Gertrude “Trudy” Rettig Diller, born June 1, 1912 in Rummelsburg, Germany; daughter of the late Max K. Rettig and Martha Scharsitzke, died on Friday, Oct. 17  at home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Diller came to this country in 1913 and moved to Darien in 1914 where she lived the rest of her life, a 100-year Darien resident.

A 1930 graduate of Darien High School, she attended New York University where she was the only woman in her class at Stern School of Business. Before graduating she got a job during the Depression at Central Hanover Bank where she worked for 14 years as a foreign security analyst.

In 1946 she married the love of her life William H. Diller and stayed home to raise her family. When her daughters were grown she started a new career and worked at Nestle Corp. until her retirement. Her love of family, church and friends were always the most important aspects of her life but she always gave generously of her time volunteering. She was a member of the RTM, president of the Darien League of Women Voters and vice chairman of the Republican Town Committee, Director of Music for Youth and managed the Stamford Hospital thrift shop for many years. At the time of her death she was a member of the Norwalk Lions Club and the National Federation of the Blind.

Mrs. Diller was well known for philosophy on how to live to be a 100. It was attitude, faith, and sense of humor. Two years ago when she reached 100 years she added to that philosophy, “a piece of dark chocolate and a glass of sherry before dinner,” her family said.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband William H. Diller Jr., her daughter Sally Goulet, and her brother Max Rettig. She is survived by her daughter, Caryn Diller and husband Nicolas Melia, and their children, Matthew, Natalia and Mark; her son-in-law Mickey Goulet and his and Sally’s children and their spouses Justin (Meggan) and Kristian(Tracy) and two great-granddaughters, Taylor and Kendall Goulet; also her nieces, Debbie Clark and Vikki Johnston and nephews, Kurt Rettig, and John and Peter Diller.
The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Tuesday, Oct. 21  from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22  at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 132 Glenbrook Road, Stamford. Burial will follow at Fairfield Memorial Park in Stamford.

Memorial donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 132 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford, CT 06902,Tel. 203-327-7751, www.Zionlutheran-stamford.org and National Federation of the Blind — Stamford Chapter, Stamford Hospital, 30 Shelburne Road, Stamford, CT 06904-3628, nfbct.org/html/chapters.htm.

Sidney Harvey Phillips Morse passed away peacefully in the early morning of October 19th. She was surrounded by devoted family members at her home in Darien. Sidney was 89.

Sidney was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 18, 1925 and grew up in nearby Catonsville. She graduated from the Roland Park Country School, where she maintained relationships throughout her adult life. Following Roland Park Country School, Sidney received professional secretarial training and later assisted the Chief of OB/Gyn at the New York Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Sidney met her husband-to-be, Edmond (Ted) Northrop Morse, in 1944 just prior to his tour of duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, which included serving as a Marine Scout during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the South Pacific. They were married in Baltimore on June 5th, 1948 and initially settled in New York City, where Ted began a lifelong career in financial research and capital management.

In 1951, Sidney and Ted moved to Darien to raise their family near friends. Sidney became a full-time wife and mother, one of her greatest gifts and for which she will always be remembered with loving admiration and gratitude by her entire family. Throughout her life, Sidney was cherished for her unique qualities of being nurturing, compassionate, effervescent, fun-loving, inventive, smart and determined.

Sidney loved gardening, spending time with her family, entertaining, creating and maintaining country homes, going to the symphony, attending lectures, organizing bridge club get-togethers, and sewing. She was an excellent coordinator of events and a lover of learning, embracing new projects of all kinds with enthusiasm.

Sidney was an active member of the Garden Club of Darien, the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum, the Darien Community Association, and the Bank of Darien. Along with her family, she enjoyed the Tokeneke and Wee Burn Country Clubs as well as spending summers at the Morse family cottage on Chebeague Island, Maine. She also loved Peru, Vermont, where she oversaw the renovation of several 19th century country houses.

Sidney is survived by Edmond (Ted) Morse, her beloved husband of 66 years, as well as her five children Edmond H. (Barbara), David F. (Elaine), Judith B., Anne S. (Scott), and John B. She is also survived by her grandchildren Edmond R., Christopher B. and Benjamin S.

Funeral services will be held in the Chapel of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road in Darien, Connecticut at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 7th. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Roland Park Country School at 5204 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21210. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

Barbara Oddo-Del Gatto, a resident of Darien, died on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Greenwich Hospital. She was born on Oct. 7, 1953 in New York City. She was 61. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College and her law degree from New York Law School.

Mrs. Del Gatto is survived by her husband, Brian Del Gatto, and two children, Brandon Del Gatto and Breana Del Gatto, all of Darien. She is also survived by a sister, Carol Oddo of Maspeth, Queens, N.Y.

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 3 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 988 Post Road, Darien on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Grace Community Church, 365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan, CT 06840

Janet H. Cummings, age 86 of Seymour, died on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Shelton Lakes Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late William Cummings.

Mrs. Cummings was born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 10, 1928, daughter of the late Norris and Carolyn Paxton. She was raised in Albany, New York and graduated from Syracuse University, where she majored in journalism and was a proud member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She moved to Darien in 1970 and spent years in Norwalk and Westport as well. Mrs. Cummings retired as editor of the former Darien News Review and Westport News, a newspaper she worked at for over 25 years. She loved mentoring new journalists in the field.

Away from work she loved sailing, traveling and was an avid bridge player. She also looked forward every summer to her vacation at Eagle Camp in South Hero, Vermont. Here she would meet up with many long time friends and family for a few weeks on Lake Champlain.

She is the mother of Barry Hardman and his wife Kathleen, and stepmother of Carla Cummings and her husband Merek Press. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Tyler and Ian, her sister Lea Nixon, and husband John, of Atlanta, Georgia, and several nieces and nephews.

The Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd Shelton, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Rd. Seymour, Connecticut.

Contributions can be made to: Eagle Camp, c/o Janet Cummings Memorial Fund, 505 W. Shore Rd, South Hero, Vermont. 05486.

— by The Darien Times

Joan Platt Schuler, aged 78, a resident of the Rydal Park Retirement Community for the past two years and formerly of Jenkintown, PA and Huntingdon Valley, PA died on October 20, 2014. She was the devoted wife of the late C. Harold “Hal” Schuler, Jr. for 43 years until his death in 2005.

Born in Philadelphia, Joan was the daughter of the late Alfred Walter Platt and the late Jane McCullough Platt. She graduated from Germantown High School in 1953 and in 1957 earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Pennsylvania State University.

Joan was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker and grandmother. After raising her children she taught at the Meadowbrook School for 15 years prior to retiring in 1995.

Joan was a member of Huntingdon Valley Country Club for 44 years, a life-time member of The Women’s Board of Abington Memorial Hospital and a member of The Questers Organization.

She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Glenside, PA, where she served on the Altar Guild and volunteered regularly at their thrift shop.

Joan enjoyed traveling, reading, spending time with her family, friends and grandchildren and vacationing in Avalon, NJ.

She is survived by her loving daughters and their spouses: Stephanie and Lawrence Flanagan of Darien, CT, Gretchen and Andrew Van Buren of Rydal, PA and Elizabeth and Gene DiMedio; by her dear brother-in-law, Conrad E. Schuler, and by her eight cherished grandchildren.

Relatives and friends will be received on Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Helweg & Rowland Funeral Home, 1059 Old York Road, Abington, PA. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 24, 2014, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 654 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA. Interment will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, 6707 Democracy Blvd. Ste. 325, Bethesda, MD 20817, sjogrens.org.

Arrangements were by Helweg & Rowland Funeral Home, Abington, PA. helwegrowlandfh.com

— by the Family

Christine Antonia Matyszkowicz, a resident of Darien for the past 11 years, died on Thursday, Oct. 30 in Darien. Born on Sept. 22, 1998 in Stamford, she is the daughter of Krzysztof and Dorota (Toczek) Matyszkowicz. She was 16.

Christine was a student at Darien High School and the Wilton-Westport Evening School. She recently obtained her learner’s permit and fell in love with driving. She was an avid artist, loved animals and people. Christine radiated love and joy to everyone she met, her family said.

Besides her parents, she is survived by her sister, Patrycja Matyszkowicz and her brother, David Matyszkowicz. Christine is also survived by her grandparents, Bogumila Matyszkowicz, Helena and Franciszek Toczek as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins in the United State as well as Poland.

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m.. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 471 Mansfield Avenue, Darien.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hope, 590 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820.

www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

Eugene (Gene) Melvin Marks passed away on November 4, 2014. Dr. Marks was a longtime resident of Newtown, CT. He was born to Dr. Sidney Marks and Marcia Tritchler Marks in Buffalo, NY on July 5, 1921. His education included Amherst High School and the University of Buffalo for both his bachelor’s and medical degrees. Dr. Marks served in the US Army during the Korean War, where he was assigned to a MASH unit that was later the subject of the movie and TV series, MASH. Dr. Marks worked as a general practitioner in Alden, NY for many years and then as an occupational physician at DuPont before moving to Newtown with his family in 1968. In Connecticut he was Medical Director for Remington Arms in Bridgeport until his retirement. After his retirement, Dr. Marks continued to work part-time for the Connecticut State Health Department for a number of years.

Dr. Marks was an avid clarinet and saxophone player in his youth and played in a jazz band throughout high school and college. His interest in music continued throughout his life and he was a dedicated tenor in the choir of the Newtown Congregational Church. In Alden, Dr. Marks was a member of the Alden Presbyterian Church and an active member of Kiwanis. In the 15 years they lived in Alden, he and his family hosted exchange students from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Thailand, and Uganda.

Dr. Marks will be remembered for his keen intellect, sense of humor, devotion to his family and his generous spirit. He is survived by his wife Edna Aranibar Marks of Newtown; his sister Patience (Marks) Dybowski of Snyder, NY: his children: Dr. James Marks and his wife Judi of Princeton, NJ; Catherine Scott and her husband Lou of Preble, NY; Joanne Shpunt and her husband Jerry of Newtown, CT; Judy Freitag and her husband Bill of Hershey, PA; Elizabeth Cortright and her husband Richard of Darien, CT; and Edward Marks and his wife Tammy of Newtown, CT as well as 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Plans for a memorial service to be determined. Donations in his memory rather than flowers may be sent to the Newtown Congregation Church.

Stuart B. Upson, a prominent advertising executive and industry leader whose career spanned six decades at one agency, died on Oct. 31 in New Canaan. He was 89 and lived in Darien.

The cause of death was complications from a fall, his son, Stuart Upson Jr. confirmed.

Mr. Upson was born April 14, 1925 in Cincinnati. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University, completing his degree in 2 1/2 years in the Class of ‘45 in order to serve with the U.S. Navy in World War II.

He began his career in advertising in 1946 as a junior account executive in the Chicago office of Dancer Fitzgerald Sample. Two years later he moved to the New York office, where he quickly rose to become president and then chairman and led the firm to unprecedented success, including being named as Adweek’s Agency of the Year in 1985. Mr. Upson guided DFS through its 1986 merger with Saatchi & Saatchi, from which he retired in 2011 as chairman emeritus.

Widely respected in the advertising community, Mr. Upson was chairman of the Ad Council, chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, and inducted into the American Advertising Foundation’s Advertising Hall of Fame in 2007. For 35 years, he was deeply involved with the Fresh Air Fund, and served as its president from 1978 to 1988.

Mr. Upson moved to Darien in 1957 and was a member of Wee Burn Country Club.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Jussen Upson; his daughters Meg Nichols (Ed) of Denver and Anne Marcus (John) of Greenwich, his son Stuart Upson Jr. (Kate) of New Canaan; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 or Darien’s Post 53, 0 Ledge Road, Darien, CT 06820.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT.

Arrangements are being handled by Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820, 203-655-6127.

— by The Darien Times

Edwin Carlos Andrews, III passed away peacefully at his home in Plano, Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 28, surrounded by his loving wife, children and family.

He was born on June 12th, 1965 in Darien, Connecticut. Mr. Andrews is a United States Navy Veteran. He will be remembered for his dedication and service to others, kindness of spirit and generosity. He will be forever missed by all who knew him. Mr. Andrews is survived by his wife, Jamie Johnson Andrews; son, Evan Casey; daughter, Shelby Lyn; mother, Patricia Shanley Andrews and sister, Patricia Andrews Bray. Mr. Andrews is preceded in death by his father, Edwin C. Andrews, Jr. A Funeral Service was held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Frisco on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 10:30 AM. Family and friends were invited to a visitation that will be held one hour prior to the funeral service. To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com

— by the Family

Mary Fernino, a 40-year resident of Darien, passed away due to natural causes at her home on Nov. 9, 2014. Mary was 100 years old.

Mrs. Fernino was surrounded by daughter, Mary Jayne Wilson, and son-in-law, Edward, along with her two grandchildren, Melissa Lindenthal with husband Dan and Ami Jayne Powers with husband Michael. Three great grandchildren blessed Mary’s life – Michael, Camilla, and DJ.

Mrs. Fernino was born on Nov. 3, 1914 in Brooklyn, New York. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Fernino, as well as her parents and siblings.

Mrs. Fernino lived a life dedicated to her education, achieving a Master’s of Science degree from New York University. She was dedicated to the education of others throughout her 30-year career with the New York public schools.  She played tennis well into her late seventies and enjoyed traveling, cooking and devotion to family. Endearingly known as “Mom Mom,” she faithfully cheered for the New York Yankees while donning her own “Mom Mom” jersey. Mrs. Fernino adored beach days and was known to make a mean eggplant Parmesan. She became an avid letter writer stemming from her years-long correspondence with her husband overseas during World War II. She would impart wisdom upon her family, such as “take a good day when it comes.” Mrs. Fernino was a member of St. John Church in Darien and volunteered with the Red Cross chapter stationed in Darien as well.  Truly a member of the greatest generation, she will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Nov.12, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. John RC Church in Darien, Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien.

Darien native Richard Burr Tweedy Jr., known by family and friends as “Burr,” died Tuesday, November 4, after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Mr. Tweedy, 62, was surrounded by family and friends when he died from complications following surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Born on April 21, 1952, at Stamford Hospital, he was the son of the late Richard and Louise Tweedy. He attended Darien schools and Phillips Andover Academy before graduating from Yale in 1974. He graduated from Boston University Law School in 1978, and worked for most of his career as a Staff Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in Boston.

Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Tweedy clerked for the Massachusetts Superior Court, where he worked for Judge David Nelson. When Nelson became the first African-American to be appointed a judge to the Massachusetts United States District Court, in 1979, he hired Mr. Tweedy to be his law clerk.  Mr. Tweedy later clerked for Judge Stephen Breyer, who went on to become a Justice on the United States Supreme Court, and for Judge Hugh H. Bownes, both of whom were judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

In 1989, Mr. Tweedy began work as a Staff Attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, where he worked for more than 25 years, until the time of his death.  He was praised by current Chief Judge Sandra Lynch, “It was a privilege to work with him . . . Burr represented values we hold dear: excellent work, consistently good judgment, diligence, decency and humanity.”  Mr. Tweedy received the highest praises from those with whom he worked, “not only for brilliant legal analysis, persuasive reasoning, and clarity of writing, but also for his kindness, charm, and unfailing grace and sense of humor,” said Senior Staff Attorney Kathy Lanza.

He was a loving uncle and brother, and a keen intellect. He had a gift of interpersonal connection and charm that attracted scores of friends. A selfless individual, he was a pied piper when it came to the younger generation, whom he taught card games, crossword puzzle tactics and, being a stickler for grammar, the finer points of speech, but always with a sense of humor.

Mr. Tweedy is survived by his brothers, David Tweedy and wife Ellie of Brooklyn, NY, and Jim Tweedy and wife Meg of Darien, CT; his stepmother, Joan Tweedy of Darien; stepbrothers, Philip Livingston and wife Lucy Hann of New York City, and Chico Livingston and wife Lynne of Portland, Oregon; stepsisters, Patty Livingston and husband Tom Gottsleben of Saugerties, NY, and Millie Livingston of Seattle; two nieces, two nephews and nine step-nieces and -nephews. Besides his parents, his wife, Robin Kilson Tweedy, and his brother Jon predeceased him.

A memorial will be held in January. For more information, e-mail tweedy108@aol.com. Donations in Mr. Tweedy’s name can be made to Discovering Justice, a nonprofit organization that teaches children, especially those in underserved communities, to use their voices to advocate for themselves and others through learning about democratic values, history, justice and civic responsibility. It offers programs in elementary and middle schools and courthouses throughout Boston. To donate in honor of Mr. Tweedy, visit Discoveringjustice.org.

-By The Family

Andrew W. Pless, formerly of Cold Spring, N.Y. and a newer resident of Darien, died on Sunday, Oct. 12 evening surrounded by family. He was 99 years old. Mr. Pless, also known as Grandpa Dukes and Poppy, was father to Jane VanBeek and Marion Pless Burger (predeceased), grandfather to Ryan VanBeek and Dr. Corinne VanBeek, great grandfather to Ryan’s two daughters, Michela and Gianna, and brother to William Pless (predeceased).

Mr. Pless worked in the post office in New York City and Spring Valley, N.Y. for 34 years. He was very passionate about his job and loved the walking routes and daily social interactions.

He was president of the Rockland County Postal Employee Association, president of the Catholic Widow and Widowers Club of Putnam and Dutchess Counties, president of the Philipstown AARP, and an elder of the First Reformed Church of Fishkill, N.Y. He occupied retirement enjoying his family, tracking the stock market, following politics, checking his Mega Millions and Take 5 Lotto numbers, and most importantly, being the patriarch of an ever growing family.

Mr. Pless was a humorous gentleman who enjoyed the company of others, his family said. His wife Marion (Lukes) passed in 1991. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyment for life. He was a pacifist and always looked at the positive and the good in people. He’ll be greatly missed by his adoring family and friends, although he left them with bountiful memories to forever cherish, they said.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Brick Church Cemetery in Spring Valley, N.Y.

There will be a friendship gathering and memorial for Mr. Pless on Sunday, Nov. 16 beginning at 11:15 a.m. at the Fellowship Center at The First Reformed Church of Fishkill, 1153 Main Street. Memorial donations to the church are requested.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Home, 1028 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12425.

— by The Darien Times

Charles E. Schatvet Jr., 74, died at Greenwich Woods Health Care Center in Greenwich, on Nov. 2 after a long illness.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Schatvet was a graduate of Darien High School and the School of Printing Management of the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie-Mellon University.) He served as an officer in the U.S. Army, stationed in Orleans, France.

He eventually succeeded his father as president of The Adams Group, Inc., a printing firm in New York City which his grandfather founded in 1903.

Mr. Schatvet was very active in the industry with the Printing Industries of Metropolitan New York and as president of the Young Printing Executives Club, which presented him with an award for distinguished service.

A longtime resident of Darien, his passion was sailing the waters of Long Island Sound. He enthusiastically participated in activities with his daughters such as YMCA’s Indian Princesses and many Memorial Day parades. In his later years, when not sailing, he was happiest working an old-fashioned Good Humor truck through the neighborhoods of Darien. Mr. Schatvet was a lifelong member of Noroton Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon and head usher for many years. He loved meeting new friends and making people feel welcome.

He is survived by three loving daughters and their families: Tracey and Josh Adams (and granddaughters Abigail and Jessie) of Charlotte, N.C., Sandra and Scott Henry (and grandchildren Boone, Tucker, and Tilley) of Fairfield, and Lillan and Aaron Lofaro of Stamford, his former wife, Sigrid Steuer Schatvet, of Bridgeport, his sister Helen S. Ullmann of Acton, Mass., and brother John D. Schatvet of Topsham, Maine, and three nieces.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien. Dessert reception immediately following in Horton Hall.

The family has requested memorial donations toward a sailboat to teach future sailors at Camp Arcadia, a girls camp in Maine attended by several generations of the family. Checks (memo line “In Memory of Chuck Schatvet”) should be sent to Camp Arcadia, Inc., 42 Goodwives River Rd., Darien, CT, 06820.

— by The Darien Times

Spencer Willis Hitch, age 92, died at home in Sarasota, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 10.

Born July 2, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, he graduated from Northwestern University and attended University of Chicago as a graduate student in international relations.

Mr. Hitch served in the United States Air Force during World War II as a classification specialist. He spent many years living in New York City before marriage, and was a long-time resident of Darien.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Deirdre Cassedy Hitch; a daughter, Sarah Hitch Burdi and her husband Tom and their children, Sam and Lindsay; a son, Spencer Jordan Hitch and his wife Julie and their children, Emma, Charlie, Tyler and Lily; a daughter Kelin Hitch Rapp and her husband Steve and their children, Tom and Emma; a niece, Ann Branston; a nephew John Branston; and other wonderful family and friends.

After leaving the Air Force he began his career in advertising with Swift International in Brazil and went on to become a vice president of international marketing and advertising at Avon Products until retiring in 1983.

As an advertising and marketing executive, he travelled the world and helped establish markets for Avon products across the globe.

After retiring from Avon, Mr. Hitch worked at the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce as a marketing and advertising consultant until 1987.

Mr. Hitch was a lover of the arts, music and all types of culture. He was an avid reader and well-versed on even the most esoteric of subjects.

Fluent in several languages, he had a passion for knowledge, learning and world cultures.

He was involved with the Darien Community Theater as a volunteer and thespian. It was once commented that he “brought down the house” with his performance of Brush Up Your Shakespeare.

He was an accomplished piano player and kept friends and family up many nights with his impromptu sing-alongs at the piano.

Some of his fondest memories and stories were of his life in New York City during the heyday of 50’s and 60’s and being at the center of the art scene, his family said.

His friendships throughout the city’s artistic community provided him access to a wide variety of performances, museums, theaters, and opening events. He loved the city and all it had to offer, his family said.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Museum of Modern Art. Gifts can be sent to: The MoMa, Development Department, 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019.

Questions can be directed to annualfund@moma.org.

— by The Darien Times

Eileen M. Bryson, 77, of Bedminster, N.J. passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2014. She was born on January 22, 1937 in Manhattan, NY. Eileen is survived by her loving husband Robert Bryson, her cherished son James Bryson and Dawn of Darien CT, Loving daughter Catherine Bryson of Norwalk CT., loving grandchildren Nolan and Graydon, dear sister Maureen Ralston of Waretown NJ ,and brother Thomas Mahoney of Suffern NY. Funeral arrangements are private.  For further information please contact Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com.

— by the Family

Anne Patricia Dickens died peacefully on November 10th, 2014 at the age of 88, in the company of her loved ones.

Known as Pat to family and friends, she was born on May 6th, 1926 to John E. Wilson and Anna Hutchinson Wilson, in Peekskill, NY. She grew up in White Plains, NY, where she attended Good Counsel Academy, and then St. Ann’s School of Nursing in Fall River, MA. She met and married her husband of 52 years, Charles F. Dickens, in 1947, with whom she shared all life’s adventures, as well as three children and four grandchildren.

Pat worked with the mentally disabled at The W.A.R.C. of White Plains during the 1960’s and 70’s, and after that as the director of the Hospitality Center and Gift Shop of The Women’s Auxiliary of White Plains Hospital, until her retirement in 1988, when she and her husband relocated to New Market, MD. Following her husband’s death in 1999, she lived in Princess Anne, MD, until moving to Greenwich, CT in 2010.

Pat was an avid reader, a fan of games of all kinds and loved nothing more than spending time with her family. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her son, Charles Edward Dickens, and his wife, Clare, of Washington, DC, her daughter, Mary Dickens Rogers, and her husband, Bruce, of Darien, CT, her brother, Patrick A. Wilson, and his wife, Carol, of NJ, her three grandchildren John Maxwell Dickens, Evan W. Rogers and Celia G. Rogers, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband, Charles, she was pre-deceased by her brothers, Charles L. and John E. Wilson Jr., her sisters, Mary Wilson and Margaret Burnett, her son, Frank E. Dickens, and her grandson, Titus W. Dickens.

There will be a private memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, where at her request, her ashes will be placed next to those of her husband.

Mrs. Dorothy Leonard Lougee, born May 8th, 1926, passed away on Wednesday November 12th, 2014.

A native of Catawba County, she and her husband, V. B. Lougee III, raised their children in Durham, NC, and then lived in Richmond, VA, followed by 30 years in Darien, CT. She was a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great- grandmother, who treasured her family and the many friends she made throughout her life. Mrs. Lougee was a Registered Nurse, a graduate of the Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham.

While living in Connecticut, she enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, and was named a Life Master by the American Contract Bridge League. After moving to Advance, NC, in 2006, she and her husband became members of Knollwood Baptist Church. Mrs. Lougee was the daughter of the late George and Sadie Leonard, and the sister of the late Herman Frye Leonard. Surviving are her husband of 67 years; daughter, Carol Danforth and husband John of Winston-Salem; son, Brent Lougee, Sr. and wife Teresa of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, Ginnie Freeman and husband Scott; Brent Lougee, Jr. and wife Katy; Carrie Schymanski and husband Jason; Seth Lougee; Sadie Lougee; great-grandchildren, Drew Freeman, Lilly Freeman, Luke Freeman, Ethan Lougee, Emma Lougee, Milla Schymanski; cousin Mary Albert Ward; nephew, David Leonard; niece, Vicki Henderson and husband Bill; great-nephew, Andrew Henderson.

The family expresses deep gratitude to the loving staff members at Regency Care Nursing Home in Clemmons, NC for their caring dedication over the past seven years. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to children’s ministries and missions at Knollwood Baptist Church. A private graveside service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, NC on November 17, 2014. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem with Rev. Bob Setzer, Jr. officiating. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com (Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel)

— by the Family

Frieda Jane Newton Reed, a life-long resident of Darien, died on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Stamford Hospital. Born March 14, 1942 in Stamford, she was the daughter of the late Louis Lawrence and Alice Loretta (La Rosa) Bianco. She was 72. Mrs. Reed loved to cook, especially Italian food and loved to travel and dance. She authored the book Color Me Thursday. Mrs. Reed was also the former owner of Heads Up Plus Beauty Salon in Wilton. Mrs. Reed is survived by her husband, Alan Lee Reed, of Darien; her son, Michael L. Newton of New Haven; her daughter Melissa A. Newton Honiss of South Glastonbury; and her step-daughter Sandra G. Newton of Fairfield. She is also survived by two brothers — Daniel L. Bianco of Darien and Louis L. Bianco, Jr. of Little Rock, AR; and two sisters Marie P. Brown and Alice L. Bianco both of Darien. The family received friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Nov. 13.

— by The Darien Times

Robert E. Ungemack, of Branford, formerly of Darien, died November 8, 2014 at the Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven. He was the beloved husband of Fannie Petroccia Ungemack, his wife of 67 years. Besides his wife he is survived by his children, Jane Ungemack of Simsbury, Sara McCool of Oxford, Lisl Hodgdon of Guilford, and Curt Ungemack of Shelton; his sister Evelyn Isselee of Southbury; his seven grandchildren, Corrie, Brie, Emily, Christopher, Merisa, Nicole, Eliza, and two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Emma.

Mr. Ungemack was born in Stamford on March 13, 1927, the son of Edward and Gunhild Hjertquist Ungemack. A U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II, he started his career as a commercial photographer. He later became a landscape architect and President of The Gardener’s Center, and then had his own company, Robert E. Ungemack Landscape Associates, in Darien, until retiring in 1991. Robert (Bob) was a warm hearted soul who could make anyone laugh. He was also an avid sailor and being on Long Island Sound was heaven to him. Bob was an accomplished craftsman, designing and building his homes in Darien, Stony Creek and Governor’s Island in Branford.

A private ceremony and burial will be held by his family. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford is in charge of arrangements. He loved animals, and the family asks that donations be made to the ASPCA in memory of Robert E. Ungemack. Donations may be sent to the ASPCA Honor/Memorial Program, 520 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018.  You may also make donations on the website at www.aspca.org. or by calling the 800 number at 800-628-0028 to make credit card donations.

— by the Family

Theodore Bame Steever, a native of Darien, died on Nov. 14 in West Chester, Pennsylvania after a struggle with cancer. The son of the late Edgar Zell Steever, IV and Velona Barringer Steever, both long-time residents in Talmadge Hill, Ted was born on April 24, 1944. He grew up in Darien, attending the local schools. Later he attended Deerfield Academy and after graduation enrolled in Lafayette College. He subsequently transferred to and, in 1967, graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of arts degree.

An avid sailor, Ted taught sailing at the Milford Yacht Club and was a member of the sailing team at Cornell. He especially enjoyed crewing on a number of cruises to Nova Scotia and in the Chesapeake Bay. He was also a member of the swim team at Roton Point.

He is survived by two brothers, Edgar Z. Steever, V, of Groton, Connecticut, and Sanford B. Steever, of New Canaan, as well as two nephews John Steever and Scott Steever, both of New York City. Memorial services are to be scheduled at a later date.

— by The Darien Times