Tag Archives: Class of 1974

Deborah E. Koffman ’74

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Deb Koffman, artist, teacher, loving friend, daughter, aunt, sister, and polka dot aficionado passed away February 10, 2021. We’ll miss her love, her laugh, her genius, her generosity and her presence. These are her words about her life:

I do what I do because I got tired of doing what I was supposed to do – you know, supposed to cry at funerals, laugh at weddings, be hungry at mealtime, sleepy at bedtime. But sometimes I felt like laughing at funerals and crying at weddings…And sometimes I wasn’t hungry for days…And sometimes I wanted to sleep forever…

I spent the first 31 years of my life living by someone else’s standard of what was “right:” my parents, my boyfriends, schools, professional environments -that didn’t work.

I needed some perspective, I needed to know what was right for me. So, I became an “artist” being dedicated to, and inspired by, discovering what is inherently true for me.

I describe to myself how I feel about the world…so when I forget what I’ve learned I can look at a table I’ve painted or an image I’ve drawn or words I’ve written and it reminds me of what I know, of what is true about the world for me.

When I see what I’ve created it touches my heart. It comes from my heart and miraculously it always touches me again. So, my truth is, I do this for me…Because it makes me feel good…lt is my gift to myself. When you see what I’ve done, and your heart is touched…Then we have exchanged presence…

And there is no greater gift to receive. Thank you for your presence.

Posted in: 1970s

Marie-Therese Tarantino ’74

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Marie-Therese Tarantino, formerly of Northampton, MA, died on February 3, 2020 in Delray Beach, FL after a brief illness. Marie-Therese was born on February 21, 1957 in Springfield, MA and grew up in Northampton. After attending the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, she graduated cum laude from Boston College with a degree in psychology. She went on to graduate cum laude from Northeastern University with a Master in Business Administration in 1980. Beginning her business career in Miami, Marie-Therese worked for the Miami Herald newspaper as a Major Accounts Manager. She also worked for IRE Financial Corp. of Coral Gables, FL and PaineWebber in Miami before becoming a manager at Merrill Lynch and Trust Company in Miami. She loved to travel, especially to exotic destinations such as Nepal and Tahiti, and had a flair for interior design. She practiced at an ashram in India and taught yoga in Miami. She took cello lessons for several years, was an avid tennis player and was in the process of reading all of the Pulitzer prize-winning novels. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Joseph and Patricia Tarantino of Northampton, MA. She leaves her loving husband, Henry Guignet, of Delray Beach, FL; her sister, Rosemary Tarantino ’73 of Haydenville, MA; two brothers, Carl Tarantino ’77 of Virginia Beach, VA and Joseph Tarantino ’78 of Northampton, MA; two aunts and a niece and nephew. A Celebration of Life will be held for Marie-Therese on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Del Lago Chapel from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, 131 South Lakeside Drive, Lake Worth, FL 33460.

Posted in: 1970s

Steven E. Thurber ’74

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Steven E. Thurber passed away on November 9, 2018.  His father, Ernest R. Thurber, passed away on November 18, 2018.  Their obituary:

Ernest R. Thurber was born on January 30, 1927 to parents, Julia and Edward Thurber in Chelmsford, MA and entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018. Ernest was born on January 30, 1927 to parents, Julia and Edward Thurber in Chelmsford, MA and entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018. Ernest graduated from Chelmsford HS in 1944 where he was the valedictorian and received a degree in meteorology from Penn State in 1962. His first love was flying and he saw himself as very fortunate to be a career Air Force pilot and then to work for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. Ernest is remembered for his love of God, family and country. His faith saw him through difficult times and was so very important to him until the end.

He is preceded in death by his wives Harriet Kearney Thurber and Martha Thurber as well as his brother, Edward Thurber. He is survived by his three daughters, Suzanna Thurber, Christine Johnson (Eric) and Robin Chamberlain (John), four grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Kathryn and Cale and four great grandchildren as well as his sister, Theresa Maguire.

Tragically Ernest’s only son, and apple of his eye, Steven E. Thurber passed away on November 9, 2018. Steven was a natural athlete in several sports from swimming and baseball to golf. He was a 1974 Honor graduate from Williston Academy in Massachusetts. Steven loved the open road and pursued both career and leisure time behind the wheel.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Thurber and his grandson, Blaine Mincey. Steven is survived by two children, Kathryn Mincey (Austin) and Cale Thurber (Taylor) and four beautiful granddaughters.

Services to celebrate both their lives will be at the Parish of the Resurrection in Nashua, NH on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Posted in: 1970s

Ilse Wilson Shumway ’74

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Ilse Wilson Shumway, of Amherst, MA, born Jan. 3, 1956, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, after enduring her battle with cancer.

Ilse was the beloved wife of Philip E. Shumway (’42) and cherished mother to Philip, Spencer, Jennifer, Clarissa and the late Geoffrey Shumway. She also leaves behind grandson Jackson Shumway and dear siblings John, Peter, and Harold Wilson, Holly Jenne and the late Eric Wilson as well as many nieces, nephews and family members whom she cherished greatly.

For Ilse, family was everything. Throughout her life she continuously placed the needs and desires of others before her own; the ultimate example of this can be seen through the manner in which she loved and cared for her family. Ilse reached beyond the walls of her home as well to be of service and advocate for many she came in contact with. From a very early age, her genuine care for others shown through as a volunteer worker at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Professionally, Ilse was an accomplished Certified Public Accountant who carried out her own practice and touched the lives of many of her clients.

 

Posted in: 1970s

Michael P. Farmer ’74

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Michael Patrick Farmer, 58, longtime resident of Amesbury, died Sunday afternoon June 23, 2013 at home with his loving family at his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was an amazing husband to his wife of 32 years, Gail Slosar-Farmer, and a devoted father to his children, Sean and Sheena. Born in Albany, N.Y., on March 12, 1955, he was one of seven children of Dorothea J. (Peterson) Farmer of Newburyport and the late Raymond B. Farmer. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Troy, N.Y., Williston Academy of Easthampton, Mass., and attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

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Posted in: 1970s