WE MOURN THE PASSING OF MARILYN SAGER SMITH

Janice Oehler heard from the daughter of Marilyn Sager Smith (Class of 1960) that her mom passed away at the age of 86.

 

Marilyn worked as an Elementary School teacher in Walden, NY and later retired to Haines City, FL. She was actively involved in hospice and was a retired volunteer at its Visitor’s Information Center. She left behind 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson. A life well lived! 

 Marilyn Smith Obituary - Oviedo, FL

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF HOLLY ANDERSON VAN SUCH ('75)

Dear Theta Sisters -

I'm sorry to let you know that Holly (Anderson) Van Such, class of '75, passed away on February 13th. She was only 71 years old, but had been declining in health. She is survived by her husband, Joe Van Such, who she met at New Paltz, their 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Holly was not only active in the sorority during her college years, but you may recall she also served as the first president of our Theta Phi Alumnae Association. Holly began her career teaching preschool and kindergarten, eventually rising to become elementary school principal. She was involved in her local community and enjoyed playing in the bell choir, especially during the Christmas season.

Viewing will take place on Sunday, February 23rd between 1pm & 3pm at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. Condolences may be sent to the Van Such home at 1017 Jeffrey Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.

Yours in Theta,

Laurie Spiegel, Treasurer

 

HOLLY'S OBITUARY

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF ELLEN LEAHY LISTORT

Leslie Drojak Lomita has shared the sad news of the passing of Ellen Leahy Listort.

Ellen Rita Listort, of Rondout Harbor, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and under the compassionate care of Hospice. 

A 1966 graduate of S.H. Calhoun High School in North Merrick, NY, Ellen pursued her passion for education, earning her master's degree from SUNY New Paltz in 1971. She went on to inspire generations of students as a devoted English teacher in the Kingston School District, where she taught for over 30 years.

ELLEN'S OBITUARY

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF JOANN BIANCA O'CONNOR

 Thanks to Leslie Drojak Lomita for passing this information along to us...

Joann Bianca O’Connor, 83, passed away at her residence in Rosendale on March 25, 2024.  She graduated from SUNY New Paltz and began her teaching career in West Hurley. She left teaching temporarily to raise her family, and when she returned to teaching, she worked at Marbletown Elementary School. She also was a board member of the Theta Phi Alumnae Association during its early years following the sale of Theta House. She is survived by her husband Edward O’Connor; their three children Christine, Joseph, and Annie; and her seven grandchildren.

We Mourn the Passing of Linda Whitaker Megdanis

Maryanne Herzog has shared the following news about the passing of Linda Whitaker Megdanis:

Linda’s husband reached out to me a week ago to share of Linda’s passing.

My heart is broken

Linda Megdanis Obituary

We Mourn the Passing of Four Theta Sisters

 Laurie Spiegel has shared this information about the passing of four of our Theta sisters.

Ruth Niesen Samuel

Ruth Samuel (Class of 1942) of Brick, NJ passed away in 2015 at the age of 94. Born in 1920, she was the oldest member on the Theta Phi roster. Ruth was one of the first women inducted into the US Coast Guard SPARs serving from 1943 to 1946. A charter member of Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, she is one of the female WWII veterans featured at the memorial in Arlington. Ruth was a second-grade teacher and worked as a substitute before her retirement.

Ruth Samuel Obituary (1920 - 2015) - 94, Brick, NJ - MyCentralJersey (legacy.com)

 

Nancy Keller Kelly

Nancy Kelly (Class of 1951) of Valatie, NY passed away in 2018 at the age of 89. She was a former kindergarten teacher at Kinderhook (Ichabod Crane) Central School District for over 20 years before working at the N.Y.S. Department of Taxation and Finance in Albany.  An avid golfer and volunteer, Nancy was “an extremely independent woman who continued to live at home by herself right up until her recent illness.”

 Nancy Kelly Obituary (2018) - Valatie, NY - Albany Times Union (legacy.com)

 

Eileen McFetridge

Eileen McFetridge (Class of 1953) was born in Oyster Bay, NY and lived in Greenport, NY when she passed away at age 85 in 2018. Eileen was a supporter and activist for affordable housing in the North Fork of Long Island worked to spearhead the Initiative for Community Land Trust of Southold Town.

Eileen McFetridge Obituary (1932 - 2018) - Greenport, NY - Newsday (legacy.com)

New groups seek to create affordable housing on the North Fork - The Suffolk Times (timesreview.com)

 

Alice Foley Martin

Alice Mary Foley Martin (Class of 1957), a lifelong resident of Warwick, NY, passed away at home in 2014 at age 78. Before retiring, Alice was an Art Teacher with the Monroe-Woodbury Schools in Central Valley, NY for 38 years and was an artist in her own right. She was a Supervisor for Student Teachers at SUNY, New Paltz.  She spent her life with horses and was an avid rider.

 

In Memory of Alice Foley Martin (lsvpmemorialhome.com)

We Mourn the Passing of Lolly Cox Mahoney ‘58

Lolly's husband, Bob, recently contacted Janice Oehler and shared the news of Lolly's passing on May 26,2021.

"Mary Jane “Lolly” Mahoney peacefully passed from this earth at home surrounded by family at the age of 84 following a lengthy illness. Words alone cannot do justice to the good life she lived. Lolly was an amazing and extraordinarily capable woman, a true partner in marriage to her husband Robert “Bob” Patrick Mahoney, devoted to her brood of five, her faith, and each community to which life led her."

Lolly's Obituary

We Mourn the Passing of Liza Kosel '74

 Laurie Spiegel has shared the following news about the passing of Liza Kosel.

I got word the other day that Liza Kosel (class of 74) passed away last week from a combination of cancer, COVID, and pneumonia. Liza was 68. There was no funeral -  her ashes are to be scattered in Colorado. Liza's sister, Ellen, shared the sad news and I let Ellen know that I would pass this on to the Theta alumni to be included in the next newsletter.

Liza was at the last luncheon in 2019 and I'm attaching a picture of her, along with Jayne Brown Wynne and myself. It was a great day to be all together. Liza was my big sister and was protective of me from the start. She will very much be missed. May her memory be a blessing!!

Liza leaves behind her husband, Persy Ramos, and her sisters Leslie Eckstein of Tampa, FL and Ellen Zarcone of Monsey, NY . Donations may be sent in her memory to the ASPCA. Liza loved animals and she took in rescues.

We Mourn the Passing of Fran Monahan '50

Janice Oehler and Shirley Gordineer Townsend have shared the news of the passing of Fran Freer Cooke Monahan. Theta Sorority Graduating class 1950.  A wonderful person, friend, beloved teacher, soft spoken, kind.   She will be missed by family and friends.

We Mourn the Passing of Linda Liepshutz Saulpaugh

Sharing Some Sad News

Linda Liepshutz Saulpaugh ‘67 passed away on March 25,2020 following a long, courageous battle with cancer.  She is survived by her daughters Laurel & Leslie, their spouses & three grandchildren.  In addition to teaching, Linda also worked as a floral designer & ran a B&B called The Inn at Blue Stores in Livingston, NY for 20 years.  Naomi Rubin ‘68 wrote that she’d visited Linda several times over the years & that her B& B “was wonderful.”   Linda was very close with Flo Ferguson Brandt ‘67 who wrote that they “shared such great Theta memories.”
 - Janice Oehler

We Mourn the Passing of Laura Siracusano Dudek

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my first roommate, my dear friend, and our very special Theta sister, Laura Siracusano Dudek. Laura was the strongest woman I have ever known. She endured so many trials in her life, but always faced them with courage and a smile, and was always strong and positive. I'm so sad that this last battle was her final one. May her wonderful husband, Tom, and her devoted sister, Louise, and all who knew and loved Laura find comfort in wonderful memories.
- Pook Siprin Bellini
Lau' dubbed me "Pookie" (after a character on the Soupy Sales show) during our first semester at New Paltz.  That name has stuck with me all these years and will forever remind me of our long and special friendship.

 Tom Dudek

164 Meadow Road

Chester, VT 05143

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF LINDA SPIRO LANDERS

Linda Spiro Landers ('61) passed away on Sunday, 2/25/18. Linda was our Vice President for the last 8 years or so. She was instrumental in getting our yearly mailings out to all sisters for a number of years. 

I can't remember a Fall luncheon that did not include Linda among the attendees. Even when she became dependent on a walker, she & her husband Woody would make the trip from the Cape, staying for the weekend so they could do some visiting with old friends. She always had new mini calendars along with some special treat wrapped in purple for all of us. Linda will be missed by all Thetas.

Linda was a good friend to many people. Above all, though, she was a loving and loved wife, mother and grandmother.

Sympathy can be sent to Linda's family at Box 739, Dennis, MA 02638.

- Janice Oehler

We Mourn the Passing of Maggie Tashiro Caccamo

We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Maggie Tashiro Caccamo.   

Linda Landers emailed me today that Maggie Tashiro Caccamo passed away on Jan. 13th. She was 71 & had been battling leukemia. 
- Janice Oehler 

Maggie's Obituary

We Mourn the Passing of Two of Our Thetas

These two Thetas were listed as "In Memoriam" in the recent NP Alumni magazine.  Muriel Denby Gazverde '34   and  Barbara Kerl Hausbeck  '51.  

 - Leslie Drojak

We Mourn the Passing of Nora O'Sullivan Wolff

I am so sorry to be sending you this sad message.  Nora passed away this morning. Maggie Caccamo called me to tell me this sad news.

The calling hours for Nora are at Moylan Funeral Home in Rosendale from 4 to 7 tomorrow/Wednesday. The funeral will be at 10 am Thursday at St. Peters in Rosendale.  The family did not designate any charity in lieu of flowers.  Cards can be sent to Nora's brother: 

James O'Sullivan  

1076 State Route 213  

High Falls,  NY 12440 

Obituary: Kingston Daily Freeman

- Linda Spiro Landers

We Mourn the Passing of Barbara D'Alisera Hansen

I've been asked to relay some very sad news. Barbara D'Alisera Hansen, (class of 1970) died suddenly on Friday November 18.  She suffered a brain aneurysm.  We have no service details but we will pass them along as soon as we get them.
-Rosalie Meunier Pahel

This photo of Barbara was taken at the Theta Luncheon last month.  Scroll down to the luncheon photos for additional photos.

Barbara Hansen's wake will be Sunday 7PM-9PM, Monday 2PM-4PM and 7PM-9PM at Wannamaker & Carlough, Rt. 59 in Suffern, NY.    
                                                             

The funeral is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday at 10AM at the Church of the Presentation, 271 West Saddle River Road in Upper Saddle River, NJ. .  Burial will be at St. Anthony's Church in Nanuet, NY.

If you would like to send a card, here is the address of the Hansen Family (husband Marc, children Lara and Eric):

110 Spook Rock Road 

Suffern, NY 10901

We Mourn the Passing of Carol Baldwin Dettmering

I received an email from Josephine Cilmi Dayger, letting me know that Carol Baldwin Dettmering '64 passed away on Jan. 30.  She had microscopic knee surgery and a blood clot dislodged, causing her death. 

- Janice Oehler

We Mourn the Passing of Jane Yerick Frederick

Janice Oehler received this message from Jane Yerick Frederick's ('57) husband...

"Jane entered into the kingdom of our Lord on Sept. 7, 2009.  Jane had been the victim of severe rhumatoid arthritis for 46 years.  Jane always appreciated and enjoyed any and all the leterature and contact she received from Theta.  Thank you for remembering her and God bless all the sisters."

We Mourn the Passing of Dee Dee Dent Stigbert

Diana (Dee Dee) Dent Stigbert ('62) passed away on August 4th.  Her illness and passing were very sudden.  Anyone who'd been to our luncheons will remember Dee Dee for her beautiful script.  She always had the greatest looking nametag!

- Janice Oehler 

Dee Dee's Obituary 
Daily Freeman

We Mourn the Passing of Bobbi Heckler Kane

It is with sadness, a heavy heart, and special Theta memories that I share the news of the recent passing of Bobbi  Heckler Kane , '63. Bobbi was short on stature but huge on spirit and love.

- Carol Hearst Brott, '63.


Anyone who'd attended our luncheon in 2007 at The Locust Tree will remember Bobbi.  She came to the luncheon with her caregiver.  Bobbi was thrilled to be able to attend, the first such luncheon she'd been to, as far as I can remember. 
- Janice Oehler 


Bobbi's Obituary:
Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/2/2010 


Barbara A. Kane, 68, of New Paltz, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at her residence in New Paltz, NY after a long battle with ALS. She lived with the disease and lived a fulfilling life.


Mrs. Kane was born in Queens, NY. She was the daughter of Arthur and Lillian Bailey Heckler. She married Peter Kane.


Barbara retired from the Rondout Valley Central School District, Accord, NY in 1997 where she taught for over 30 years.


She is survived by her husband, Peter Kane of New Paltz; one daughter, Tracey and her husband, Mark Fleming of Liverpool, NY and one son, Christian Dixon and his wife, Jenny Kane of New Paltz; her mother, Lillian Heckler of Sunnyside, Queens, NY; one brother, Arthur Heckler of North Babylon, NY; grandchildren, Ian, Ryan, and Katie Fleming of Liverpool, NY; and Taylor and Bailey Kane of New Paltz; a long term caregiver and a very dear friend, Rose Smith, and a multitude of friends.


Calling hours will be on Tuesday, August 3, from 4-7 p.m. at Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz. The funeral will be Wednesday, August 4, at 10 a.m. at The Reformed Church of New Paltz, 92 Huguenot St., New Paltz with Rev. Howard Major III, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that donations may be made to Hospice Foundation, Inc., Memorial Gift Program, 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 121401.m

Cremation will take place at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Copeland Funeral Home, Inc.; 845-255-1212. If anyone wishes to express condolences online, please go to www.copelandfhnp.com.