually East Longmeadow, she became a Worthy Matron, from 1974-75, of the Carona Chapter of East Longmeadow, Order of the Eastern Star. From 1973-76, she was Regent of the Mercy Warren Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in Springfield. A charter member and Past President of the Lady Arbella Chapter of the Pioneer Valley, Colonial Dames XVII Century, she later became a member of the Sir Richard Saltonstall Chapter of Great Barrington and Edmund Rice Chapter of Dedham, becoming State President, from 1997-99, of the Mass. State Society. She was active in the Alumnae Association of the Williston Northampton School of Easthampton, MA; and gave of her time to the Boys and Girls Club and Shriners Hospital for Children, both of Springfield and the Holyoke Soldiers Home. She was also a longtime supporter of the Springfield Library and Museums Association. She leaves her son, Charles Enver Jabri of Springfield. She is predeceased by members of the Jabri family of Aleppo, Syria, the Elchelebi family of Melbourne, Australia, a cousin Walter Pinto and his wife Pamela of Cobalt, CT, cousins of the Cafazzo family in Maine, Enfield, CT and Coventry, CT and dear family friends, Joseph and Sylvia Dennis of Enfield CT.
Category Archives: 1950s
Edward B. Kerin ’57
Edward Berchman Kerin died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 2, 2016 at the age of 77. Edward is survived by his wife, Theresa Downes Kerin, their children, Katherine Kerin, Elizabeth & Kirk Carver, Timothy Whitesell, Patrick & Renee Whitesell, and grandchildren, Grace Nechanicky, Aurora Whitesell, Nell Stevens, Sophia Whitesell, & Rowan Whitesell. The son of Edward John & Josephine Karlsen Kerin, Edward was born on October 6, 1938 in Hartford, CT. He is survived by siblings, William & Louise Kerin, Lynn & Charles Cormier, Leah & John Giblo, and Robert & Randi Kerin, as well as many adored nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Miriam & William Keith. Key experiences shaped Edward’s path.
Struggling to read, his father taught him to love words and literature. He won a scholarship to Williston Academy, which opened his mind further still. He attended Colgate and then joined the U.S. Army, serving for six years and reaching the rank of Lieutenant, reinforcing his belief in loyalty, honor, hard work. He later received his Executive MBA from Columbia University. Having two daughters, and later, two stepsons and many grandchildren, was a great source of joy for Edward, which he shared with Theresa, his wife of 20 years and dearest friend. A 50-year resident of Poughkeepsie, NY, Edward worked for and eventually co-owned Chemprene, in Beacon, NY. He served on many boards, including Vulcan International Corp., Dutchess Golf Club (President), Vassar Warner Home, Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce (Chair), & Workforce Development Institute (Chair). With the voice of a lion and the soul of a poet, Edward championed anyone who worked hard, no matter what they achieved. He also championed a life well lived. To help those who deserve a chance at that life, his family asks that contributions in Edward’s memory be given to the Williston Northampton School or the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. There are no services.
Gilbert Knier ’59
Gil Knier, 75, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, died on Monday, May 2, 2016.
Gil was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was involved with many other churches and Ministries, especially the Men’s Ministry Network. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1963-1984 including service in the Viet Nam War.
Gil was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Knier.
Gil is survived by his daughters, Stephanie (Earl, Jr.) Smith of Enid, Ok., Melanie Knier of Gatlinburg, and Katrina (Francis, Jr.) Maughan of Enid, Ok.; son, Steven (Kathryn) Johnson, of Lancaster, Pa.; two step-sons, Thad ( Janice) Narramore of Soddy Daisy, and Phillip (Christy) Narramore, of Signal Mountain; one sister, Melinda Wallis, of Kirkland, Wa., and one brother, Frederick (Paula) Knier, of Vero Beach, Fl.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many Wallis cousins.
Interment will be at a later date in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
John Murray ’53
John Piper Murray, 81, of Fort Collins, Colorado died in hospice care on Friday, April 29, 2016. John was born in Sioux Lookout, Alberta, Canada to Alexander Keith and Mildred Isabella (Wilson) Murray. He moved to New York, then became a United States citizen at the age of 20. He is a graduate of Williston Academy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and The George Washington University.
He is survived by his wife, Dorcas (Morgan) Murray whom he married September 5, 1959 in Fort Collins, daughters, Laura Murray of Colorado Springs and Carol Cochran and her husband, Tim of Fort Collins; grandchildren, Tatum Cochran of Fort Collins, William Laycock of Colorado Springs, Catriona Cochran of Denver, and Shane Laycock of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his sister, Suzanne Murray of Canmore, Alberta and brother, Peter Murray (Mary Swanson) of Emigrant, Montana as well as several nieces and nephews.
Linda A. DeBarbieri ’59
Linda A. DeBarbieri, 74, of Easthampton, passed away suddenly Monday, April 25, 2016, at her home in Easthampton.
She was born March 10, 1942, in Holyoke, daughter of the late Edward and Sophie (Ezyk) DeBarbieri. She was educated in Northampton schools and was a graduate of the Northampton School for Girls, and Baypath College in Springfield.
Linda was a lifelong communicant of the former Immaculate Conception Church now the Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Easthampton.
Linda leaves her beloved sister Mary Ellen Kozuch of Huntsville, Alabama; her nephew Joseph Kozuch and his wife Jennifer of Huntsville, Alabama; two grandnephews; and a grandniece.
Joan Oestreich Kend ’52
Joan Oestreich, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2016.
Joan grew up in Great Neck, New York, the daughter of Sophie and Charles Oestreich, sister of David Arthur Oestreich and the late Richard Oestreich.
A graduate of Northampton School for Girls, she attended Vassar College and graduated from Columbia University’s School of General Studies.
Joan worked for many years in finance. A resident of Manhattan, Joan also enjoyed her estate in Millbrook, New York.
A patron of the arts, Joan collected both antiques and early American art. Joan was a member of the Harmonie Club in New York City and the Mashomack Preserve Club in Pine Plains, New York.
She is survived by her devoted brother, David, his wife Brenda and their children and grandchildren. She was married to the late David Kend and is also survived by step-sons Peter Kend and Robert Kend and their families. She was a loyal friend to many.
Richard O’Brien ’56
Richard J. O’Brien, 77, of Northampton, devoted son and uncle, passed peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2016, at the Palmer House, Palmer, with his niece Tara (his god-daughter) and close family and friends by his side.
Son of the late Cornelius and Kathryn (Croke) O’Brien, Richard graduated from Chicopee High School in 1955, then attended Williston Academy for a postgraduate year. He was proudly a College of the Holy Cross Crusader, class of 1960.
A natural educator, he taught social studies in the Chicopee school system upon his graduation. Both his identical twin, William, and Richard were very gifted athletes, as highlighted recently with their induction into the Chicopee High School Hall of Fame. No small feat, Richard was also the starting quarterback as an underclassman for the heyday of College of the Holy Cross Football until a game injury left him permanently on the sidelines.
August “Ted” Lindquist ’51
A.T. “Ted” Lindquist, Jr., 84, of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 24th, surrounded by his loving family at The Residence at Brookside in Avon, CT.
He was the widower of Audrey Arnold Lindquist. Born in New Britain, CT on October 5, 1931, Ted was the son of the late A.T. Lindquist, Sr., and Marion Viall Lindquist.
He graduated from New Britain High School in 1949 and attended Williston Academy of Easthampton, MA before entering Bates College in 1951.
Robert Gardiner ’50
Robert W. Gardiner, 83, of Centerville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.
Robert served as a minister for over 30 years in the United Church of Christ. He was an avid reader and poet. Robert had a love for classical music and also enjoyed long walks and talks with family, friends and members of his congregation.
He was raised and educated in the Boston area, attending Williston Academy, Amherst College, Tufts University and Andover Newton Theological School. Robert ministered in Wellesley, Pittsford, Vermont, and Southampton.
Robert is the beloved husband of Lorraine Gardiner. He is the devoted father of Dr. Matthew F. Gardiner ’88 and his wife Dr. Mary Beth Cunnane. Robert is the cherished grandfather of Nathaniel, Sophia and Luke. He is the loving son of the late Frederick and Gertrude (Worthington) Gardiner.
Jerry Finger ’50
Jerry Elliott Finger passed away on the 3rd of February 2016, after a life well lived. He died surrounded by, and comforted by friends and family. His death was caused by complications from emphysema. Jerry lived a full life that included many achievements and experiences, but none were greater than the relationships he enjoyed with friends, family, associates and business partners, students and the many lives he touched and made better by his enthusiasm and generous heart.
He was born on the 11th of October 1932, in Houston, Texas to Hyman and Bessie Finger. He was later joined by his two brothers, Marvy and Ronny, to whom he was close to his entire life. Growing up, he attended Sutton Elementary School and later attended military school at Allen Academy in Bryan, Texas for part of his middle school years. He only ran away once from Allen Academy, and it was because he had the flu and came home to get proper care from his mother. He attended high school at San Jacinto High School and graduated in 1949. Only seventeen upon graduation from high school, he attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA in 1950 for an additional year of study, and during that time, spent a summer with his Uncle Tobias Gordon in Wharton, Texas, where he developed a life-long passion for reading.