Tag Archives: Class of 1955

Deborah Saybolt Merker ’55

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SayboltDeborah Saybolt Merker, “Debby” of Haverford, PA, age 78, died unexpectedly in an automobile accident in Cleveland, Tennessee on April 10th.

Beloved wife of 53 years of James J. Merker and loving Mother of Lisa and (John) Allen and Jenny and (Bart) Anthony. She is survived by grandchildren, Tyler Conway and Caroline Hayes Allen and is the sister of Peter M. Saybolt and Janet S. Bowers. Debby was the daughter of W.D. and Marion Saybolt of Haverford, PA.

Debby attended Baldwin School and graduated from Williston Northampton School; attended Brown University and was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Debby was a stewardess for Eastern Airlines in the 60s. She later joined her husband’s firm, Merker Associates, as a partner.

She was an active member of St. Christopher’s Church of Gladwyne and a long time dedicated member of the choir. One of Debby’s great passions was her love for animals, especially her dogs. She also loved art, design and music. She was an avid gardener. Her generosity and kindness were legendary.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1955

Andrew W. Korts III ’55

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Korts '55Andrew W. Korts III, 76, died on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Albany Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Rochester, he was the son of the late Andrew W. Korts Jr. and Helen Louise (Paterson) Korts Sauer. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass. and he earned a master’s degree in education from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Korts was an Irish Christian Brother and devoted his entire career to education. He was an accomplished organist and worked with Father Peter Young at Blessed Sacrament Church in Bolton Landing and at Mother Teresa Catholic Community in Albany, handling all of the liturgical music needs at both churches. He also was a secretary for the Peter Young Housing Industries and Treatment Foundation. Mr. Korts was a world traveler.

Survivors include his nephew, Michael Butler of Rensselaer; his “adopted niece” Dawn Dayter of Rensselaer; his cousins from England, Julia and Katie Henderson and his dear friend and colleague, Fr. Peter Young and everyone involved with the PYHIT Foundation.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1955

James Ewing ’55

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EwingJames Hildreth Ewing, 75, of Lexington, formerly of Brockton, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at the Lahey Clinic after suffering a stroke.

James was born May 11, 1938, to Clifton and Lora Ewing, and grew up in Westhampton.

He was a retired electrical engineer and avid boat enthusiast. James was a graduate of Williston Academy class of 1955 and of Amherst College class of 1959.

He is survived by dear friend and partner Mathilde Wood; his children and their spouses Eleanor Gittelman and husband Arye of Seattle, Wash., Lora Ewing of New York City, N.Y., Ruth Ewing and wife Jennifer Collins of Maynard, David Ewing and wife Teresa of Longmont, Colo, and Jeannette Levitt of Chicago, Ill.; his siblings Margaret Stern, Peter Ewing and Heidi Kapsokavathis; grandchildren Rachel, Juli, Aaron, Scott, Tim, Emily, Amanda, Lily, Nick and Sophie; and several nieces and nephews.

James was predeceased by grandson Andrew Levitt.

Posted in: 1950s