Nancy Coke Atwood left this earth peacefully on April 29, 2023, at the age of 90, at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., of complications from a heart attack.

Beloved mother of four children, Nancy retired in 2003 after many years as a psychotherapist in private practice in Boston and in Wellesley, Mass. With a warm and empathetic soul, and a deep commitment to her profession, she helped hundreds of families and individuals in the Boston area to overcome adversity and live better lives. She earned a PhD from the Heller School at Brandeis University in 1983 after earning two master’s degrees in urban affairs and social work at Boston University. She was a member of the adjunct faculty at Smith College School of Social Work and author of many articles on psychology and social policy in academic journals. She was also the co-editor of an anthology of memoirs about growing up in the American working class, “Coming of Age in a Hardscrabble World,” published by the University of Georgia Press and used as a college text.

Yet the achievement she was most proud of was her four children, whom she raised mostly by herself after the death of her husband, Roger Pratt Atwood, in 1965. She enjoyed reading, cooking, classical music, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, and she was a champion Scrabble player. She was active until late in life in the Unitarian Universalist First Church in Boston. She also enjoyed travelling, cultural events, and volunteer work for many progressive causes with her partner in later years, David Berkowitz, who died in 2019.

Nancy Coke Smith was born on January 2, 1933, in Norwalk, Connecticut, the daughter of architect Perry Coke Smith and artist and teacher Martha (“Patty”) Cary Smith, née Pratt, later Miller. Nancy graduated with a degree in English from Wellesley College in 1954 and later worked as a public-school teacher. Always creative and energetic, and with a spirit of compassion for those less privileged, she worked at several hospitals and mental-health facilities. She later developed a successful, licensed psychotherapy practice at her home in the Bay Village neighborhood of Boston, specializing in family therapy and substance abuse treatment. At Christmas every year, she would receive stacks of cards from her grateful patients.

Until 2007 she spent part of the year in her beloved house on Jerusalem Road in Cohasset, where she enjoyed walks on the beach and was an active member of the Straits Pond Watershed Association. She lived later at 36 Irving Street in Cambridge, until moving to Cadbury Commons nursing home in August 2022. She is survived by daughters Emily G. Gawboy of Leominster, Mass., and Gwendolyn C. Atwood, of Ghent, N.Y.; and sons Roger Alexander Atwood, of Washington, D.C., and Christopher P. Atwood, of Havertown, Penn., and a brother, Monty Johnston, of Natural Bridge Station, Va., and six grandchildren.

Lynn Bryan Sobocinski, 76, passed away on October 15, 2023. Beloved wife of David P. Sobocinski. Loving mother of Amy Daly (James) and Mitchell Sobocinski (Luciana). Cherished grandmother of Leanne and Callan Daly, Hannah and Mitchell Sobocinski.

Lynn was a Pan Am flight attendant and afterwards a financial advisor with David. She loved to golf and enjoyed traveling. A gracious host and excellent chef, many had the pleasure of being at her home. Countless people have said that Lynn was their best friend who always placed herself second, everyone else came first.

Visitation Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Ave., Huntington Station. Funeral Mass Friday 10:45 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, Huntington.

In lieu of flowers, Lynn would greatly appreciate donations be made to: Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, www.littleshelter.org 33 Warner Road, Huntington, NY 11743 in Lynn’s name would be greatly appreciated.

October 30, 1933 (Lahore, Punjab) – June 4, 2023 (Newton, Mass., USA)

Marguerite Helen Velte Hasbrouck was born in Lahore, Punjab (today Pakistan), where her father was a professor of English at Forman Christian College. When she was three years old, her parents brought her back to the U.S. in search of better treatment for tuberculosis and osteomyelitis in her legs. A year later, she was told she should give up hope of walking unaided. “That’s what you think”, she told the doctor, sticking out her tongue at him. She cast off her leg braces and crutches not long afterward, became a strong walker, swimmer, and paddler, and delighted in defying anyone who underestimated her strength, endurance — or wit.

Due to her childhood illnesses, she didn’t start formal schooling until eighth grade, but she graduated from high school at sixteen and earned a degree in comparative government and religion at Barnard College. “I thought of being a lawyer”, she said decades later, “but I was timid, and law school wasn’t what women did.”

Marguerite raised three children – “each very different, and each of whom I helped to be their different selves”, she would say proudly – and worked at a variety of administrative, editorial, and legal jobs including at Wellesley College, where her role included representing the college to the Wellesley Chamber of Commerce, and later as editor of a computer industry trade journal. As co-chair of the Bates School PTA, Marguerite co-founded the Bates Pumpkin Festival, which became an annual town institution that has continued for more than fifty years. After getting involved in Wellesley town politics through the League of Women Voters, she served as an elected member of the Town Meeting and the School Committee and an appointed member of the Advisory Committee.

In 1987, as administrator of the Arlington Street Church in Boston, she testified at a Congressional hearing on break-ins at churches that offered sanctuary to refugees from U.S. wars in Central America. She spent the last decade before her retirement as a paralegal at the Nature Conservancy, where she took special joy in being able to help protect the place she felt most at home, Lake George in the Adirondacks. But she most wanted to be thought of as a writer and a musician. She played organ and piano, sang, and served on the board of the Old West Organ Society.

Marguerite was a member of the Wellesley Friends Meeting and a regular attender for almost thirty years of the Friends Meeting at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk, which she had helped organize in response to a request from one of the incarcerated men. She was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Policy Coalition, facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops at prisons throughout New England, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Massachusetts Department of Correction for her volunteer work.

Marguerite was active in Quaker witness for peace and justice, including as clerk of several committees of the Wellesley Friends Meeting and the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, as a contributor to Peacework magazine and a volunteer at the New England office of the American Friends Service Committee, and as a member of AFSC’s national board of directors.

As a legal worker, Marguerite served on the board of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and worked as a volunteer with the NLG Military Law Task Force and the GI Rights Hotline.

Marguerite is survived by her partner of more than 30 years, Jim Casteris (P.O. Box 783, Winterport, ME 04496) and his family; son Robert Hasbrouck of Boxborough, MA; daughter Dorothy McDonald and son-in-law Bob McDonald of Sudbury, MA; son Edward Hasbrouck and daughter-in-law Ruth Radetsky of San Francisco, CA; grandson Kyle A. H. McDonald of Concord, NH; sister Lois Carstens of West Brandywine, PA; and many friends.

A concert and memorial meeting in the manner of Friends (Quakers) will be held under the care of the Wellesley Friends Meeting in hybrid format, in person in Wellesley and online, on Sunday, 5 November 2023. All are welcome.

Donations in Marguerite’s memory may be made to AFSC.

Sally D. Wright, 92, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully on May 29 , 2023. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles M. Wright and her son William D. Wright. She is remembered by her remaining sons, Charles E. Wright (Michelle); James M. Wright (Rebekah), Thomas S. Wright (Anne) of and David S. Wright (Flo). She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her friend James Farrell.

Sally, born Charlotte Davis, was raised in Northampton, MA. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts. After marriage she and her husband Charlie settled in Wilmington, DE and began their family. After the boys were grown Sally had a career with Hagley Museum.

A memorial service will be held Monday June 5th, 11:00 am at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home 3710 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will be private.

Memorial Donations may be made to: Human Animal Partners .org, 455 Stanton Christiana Road.

Jun Smith, 88, a resident of Concord, Massachusetts since 1968, died at her son’s home, Timothy Smith, of Southborough, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, following an extended illness and recently sustained injuries as a passenger in an auto accident.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, on January 29, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Samitaro and Fuki (Wooyenaka) Uramatsu. Mrs. Smith received her primary education from The International School of The Sacred Heart in Tokyo, whose mission is to provide an education for women that prepares them for success in an ever-changing world. At seventeen, she came to the U.S. to attend The Williston Northampton School, graduating in 1954. Mrs. Smith received her bachelor of arts from Wellesley College in 1958. Professionally, she was an accredited Japanese-English translator. She worked at Wang Labs as a technical editor for 12 years and was an editor at Dun & Bradstreet Software.
Jun was a lifelong lover of music. She played the piano, guitar, soprano, treble, tenor, and bass recorders and was active in many choirs in Concord. Growing up, she was involved in sports and enjoyed figure skating, cycling, hiking, camping, and gardening.
She enjoyed a more than 40-year marriage with her late husband, Henry Clement Smith II, who passed away in 2002. She leaves her sons Jeffrey U. Smith of Block Island, R.I., and Timothy W. Smith of Southborough, MA.; two of three sisters, Kiyoko Uramatsu of Northwood, NH. and Kei Zehr ’61 of Tiburon, CA.; her three grandchildren, Scarlett Hovenstot, Gavin J. Smith and Jayden U. Smith, as well as many nieces, a nephew, and seven grandnieces.
A memorial service announcement will be made at a later date. If you want to be notified, please get in touch with: Tim Smith 6 Winter Street, Southborough, MA. 01772 Tsmithtennis@mac.com

Clare Doverspike Conover, 91, longtime resident of Guilford, CT and most recently of Essex passed away at her home on August 16, 2023.

Clare was born in New Haven, CT on July 15, 1932, daughter of the late Charles Woolsey Conover and Anne (Rudolph) Conover. Beloved sister of Scott Conover and his wife Margaret of Guilford and Charles Woolsey Conover and his wife Bea of Holderness, NH. Also survived by nieces and nephews, Beth Berestecky and husband Mike of Madison; Christine Holland and her husband Mark of Needham, MA; Scott Conover, Jr and his wife Pam of Baltimore, MD; Professor Charles W. Conover, Jr. and his wife Sharon of Oakland, ME; Rev. Bill Conover and his wife Deb of Olympia, WA; and Grand nieces and nephews, Michael, Lauren and Reed Berestecky; Hap and Teddy Conover; Andrew and Will Holland; Beatrice and Arthur Conover; Emma Thakker and Nell Conover Crocket and Clare’s loving friend Mary Mather.

Clare is a 1951 graduate of Northampton School for Girls and a 1953 graduate of Colby Junior College. Before retirement she had for worked as a Medical Technologist / Medical Researcher for several Hospitals in CT; including Middlesex Hospital, which she retired from in 1997. She enjoyed reading, and her many outdoor activities of swimming, hiking, biking and kayaking.

Friends are invited to a Memorial services at the First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meeting House Lane, Madison on Saturday, September 16 at 1pm. Burial services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Audubon Guilford Salt Marsh Sanctuary, 4 Meadowlands, Guilford, CT 0643.

December 4, 1951 – July 10, 2023

Beloved wife of Joseph Plut. Loving mother of Gordon Kee of Ottawa and grandson Kieran. Loved step-mother of Matthew Plut (Emily) of Calgary and Stephen Chelli of Tasmania. Dear sister of David Hubbard (Patricia) and Ruth Lovinsohn. Brenda will be fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews and many friends.

A celebration of Brenda’s life will be planned for a later date. If so desired memorial donations to the Alliston & District Humane Society would be appreciated.

Susan Gibson Schiller, 83, passed away on June 9, 2023, at Blossom Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Salem, Ohio. She was born on Aug. 2, 1939, in Youngstown to the late William K. and Constance (Tice) Gibson. Susan graduated from the Northampton School for Girls before attending Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., and Youngstown State University. She worked at the Salem Public Library for over 25 years and prior to that was a receptionist for Dr. Howard Moore. She was a charter member of the Board of AID and sat on the Century House board. Susan also volunteered for the Salem Historical Society and its museum for many years. Susan married the late Royal Schiller on Aug. 5, 1961, and they had one son, David A. Schiller. Susan will be remembered by her brother, William K. Gibson Jr. of Poland; sister, Jane Salter ’64 of Corvallis, Oregon; and five nieces. She is preceded in death by her husband, son, parents and one niece. Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14 at Stark Memorial. A memorial service will immediately follow at 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14. Burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial donations in Susan’s name, can be made to the Salem Public Library, 821 E. State St., Salem, Ohio 44460; or Salem Historical Society Museum, 208 S. Broadway, Salem, Ohio 44460. If unable to attend, join our complimentary “Hugs from Home” program at www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Dennis Union Church, 713 Main Street, Dennis, Massachusetts. Reception to follow.

Barbara Curtis Baker died peacefully on June 12, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Daughter of Orman and Marylouise Curtis, Barbara was born on May 27, 1943, in Northampton, Massachusetts. She grew up with brothers Richard and Jeffrey in Easthampton, next to the Williston Northampton School, a proximity that would lead to a life-long relationship with the school. She attended the Northampton School for Girls, then went on to receive degrees in early childhood education from Wheelock College (BA) and Smith College (MA). During her first stint teaching in Washington, DC, she met Ellis Baker, her husband of 56 years, who was a career educator at the Williston Northampton School. After their first meeting, Ellis claims he said to a colleague, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry” — and marry her he did on August 5, 1967, in the Williston Chapel. They raised their four children, Lisa, Carrie, Ben and Adam, committing their lives to their family and the surrounding community, finding joy in supporting their children’s endeavors. Her lifelong passion educating young people, Barbara taught at Smith College’s Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill for decades, shaping classroom learning experiences for three and four year olds, while mentoring student teachers. Barbara served on the Williston Northampton School’s Alumni Council and Board of Trustees before retiring to Cape Cod in Brewster, Massachusetts, where she and Ellis walked the Brewster flats, became members of the Dennis Union Church, volunteered their time at Eventide Arts, enjoyed family reunions, and traveled to care for their grandchildren. Barbara loved grandparenting as much as she loved teaching, her belief in the critical importance of an excellent early education manifested intimately. To the end of her life, Barbara shared her smile and warmth with all around her, including her caregivers, a legacy of love that lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Barbara leaves behind her husband Ellis Baker ’51 and her children, their spouses, and nine grandchildren: Lisa Baker ’89 and Tarim Chung, Malia, Thea, and Siri; Carrie Baker ’92 and Dragoş Vas, Călin and Ana; Ben and Robin Baker, Rachel (and husband Richard) and Jane; and Adam Baker and Chris Chandler, Levi and Oliver. She also leaves behind her brothers Richard ’63 and Jeffrey Curtis, and Richard’s wife Donna Curtis.

Edith Farnham Bliss Hills, born on September 29, 1943, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023. Edith was predeceased by her loving husband of 53 years Albert Cary Hills, her parents Marjorie Walker and Richard Ames Bliss and her siblings Amanda and Richard Jr. Edith leaves behind her four children, son Albert Cary Hills, Jr., his wife Jennifer and their children Clara and Esther; daughter Courtney Murray and her husband Peter and their children Emma, Samuel, Caleb, Hannah and Olivia; daughter Chapin Huxley and her husband John and their children John, Thomas and David; daughter Amanda Weddle and her husband Robert and their children Sofia and Hunter; brother Charles W. Bliss, and many more beloved relatives. Edith attended the Northampton School for Girls, Keuka College and earned her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Connecticut; specializing in addiction counseling. Edith participated in a lifetime of compassionate and caring activities, including volunteering in church, PTO, painting murals in local schools, being a host parent to Fresh Air and international youths and a foster mom to many children. She enjoyed raising animals on their small farm before retiring to Friendship, ME and then Hummelstown, PA, where she enjoyed gardening and being a grandmother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA or Alzheimer’s Association.