Long time Darien resident C. Robert P. Meyjes passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, in New York City after a long illness. Mr. Meyjes was born in Arnhem, the Netherlands, on June 1, 1932 to Willem Christiaan Posthumus Meyjes and Marthe M. L. V. Meyjes. He and his younger sister Christine spent their early years in Amsterdam but the family was forced to flee to England after the invasion of Holland in May, 1940. The trip entailed a harrowing escape through France, Spain and Portugal in a battered 1939 Buick that survived hitting a goat, flipping several times and losing its windshield.

Mr. Meyjes and his sister spent time in London, including enduring the infamous Blitz, after which his parents sent them to boarding schools in the relative safety of the countryside where Mr. Meyjes attended the Stowe School until 1948. His father stayed in London to join the reconstituted Dutch Government.

In 1951, he received his bachelor’s degree from the School of Political Science at the University of Paris, and in 1956, he received a master’s degree from Harvard Business School. After returning to France to teach political science at the university in Aix-en-Provence with his first wife Anne, he was hired by the First National City Bank in New York in August of 1960 and began his 34-year career in international banking, becoming a senior vice president at Citibank in 1976. He was a resident of Darien from 1967 through 1987. One of his most interesting assignments was to establish and manage the first international private banking group at any large bank outside of Switzerland. Mr. Meyjes retired from Citibank in 1988 and moved to Chicago to work on restructuring projects for Continental Bank before it was sold to Bank of America in 1994.

Mr. Meyjes was a model train enthusiast, loved boating and fishing in Darien, and Southampton, New York and was an avid World War II historian. In addition to English he spoke French, Dutch and German, and he wrote three books: two World War II historical fiction novels, Abandoned Property and One of Our Ships Is Missing, and one family history, In Times Like These.

He was predeceased by his sister Christine, and he is survived by his wife of 27 years, Pamela, his children Robert Meyjes (Joan) of Darien, Julie Meyjes Smith (Greg) of New York, Catherine Meyjes of New Castle, New Hampshire, John Meyjes (Sarah) of Piedmont, California and his stepdaughter Virginia Boyd Lockhart (JB) of Greenwich, 10 grand-children, Annie Meyjes, Sam Meyjes, Matt Meyjes, Christine Smith Verderosa, Caylie Smith, Campbell Smith, Peter Gerrish, Willem Gerrish, Kate Meyjes and Jack Meyjes, one great-grandchild, Archer Verderosa, and two step-grandsons, James and Alexander Lockhart. He will be terribly missed by all of them, his family said.

A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church at 865 Madison Avenue in Manhattan on Monday, March 6 at 11 a.m. with a reception immediately following.

— by The Darien Times

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To the Editor:

While I will take the Darien Times at its word that it tried to contact Senators Duff and Leone and Representative Tong for comments on the Governor’s proposed budget, it is not surprising that these hard-working legislators would not drop everything to respond to the Editor.  The Darien Times Editorial page has been less than supportive of Darien’s Democratic legislators.

Last week’s editorial “Silence” is yet another example of the Darien Times’ combative attitude towards them.  The editorial simply recycled the talking points of local Republicans that the State should not ask wealthy towns like Darien to help solve Connecticut’s budget problems and then chastised Senators Duff and Leone and Representative Tong for not joining in that chorus.  

What the editorial ignores is that the budget being proposed was that of Governor Malloy — not that of Duff, Leone and Tong.  Despite the Darien Times’ suggestion to the contrary, Darien can be assured that Duff, Leone and Tong will remember that they represent Darien in the lengthy budget negotiations that will result from the Governor’s proposal.

I would like to suggest that it might be more helpful in the search for solutions to the extraordinary budget crisis confronting Connecticut if the Darien Times spent less time finger-pointing and more time (and ink) focusing on the enormity of the problem facing Connecticut.  Connecticut’s $1.8 billion budget deficit has been decades in the making and fault can be laid at the feet of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.  

Consequently, today’s lawmakers in Hartford face incredibly difficult choices.  Promoting a narrative that Hartford’s Democrats intend to punish Darien because it is a wealthy town that has managed its finances well neither suggests a solution nor opens a dialogue towards finding one.

Darien is not an island and arguing that Darien should not have to contribute to solving our state’s problems simply diminishes Darien’s voice in the important discussions still to come over Connecticut’s budget.  I hope that the Editor will take a more constructive approach in the future.

David Bayne

5 Windsor Road

Darien 

The writer is the chairman of Darien’s Democratic Town Committee

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To the Editor:

I am writing in response to Susan Shultz’ editorial “Silence” of last week.

I agree with Ms. Shultz that our legislators should be responsive to questions from all their constituents and cooperate with the press. A free press is one of the most precious rights we have in America. As such, I applaud Ms. Shultz for asking questions and asking hard, probing questions and demanding answers.

On other points, we diverge. Ms. Shultz asks, “Where is the fairness?” Yet, her editorial as a standalone piece is itself not fair and balanced. For example, she makes no mention of either the rationale behind the budget nor the history behind the budget (budgets problems for years across administrations of both political parties). Which leads to her second question, “What is the justification?” Even a cursory news search reveals justification. For example, a Feb. 3, 2017 CT Mirror article details some explanations such as the fact that higher teacher salaries in towns like Darien mean that teacher pensions from towns like ours are higher than for lower-income towns. Darien has fabulous schools and some of the best teachers in the state. Should we ask surrounding towns to pick up the extra cost of our teacher pensions? Another justification comes from our state’s obligation to schools statewide. Our courts have determined that the state is not doing enough to improve schools in low income areas. Whether we like it or not, the state cannot shed that responsibility. Beyond any legal responsibility, isn’t it in our interests to educate state children to be good workers and build our business community?

I don’t like paying higher taxes any more than anyone else does. I don’t like unbalanced budgets either. I am not going to delve into budget details because frankly, as a private citizen not involved in the government, I don’t know every detail. This is information our legislators can provide. But what I do know is that Connecticut needs people willing to roll their sleeves up and do something to help. Volunteer at our schools or schools in surrounding towns. If you a finance expert, volunteer or offer solutions to help state and schools. If you a tax expert, again volunteer or offer solutions. Throwing out questions without facts or context does not help. Complaining while not actively addressing the things leading to the budget shortfall does not help. Let’s be part of a solution and let’s do it together because that’s the only way we’ll get to where we need to be.

Candice M. Hughes, PhD, MBA
Darien

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Sigmund John Montgomery, age 96, a Darien resident for about seventy years, passed away peacefully February 27, 2017 at Waveny Care Center with his loving wife Ruth by his side. John was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 10, 1920, and grew up in Katonah, New York. He earned a B.S. in Engineering from Columbia in 1942, then served in the 8th Air Force, assigned to General Eisenhower’s staff in England and France. He left the military as a Major with a Bronze Star in 1946. After the war, John returned to Columbia, becoming an Assistant Professor at Columbia’s Engineering School in 1948, teaching there till 1959. John moved to Darien in 1947, and began consulting in management and engineering. Later, he earned a Ph.D. in Accounting from the NYU School of Business.  After NYU, he helped develop the Graduate School of Business at the University of Connecticut Storrs and the MBA program in Stamford.  While he was teaching in Connecticut, the University of Connecticut loaned him to the city of Stamford to be Commissioner of Finance and he also continued consulting.

Dr. Montgomery is survived by his second wife, Ruth Richardson Montgomery, his daughter Cynthia Kowalski, her husband Dr. Ronald Kowalski, of Skaneateles, NY,  their 5 children and 4 grandchildren.  Also surviving are 3 step-children, Charles Skeele, Harrison Skeele, and Sarah Post. John was predeceased by his first wife Jean Montgomery.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 4 at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan at 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of John’s life at Christ Community Church, 988 Post Road, Darien, at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Harrison F. Skeele officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org). For online condolences and directions, visit hoytfuneralhome.com.  

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Ken Mountcastle, 88, of New Canaan, and Sea Island, Georgia passed away on February 26, 2017 in Brunswick, GA.  He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Katharine, and his children, Mary, Laura, Ken and Katharine, daughter-in-law Lisa Mountcastle and sons-in-law, James Overton and Mark Koster, and five grandchildren: Holt, Kemble and Kara Mountcastle and Katharine and Alexander Koster.  He is also survived by his brother, George, of Winston-Salem.

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Dolores Deran Dwelle

Dolores Deran Dwelle of Darien, CT passed away on February 21, 2017 at Norwalk Hospital after a brief illness. She was 88.

Born in 1928, Dolores was raised in Darien as the middle child of the five children of Leon and Elizabeth Deran. Dolores attended Darien High School (class of 1946) and worked in her father’s photography business.

In 1955, she married Edwin (Ned) R. Dwelle, a WWII Flying Tiger veteran and Princeton University graduate who worked as an executive for the Monsanto Company Textiles Division in New York City. Dolores and Ned settled in West Norwalk and there raised five children.

Dolores took great pride in her husband, in her children, in her home, and in her role as a homemaker. She was an avid gardener, excellent cook, and a generous entertainer. She loved sitting at the beach, shopping for antiques, knitting and needlepointing, and solving the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. Dolores was adventurous and fun and loved travel and being outdoors. She always had her camera handy, and delighted in taking photos of her family.

Dolores moved to Fairfield in the mid-1990s and lived there for 19 years. She was a devoted volunteer at Norwalk Hospital for 16 years, where she sat as Chair of the Babies Alumni program on Norwalk Hospital’s Volunteer Board, worked with the Pet Therapy Program, and delivered flowers. Dolores was presented a 2000 Hour service pin by the hospital shortly before her retirement in 2015.

Dolores is predeceased by her husband, Edwin R. Dwelle II, her son, Paul D. Dwelle, her brother Lt. Leon Deran, sisters Jean D. Montaperto and Lucille D. Smith, and sister-in-law Elizabeth D. Halliday. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Joseph Kilbourn, and her children, David and Joan Dwelle, Melinda and Mark Vallerie, Susan and Todd Maziar, Edwin and Cynthia Dwelle, and Lisa Dwelle. She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren, Scott and Craig Dwelle, Christopher and Michael Vallerie, Nathan and Joseph Maziar, Matthew and Emily Dwelle, and Justin, Jessica and Jack Dwelle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Norwalk Hospital Babies Alumni, 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06856.

— by the Family

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Cathye Anne Fitzgerald, 69, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2017 at Florida Hospital, surrounded by her three children. A lifelong Stamford resident, she was born on May 16, 1947 to the late Thomas and Kathryne Fitzgerald. Cathye was also predeceased by her former husbands John Carlo and Peter Deng.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses: John Carlo and his wife Joan of Darien, CT; Thomas Deng and his wife Shanna of Needham, MA; and Jennifer (Deng) Scanlan and her husband Jason of Stamford, CT. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Mary Cate, Grace, Caroline, and Jack Carlo; Tessa, Spenser, and Lydia Deng; and Bella and Jason Scanlan.

Cathye lived for her grandchildren, Broadway and traveling the world. She was a member of the Columbiettes, the Stamford Woman’s Club and an active volunteer at the Stamford Center for the Arts.

Her family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, March 9th from 4pm to 7pm at Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 10th at 10am at St. John Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT. Burial will follow at St John’s Cemetery, 25 Camp Avenue, Darien, CT.

The family has entrusted the arrangements to Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford. If you care to leave a condolence message online you may visit the family guestbook at www.bosakfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

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Helen Virginia Poe Goodrich passed away on March 7th, 2017 at Atria Darien, in Darien, CT.  She was 5 weeks shy of her 101st birthday.  Helen was born in Tacoma, Washington on April 12, 1916.

She was known for her radiant smile, sense of fun and a zest for life.  Her greatest joy came from connections with her family and the many lifelong friends she made on her life’s journey.

The most important influences in her life were her family, love of people, nature and her strong Presbyterian faith.  Growing up in the Pacific Northwest she developed a love of the outdoors beginning with camping trips with her family, then from her many years of girl scouting.

Helen graduated from Tacoma’s Stadium High School and the University of Washington. In 1939 she was hired to work in the payroll department of Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding in Tacoma, WA.  There she met the love of her life, James F. Goodrich and they had their first date skiing on Mt. Rainier. Helen and Jim married on August 17, 1941 at the start of WW ll.  Children Jim, John and Nancy soon followed and Helen devoted herself to them and all their activities while her husband continued his shipbuilding career.  

This took them to Seattle, Los Angeles and ultimately Bath, Maine where Jim became President and CEO of Bath Iron Works. In spite of the dramatic move from California to Maine, Helen fully engaged in this new life with her enduring spirit of adventure.   During those years she volunteered at Bath Hospital, the Women’s Board of Maine Medical Center and the Junior League.  She also remained a lifelong member of P.E.O.

Helen also loved puttering in her garden and playing golf.  Each summer Helen and Jim could be found sailing the coast of Maine often including their children and grandchildren on these memorable trips.  She was a terrific first mate in all types of seas.

In 1981 as they began their retirement together in Maine, Jim was asked to join the Reagan administration as the Under Secretary of Navy.   They enjoyed Washington D.C. so much they stayed another 17 years, commuting between Maine and Washington. In 1982, Helen was made an “honorary submariner” and served as the sponsor at the launching of the USS Portsmouth in Groton, CT.  In 2004 Helen and Jim moved back to Maine permanently where they continued to live in their home in Cumberland Foreside and then Ocean View At Falmouth which allowed them to spend wonderful times with their son John, his wife Corey and their children.  After Jim’s death Helen moved to Darien, CT. to be near daughter Nancy, her husband Terry and their family.    In these last years she relished her time with loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Helen was pre-deceased by her husband, mother, father and brother, Robert Burns Poe, Jr.  She is survived by son James P. Goodrich and wife Marilyn of St. Helen, OR; Dr. John F. Goodrich and wife Corey of Cumberland, ME and daughter Nancy G. McGraw and her husband Terry McGraw of Darien, CT.  She also leaves grandchildren Shane, Chad and Travis Goodrich, Kate Day (Adam), Ryan Goodrich (Mary), Dary Goodrich (Cat), Whit McGraw (Camilla) and Megan Mozingo (Clayton) as well as 12 great grandchildren, brother David Poe and brother in-law William Goodrich.  Helen kept a special lifelong friendship with Charlotte Hutton of Seattle, WA.

The family would like to thank Helen’s wonderful caregivers in Connecticut, especially Ann, Brigitte, Charmaine, Christine, Keight and Woodland.   The family would also like to thank Homepartners in Maine. They made the last years of her life full of laughter and loving care.

A private family memorial service is planned at the Noroton Presbyterian Chapel on March, 26th in Darien, CT.  A summer celebration of her life will take place in Maine where she will be buried next to her husband in Falmouth, Maine. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

Those who desire may make donations in Helen’s memory to : Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland   217 Westbrook St.  Westbrook, ME 04092 or Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society Attn: Development   875 N. Randolph St Ste 225 Arlington, VA 22203

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Neal Michael Lombardo passed away at The Brian Center in Durham, North Carolina on February 21, 2017 after battling cancer for three years.  Neal, the son of Nicholas and Mildred Lombardo, was born on September 9, 1942 at Boulevard Hospital in Queens, NY and lived in Mebane, North Carolina, close to his daughters and grandchildren.  Neal graduated from Darien High School in 1960 and went on to Allegheny College where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  Neal graduated from The University of Bridgeport in Connecticut with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration. After graduation from college, Neal married Mary Elizabeth Fraser had two wonderful daughters, Beth and Christine.  His career took him to places such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa; Morristown, NJ; Johnson City, TN; Columbus, GA and finally, retirement in Mebane, NC.  

Neal had a passion for baseball and was a brilliant first baseman in Darien Little League and Babe Ruth League.  Another passion was music.  Neal not only listened to and collected various styles of music of the 1960s and beyond, he also became an excellent bass guitar player and was locally famous as a member of a band called The Belvederes.

Neal is survived by his brother John Lombardo of Norwalk, also a graduate of Darien High School and co-member of The Belvederes, his daughter Beth Brickner of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, her husband Dr. Tom Brickner and Neal’s grandchildren Emily, Amanda and Ben, also, his daughter Christine McGrath of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Neal’s grandchildren Robert (Bobby), Jason and Connor.  

A remembrance was held for immediate family on Sunday, March 5th.  (After the remembrance, Neal’s ashes were scattered at his beloved home in Mebane, North Carolina.)

We are all going to miss Neal/Dad/Grandpa but, we should be happy knowing that his pain is over and he is now with his mom and dad.

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Mrs. Kathleen P. Rae, of Darien CT, passed away peacefully on the evening of March 7, 2017, at Stamford Hospital.

Mrs. Rae, the daughter of Nicholas Perone and Elsie Fitzgerald, was born on January 22, 1936 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1954 and earned her B.A. in Education from The University of Delaware in 1958. After her graduation from college, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she taught elementary school and loved her fourth grade. While living there, she met her husband Thomas Rae; they were married for 49 years until his death in 2015.

She settled with her family in Old Greenwich CT in 1970, and lived there until 2013 when she moved to Darien. Known for her quick wit, bright smile and contagious laughter, she was a wonderful wife and mom, and had many friends in the Greenwich area. She loved long walks at Tod’s Point, chatting with everyone she met, volunteering within the community, and as a true animal lover she loved working for her many animal and pet charities.

Mrs. Rae is survived by her daughter Lisa Rae Koorbusch, Lisa’s husband and her two grand-daughters, Eliza and Emilia Koorbusch. She was a charismatic bright light, and will be always be remembered and missed by her family and friends.

A private memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial contributions should be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
— by the Family

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Daniel M. Doolittle, 81, of Kennebunk, Maine, originally of Darien, died on Monday, March 6, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice in Scarborough, Maine following complications from surgery. Mr. Doolittle was born on May 20, 1935 to Dwight N. and Dorothy M. (Smith) Doolittle in Stamford. He attended Darien High School, class of 1953, and graduated from Williston Academy, Northampton, MA, in 1955. Mr. Doolittle attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. He married Cynthia Crider in 1971 and they lived in Darien until his retirement 2001.

Mr. Doolittle learned how to skate and played hockey on Darien ponds in his youth. He taught youth skating and hockey to local children, some of whom would later join his hockey team at Darien High School. He was Darien High School head coach for a number of years, finally winning the state championship for Darien High in 1969. Mr. Doolittle played hockey for Williston Academy and also for St. Lawrence University. He was also a member of the Home Oilers, a semi-pro team made up of players from Fairfield County.

Mr. Doolittle worked for Pitney-Bowes as a service repair technician before being drafted into the United States Army. He spent two years stationed in France using skills he learned with the U. S. Army Signal Corp and worked installing and repairing phones at his base. Mr. Doolittle was home for almost a year before being recalled into active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mr. Doolittle returned to Pitney-Bowes as a technical service writer. He became manager of technical publications and continued employment with the copier division.  After 40 years, Mr. Doolittle retired from the company. The next day, he and Cynthia moved to Kennebunk, Maine. 

In Maine, Mr. Doolittle belonged to The Church on the Cape in Cape Porpoise and to Laudholm Farm in Wells. He was an avid wood turner and loved creating things out of wood. He was always fixing or building something. Mr. Doolittle loved his family around him and enjoyed his summers on the water in Maine, often kayaking with the loons.

 Mr. Doolittle is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cynthia Doolittle of Kennebunk; two daughters: Alyssa M. Doolittle of Newark, Vermont and Robin Illian and her husband Randy of Portland, Maine; six grandchildren: LunaMay Doolittle Waterman, Gordon Simpson Doolittle, Jack Simpson, Francesca C. Illian Sparrow, Leonard Daniel Illian, and Sequoia Shriver Illian; one sister, Donna E. Rajczewski of Darien, Darien’s Town Clerk; two nieces: Lee R. Richardson of Burlington, North Carolina and Dana Turton of Richmond, Virginia; and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at The Church on the Cape on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lakes Environmental Association of Bridgton, ME; Laudholm Farm at Wells Reserve in Wells, Maine; or the music program at The Church of the Cape, Cape Porpoise, Maine.

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Jane Spokesfield Ayer Hamilton, daughter of the late William and Audrey Spokesfield died peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the age of 79 after a valiant battle with cancer.    Jane was born October 7, 1937, in Fall River, MA.  Jane was raised in Darien, CT and left Darien to attend Colby College.  She later returned to Darien after marrying David Ayer to raise their three daughters.  She was very active in the Darien community serving as a Deacon at the Noroton Presbyterian Church for many years.   Jane was predeceased by her husband David Ayer and sister Eunice Bickford.  Jane worked in several jobs as an Administrative Assistant, but always in the medical field.  She loved her patients like they were her family.  She was often thought of the “go-to” person.  She could singularly run the entire office even many times taking on medical assistant responsibilities.

Jane married Harry Hamilton in 1985 and relocated to her favorite place; Alton Bay, NH.  While in NH she worked for an optometrist, LaFreniere Eye Care, until she retired.  She was active in her community in Alton Bay volunteering over at the American Legion and was also being a member of the garden club as well as the knitting club and driving for Care Givers.

Jane leaves three daughters; Debra Hyder of Branford, CT; Tracey Green and her husband Ted of Stamford, CT; and Nancy Correnty and her husband Joe of Newport Coast, CA, and son-in-law, Rick Hyder; grandchildren, Kevin, Kristin, David, Katie, and Christopher and great granddaughter Madison and several nieces and nephews.  More importantly Jane leaves her legacy to her children of being one of the strongest, happiest and loving Moms in the universe.  “She is our hero”!    One of her favorite sayings is “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass it is about learning to dance in the rain”.  

A celebration of Jane’s life is planned at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center, 5 Broadway Blvd. in Alton Bay, NH for Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon immediately following.  Donations in her memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 2 Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, NH  03110.

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Rita L. Viteretto Ritch, a lifelong Darien resident, passed away on March 25 at the Stamford Hospital at the age of 70. Mrs. Ritch was born on June 11, 1946 in Greenwich. She is the daughter of the late James “Bull” Viteretto and Rose Marie DePiro. Rita worked as a hairdresser for CCB Haircutters.

She is survived by her son David Ritch and daughter Kelli Ritch. With her King Charles Cavalier sidekick, Winston, at her side she offered many words of wisdom including “you must learn how to float,” her family said.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien on Friday, March 31 at 10 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to P.A.W.S., 504 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

— by The Darien Times

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Susan Faulkner

Susan Ott Faulkner, 88, resident of Ashlar Village, Wallingford and former longtime resident of Darien, CT, peacefully passed away on 2-21-2017. She is survived by her daughter Sarah Faulkner of Canton; daughter and son-in-law Cynthia and David Callahan of Darien; two grandchildren, Tiki Leff of Chicago and Joshua Leff of Brooklyn, NY; and sisters Jeanne Ott Saunders of Weston, MA and Barbara Ott Kautz of Cincinnati, Ohio.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Jack and her son J. Barrett Faulkner. Born to Robert J. and Ruth Kaiser Ott, she grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from the Western College for Women. In 1952 she moved to Keene, NH and met and married and married John Charles Faulkner, 3rd.

After living in New York City for two years, they moved to Darien in 1958 and raised their family. Susan was a passionate gardener, active community member, and enthusiastic lover of music. She was President of the Federated Garden Clubs; served in Darien’s RTM; volunteered with the DCA Garden Club; sailed and played tennis at Noroton Yacht Club; participated at the Darien Library; volunteered for the Republican Party; served as a Girl Scout leader; and enjoyed season tickets to the New York Symphony.

Together with Jack, Susan traveled to many corners of the world, photographing and visiting gardens wherever they went. Susan was known for her sharp wit, quick mind, and sociable personality. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service celebrating Susan’s life will be held on April 29 at 10:00 am at the First Congregational Church of Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Garden Conservancy, P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, NY 10516 or www.gardenconservancy.org/donate.

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Jean Patricia Moore Cooper of Ketchum, formerly of Darien, and New York, New York, died Monday, March 13.

Mrs. Cooper was born to Gladys DeCordova Moore and Harrison B. Moore, III in New York City on Nov. 17, 1927. Mrs. Cooper leaves behind her husband of almost 60 years, Drury W. Cooper, III, her two sons, Gordon W. Cooper (Jennifer) of Natick, Massachusetts and Douglas D. Cooper of Bozeman, Montana and four grandchildren who adored her, Haley W. Cooper and Taylor D. Cooper of Hailey, ID and Charles C. Cooper and Theodore T. Cooper of Natick, Massachusetts. Mrs. Cooper also leaves Susan Cooper Albright of Hailey, her brothers Arthur Harrison Moore of Sarasota, Florida and John Winship Howard of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Mrs. Cooper graduated from St. Ann’s School of Charlottesville, Virginia and Barnard College. She studied at Columbia School of Architecture and received a certificate from L’Ecole Superieure des Arts Modernes in Paris. After a year in Paris, Mrs. Cooper returned to her beloved New York and spent several years working with The Illustrators Group, a commercial art agency. She established Peyraud-Moore, a New York City firm specializing in television story board sketches, magazine illustrations and other commercial art.

After the birth of their two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper moved to Darien, to raise their family. In Connecticut, Mrs. Cooper embarked on a new venture, Jean Moore Cooper Interiors. She partnered with her best friend Judith S. Beavers MacEwan to form Cooper-Beavers Interiors. Many homes in the Darien area were graced with their touches. Mrs. Cooper was admitted membership in ISID, the International Society of Interior Designers.

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper retired to Sun Valley, Idaho. Never one to sit dormant, Mrs. Cooper immediately returned to work reestablishing Jean Moore Cooper Interiors. Mrs. Cooper was a member of Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society, Interior Designers of Idaho and International Interior Design Association.

Mrs. Cooper was a well known athlete in the Wood River Valley constantly challenging not only her own limits but the resolve and fortitude of others. Mrs. Cooper’s favorite sports were nordic skiing and cycling. She was an iconic member of VAMPS, the local biking and cross country ski group. Mrs. Cooper’s fierce determination inspired many including those who were decades her junior.

Mrs. Cooper shared her love of gardening with the Sun Valley Garden Club and the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. Mrs. Cooper was also an avid volunteer for the Special Olympics.

Above all, Mrs. Cooper was selfless. Her passion was her family. Mrs. Cooper loved her husband and sons dearly. Mrs. Cooper and Drury supported each other’s interests and those of their extended family, especially their grandchildren’s. For much of their life together, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper enjoyed travel to Europe and Africa always spending time in London.

Memorial donations may be made to The Sun Valley Garden Club, The Sawtooth Botanical Gardens, Barnard College, or Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) for Galena Lodge and the NVT.

Please visit the woodriverchapel.com for complete details and to share a message or photo.

— by The Darien Times

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Joyce Elizabeth Waters, a long-time resident of Darien, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Carolton Hospital in Fairfield, CT.  Born on August 23, 1935 in Darien, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Josephine (Calvi) Verducci.  She was 81.  

Joyce was a graduate of Darien High School and worked for Pitney Bowes.  She enjoyed bowling, watching the Mets and Yankees, and cooking holiday meals for her family.

She is survived by her children, William P. Waters and his wife Colleen of Norwalk; Christopher Waters and his wife Susan of Fairfield; Peter Waters and his wife Kathleen of Cave Creek, AZ and Mary-Jo Arcamone and her husband Gary of Darien.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Danielle, Kayla, Kelly, Peter John and Will Waters; Kaitlyn, Stephen and Matthew Arcamone.  Also surviving are brothers, Anthony Augustus and his wife Mary of Stamford; Joseph Augustus of Darien; and Nicholas Augustus of West Palm Beach, FL.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband William M. Waters; brothers, George Augosto and John Augustus; and sisters, Nancy Marino, Angela Morguson and Carmella Petrucelli.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cure PSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or online at psp.org.    www.lawrencefuneralhome.com
— by the Family

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Lewis N. Bly passed away at Ashlar Village, Wallingford, on April 22 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife Eileen, his four children, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Lewis was a past member of the Noroton Yacht Club, the Darien Power Squadron, and the Darien Men’s Club.

He was a long time volunteer at Person-to-Person and a member of St. Luke’s Parish. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 22 at Ashlar Village in Wallingford.

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Judith Jones Hanley, of Darien, died in Darien on Tuesday, April 11.  Born on July 12, 1929 in New York, she was the daughter of the late Griffith and Dorathea Jones.  She was 87.

Mrs. Hanley graduated from Stamford High School and attended Shorts Secretarial School in Stamford. She worked as a legal secretary in Darien until she was 83.  She was very dedicated to her two children and always volunteered at their schools.

Mrs. Jones is survived by her husband Jack, her daughter Carol Hanley Forlenzo of Darien, her brother Griffith Jones of Maine and her sister Ina Brennan of New York and Florida.  She is also survived by four grandchildren and one great grandchild.  She was pre-deceased by her son Peter Hanley and sister Dorthea Canavan.

Visitation will be held at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Rd., Darien on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 11 to 12.  A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m.  Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

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Philip Taylor (Pete) Wright, 85, longtime resident of Darien, CT, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2017, at Stamford Hospital surrounded by his four children and wife, Anne.  Pete, always the consummate gentleman, enjoyed life to the fullest, was devoted to family and friends, and loved to travel the world.  He was a generous, much-loved man with a compelling smile and a twinkle in his eye who saw the best in everyone and in every situation.

Pete was born in Wilson, New York, on July 27, 1931, to Alexander Joseph Wright and Grace Brown Wright and was raised on a dairy farm in Youngstown, New York.  He graduated from Michigan State University in 1953 and served in the U.S. Air Force in Utopia, Alaska, from 1954-56.  In 1956, he married Virginia Mae (Ginny) Alden and they had four children.  Ginny passed away in 2000, and in 2004 he married Anne Dickson Ernst.  

Pete spent his entire 40-year career at Union Carbide Corporation, rising to Group Vice President of Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company, Inc. in 1990.  Many say his success was due to an extraordinary business acumen, a gift for problem-solving, his sense of humor and love for his work.  He would say he was just plain lucky.  His career thrived during the three years he and his family spent in Geneva, Switzerland, where his business took him to many countries and he made many friends.  Despite his occupation as “Pete Polyethylene,” one might think he made his living playing golf across the globe.

Pete loved to be active, and throughout his life could be found on golf courses, tennis courts, boats, and ski slopes around the world.  Pete was a longtime member of the Noroton Presbyterian Church, Noroton Manor Tennis Association, Country Club of Darien, and the Good Old Boys Tennis Club.

After his retirement from Union Carbide in 1996, Pete spent 10 years advising and chairing the board of software company, Pixia Corporation.  Pete also directed his talents and benevolence to the Darien community he cherished, supporting several nonprofit endeavors (including Person-to-Person, the Darien Arts Center, and At Home in Darien) and various local hospitals (including Stamford Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital).  Positive and practical, Pete often was called “the most optimistic man in the world.”  Equally loving, he was always available to anyone who needed help, whether it was solving a problem or providing support. Anyone who knew him loved him.  He was, and will continue to be, a role model for all.

Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Alden Wright and his sister, Patricia Oddy.   He is survived by his wife, Anne (Dickson) Ernst Wright, his four children, Wendy Wright Marrinan (Jack Marrinan), Ann Grace Franke (Rick Franke), Steve Alden Wright (Alison Collins Wright), Sandra Wright (David Therriault), and Anne Wright’s children, Thomas Ernst (Hilary Barberie), and Elizabeth Ernst.  He is also survived by his sisters, Winona Miller and Willa Wright, and his brother, Gerald Wright (Jean Wright), and many adored nieces and nephews.  Pete was expressly proud of his 10 grandchildren:  Grace Ann, Luke and Rowan Marrinan; Rachel and Clayton Franke; Martha, Emily and Brian Wright; and Dylan and Sydney Therriault.

Visiting hours will be held at the Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien on Friday, April 21, from 5-8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at the Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien on Saturday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a private burial.  A reception will follow.

Flowers may be sent to the Lawrence Funeral Home.  Memorial donations may be made to The Alden-Wright Foundation, 39 Mountain Avenue, Woodstock, VT 05091, the charitable (501(c)(3)) organization established by Pete and Ginny Wright in 1997 whose mission is to support local nonprofits.  

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Phyllis Elizabeth Pagano, 91 passed away peacefully on Monday, April 17, 2017 in Jupiter, Florida. Devoted wife of the late Ralph Pagano and daughter of Antonio and Nancy Conte Tuccinardi of Darien, and her sister Yolanda Maffucci also of Darien, is the sole surviving member of her immediate family.

Phyllis enjoyed and long and fruitful career at Pitney Bowes where she retired after 41 years of service. Phyllis also enjoyed her fifteen years of part time work at the Rolling Hills Country Club. While working Phyllis attended and graduated Sacred Heart University with an Associate’s degree in Para-legal Studies. Phyllis was most proud of the family business Pagano’s Seafood, which was started by her son Alan. She remained an active part of the business until 2000.

She is survived by sons Ralph, Jr. and Alan, their spouses Maria and Evan and five grandchildren Michael, Katharine, Sam, Saige, and Luke and one great grandchild Joseph. Phyllis is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien from 4pm to 7:30pm on Monday, April 24th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien on Tuesday, April 25th at 10am. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.

Memorial donations may be made to WNET Public TV, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10019.   www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

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