In Memoriam
Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

Margaret Elizabeth Crooks Burke ’56

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crooksMargaret Elizabeth Crooks Burke, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2015.

Born December 24, 1938. Long time resident of Marblehead. Born to William D.K. Crooks and Helen Martin Crooks both of Marblehead.

Peg, as she was known, attended the Northampton School For Girls in Northampton, Massachusetts and the Brimmer & May School in Newton. She attended college at Marymount in Tarrytown, NY. She was married to Paul Burke of Littles Point Swampscott, for fifty five years who predeceased her in July 2014.

In addition to raising two children, Peg was also very active in charitable fundraising and political pursuits; some to include Boys and Girls Club, Catholic Charities and various political fund raisers throughout the 60’s and 70’s. She was also a member of the Junior Aide Society, the Ace of Clubs, Salem Country Club and Corinthian Yacht Club. Peg enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, cooking, reading, entertaining, her pets, others pets and her grandchildren.

Surviving her are her son and daughter, H. Victoria Burke of Salem and Paul A. Burke of Salem and Palm Beach, Florida; two grandsons, Burke A. Oppenheim and Tucker A. Oppenheim both of Salem, a son in law Jeffrey J. Oppleheim of Hamilton, two sisters in law Betty Burke of MA and Penny Crooks of Florida, numerous nieces and nephews on the Burke and Crooks side the Honorable Joseph L. Tauro Family, Judge Joseph L. Tauro and Anne LeFavour Jones Tauro, Beth Tauro and Christopher M. Tauro all of Marblehead and Joseph L. Tauro, Jr of Florida.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1956

Nancy Morse Willeson ’45

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Nancy MorseNancy Lee (Morse) Willeson, A.K.A. Nancy Maxwell-Willeson, aged 87 went to be with her Lord April 18.

Nancy was living in Palm Harbor, FL. She was born January 20, 1928 in Wellesley Hills, MA, to Roger Earle & Gladys Carr Morse. She spent summers as a child at the family farm in Francestown, N.H., and also at the family cottage in Chatham, Cape Cod, MA. She graduated from Northampton School For Girls, in Northampton, MA, and she also graduated from Principia College in Elsah, IL.

She married Ronald (Max) Maxwell-Willeson Sept. 6, 1952, and brought up her four children in Wayland, MA and later in Chatham, MA.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1945, Uncategorized

Richard E Waite, Sr. ’42

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Richard WaiteRichard E. “Dick” Waite, Sr., 91, of West Brandywine, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2015.

He was the husband of the late Ruth A. Waite, his beloved wife with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.

Born on May 13, 1924, in Winchington, Massachusetts, Richard graduated from Williston Academy in 1942 and received a BA degree in economics from Bowdoin College. His college studies were interrupted by service in Europe during WW II as a combat infantryman with the 84th Division. He fought in some of the most significant battles, the Battle of the Bulge and The Siegfried Line and participated in concentration camp liberations.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1942

Vance Likins ’41

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Vance LikinsMr. Vance F. Likins, Jr., age 94, died peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2015 after a lengthy illness.

He was the beloved husband of Christine (Robinson) Likins, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage.

Born in Cambridge, Vance was the son of the late Vance Likins, Sr. and Marthella (Church) Likins.

Prior to his retirement, Vance worked as an Insurance Adjuster for Aetna Insurance Co. for over 28 years. Vance and his wife spent many hours on Siesta Key and enjoyed walking the beach. He enjoyed his Jazz Music and he and wife traveled the world with the Count Basie Band.

In addition to his wife, he leaves one son: Vance F. Likins, III and his wife Beverly of Marblehead. He was the grandfather to Sandy Norris, Meri Likins and Skip Likins. He was the great grandfather to Shawn, Sarah, Shayla, Susie Emily, David, Tabitha, Isabella and Lucky. He was the brother to Priscilla Doty of Bethesa, MD and the late Sam Likins and Cynthia Vernardakis.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Robert Capece ’50

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Robert CapeceRobert J. Capece of Harwich Port, MA entered into rest on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Florida at the age of 83.

Born December 12, 1931 in Boston, MA; he was the son of Dr. Nicholas J. and Hazel Capece of Milford, MA. Robert was predeceased by his wife Patricia Capece.

He was a graduate of Boston University, class of 1954. He retired from Greenleaf Finance LLC in Milford in 1992.

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Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

Janet Slocombe Murray ’46

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Janet SJanet L. (Slocombe) Murray, formerly of Woodlawn Avenue, Northampton, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.

Born Aug. 5, 1928, in Northampton, she was the youngest daughter of the late Christopher and Lillian Slocombe (Vanasse). She attended local schools and was a graduate of Smith College.

She lived in Hawaii and Barstow, California, but spent most of her life in Northampton. She loved animals and bred Siamese cats for a time. Janet also loved to travel, visiting many National Parks, Europe, and cruising throughout the Caribbean.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946

Barry Purrington ’46

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Barry PurringtonBarry Jay Purrington, 86, of Whitehouse, Texas passed away December 10, 2014 in Tyler, Texas.

Barry was born February 8, 1928 in Pittsburg, PA, to Rollo & Marian Purrington.

Mr. Purrington grew up in Haydenville, Massachusetts before joining the Navy in 1946. After serving his country, Barry received his Bachelor’s Degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology. He enjoyed woodworking and piano tuning in his spare time. Barry was a faithful member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tyler.

Surviving are Wife, Jean Purrington of Whitehouse, Daughter, Kim & Glenn Strauss of Tyler, Son, Jay Purrington of Irving, Son, Dan & Robyn Purrington of Huntington, WV, 9 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren, Brother, Bruce Purrington, and Brother, Dick Purrington.

Barry was preceded in death by his Parents.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946

Kenneth Langbehn ’46

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Ken LangbehnKenneth Peter Langbehn, Jr. died at home August 18, 2013 at the age of 85, in the arms of his wife of 35 years, Veleria Richmond Langbehn.

Kenneth was born at home in Vero Beach, FL on Sept. 13, 1927, to Kenneth P. Langbehn, Sr. and Barbara De Kold.

He was married to Patricia Laub Langbehn Nelson (dec.) and they had five children, Sharon (Art) Noriega, Vero Beach, Leonissa (Tom) Abraham-Dean, NH, Wayne (Wendy) Hopkins-Langbehn, CT., Cynthia (Robert) Gruber, Vero Beach, Georgenna (Michael) Biganzoli, Ocala. Kenneth had one sister, Mary Jo Mancini (dec.), four grand-children, one great grandchild, two nieces, and 3 cousins.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946

Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community