Tag Archives: Class of 1948

Elizabeth (Howkins) Holmes ’48

Elizabeth (Betsy) H. Holmes died at age 93 on Saturday, March 2nd. She was born in Baltimore, and was preceded by four older brothers: Gere, Jack, Tom and Tono. She leaves a sister, Mary Ball Howkins, a resident of Dighton, Massachusetts, and Mary Ball’s daughter, Thea Howkins Knotts, of San Pablo, California.

Betsy, born in 1930, was an early professional woman. On the tails of WWII, she worked for Radio Free Europe, an informational arm of the CIA. She subsequently worked as an editor for a president of Northeastern University, Asa Smallidge Knowles, and then as writer and editor, in a husband and wife team, of a grammar workbook series for D C Heath and Company publisher.

She was a Zen Buddhist by belief. Betsy and her husband, a Zen teacher and English professor, decorated their winter holiday tree with tiny buddhas to celebrate the season.

Betsy and her husband lived in Hendersonville for many decades, writing and walking miles upon miles, up and down mountains, daily. You may have encountered them on your walks.

Dalton F. McClelland, Jr. ’48

Dr. Dalton Finley McClelland, Jr. shuffled off his mortal coil on Saturday, December 3, 2022. He passed at peace and without pain, surrounded by family, just shy of his 92nd birthday.
His message: In Dalton’s final years, you may have heard him say we need to “put an end to all war” and “get on top of climate change.” All his life he was adventurous and inquisitive. Anyone who met Dalton became a friend, and he was generous to a fault. He worked and hoped for peace and to live a life of service, and to do his part to provide health care as a human right for all.
Life: He was born December 30, 1930 in Madras. India, where his father served as secretary for the International YMCA. In 1945, at age 14 he came to the United States, studied at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts, then on to college at Oberlin and ultimately attended medical school at Case Western Reserve in Ohio. In the years between high school and medical school he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in England. He moved to the southwest to practice medicine first at the Presbyterian Mission Hospital in Embudo, NM, then at the Eastside Community Health Center in Denver, CO. After returning to New Mexico, to Española for a brief stint in private practice, he loaded up the Volkswagen van in 1973 with wife Beth and 6 children, and took a job at the new El Rio Neighborhood Health Center. There are a multitude of stories in the intervening years-some happy, some sad, during which time he became an active member of Southside Presbyterian Church and eventually a regular at the U.S. federal building on Friday afternoons, protesting US intervention in Central America, and other wars and aggression. He was also a devoted Red Sox fan, but in all other sports he would inevitably root for the “underdog”. When he retired from El Rio in 2001, he began a life of activism and volunteering with Samaritans, Clínica Amistad, Veterans for Peace, Women in Black, and countless others.
Survivors/Legacy: Dalton is predeceased by his parents, Dalton Finley McClelland, Sr. and Maud Kelsey McClelland, and his sister and brothers Marion Cramer, Harry and William McClelland, and his beloved daughter Amy Lynn McClelland. He is survived by his nine wonderful grandchildren, and by his children Jody Elizabeth Wilkens, Andrew Christopher McClelland, Karen Denise Cameron, Margaret Kay McClelland, Deborah Jean McClelland and Lee Ann Chamberlain, and numerous dear nieces, nephews and sisters in-law. He also leaves behind a multitude of friends and admirers. In his final years he lived independently at the Fountains at La Cholla community, where many will remember him fondly.
Memorials: In person celebration of Dalton’s life will take place in the early part of 2023, at a time and place yet to be determined. In the meantime we ask that you share memories here, and go out into the world and do something that reminds you of him (a nice hike in the desert, making a new friend, sitting down to a delicious meal with loved ones, something to make you or others smile).
Gifts in his memory: In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to Clínica Amistad, Casa María, Tucson Community Food Bank, Veterans for Peace-Jon Miles Chapter, Pima County Public Library, or any organization you feel embodies the Dalton that you knew & loved.

David H. Beach ’48

David Henry Beach, 92, of Dover, New Hampshire and formerly of Portsmouth, Newmarket and Byfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 31, 2022 at his home surrounded by loving family. David was born in Northampton, MA on February 19, 1930, a son of the late Galen H. and Lillian (Keith) Beach. He shared over 40 years of beautiful marriage with his late wife, Loretta (Gleason) Beach, who died in 2020. Previously married for 25 years to his first wife Norma Powell formerly Norma Dargie Beach.

He was raised in Southampton, MA and graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA in 1948. David went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Northeastern University in 1954 and shortly after graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. David served his country honorably for 3 years in post-war Germany, returned home and settled in Byfield, MA to raise his family. An avid family man with all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout the years. He attended Byfield Parish Church in the earlier years serving as a deacon and singing in the choir for many of those years. He accepted a position as a Systems Analyst with Western Electric where he worked for over 31 years until his retirement. Many of those years were with Bell Labs in Andover, Mass. where he was instrumental in research and development of new phone communication systems.

David married Loretta in 1980 and they settled in Newburyport, MA. David and Loretta met while performing with the former New Essex Players of Newburyport and had acted in 11 theatrical shows together. David was also an avid barbershop quartet singer and enjoyed it immensely. Singing many barbershop and patriotic songs at random until his passing. After both retired, David and Loretta purchased an RV and toured the United States for the next 3 years, making 4 round trip excursions around the country. They relocated to Portsmouth, NH in 2012 after 14 years in Newmarket and then moved to Dover, NH in 2018.

David is survived by his two sons, James Beach of Salisbury, MA and Jeffery Beach and his wife, Jane of Deerfield, NH, his daughter, Lauren Nauman and her husband, Paul of Hopkinton, MA, his stepdaughter, Nancy Vawter and her husband, Brian of Dover, his stepson, Jim Doyle and his wife, Stacie of Denver, CO. David also leaves 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, his sister, Leona Hendrick of Southampton, MA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife, David was predeceased by siblings, Warren Beach, Hazel Polis, Verna Slocum and Mabel Emerson.

Services will be private. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Friends In Action friendsinactionnh.org in his name.

June Ramsey Atwood ’48

June Ramsey Atwood, 91, of West Falmouth, MA, died on Monday, February 7, 2022, unexpectedly in her home. A descendant of the Henry Swift family, she was born in Worcester, MA in 1930, daughter of the late Webster Kimball Ramsey and Chrystella Swift Ramsey.

June attended the Northampton School for Girls, the Bancroft School, Colby-Sawyer College, and the Katherine Gibbs School. June spent almost every summer of her life in West Falmouth with her extended family and many dear friends.

She married Joseph R. Atwood on October 11, 1952, and after residing in Farmington, CT, they moved to Sudbury, MA to raise their family. After retirement, June and Joe moved to West Falmouth where she was active with the West Falmouth Library, Colonial Dames, Woods Hole Golf Club, Harbor Head Tennis Club, Bowerman’s Beach Club, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Cahoon Museum, Heritage Museums and Gardens, and the Royal Megansett Nursing Home, where she founded the Scherettes, who kept the residents singing and moving.

June was a classy, well-dressed lady who enjoyed skiing and tennis and loved the arts. She also loved meeting people and socializing. In her late years, she would often be seen cruising around the village in her Highlander, stopping to chat with people. She loved talking with everyone, from the oldest residents to the youngest of children.

June was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Rowen Atwood and the devoted mother of Dr. Steven Webster Atwood and his wife Sandra Bittermann Atwood of Vineyard Haven, and Carol Atwood Reynolds of West Falmouth. She was also the adored grandmother of Jeremiah Webster Atwood and his wife Beth Nicole Atwood of Dover, Tristan Owen Atwood and his wife Cassandra Liberty Atwood of Vineyard Haven, and Whitney Christine Reynolds of Cold Spring, KY, and great-grandmother of Hallie Leigh Atwood of Dover. She is survived by her dear sister, Carol Webster Rice of Hubbardston.

A Celebration of June’s life, and Joe’s also, with family and friends, will take place later in the spring in West Falmouth. (which will be announced in the paper)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Falmouth Library, P.O. Box 1209, West Falmouth, Massachusetts 02574.

Frances Hazlehurst Taylor ’48

Frances Hazlehurst Taylor passed peacefully on December 6, 2021. She was born June 7, 1931 in Colorado Springs to Edith Billings Farnsworth and George Blagden Hazlehurst. Frances enjoyed a lifelong love of reading beginning at her mother’s bookstore in Colorado Springs. She also developed a love of art through her Grandfather, Francis Drexel Smith, an early Colorado artist. Frances attended Northampton School for Girls and Wellesley College, graduating in 1952. She married Erik Sprague Taylor in 1954. Frances worked as a legal assistant for the Denver District Attorney and for the state of Colorado Attorney General’s office. She was active with the Crow Canyon Archeological Center, Hotel de Paris Museum, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Four Mile Historic Park and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Colorado. She enjoyed tennis, skiing, the family cabin in South Park, the great outdoors, traveling, and researching family history. Her passion for preservation led to the designation of her Denver family’s home as a historic landmark. She was a member of the Denver Fortnightly Club and several beloved book clubs. Frances is survived by her three children: Erik S. Taylor Jr., Ann M. Taylor (Cheryl Ayres) and Jennifer T. Fox (William); her four grandchildren, Madeleine and Charlie Fox, Kari and Bryan Ayres; her brother John Hazlehurst and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erik Taylor. Services will be held Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 N. Washington St., Denver CO. Memorials may be made to the Hotel de Paris Museum, the National Trust for Historic Preservation or the Crow Canyon Archeological Center.

James M. Gangemi ’48

James “Marvin” Gangemi, 92, of Williamstown, MA, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 23rd 2021 surrounded by family at the Bennington Veterans Home in Bennington, VT. Marvin was born in North Adams, MA, son of the late Dr. Michael A. Gangemi and Evelyn (O’Neil) Gangemi, and was about to celebrate 68 years of marriage with his loving wife Mary (Morrissey) Gangemi.

Marvin graduated from Williston Academy in 1948, Tufts University in 1952, and received a Master’s Degree in Education from North Adams State College in 1960. Marvin served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

Marvin was fulfilled by sharing his passion for the outdoors and was in his element when surrounded by his students and family. He was known for his love of all creatures, especially his loving labradors. He was dedicated to the Williamstown community, serving in the Williamstown Public Schools from 1956 until his retirement in 1992 where he positively impacted many young lives as a beloved coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent. He took pride in being a co-founder of the Williamstown Little League. He, along with his wife Mary, served on the board of directors of A Better Chance. Marvin was also on the board of directors of the Williamstown Boys Club, serving as its president for several years, and later served on the board of directors for the Hoosic River Watershed Association.

In the 1960s he and his wife Mary founded Camp Tamarack in Florida, MA which they operated for 20 years, welcoming youth from surrounding towns to experience the joys of the outdoors and develop lifelong friendships. In 1984 he and Mary started a successful bed and breakfast at Steep Acres Farm, which became a gathering place for Williams College Alumni, and attracted visitors from all over the world.

Marvin was a devoted husband, father, and friend and loved gathering with his large extended family. He married Mary (Morrissey) Gangemi in 1953 and they raised a family of six children. Marvin is survived by his wife Mary (Morrissey) Gangemi of Williamstown, MA, son Daniel Gangemi of Sarasota, FL, daughter Sarah Bardo and husband Seth of Stamford, VT, daughter Johanna Gangemi-Brown and husband Boyd of Gold Hill, CO, son John Gangemi and wife Robin Bissell of Columbia Falls, MT, son Anthony Gangemi and wife Dabney Langellier of Whitefish, MT, and daughter Mary Kate Bronder and husband Michael of Andover, MA. Marvin is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sisters Annetta Gleason, Mary E. Ramm, Jeanne Durocher, and his brother Michael Gangemi.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Berkshire Humane Society at https://berkshirehumane.org/donate/.

Susan Bray Walker ’48

Susan Bray Walker of Scarsdale, NY, died on April 2, 2020 at White Plains Hospital.

Mrs. Walker was born Jan. 21, 1930 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Edward Emmett Bray and Margaret Mary Keane Bray. She graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and worked as an advertising copywriter for McCann-Erickson Inc. in New York City before marrying her husband John and raising their family in Scarsdale.

An enthusiastic civic volunteer, Mrs. Walker served on the board of The Arc Westchester Foundation for many years, served as president of the Westchester Smith College Club, president of the Scarsdale chapter of the American Field Service, president of the Scarsdale Parent-Teacher Association, treasurer of the Town and Village Civic Club and served on several committees for the village of Scarsdale.

Her family said Mrs. Walker was an extraordinary advocate for people with disabilities, and those she worked with remember her as a woman whose quiet voice never failed to raise matters of importance. Her family remembered her as dedicated to the love and well-being of her family. They said she took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren and loved and supported them all unconditionally.

Mrs. Walker is survived by her husband, John David Walker; her two sons, David Bray Walker and his wife Elizabeth of Greenwich, and William Alexander Walker and his wife Amy Walsh of Brooklyn; her five grandchildren: Anne, Catherine and Sarah Walker and Henry and John Walker; and her brother, David Bray, of Sag Harbor and Greenport, New York. She was predeceased by her daughter, Elizabeth Grace Walker.

Mrs. Walker will be laid to rest at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye. In light of the ongoing public health emergency, there will be no in-person service prior to the burial. A memorial celebration of her life will be scheduled at an appropriate time in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be mailed to the Arc of Westchester, 265 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY 10532 or online at arcwestchester.org.

James A. Ubertalli ’48

James Arthur Ubertalli peacefully departed this life Thursday, May 27, 2021 at his home with his family by his side. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, November 4, 1928, the son of James “Jack” and Christine (Demers) Ubertalli, he attended Holyoke Public Schools and Williston Academy, and earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
While working in Atlanta as a technical advisor for Orkin Exterminating, he met his wife, Barbara. The young couple lived in Texas for a few years where they developed a life-long passion for Mexican food, music and culture. Jim and his young family returned to New England where he continued his work in entomology as a manager for Terminix Industries. He also worked as a graduate entomologist serving the Baystate Medical System Environmental Services team as educator, technician and lecturer and retiring in 2003.
The call to serve led Jim to join the U.S. Army ROTC while a student at UMass. He was a tank commander headed to Korea when the Pentagon recruited him, because of his entomological expertise, to be a technical advisor for the Army Medical Services Corps. Jim served in the Army Reserves for 28 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Among the many leadership positions he held, he was most proud of his role on the faculty of The United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the renowned graduate military college. In recent years, he found immense pride and camaraderie with a new band of brothers at the American Legion Post 351 and served as District Historian.
His quiet affability and keen sense of humor earned him many friends. Jim was proud of his hometown, Holyoke, and was called upon and gladly served in many volunteer capacities including Sunday School teacher and deacon of the Second Congregational Church, fire commissioner, youth hockey coach and scoutmaster of Troop 670 where he mentored many Eagle Scouts. He was also a lifelong sports fan and enjoyed some glory as starting center for Holyoke High football and Williston Academy where he was part of the school’s celebrated undefeated team, the first in fifty years. In retirement, he spent time oil painting WWII aircraft and birds, reading voluminous historical accounts on the American Civil War and WWll and traveling with his family annually to Disneyworld and other far-flung destinations. Jim will be remembered by the lives he touched for his warm kindness, gentle sense of humor and keen interest in learning and sharing what he had learned.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara, his daughter Donna Lee and son Jimmy and daughter-in-law Harriet, his grandchildren Sophia and George, his brother Don, nieces Linda and JoAnne and nephew Jack. Exceptional in his humility, passionately proud and loyal to his friends and family, he will be dearly missed.
A Funeral Home Service will be held for Jim on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 9:30am in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke followed by Committal with Military Honors at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of James A. Ubertalli to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift.

Barbara MacNeil Fuller ’48

Barbara Jane Fuller, née MacNeil, departed this world peacefully on June 17, 2020 at her home in Marion, Massachusetts after a brief illness, surrounded by her five daughters and numerous grandchildren. She was 89 years old.

“Bobby” was born on September 2, 1930 in Newton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Ruah and John MacNeil and sister to Jean, Margery, John, Janice, and Marcia ’49. She attended the Northampton School for Girls and Elmira College, where she sang in the choir and earned a BA in education. In 1955, she married William Fuller and together they raised five girls on Beach Drive in Darien, Connecticut. In 1999, they moved to Marion where they renovated the Elizabeth Taber House on Cottage St.

Bobby will be remembered for her loving and generous spirit, her humor and wise counsel, and her dedication to family and community. She was an avid reader who loved history, and she was an ardent tennis player and fan. She was Past President of the Marion Garden Group, and during her life she held positions with the Darien PTA, the Girl Scouts, the Houston Amigos, Post 53 Emergency Medical Services in Darien, and she volunteered at numerous charities. In her younger years, she was a well loved school teacher.

She is survived by her children, Frances Fuller Baldwin of Mystic, CT; Faith Elizabeth Fuller of Oakland, CA; Abigail Fuller (Neil Wollman) of Portland, ME; Ruah Seidel (Erik) of Las Vegas, NV; Jean Fuller Gest of Marion, MA; and grandchildren Jack Madigan, Elian Seidel, Ali Madigan, Jamesin Seidel, William Baldwin, Leonore Fuller, Barbara Nell Gest, Jack Fuller, and Beau Fuller. She was preceded in death by her precious granddaughter Josephine “Scout” Fuller and her husband of 56 years, Bill Fuller.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marion Garden Group in memory of Bobby Fuller, PO Box 403, Marion, MA 02738

Domenica Margaret Spinelli Duprey ’48

Domenica Margaret Duprey, 100, formerly of Cedar St., Northampton, MA, died May 15, 2020 at the Elaine Center in Hadley. She was born in Northampton on May 8, 1920, the daughter of the late Nicola and Frances (Capadice) Spinelli. She grew up on Market St. and went to Bridge St. School. She attended the Northampton School for Girls, Northampton Community Commercial College, and Holyoke and Greenfield Community Colleges.

In 1937 she went to work at McCallum’s Hosiery Company for four years. She was a WAC in the United States Army during WWII. Domenica was a Medical Aidman who worked in the surgical ward as a Nurse’s Assistant until discharged in 1946. In 1949 she married her husband of 48 years, Louis F. Duprey. Domenica later worked at the Northampton State Hospital until 1968. She worked as a Book Keeper for the University of Massachusetts until retiring in 1983. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting. Domenica and Louis loved to travel to Cape Cod in the summer.

She was predeceased by her husband Louis, her daughter Donna Duprey and her sisters Mary Isaacson and Ann Goodhind. Domenica leaves her son Gary Duprey of Northampton and Nicholas Duprey of Easthampton, her brother Vito Spinelli, grandchildren Spencer, Peter and Alicia, and great grandchildren Gabriel, Lucas and Madilyn. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Elaine Manor who, over these past 10 years, took such great care of “Minnie”.

The funeral and burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery will be private. Czelusniak Funeral Home is in charge.