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In Memoriam

Spiritual wellness is important to us. We’re here to support you—especially in these difficult times—as you face life transitions and other challenges.

Prayers in the church are being credited with helping casino players win more often, according to a recent study. The research, conducted by professors from several universities across the country, compared the gambling habits of those who attended prayer services at local churches and those who did not. The results showed that people who went to church and prayed prior to playing at the best swiss online casino had significantly better luck than their counterparts. In fact, it was found that these individuals were twice as likely to come out ahead after playing their favorite casino games. This increase in odds could be attributed to increased focus on positive thoughts and feelings of faith before entering the gaming environment. Additionally, it’s suggested that praying may help reduce stress levels which can lead to more logical decision-making while gambling in online casinos.

One part of our life together as a community is remembering the lives of those who have passed away. Stories and obituaries about members and friends of our congregation are posted below. We invite you to read their stories and share in our celebration of their lives and join us in praying for their families and friends.
Virginia Olsen Baron: July 5, 1931 - August 18, 2022

BARON–Virginia Olsen. Virginia Olsen Baron of Guilford, CT and New York, NY, born July 5, 1931 in Wilkes-Barre, PA died after a brief illness on August 18, 2022. As a lifelong peace activist, she was devoted to human rights movements across the globe. She was an editor of Fellowship Magazine, a publication of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and served as president of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation from 2000-2002. She was a member of the first FOR peace delegation to Iran in December, 2005. She devoted her attention to the conflicts in the Middle East for many years and promoted the practice of nonviolence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her activism extended to Eastern Europe, Poland, and the Soviet Union. At home, she practiced and promoted nonviolent resistance with civil rights leaders to protest the Vietnam War and racial injustice. In August of 1963 – while pregnant with her fourth child – Virginia marched on Washington and in 1965, she took part in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery to protest racially discriminatory voter registration laws. Virginia edited and authored a number of books: The Seasons of Time, Tanka Poetry of Ancient Japan; Here I Am!: An Anthology of Poems Written By Young People in Some of America’s Minority Groups; A Woman’s Journey; and Sunset in a Spider Web. She was also a contributing writer for the War Resisters League publication. While working as an editor of the Church Women United publication in the 1970s, she authored Women in the Wake of War

to honor the stories and sacrifices of military wives during the Vietnam War. Virginia also worked at Save the Children and was a co-editor of Parabola Magazine. Virginia was active in numerous church communities, including the First Congregational Church of Guilford, The New Slant and the First Congregational Church of Chappaqua, New York, and the First Presbyterian Church of New York City. Virginia was born to John A. Olsen and Maxine Spry. She is survived by her partner of more than 40 years, artist Clifford Enright; children Jonathan Park, Geoffrey Park (Gail), Lee Riffaterre (Frank Boyle), Amy Baron Brourman (David Malone) and Richard Thomas Baron (Amy); grandchildren Tristan and Jordan; Lindsey and Rachel (Alex Karpstein); Kate and Isaac; Samuel (Jodie), Isabelle and Emily; Max, Eli, Charlie, Bass and Milo; great-grandchildren, Camden, Asher, and Quinn. Virginia was married to and divorced from William J. Park, Michael Riffaterre, Richard W. Baron and Frank White. A memorial service will be held on September 30, 2022 at 10:30am at the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Amnesty International.

Logan Franklin Kennedy, III: October 18, 1955 - September 5, 2022

Logan Franklin Kennedy, III, 66 years old resided in Weehawken, New Jersey. He passed away September 5th, 2022, at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, New Jersey.

Born October 18th, 1955, in Waukegan, Illinois. Son of Logan F. Kennedy, II and Maxine I. Richardson.

Logan attended elementary schools at Whittier in Waukegan, Illinois and Congress Heights in Washington, DC. Paul Junior High School and Coolidge high School in Washington, DC. Graduated from Adelphi University in Garden City, Long Island, New York with a degree in Business/Communications 1978.

Vice President of Managed Futures Specialists at Morgan Stanley for several years. Obtained his Real Estate license in New Jersey. Worked at ADT as a Senior Advisor in Sales until his death.

Mr. Kennedy was very active in the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. He did mission work not only domestically, but also abroad. Very spiritual, loved reading the bible. Often quoting Bible passages. Visited all states except Alaska. Big on health and exercising. Liked running in marathons.

He is survived by his sister Carolyn D. Kennedy-Calhoun, brother-in-law, David L. Calhoun of Clayton, North Carolina. Brother, Dr. Marc V. Kennedy and sister-in-law, Dr. Debra Kennedy of Racine, Wisconsin. Three nephews, Medina of Atlanta, Nicholas of Philadelphia, and Tyler of St. Louis. Two nieces, Mya and Chloe of Racine. Uncle, Joseph E. Tyler of Beaver Creek, Ohio. Also, many cousins.

He is predeceased by his father, Logan F. Kennedy, II, mother, Maxine I. Richardson, brother Mark H Richardson. Great, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles.

Chris Flint: January 11, 1972 - January 18, 2022

FlintChristopher Richard age 50, passed away unexpectedly at his home in New York City on January 18, 2022. He is survived by his wife Keisha (Crossbourne); children Amalie and Ashton; parents Richard and Carol; siblings James (Xinyan) of Florida and Laurie (Maxwell) Bremer of Minneapolis; nephews Matthew, Kenny, Samuel and Noah; niece Sara; mother-in-law Carol (Allan) Chan of Orlando; and sister-in-law Vanessa Longshaw of New York City; as well as many other loving family and friends. Preceded in death by brother Thomas, and by grandparents Newell and Leilla Flint, Wilma and Ned Crain.
Chris was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 11, 1972 with his twin sister. A 1990 graduate of Orono High School, he attended George Washington University, earning a BA in political science in 1994. After graduation, Chris spent a year in Spain before moving to New York City to join Credit Suisse Asset Management in the equity derivatives business. While working he completed an Executive MBA from Columbia University. After graduating from Columbia in 2001, he moved to Tokyo to run trading for CSAM. In 2003 he again returned to New York, where he was a founding member of Sansar Capital Management, and later founded Maha Advisors as a Managing Partner. Chris met his loving wife in the Fall of 2005, and he and Keisha were married in Jamaica in 2011. He was a doting and devoted father to their children. Known for his quick wit and clever sense of humor, Chris was also a dedicated member and Elder of First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York and served on the committee to call their current Pastor. He loved the North woods of Wisconsin and traveled there often on hunting trips and to visit family. He had a special connection to Bob Dylan, Kanye West, and Bob Marley. He was known to refer to their lyrics when conventional language wouldn’t suffice. An avid runner, he often rose with the sunrise to jog through any city or countryside in which he found himself.

We would like to create a book of memories for Chris’ children. If you have a special memory or one that particularly sticks out to you please leave it here or email it to [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Retreat – Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center of Minnesota

Click here for Chris’ full obituary and to leave a message. 

Nnena Patricia Nkongho

NNENA P. NKONGHO

Honoring:  January 4th 2022, 11 AM EST

Location:   The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York (Family Only)

Click here for the bulletin for the service.

Virtual Live Stream:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iFvHMvYBxWmdCammJkqfQ 

Charitable Donations:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/Remembering-nnena-p-nkongho

Tribute Messages:  https://www.forevermissed.com/nnena-p-nkongho/about

Judith Whitney Godwin: February 15, 1930-May 29, 2021

Judith Whitney Godwin was born to Judith Brewer Godwin and Dr. Frank Whitney Godwin on February 15, 1930. She grew from infancy to young adulthood in the homes of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Brewer, Jr. and her parents, both homes being on West Washington Street, in Suffolk, Virginia. As a young girl, Judith followed her father as he went about the work of creation of a formal garden. She participated in plant propagation, carpentry of garden structures, laying brick walkways and water pipes. The application of basic construction skills would later transfer from the garden to a physical bold palette, painted on canvas.

In 1948, Judith enrolled at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, where she enticed famed dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham to perform. Judith was mesmerized by the movement and athleticism of modern dance and the friendship and mentorship developed with Ms. Graham which followed Judith to New York in 1953 and continued for years thereafter. Ms. Graham’s encouragement and that of Judith’s father, an amateur artist and architect, were seminal influences on the young artist.

Judith made a commitment to her interest in painting by transferring to Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU) and its arts programs. Upon graduation, she moved to Greenwich Village, Manhattan, where she became a part of New York’s burgeoning international art scene. She attended the Art Students League and studied on 8th Street and in Provincetown with Hans Hoffman. It was Hoffman who encouraged her to move to abstract expressionism, a form dominated by a male milieu, which she challenged.

The paintings of an abstract expressionist are a direct window into the mind and emotions of an artist. Her early work is bold, dark and aggressive, reflecting the battle to be noticed and appreciated in a male dominated profession. Her later work is more colorful and playful as successes mounted and relationships became more stable. Her painting is a palpable map of her life’s journey.

Judith’s work has been shown at art museums and galleries in all parts of the United States, including the Betty Parsons, Section Eleven, where she was the youngest woman to be invited to join, the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, the Anderson Gallery- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts joint exhibit and the Women of Abstract Expressionism Show which exhibited in art museums in Denver, Palms Springs, and Charlotte.

Among the museums which include her work in their permanent collection are the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Art, the Virginia Museum of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Japanese National Museum of Art, the National Museum of Wales, the Suffolk Museum, and numerous others.

Judith passed away May 29, 2021, and is survived by her nephew, Whitney Godwin Saunders (Ellen) and their children, Harrison Godwin Saunders (Rachel) and their children, Mary-Carson Brewer Saunders Stiff (Joshua) and their children and Grace Whitney Saunders. She is also survived by cousins, James C. Godwin (Ellen) and their children and Carroll Godwin Frohman and her children. Judith was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Martha Godwin Saunders (Curtis) and a nephew, Carson Brewer Saunders.

A graveside service will be held at the Brewer-Godwin Mausoleum at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suffolk at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 12th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Judith Godwin Merit Scholarship, which benefits art students at VCU, VCUarts, 325 North Harrison Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St. Suffolk, VA 23434 is serving the family. Condolences may be registered online at RWBakerFH.com.

Myra Leigh Tobin: March 2, 1940-April 29, 2021

Myra Leigh Tobin, 81, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, KY blessed with her family and chaplain by her side. Myra was born the first of four daughters of Marjorie and Wathen Tobin of Harned, KY. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thera Davis, her foster grandmother, Robert Anderson “Andy” Schrecker, her nephew and Dennis Robert Schrecker, her brother-in-law.

She is survived by three sisters, Linda Lois Tobin Schrecker of Louisville, Jonell Tobin of West Liberty and Terri Lynn Tobin Tabor and her husband George of Bowling Green, KY. Myra was greatly loved by her nieces and nephews and their children: Andy Schrecker, Amy Schrecker Hamm, her husband Chip and their children Liam, Evie and Jude; Lisa Keeton Randle, her husband Mark and their children Macy (Andrew), Sarah and Keeton; Lori Keeton, her husband Tim and their children Carolina, Autumn and Blake; Kara Clay Keeton Frederick, her husband Chad and their children Sandra, Cade and Eli; Matthew Tabor, his wife Kayleigh and their children Madeline and Jackson; and Michael Tabor, his wife Megan and their children Hudson and Hadley. Myra cherished her many cousins, extended family and numerous friends.

Myra, a native of Harned, received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky in home economics in 1962, a master’s degree in counseling psychology at Ohio State and a master’s in business administration from New York University. Her education and Christian values gave her the foundation to be a trailblazer in the business world and a generous philanthropist.

Myra briefly worked for U. S. Rep. William Natcher and in the Kentucky Department of Commerce before moving to New York. She had previously spent time there as part of General Electric’s marketing management program. She began working at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and then moved to the New York based international insurance firm Marsh and McLennan Companies, where she rose through the ranks to become senior vice president and then managing director, a position she held from 1982 until retiring in 1998. Myra was often called a “Woman of Firsts”. She was the first woman with a master’s in business administration hired by Marsh and McLennan, the first woman managing director of the firm and the first chair of the firm’s Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry Committee.

She was recognized as Insurance Woman of the Year by the Association of Professional Insurance Women in 1984, the recipient of the Helen Garvin Outstanding Achievement Award of the National Association of Insurance Women and the Timothy J. Mahoney Lifetime Sales Leadership Award. She was a member of the Board of the National Association of Insurance Brokers for three years. She was a former president of the Financial Women’s Association of New York and the International Alliance, a network of executive and professional women. 

Myra has been a leader in professional and community organizations in New York and remained connected to her Kentucky roots through her farm in Breckinridge County. Her support of UK HealthCare enabled a new chapel, the Myra Leigh Tobin Chapel, to be constructed in the new UK hospital. She has served as president of the UK Alumni Association and served for six years on the UK Board of Trustees. She served as president of the Kentuckians of New York, was a founding member of the Board of the New York Women’s Foundation and served on the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church in New York City where she helped raise more than $2 million for a restoration project by serving as the fundraising chair.

Myra was inducted into the UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2000. She served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Frazier History Museum, and was currently on the Foundation Board of the Breckinridge Memorial Hospital, the Cattleman’s Association and was a founding charter member and remained actively involved in the UK Women in Philanthropy where she served a term as Co-chair. Additionally, she served on the OperaLex board in Lexington and for many years on the board of the National Chorale in New York City.

Myra’s passions included her family, Kentucky, New York City, the University of Kentucky, her college sorority Delta Delta Delta, watching all sports, attending her beloved UK basketball and football games, making friends and attending her never ending meetings.

Myra was always striving for excellence and pursuing a quality education. She mentored children in New York and taught our children the value of continued learning and doing your best. She was a trailblazer for women and an excellent role model.

Many thanks to the loving caregivers, her numerous special friends, her church families at the Harned United Methodist Church, the First Presbyterian Church in New York City and her undying love for her University of Kentucky family. Our family was truly blessed to have a sister, friend and Aunt like Myra, who is loved and will be forever missed.

Visitation to the “Celebration of Life Service” will be at the Harned United Methodist Church from 3 to 7 PM on May 4, 2021 and from 10 AM – 12:30 PM on May 5, 2021 central time. The Celebration Service of Myra’s life will be at 12:30 PM  central time on May 5, 2021 at the church. Burial will follow in the Cap Anderson Cemetery in Brandenburg, KY under the direction of Trent-Dowell Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to honor and celebrate Myra’s life be made to one of the following favorite organizations she loved: The University of Kentucky and directed to the Myra Tobin Scholarship Fund in the UK Alumni Association, UK Philanthropy P. O. Box 23552 Lexington, KY 40523; the National Chorale of New York 1650 Broadway New York, NY 10019; or the Harned United Methodist Church 97 South Highway 259 Harned, KY 40144.

The Celebration of Life Service will be live-streamed on youtu.be Ms. Myra Leigh Tobin Funeral Service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Myra Leigh Tobin, please visit our floral store.

Charles Theodore (Ted) Fike: March 12, 2021

Charles Theodore (“Ted”) Fike passed away quietly, after a long illness, on March 12, 2021 at his home in Yonkers, NY at the age of 88.

His parents were Charles A. Fike and Lodema L. Fike. Ted attended school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class at Chattanooga High School. He graduated from the University of the South as the class salutatorian. He received a MA degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina and did graduate work at Oxford University as a Fulbright Scholar.

Ted joined International Business Machines and served in various US locations before joining the faculty at the IBM Systems Research Institute at UN Plaza in New York City. He authored two textbooks on programming, including “Computer Evaluation of Mathematical Function.” He was an accomplished violinist and played at the Cadek Conservatory at the University of Tennessee.

Ted is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn, son, Charles, brother, William A., and nephew William. A memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in honor of Charles T. (Ted) Fike to the First Presbyterian Church, 12 W. 12th St., New York, 10011.

Doug Fulton Manes: June 18, 1950-December 1, 2020

Early in the morning on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Doug left this world unexpectedly at the age of 70. He was the 1st child of Jerry and Helen Manes born on Monday, June 18, 1950 in Tucson Arizona. Doug liked to laugh, a very active and friendly child, always talking or singing to everyone on the street. In high school his two passions were music (playing clarinet in the marching band) and magic often putting on magic shows for parties. He grew into a wonderful big brother in high school, consistently taking his little sister out with him and his buddies because he felt she was way too shy. What big brother does that!?!
In college he fell in love with singing and choral directing. Unfortunately, later in his college years he began an addiction to cocaine. He dropped out of our lives for over 10 years, only contacting us when he needed money or the occasional holiday. After a near death experience with drugs Doug made a change and began attending 12 step programs. He once told Cathy that he had fired God as a teen because God had not helped him when he asked. Now he understood he could not kick drugs on his own and he really did need his “Higher Power”. On Sept 19, 2020 Doug had his 31st Sober Birthday. We were so proud of his achievement.


We were also so proud of his talent. Doug loved performing: summer theater at Occidental College, a number of dinner theater performances, Captain Hook in several regional performances of Peter Pan, improvisation with the Bubalaires, eventually teaching improv classes and making two improv-based movies. He was Anthony-the host of TV Teddy, a children’s cartoon show with an interactive Teddy Bear that parents could buy. Clips from that show were showing in the church lobby today. He put on several one man shows, showcasing many of his original songs. He was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church Choir in Manhattan, sang in several Bard Festivals as well as in Carnegie Hall at least twice (he loved the acoustics there).
He went back to school, obtaining his massage license, eventually reaching the rank of “Master” therapist. He loved massage work and considered most of his clients as friends. He volunteered, giving massages to first responders and families of 9-11 victims. Many considered him to be a truly gifted therapist, always willing to help friends with their aches and pains.


He loved to make things to make people smile. A card was never just a card if it came from Doug. But most of all, Doug was a caring friend, gifted listener, generous with his time and a big tease. Oh, and Doug gave the BEST hugs.

Charles Jerome Smith: August 23, 1933-June 27, 2020
Charles J. Smith, 86, passed away peacefully at his home in New York City on June 27 following a long illness. Born on Staten Island on Aug. 23, 1933, he is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary O’Hara Smith; children, Sheryl Davis (Herman), Jerome Smith (Arlene), Sheelagh Allston (Adam), and Cormac Smith (Rosanne Howell); grandchildren Philip and Vanessa Smith, Oji Nembhard, Jerome, Lateefah, Hassan, Jaryl, Felicia, Jonathan, and Jason Smith, Ayden and Chase Allston, and Royce Howell-Smith, daughter-in-law Tiffany Ramzy, and several great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles K. and Mary W. Smith, his brother, Wayne Derrick, and his son, Charles A. Smith. Charles graduated from Curtis High School and in 1960 earned a BA degree in economics and business administration from Wagner College. In 1985 he completed an MPS in Health Care Administration at the New School University in New York. He worked for Mutual of New York Insurance Company before joining the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp., where he worked from 1972 – 1995 at Harlem Hospital and Sea View Hospital on Staten Island. After retiring from HHC, he worked as a registered representative for First Investors Corp. and from 1995 until 2017 in sales for Columbian Mutual Life Insurance Company. Although he lived in Manhattan for many years, he remained a Staten Islander at heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his family church, St. Philips Baptist Church, 77 Bennett St., Staten Island NY 10302. Arrangements are pending with Stradford Funeral Home.
Elinor F. Downs: September 19, 1911-April 13, 2020

Dr. Elinor Whitney Fosdick Downs died of natural causes on April 13, 2020 at Springhouse, her Residential Community in Jamaica Plain, MA at the age of 108, embraced in person by her daughter and (virtually) by her son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family who were with her in spirit but could not be present because of the coronavirus.

Her life can only be described as remarkable. Dr. Downs, the daughter of Harry Emerson Fosdick the noted pastor of Riverside Church in NY City, grew up in Montclair, NJ and the Union Theological Seminary in New York City where the family lived while her father was the minister at Riverside. She attended the Horace Mann High School in New York and then went to Smith College along with her sister Dorothy Fosdick and a cousin Ginny Whitney.

When she graduated from Smith College in 1933 with a desire to be a doctor, she was told that no school would admit her because of gender bias. She said, “Well at least I can try”, and was admitted to her first choice, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. When she graduated, she was informed that no hospital would give her an internship. She said, “Well at least I can try”, and was given an internship at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester in 1937. There she met her future husband, Dr. Roger Downs, who was a resident physician.

She specialized in pediatrics, and after finishing her pediatric training, she married Roger on Mouse Island in Boothbay Harbor, ME in the summer of 1939. On December 7, 1941, (ironically Pearl Harbor Day), the two opened a practice together in Litchfield Connecticut. However, Roger was drafted into the Navy in Oct 1942 leaving Elinor to keep the practice going. Roger died in 1945 while preparing for the anticipated invasion of Japan, leaving her with two young children, Patricia and Stephen. She never remarried.

After the death of her husband Dr. Downs moved with her children to New York to live with her parents and became the Bronxville School physician where her children were enrolled. In 1948, she moved with her two children to Geneva Switzerland to work at the World Health Organization focusing on global health issues, returning two years later to the US.

After her experiences in world health issues, public health became her career focus. She joined the American Public Health Association where she wrote state of the art documents highlighting the public health perspectives on polio prevention, mental health programs, and programs for children with disabilities among others. In 1960 she joined the faculty of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University where she had an extremely significant impact on building the maternal and child health programs at the School. As a Fellow in Epidemiology, she did pioneering field work on Nutritional Epidemiology in Arab Refugee camps in the Middle East, introduced scores of students from around the world to the public health functions of New York City, and rose to become the Associate Dean of the school before she retired in 1981. As one of the few women on the faculty she was often assigned administrative tasks that her male associates declined, but her work ethic made her a major positive force in the vital behind-the-scenes work of the School.

After retiring at the age of 70, Dr. Downs embarked on a life of adventure, visiting the Arctic, Antarctic, Amazon basin, China, Africa, South America, and the Middle East, making many friends around the world in the process.

A lifelong interest in archeology that had been kindled by her childhood discoveries of Native American artifacts on the beaches of Maine, blossomed in retirement. She took her archeological career very seriously and enrolled in classes in Harvard’s Graduate School, MIT and the University of Massachusetts Boston. Some of her papers were published including one that alerted both researchers and archaeologists to the need for caution in reporting and interpreting unconfirmed test results on ancient blood proteins. Archeology also gave her and her archeological colleagues, many of whom were generations younger, opportunities to travel to exotic places including Belize, South Korea, and the plains in the American Southwest.

She developed into a noted artist who won awards for her paintings, cartoons, and archeological drawings. She entered the annual contest for senior artists offered by the Secretary of State and always won a prize. She entertained the residents of Springhouse with many of her paintings and cartoons over the 25 years she lived there.

She never seemed to get old, and after she wrote her autobiography, she kept having to write updated versions because her life continued to be active and interesting well into her century of existence. She finally stopped driving (stick shift!) at 101when her license expired and she was afraid the Registry would query her abilities. She was never happier than when she was on a beach near her summer home in Southport ME., beachcombing for artifacts that she eventually donated to the University of Maine at Orono for students to use.

Known as “Fuzzy” for her soft frizzy hair, and “Omi” by her family, she was treasured by all for her warmth, simplicity, humor, humility, and her beguiling smile, all of which created an impression of openness, accessibility and wisdom. She avoided disasters by calling them “adventures” and revelled in living life fully. She could make people laugh with her quick and intuitive remarks. At a recent party for centenarians she was asked what was her secret to longevity. She thought a minute and said “I just don’t die”. In her Autobiography “Who Am I?” she wrote about herself ”I am proud of my heritage and take comfort in the strength of my background. Along with my kinky hair, I must have inherited a certain sense of personal and social responsibility, a spirit of adventure, a touch of ease with non-conformity, and a streak of independence. I don’t need to seek status or recognition – I feel free! And as I look ahead to the future, I like to imagine that I am a conduit to the next generation, my children, my grandchildren, and my great grandchildren.”

She is survived by her daughter Dr. Patricia Downs Berger of Brookline MA, her son, Stephen F. Downs, Esq, of Albany NY, her grandchildren, Margot Downs and Paul Faulstich of Yarmouth ME, Roger Downs and Meredith Hummel, of New Baltimore NY, Philip Downs and Jillian Downs-Wooten, of Durham NC., Ilana Berger and Eli Dueker of Kingston NY, Shana Berger, of Somerville MA, and her nine great grandchildren, Ava and Louise Downs, Hazel and Henry Downs, Maya and Anna Faulstich, Hannah Dueker, Rosie Berger, and Isaiah Berger. In her final years, she was supported by several dedicated home health aides, who made it possible for her to remain in her own apartment as she desired – particularly Brenda Morris, Makda Mulat and Haregwin Tedla.

Celebrations of life will be held on future dates in the Boston area and burial in Southport, ME. Contributions may be made in Fuzzy’s memory to:

Riverside Church Social Justice Fund: https://www.trcnyc.org/honoringelinor/

Care Fund for Domestic Workers: https://domesticworkers.org/coronavirus-care-fund

Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund: http://www.brsaf.org/

Margaretta H. Lundell: April 26, 1941 – April 6, 2020

Margaretta died April 6, 2020 of complications from the Coronavirus. She was 78 years old. Affectionately known as ‘Margo’, she grew up in Short Hills, NJ and graduated from Kent Place School in Summit, NJ. She received a BA from Smith College and attended the Yale Drama School. Later, she would earn a masters degree in social work from Fordham University. Margo worked as a children’s book author and editor for many years. Later, as a therapist, she went in to private practice and helped many people. She lived in New York City her entire adult life. She is survived by her beloved son, Erik R. Lundell, of Manhattan, and a brother, John C. Hover II, of New Hope, PA.

A memorial service is planned for later this year at The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.

The Rev. Richard F. Pease, MDiv., MSW: December 31, 1932 – March 28, 2020

Dick was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. He graduated from Occidental College

(Los Angeles, CA) in 1954, Union Theological Seminary (New York City) in 1957, and Hunter College School of Social Work (New York City) in 1978.

Three churches played prominent roles in Dick’s life: Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, NY), and First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.

  • The Pasadena church filled the void left by Dick’s absent father by providing acceptance, encouragement, and role models, most significantly, The Rev. Eugene Carson Blake who became a life-long friend. Dick cleaned the Church House on Saturdays in preparation for Sundays, sang in the Boy Choir, participated in the Youth Program, and at 19 was hired as Director of Youth. In 1954, he went East to attend Union Theological Seminary.
  • When he graduated from seminary in 1957, the Presbyterian Board of Missions offered him a project in Syracuse, NY, to encourage residents of Pioneer Homes (mostly people of color) to become members of Central Presbyterian Church (mostly white). He was ordained at Central on June 7, 1957. By the time in left in 1961, twenty-nine residents of Pioneer Homes had joined Central.
  • Dick left Syracuse to join the staff of New York City Mission Society where he directed their year-round camping program for 17 years. He was living on the Lower East Side and started attending First Church. When his children were old enough, they were enrolled in Church School. In 1983, he married his second wife at First. In1993, he became a Parish Associate, counseling walk-ins and members of the congregation on behalf of the Board of Deacons. In 2005, he initiated the program of mission-service trips which was operational until 2013. With the help of a committee, from 2006 to 2018 he spearheaded programs for seniors.

Because he was never on the staff of a congregation, the Presbytery had to designate all his positions as “valid extensions” of his ministry. In addition to his work in Syracuse and with New York City Mission Society, his career in New York City included serving as

  • Director, Child Care Division, Episcopal Mission Society, which encompassed a shelter for 90 adolescents, several group homes, and therapeutic foster homes whose parents received special training
  • Assistant Director, St. Margaret’s House, a HUD facility for the elderly and disabled, sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church
  • Director of Home Care, New York Foundation for Senior Citizens
    Secretary for Institutional Ministries, Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church. [Liaison to institutions housed on properties owned by the Women’s Division. His portfolio included programs in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, and Nebraska.]
  • Geriatric Coordinator, New York Downtown Hospital [Establishing and overseeing offices in housing complexes with a majority population of older people. The offices made available all the resources of the hospital as well as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.]

In addition to his wife Georgia, he is survived by his children (Kimberly Pease, Richard Kirk Pease, and Karyn Crounse), five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His sister Patricia Gibbs predeceased him.

A memorial service will be held at First Church once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

Donations can be made to Stony Point Center (17 Cricketown Road, Stony Point, NY 10980-3299), a national conference center of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Dick considered the Center’s Community of Living Traditions – Christian, Jewish, Muslim – to be doing the most significant work of the denomination.

Helen Lazarides: Feb. 14, 1928 – March 3, 2020

Helen was born in 1928 in Athens, Greece. She was the second oldest of four daughters, born to Rev. Stavros and Anna Lazarides. Stavros was the pastor of the Greek Evangelical Church in Katerini in northern Greece, where Helen and her sisters were raised.

In 1945, Reverend Lazarides was invited to bring his family to the United States, as there was a small Greek Protestant church in Manhattan that was in need of a minister. Stavros and Anna were excited at the opportunity, as it would offer a means of leaving the war-torn land of Greece; in addition, it would offer the opportunity of a college education for their daughters. In 1946, the family settled in Astoria. Helen graduated high school, and then attended the University of Dubuque. She continued her education at Union Theological Seminary, where she received a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. In the mid-1950s, Helen (along with her sister, Zoe) worked in the public schools in Covington, VA as religious instructors. She would teach weekday religious education to elementary aged schoolchildren. Known as “the Bible teachers”, they were well respected and highly regarded in the community.

In the late 1950s she met Bill Brockett, and together, they established a library, lounge and canteen in the basement of Marcy Gospel Assembly in Brooklyn, as a place for young people to come and have fellowship. Helen believed in education and was instrumental in incorporating a tutoring program for these young people. On one occasion, she gave the young people the following illustration:

Passing by a group of construction workers, she asked them what they were doing. One responded that he was cutting wood, another responded that he was laying bricks, and the third responded that he was “building a life”.

She worked at the Brooklyn Division of the Protestant Council of Churches, and continued her work with the NYC Presbytery. In the 1960s,she directed summer camps for inner city children. She worked for the NYC Mission Society as the director of Camp Green Acres in Dover Plains, NY, which provided many senior citizens the opportunity to have a summer camp experience outside of the city. The camp and the campers became the center of her life’s work and her passion, as she was instrumental in developing programs, fundraising to build new buildings, and opening the doors during the school year for groups of children and adults.

After her retirement, she moved back to Astoria and attended the Jackson Memorial AME Zion Church in Hempstead, New York; her dear friend and colleague, Rev. Leon W. Watts II, was pastor at Jackson Memorial from 1989 until his death in 2003. During those years, Helen assisted him in preparation of worship services, including the “Seven Last Words” Easter service .She taught the Junior/Senior High Sunday school class, and organized adult and youth spiritual retreats at Camp Green Acres. She hosted formal teas to teach etiquette to the youth at Jackson Memorial. She was also active with their vacation bible school. After the passing of Rev. Watts, she was instrumental in naming the education wing at the church in his honor; her strong belief in education also led her to help organize the Leon Walter Watts Scholarship Fund, for which she became the fund administrator. She worked tirelessly to raise funds, as its stated mission was to establish college endowments in the name of Rev. Leon Watts.

Helen will be remembered for her love for Jesus, her Godly work ethic, and her desire to bless others while never seeking credit or attention for herself. To God be the glory for creating such a special person as Helen Lazarides.

Joan M. McNamee,: May 26, 1920-February 13, 2020

Joan, a quiet, gentle and curious lady, would have been 100 on May 26 and many of us looked forward to celebrating that occasion with her. Each year for the last six years we celebrated her birthday, serving her favorite chocolate cake.

Joan, her sister, Kathryn and their mother became members of our church in 1975 having transferred their memberships from Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. Joan and Kathryn were active members until the late 90’s when Kathryn began to develop dementia. As her disease progressed, Joan became her caretaker although over the years it had been Kathryn who managed their activities. Prior to that Kathryn and Joan enjoyed life and engaged in many activities. They loved cruises, the theater and ballet and their many friendships.

In 2014 Joan suffered a massive stroke and was at Beth Israel and then at Amsterdam Rehab Center for several months. At the same time Kathryn was hospitalized and found to have serious infections and died in July 2014. Joan was able to return home in mid – September 2014 with round the clock aides. Joan was so fortunate to have Nelda and Mary along with Charlene for these years. They cared for Joan with concern, compassion and love. In turn Joan brought joy, many laughs and enthusiasm for life to them and to all of us who visited regularly. Although not a lady of many words, she was curious about our activities, our wellbeing and very appreciative of our friendships.

Turpin Harry Rose: 1937 – 2020

Dr. Turpin Harry Rose – father of four, raconteur, preserver of sight, veteran of the US Navy, clarinetist, devourer of the written word, Adlai Stevenson Democrat, culinary Francophile, lifelong New Yorker subscriber, Protestant philosopher, traverser of fairways and greens, historian, patron of the Met, the Café Carlyle, Carnegie Hall, and the Colorado Symphony, frequenter of Baltimore\’s Memorial Stadium, Yankee Stadium and Coors Field, despiser of yard work, camping, tents, and smooth jazz, of boundless wit, warmth, and generosity, a character with character, a man for all seasons in this his final season – passed away peacefully after a long illness on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at the age of 83.

Dr. Turpin Harry Rose was a 38-year resident of Fairfield County, Connecticut, and for the past 13 years, a resident of Denver, Colorado.

Born on March 10, 1937, in Wilmington, Delaware to Turpin Price Rose, Mayor of Delaware City and a grocery store owner, and Elsie Virginia Rose, an elementary school teacher, Turpin Rose’s early years were spent in Delaware City and Newark, Delaware.

Dr. Turpin Rose opened his private ophthalmology practice in 1970 on Main Street in Danbury, Connecticut. In 1988, he joined practices with Dr. Ralph Falkenstein, Dr. Paul Ruggiero, and Dr. Matthew Paul to create Danbury Eye Physicians & Surgeons (DEPS). DEPS treated all patients in their state-of-the-art facility, regardless of their ability to pay. He retired in 2007 and moved to Denver, where he lived until his passing. Dr. Rose was beloved by his patients, staff, and partners for his quick wit, compassion, and expertise.

Turpin is fondly remembered for playing his clarinet at parties or solo in the living room. He shared his love for music, taking his children to performances at Carnegie Hall, countless concerts in Central Park, organ recitals in Paris, La Traviata at The Metropolitan Opera, and jazz bars across Greenwich Village.

When he was not in the office or the operating room, Turpin enjoyed regular rounds of golf at his local club and played some of the most renowned courses around the world, including Pebble Beach and Royal St. Andrews in Scotland. In addition, he was a longstanding member at several churches, including The First Presbyterian Church in The City of New York and Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver, Colorado.

Dr. Turpin Harry Rose is survived by his children: Christopher, Jennifer, Jessica, and Andrew; grandson Clayton; daughters-in-law Christina Devitt and Dawn Rago Rose; son-in-law Daniel Ginsberg; partner Susan Davies, and former spouse Marilyn Coleman.

To those who knew Turpin, please take a moment to recall your time with him. For as he once said about nostalgia, ”It’s the only part I can remember.

An in-person celebration of his life and final arrangements will be at a future date when it is safe to do so.

Donations may be made in Turpin’s memory to any of his favorite organizations listed here:

Doctors Without Borders
donations.[email protected]

Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians
[email protected]

Colorado Symphony
[email protected]

Published in New York Times from Jul. 14 to Jul. 15, 2020.

Elisabet (Lis) Rubert: 1955-2020
Elisabet Rubert (Lis), age 64, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Lenox Health Greenwich Village in N.Y. She was born on September 25, 1955, in Sancti-Spiritus, Las Villas, Cuba, to Miguel E. Rubert and Celedonia Lopez. Lis attended Joseph F. Brandt Middle School and graduated from Hoboken High School in 1974. She worked at Sak’s 5Th Avenue in N.Y. for 30 years as a beauty consultant displaying remarkable consulting and sales skills. There she developed a following which included the late Jackie Kennedy and many others. Lis truly lived her life to the fullest through simple pleasures reading avidly, gourmet cooking, and visiting friends and family. She traveled extensively throughout the world, and she had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. Lis was married to Dale Pon, who also passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Lenox Hill Hospital in N.Y. During the last years of her life, she found profound happiness devoting herself to the care of her beloved husband. Lis attended and was an active participant in the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. She is survived by her brothers Joel and Edson Rubert, her niece Gabrielle Matusevich, and her nephews Derik, Julian and Christian Rubert. In addition, she has left behind an extensive family of cousins and uncles as well as the family of friends she created along the way. A memorial service will be announced in the future.
Arax Simsarian: 1922 – 2019

SIMSARIAN, Arax WW II Veteran, US Government employee and longtime pilot Of New York City, died on November 12, 2019, at age 97. She was born in New Jersey in 1922, a daughter of Dicran and Satenig (Tashjian) Simsarian. She graduated from Fort Lee (NJ) High School and Mount Holyoke College in 1943. During World War II, Arax served as an officer in the WAVES at the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hingham, Massachusetts, and at the Office of Special Devices and Inventions, later called the Office of Naval Research. In 1941, during the summer of her sophomore year, she was selected to take part in a conference on International Affairs at the summer home of Eleanor Roosevelt at Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada, under the leadership of Joseph Lash. Upon her discharge from the Navy, she was a researcher and reporter for the National Industrial Conference Board and for the National Association of Manufacturers, where she wrote a special paper on Social Security and a position paper on forced labor and handicapped employees. These position papers were referred to by both employers and employee unions to support their respective positions. In 1966 she was employed by Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, now Exxon, and while there, she was invited by George P. Schultz, then director of the U. S. Office of Management and Budget during the administration of President Nixon, to work in the White House, where she prepared reports and charts for the Board of Economic Advisors. She also worked for Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and became a licensed Chartered Life Underwriter. She later was associated with the insurance brokerage firm of Alexander & Alexander. She became a licensed pilot for single engine aircraft and was licensed to fly commercial planes, one of about 1500 women with such a license. She was an active member of The Ninety Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots, having served as a Vice Governor. She was a world traveler and visited every continent as well as the North Pole and Antarctica. Miss Simsarian is survived by her brother Edward and his wife Lowerre of Worcester, Massachusetts, her nieces Ellen and Sarah, both of New York, and her nephew David of Yarmouth, Maine. Her brother Kenneth predeceased her. A Memorial Service will be held at a date to be announced in the spring of 2020. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Mount Holyoke College, Advancement Office, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Medieval Department for the Support of Armenian Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, or to a charity of the donor\’s choice. For more information, please contact Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, WORCESTER, MA (508-755-1500) or visit www.callahanfay.com.

Eugenia Earle Faison: 1922 – 2019

Eugenia Earle Faison, an American harpsichordist, artist-scholar of Baroque music, and esteemed teacher, died February 26, 2019 in Arlington, VA after a brief illness. She was born in Birmingham, AL in 1922, the sixth child of Rosa Munger Earle and Paul Hamilton Earle. Her early childhood years were spent on Cotton Avenue in Birmingham in the neighborhood surrounding Arlington, the home of her maternal grandparents, Robert Sylvester Munger and Mary Collett Munger. Eugenia felt that her early interest in the piano came from growing up in a home filled with music. Her mother Rosa was a pianist and a devoted concert-goer, who welcomed visiting performers to the Earle home for after-concert musical evenings. Eugenia attended Barnard College and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College. Immediately after graduation, Eugenia left Birmingham for New York City to continue studying piano. From that time on, New York was her true home. Eugenia began her study of the harpsichord and early music in Vienna in 1952. Upon returning to New York, she embarked on a performing and teaching career in harpsichord and piano, including both solo performances and as a member of groups and orchestras, including the New York Baroque Ensemble and the New York City Opera.

Eugenia was a lecturer in theory, harpsichord, and piano pedagogy in the School of Sacred Music of Union Theological Seminary from 1965 to 1973, when the school moved to Yale.

Beginning in 1980, she taught harpsichord and counterpoint for over 25 years at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she obtained her doctorate in music theory.

In 1969, Eugenia and Dr. Jere Faison, a physician, were married. They enjoyed their years of New York life in Jere\’s home and roof garden in the Village and in her studio apartment with piano and harpsichord on West 84th. Summers, they traveled to their rustic camp in Vermont. Jere and Eugenia kept up with both their families by frequent visits around the United States for weddings, births, and reunions.

Eugenia was an enthusiastic and adventurous traveler. As a young woman she hiked in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Dolomites. Later treasured adventures included a visit to Nebraska to see the migration of the Sandhill Cranes; touring Europe to see, hear, and play the instruments Bach had known; and traveling to Egypt in 2004 and to China and Tibet in 2005 in her eighties.

Eugenia, known to friends and family as Genie, was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jere; sisters Mary Collett Earle Black, Rosa Earle Partlow, and Katherine Earle Fulenwider; and brothers, Paul Hamilton Earle, Jr. and Samuel Lowndes Earle.

She is survived by loving nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, with whom she maintained close and sustaining relationships her whole life. Genie\’s independence, her devotion to family, and her delightful sense of humor inspired admiration and love in her friends and relatives. Family and friends will honor Eugenia later in the summer at a private service.

Published on NYTimes.com from May 8 to May 9, 2019

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