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.

Ann Sterns Doble Abbey, age 96, died peacefully at the home of her daughter Diane A. Elliott on April 24, 2022 surrounded by love. She was the daughter of the late William H. Doble and Elizabeth Gilman Doble of Hingham, Massachuestts. She was the sister to the late Mary Elizabeth Canterbury ’43 and Sally McKenney. Ann was born in Milton and grew up in Hingham. She was married to the late Peter Burr Abbey, also of Hingham. They lived in Jackson, Mississippi, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lubbock and Arlington, Texas and Denver, Colorado. She lived in Georgetown, Colorado for 30 years and was the proprietor of the Antique Emporium and was a town character. Ann was a homemaker, an enthusiastic Girl Scout leader, candy striper and volunteer for the VA hospital. She was a lover of nature and believed the Great Spirit was Love, Compassion, and above all, Life. She spent the last 5 years of her life gardening, bird watching and being with her family. She leaves behind her 4 daughters: Karen Abbey Banks of Oakland, CA, Meredith Janet Abbey of Fort Collins, CO, Susan Elizabeth Abbey of Fort Collins, CO and Diane Abbey Elliott of Hingham, MA. She also leaves 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the Norwell VNA Hospice for their incredible support, loving care and competent attention which was give to the entire family. A celebration of Ann’s life will be determined at a later date. Donations can be made to the NVNA/Hospice or Earthjustice who uses environmental laws and regulations like the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act to fight for plants and animals in court.

Lee Anne Quinn, 75, of Chicopee, MA, died June 26, 2022, in Bethesda, MD, of lung cancer. She had been under hospice care for several months in a skilled nursing facility near her sister’s home.

Lee was predeceased by her husband, Donald Quinn, her parents, George and Marjorie Mudge, and her brother, Thomas Mudge. She is survived by her sister, Ellen Johnson, her aunt and uncle, Joan and H. Donald Dixon, nieces Mary Murdoch, Colleen Perlak-Soto, and Annaliese Johnson, nephew Edward Perlak, and several cousins, great nieces, and great nephews.

She was born February 15, 1947, in Afton, NY, and grew up there. After graduating from the Northampton School for Girls (now Williston Northampton School) in Massachusetts and Hiram College in Ohio, Lee returned to the Connecticut River Valley, where she met and married Donald Quinn. Their life together was filled with family, friends, careers, and travel – to their cottage on a lake in New York State, throughout New England, and abroad to Ireland and numerous other places in Europe.

Leader of a small gang of cousins and friends in childhood, she had the best ideas for adventures, and from all accounts this creative bent continued throughout her life. In addition to her penchant for travel, Lee was a voracious reader, an enthusiastic supporter to family and friends – and their children – in their endeavors, a genealogist, a cat lover, and a direct, fair, and no-nonsense person at work and as an officer of her condo association.

Lee lived a full life. She loved sharing it with her family, friends, and colleagues – and they were many. She will be greatly missed.

Calling hours at the O’Brien Family Funeral Home will be 10:00 – 11:00 am on July 16, 2022, followed by memorial service at 11:00am and burial at St. Rose Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101, or the American Cancer Society, 59 Bobola Road, Holyoke, MA 01040.

Jill Shortlidge Drabek died peacefully, surrounded by her family in her home in Seattle, Washington on December 22nd, 2022.

Jill was born on February 19th, 1934, in Port Deposit, MD to Raphael and Helen Shortlidge.

She spent her early life in Keene, NH. The family ran the Hill Camp and Camp Marienfeld in Chesham, NH where she was a counselor with her siblings each summer. She attended Keene High School and later graduated from the Northampton School for Girls.

She graduated from Smith College in 1955, after spending her junior year abroad in France where her love of everything European was established. She visited Europe again many times during her lifetime and always continued studying French. After graduation she took a job working for the CIA in Washington, DC where she met her husband, Jaroslav “Jasha” Drabek. They married in 1960 and raised their family in New York.

After her husband’s death in 1992, she returned to New Hampshire, settling in Peterborough and was an active member of the community, working first at Beech Hill Hospital in Dublin and finally at Harrisville Designs from which she retired in 2012.

Upon her retirement, she made the most of her time; walking the trails with her beloved dogs, visiting the Peterborough library, practicing Yoga, being of service in the recovery community, knitting, avidly reading, and enjoying time with friends and family who will forever miss her wisdom, patience and wit.

She is survived by her three children: Jan Drabek (Kathy) of Seattle, Washington, Amy Drabek of Bedford, New York, Christine Drabek of Cape Elizabeth , Maine , her three grandchildren: Raphael and Karl Drabek and Chloe Siddons and her Cocker Spaniel, Beanie.