Virginia Marjorie Lemons

Virginia Marjorie Lemons, 95 years young, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2015 at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial, Colo. in the company of her oldest son, Charles. She remained alert, with a sense of humor, and thinking of others to the last.

Born in South Bend, Ind. on July 26, 1919 as Virginia Marjorie Voigt, she married Charles Frederick Lemons in 1941, and they had five sons.

Virginia (Ginny) was always hardworking, service-oriented, progressive and inclusive in her thinking and her love of others. She aspired to be a nurse from early on, encouraged by her younger brother Jack. She graduated from Memorial Hospital Nursing School as an RN, and worked much of her life full- or part-time. She loved being a nurse and brought endless tales (full of real life and humor) back home to share with her family.

Raising five boys, while her husband worked tirelessly as a CPA, she showed all of them core values of love, tolerance, honesty, hard work and humor. She taught each of them to embrace life, to take risks, that none of us is better than anyone else, that we are all part of the human family, that we should share our resources and knowledge and gifts with others — that we should walk along side of each other — not in front or in back, but together. She even had all male pets — dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, fish — which she cherished late into her life.

She loved her family, and saw each of her sons through college and into various professions, married and having children and grandchildren. She loved young people, and rejoiced in her grandkids and great grandkids — loved their singing, their artwork, their photos, their stories, their ambitions, their adventures. And Virginia loved her husband and was with him always through a long journey with Alzheimer disease, until he died in 1996.

Her church family was part of her true family throughout her life, and her faith was as natural to her as breathing. Her faith was one of living, one that she quietly acted out genuinely each day. It revealed itself in all of her friends. Every time her sons (as adults living all over the country) would visit her, they thought that they had already met all of her friends, but then they would meet 10 or 20 new ones — people would come to her just to spend time in her presence. She was kind, humble, interesting and interested, caring and humorous.

She loved fishing, digging in the garden, watching her kids play marbles and baseball, reading good books, playing scrabble, writing old fashioned letters to friends around the country, to her brother-in-law in Switzerland and his family, and to close friends in Kenya. She went to Kenya twice after she was 70 years old with members of her Connecticut church, Noroton Presbyterian Church.

Virginia understood the foibles of life, the challenges we all seem to create or have to face, the strengths and frailties we all have, the beauty of nature which she never lost touch with, the richness and harmony that love brings. She lived simply, not wanting for anything because she didn’t want anything – other than family, friends and faith. She truly understood the meaning of life — as “walking each other home” — and she knew it wasn’t necessary to be carrying a lot of stuff.

Virginia is survived by all of her sons and their wives: Charles, Jr. and Eileen (with children David and Ashley Lemons, John and Jennifer Turner), James and Pamela (with children Ken, Kevin, David and Meghan Costa), Richard and Diana (with children Alex, Sam and Meg), Robert and Robin (with children Jonathan and Lucy Lemons, James and Kristen Bierman, Robbie and Katie), David and Anna (with children Katie, Christopher and Stephen). In addition there are seven great-grandchildren.

Virginia made the world a better, kinder place — she always seemed to see things clearly as her values were simple and straightforward. Right and wrong appeared to be easy for her, because love always led the way. She cared about people, animals, lakes, flowers, trees, rocks, stars and our Creator — the whole Creation — and she cared about each and every one of us, one at a time. She has all of our love forever.

A private memorial service is planned for sometime later this year at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, Conn., where Virginia will be with her husband.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Alzheimers Foundation, Broadmoor Community Church in Colorado Springs, Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, or the Nambale Magnet School in Kenya (www.nambalemagnet.org).

— The Family

Vanelli Lovisa

Vanelli Lovisa, known to his friends and family as Van, died on April 18 in Naples, Florida. Van was a loving and beloved husband and father, and a mentor to many during his professional career.

Born in Italy in 1948, he moved to the U.S. with his parents at a young age. Van graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1970 and joined the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers where he spent his entire career. Van and Linda were married in 1984 and settled in New Canaan, raising their family and living here until they relocated to Naples, Fla. in 2013.

Van was a family man, and his wife and children were his top priority. Prior to retiring in 2009, Van spent six years on assignment in Germany and Switzerland. There he developed a love of skiing in the Alps, and returned often during his retirement. In addition, Van enjoyed time spent with his golfing buddies on the courses at Woodway Country Club in Darien, Conn. and Bay Colony Golf Club in Naples.

He treasured his Italian roots and passed that love on to his children with annual summer trips to his grandfather’s house in Friuli, Northern Italy. The family would spend time there with his parents and his many Italian aunts, uncles and cousins.

Van is survived by his wife, Linda, and their children, Elizabeth, Anthony, and Michael Lovisa; mother, Renza and his brother, Robert. He was predeceased by his father, Vittorio Lovisa.

A Celebration of Life memorial for family and friends will be held on June 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt Street, in Darien.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Cancer Alliance of Naples, 900 1st Avenue S, #200, Naples, FL 34102.

— The Family

Edward B. Hughes

Edward “Ed” Bantley Hughes, 85, a publishing executive and longtime resident of New Canaan, died on May 10, 2015 at Norwalk Hospital after complications from a recent stroke.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Elisabeth “Betsey” Zeller Hughes.

Born on Nov. 9, 1929 in Hooversville, Pa., Mr. Hughes was the son of the late Mary Bantley and Edward Joseph Hughes.  From his humble beginnings as the son of a coal miner, Mr. Hughes achieved many successes in his life. He excelled in scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, was a star quarterback for Windber (Pa.) High School, graduated from Lafayette College in 1952, and served in the Korean War with the United States Army.

Following his years in the service, Mr. Hughes embarked on a career in the magazine publishing business. After a long career with McGraw-Hill Inc., including his role as associate publisher for Business Week magazine, Mr. Hughes helped develop Business Times Inc., a national daily morning television program on ESPN. He retired as group publisher for Professional Magazines of the Hearst Corporation.

A lifelong athlete, Mr. Hughes spent years perfecting his golf swing and his tennis forehand, and teaching his children how to successfully exit a chair lift. He was an avid reader of American war history, loved listening to 1940’s music and was known to enjoy an evening martini. Yet the greatest joy in his life was raising his five children and being Pop Pop to his nine grandchildren.

Mr. Hughes is survived by his children, Esslie W. Hughes of Hoboken, N.J.;  Elisabeth H. MacDonald (John) of Mendham, N.J.; Edward Z. Hughes (Julia) of New Canaan; Ellen H. Mushlitz (David) of Concord, Mass.; and Ethan W. Hughes (Vickie) of Centennial, Colo., as well as by his grandchildren, Edward Hughes Jr., Emily Mushlitz, Claire Hughes, Catherine Hughes, Peter Mushlitz, Ethan Hughes, George MacDonald, Charles MacDonald and Elisabeth Hughes.

Mr. Hughes also leaves behind his younger brother William K. Hughes (Janice) of Ligonier, Pa., his sister-in-law Suzanne C. Zeller, his brother-in-law Joseph D. Curley Jr., seven cousins, and twelve nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by all.

A Memorial Service will be held on June 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Mr. Hughes’s honor to the Windber Veterans Association, c/o Mr. Gene P. Shaffer, 1210 Cambria Avenue, Windber, PA 15963.

Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, had charge of the arrangements.

For directions and on-line condolences, please visit hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

Meredith Nail Stevens

Meredith Nail Stevens of New Canaan passed away after a brief illness at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 13, 1933 in Mansfield, Ohio and was the daughter of Charles Edwin Nail, Sr. and Margaret MacLean Nail. She was a graduate of Mansfield Senior High and attended Colby Sawyer College and Rollins College. Her father was the chairman of the board of Lumberman’s Mutual Insurance Co. in Mansfield and her mother was a homemaker. Meredith married Charles H. (Hank) Stevens, Jr. in 1956 in Mansfield as well. Meredith was predeceased by a sister, Jane Nail Prentis, of Stuart, Fla. and a brother, Charles E. Nail Jr. of Mansfield, Ohio. Meredith and Hank raised their family in Old Greenwich and moved to New Canaan in 1999.

Meredith was the most unselfish, generous and kind-hearted person there ever was. She was the epitome of the perfect daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was loved and cherished by each of her five children and nine grandchildren.

Meredith was the ultimate sports mother and did everything in her power for her children for her entire life. She was a lifelong Ohio State Buckeye football fan, and there was no place she’d rather be than in Columbus at a Buckeye game with her friends and family. Everyone who met her was instantly attracted to her warmth and kindness, and she was very proud of her Ohio roots. She truly loved her home in New Canaan gardening, playing with her dogs, driving them to lunch daily, and most of all spending time with her family and loved ones.

Mrs. Stevens is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Charles H. (Hank) Stevens, Jr., and her five devoted children, Charles H. Stevens III (Jody) of Palm City, Fla., Peggie Stevens Rath (Frank Smith) of Stamford, Mark MacLean Stevens (Cathy) of Norwalk, Elizabeth Stevens Carroll (Sean) of Wilton, and Jeffrey Thomas Stevens (Dimitri Andreakis) of New Canaan.

Meredith was the loving grandmother to Chris and Amanda Stevens, Jessie Sundheim, Sarah Norman, Kevin Rath, Bridget Stevens, Shannon, Sean and Colin Carroll. She is also survived by three great grandchildren Zane Sundheim, and Brody and Channing Norman.  Meredith had a true devotion for all animals and is survived by her two best friends, Annie and Max, her beloved Golden Retrievers.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be given in Meredith’s name to: Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 247, Port Washington, NY 11050 or Wildlife in Crisis, PO Box 1246, Weston, CT 06883.

For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

Randi Kjekstad Bull, 100, of New Canaan, passed away on May 3, 2015 at Waveny Care Center with her loving family by her side.

Randi was born on Jan. 10, 1915 in Røyken, Norway to the late Johannes and Alice Norman Kjekstad.

Randi moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1935 where she met John Storm Bull, and they got married in New York on Sept. 11, 1937.

She was an artist by trade and specialized in making woodcuts. She studied painting and graphics at Brooklyn Museum Art School, Art Students League, Pratt Graphics Center and the National Academy. She had numerous solo shows and exhibitions both in the U.S. and in Europe. Her artwork is also shown in permanent collections of American printmakers in the United States Embassies in London, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Addis Ababa, San Salvador and Honduras. Four of her color woodcuts where purchased by the U.S. State Department as official gifts to Lyndon B. Johnson on his goodwill trip to Scandinavia in 1963 as vice president.

Randi was an avid golfer and when not working on her art you would find her playing golf almost every day.

Randi is survived by her nephews Trond Kjekstad, John B. Kjekstad and her niece Nina Kjekstad Bugge.

The family plans on a memorial Service in Norway in July and contributions in Randi’s memory can be made to Norwalk Contemporary Printmaking.

For online condolences, please visit hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Advertiser

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Laura Campbell Rhind

Laura Campbell Rhind died peacefully on March 27, 2015 surrounded by family following a long illness.

She devoted her life to her family and the arts. From her home in Glenview, Ill., she raised three children while actively participating in the cultural life of Chicago.

A devoted mother, Laura was also a director and former vice-chairman of Music of the Baroque, a life member of the Art Institute of Chicago, a life member of the University of Chicago Visiting Committees to the Department of Music and to the Visual Arts, a member of the Northwestern University Visiting Committee to the Department of Music, a member of the Hamilton College Performing Arts Committee, and a member of the Women’s Boards of the Chicago Symphony and the University of Chicago. When she retired from the board of Music of the Baroque of 2012, Jane Glover, wrote of Rhind with high acclaim.

Laura Rhind was born in Kewaunee, Wis. on April 13, 1929, where her family co-founded a manufacturing company now located in Statesville, N.C.; Bangalore, India, and Suzhou, China.

At age 14 she attended the renowned National Music Camp (now Interlochen Arts Camp) at Interlochen, Mich., where she studied piano privately with Percy Grainger and played cello as the youngest member of its youth orchestra. She graduated from Milwaukee Downer Seminary, Albion College, and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, and served for two years as secretary to the dean of Harvard Law School.

She was a 50-year member of the Fortnightly of Chicago and the Junior League of Chicago, and a long-time member of the Arts Club of Chicago. She was married in 1958 to James T. Rhind, a partner and later chairman of the law firm Bell, Boyd & Lloyd.

In later years Laura and her husband traveled extensively, primarily in Europe and also to Asia, South America, and Egypt. One of her greatest pleasures was visiting the great museums of Europe.

She was preceded in death by her husband and survived by her three children: Constance Robey (Rick) of Bethesda, Md., Jamie Rhind (Nicole) of New Canaan, and David Rhind (Jennifer) of Chicago, and five grandsons: Tyler, Benjamin, Cameron, Alexander, and Thomas.

A memorial service to honor the life of Laura Rhind will be held in late May.

The Laura Campbell Rhind Memorial Fund has been established in her memory at Music of the Baroque. Donations can be made to Music of the Baroque indicating Laura Campbell Rhind Memorial Fund on the memo line and sent to 111 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 810, Chicago, IL 60602.

— The Advertiser

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Mrs. Julia Kondub, 89, wife of the late John J. Kondub, passed away at her home in Westport, Conn. on Tuesday May 19, 2015.

Julia was born in Cork County, Ireland on February 9, 1926 and was the daughter of the late Patrick and Hannah Murphy. Julia graduated from Norwalk High School. She married her late husband John on October 3, 1953 and has resided in Westport for the past 62 years. Julia has been a devoted member of Church of the Assumption in Westport and has been an active member of the Catholic Daughters. Julia was a loving mother and grandmother.

Survivors include two sons: John P. Kondub of Westport, Richard S. Kondub and his wife Noel of Stamford, Conn.; two daughters: Nancy A. Harris and her husband Stephen of New Canaan, Patricia A. Kondub of Westport; one sister: Elizabeth Aussenhofer, of Sarasota, Fla., five grand children and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, John, of 46 years, Julia was predeceased by one brother, James Murphy, and one sister, Maryann Quinn.

The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East in Westport on Friday May 22, from 4-8 p.m. Friends are invited to attend a funeral on Saturday May 23 at 10 a.m. meeting directly at Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Ave., in Westport for a Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road, Westport.

Contributions in lieu of flowers in memory of Julia may be made to Church of the Assumption Parish Crisis Fund, 98 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT 06880.

Condolences for the Kondub family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com

— The Family

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Paul Barton “Bart” May, 56, passed away at his home on May 15, 2015 in Norwalk, Conn.

Born in Evanston, Ill., he is the son of John and Signe May, formerly of Norwalk, who predeceased him. Bart is survived by his son, Brandon Barton May of Newton, Mass., sisters April Coyne of Trumbull, Conn., Rebecca Bieler of Norwalk, and Marsha Elkind of Fairfield, Conn. as well as five nieces, three nephews, three grandnieces and two grandnephews.

Bart worked tirelessly for the Town of New Canaan Department of Public Works for over 20 years. In his free time he enjoyed partying with friends at Cranbury Park, attending concerts, bird watching, and blasting music as loud as he could. According to his family, “Bart simply filled the room with his presence and couldn’t help but to live large. He’s gone too soon and will be sorely missed by us all.”

Visiting hours will be held at the Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street in Norwalk on Saturday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Celebration in honor of Bart’s life will follow at Cranbury Park from 5:30 ’til closing. Friends are invited to join the family under the pavilion.

— The Advertise

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Nancy B. McDaniel of Naples, Fla. and New Canaan died peacefully April 24, 2015 surrounded by her loving husband, Jack D. McDaniel, and her family.

She was born on Jan. 3, 1932 in Oakland, Calif. to Ted and Margaret Beebe. She was a graduate of Oakland High School and San Francisco City College.

The McDaniels have three children: John C., and James S. McDaniel, of Phoenix, Ariz. and Jennifer A. McDaniel of Westwood, Calif.

A devoted mother, Nancy was best known in her younger days as a decorator, model and tennis player in addition to her greatest love — her husband and family.

As the years rolled by, Nancy became deeply involved in a variety of charities —  Peralta Hospital, Waveny Care Center and New Canaan’s Festival of Trees. In taking responsibility for three Festival of Trees shows, Nancy’s team decorated and presented over 300 trees plus wreaths, garlands and more. It was the largest show ever presented in New Canaan and was covered by CBS.

Nancy operated a Christmas and home decorating company called That Special Touch.

In later years, Nancy added two new interests: A charity, the Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and building a world class doll house. As usual, Nancy had a significant impact on both of her new interests.

However, Nancy is best known for her love of people. Consistently upbeat — in spite of serious personal health problems — she always offered encouraging words, support, and sound but practical advice to her friends. For this, she is loved by many. As a result, Nancy had an enormous group of friends. If Nancy were here she would want to pass along one final comment, used to conclude every conversation, phone call, or letter. It is, “I love you.”

In lieu of flowers, or the like, the family asks for a donation in her name to any favorite charity of your choosing.

One of Nancy’s favorites was Shelter for Abused Women and Children, P.O. Box 10102, Naples, FL 34101 or www.naplesshelter.org.

A memorial service is planned in New Canaan later this year.

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Born Helene Giannina Cosenza on April 13, 1918 in New York City to Dr. and Mrs. Mario Cosenza, Mrs. Chase died at the age of 97 at Kendal at Hanover, N.H. on May 20.

Her father, a noted classics and renaissance scholar, was Dean of the Faculty at Brooklyn College, the first American of Italian descent to hold such a position in the United States. Dr. Cosenza came to the United States from Naples as a child in 1888.

Her mother, born Verena Bostroem, whose own father sojourned in the United States at the time of the Civil War to soldier for the Union cause, immigrated from Estonia (at that time part of Russia) in 1892.

Mrs. Chase attended high school in Rockville Center, N.Y., graduated from Middlebury College in 1938, and later earned a Master Degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State College. She was an assistant librarian at the high school in New Canaan, and later at the School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Md. In the early 1960’s she established the library at the newly opened branch of University of Connecticut in Stamford. She was a pioneer in the use of media as a learning resource.

In 1939, she married Loring DuBois “Chuck” Chase, whom she had met at Middlebury and with whom she was to have two sons. With Mr. Chase, who became an ordained minister in the Congregational Church, she exercised her own strong sense of vocation in Ledyard, Durham, and New Canaan, and later in Westmoreland Hills, Md. After retirement, she and Rev. Chase moved to Keene, N.H. and then to Kendal. Her husband of 64 years predeceased her in 2004.

Mrs. Chase is survived by her sister Louise Aldrich, her sons Christopher and David and their wives Karen and Jayne, three grandsons (Geoffrey, Andrew, and Augustus), two granddaughters (Susan Hahs and Kelly Karli), and four great-grandchildren (Theodore, Bruin, Fiona and Genevieve). She is predeceased by her sister, Rita Moore.

Mrs. Chase was an avid reader and in mid-life took up tennis and golf. She loved entertaining friends at the family summer cottage in Northfield, Mass. She will be remembered for her bright smile, her financial acumen, her strong sense of family, and for encouraging and supporting the vast array of personal and professional projects undertaken by her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit, www.rand-wilson.com.

A memorial service will be held at Kendal at Hanover sometime in June. Interment will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, N.H.

— The Family

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Robert A. Lanna

Robert A. Lanna, 80, devoted husband and father, passed away on May 23, 2015.

Bob was a resident of Windsor Meade in Williamsburg, Va. Bob was born in Yonkers, N.Y. to parents Ettore and Amalia Lanna and was a graduate of Hartwick College located in Oneonta, N.Y.

His illustrious professional career included executive positions at major insurance companies, partner at The Dowler Agency on Long Island, N.Y. and as the founder and sole proprietor of Personal Financial Services in New Canaan.

Bob served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was actively involved in community service throughout his life and furthered the causes of many charitable organizations that included serving as a board member at ABC House of New Canaan, and as the president of the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, where he received the Man of the Year award. Bob was also active in youth sports as a coach and commissioner in Little League Baseball and was the founder and president of the RVC Junior Tennis League.

Bob was an avid sports fan and enjoyed skiing, playing tennis and paddle tennis. Bob was also an ardent Yankees and New York Giants fan as all who knew him were already well aware. He was a longtime member of the Lake Club in Wilton, Conn.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Catherine Lanna; children, Chris Lanna, Susan Fitzgerald and her husband Tony, and John Lanna; and grandchildren, Jennifer Lanna, Stephen Lanna, Will Fitzgerald, Katie Fitzgerald, and Kaitlyn Lanna.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Saint Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg, VA. You may offer condolences to the family at www.nelsencares.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg.

— The Family

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William Arthur Swartzman

William Arthur Swartzman, age 60 of Jupiter, Fla. and Palo Alto, Calif., died suddenly on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Kaiser Medical Center, Vallejo, Calif.

Born in Trenton, N.J., the son of Anne (Ryan) Swartzman Ross and the late Joseph A. Swartzman, Bill was raised in New Canaan, attending St. Aloysius School and New Canaan High School before earning his B.A. from Cornell University in 1977.

During his life, Bill loved tennis and was an avid sailor, racing with multiple yacht clubs, the Cornell Sailing Team, and as a member of the Shore and Country Club’s Jr. Sailing Association and tennis team.

Self-employed and successful in business and real estate investment, Bill was a big-hearted and friendly gentleman who was always there for his family and friends; keeping in touch throughout his life, remembering each birthday and anniversary.

Bill is survived by his son, Ryan, of Palo Alto, Calif., who meant the world to him, his mother of Jupiter, Fla., his sister Marion Swartzman Long and her husband Richard of Norwalk, his niece Cheryl Long, as well as his significant other Samantha Fordyce, and multiple cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph and sister Joyce Swartzman-Andert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk, Conn. (Friends are requested to meet directly at Church.), with burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery, in New Canaan. His family will receive friends on Monday, June 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk.

Memorial donations may be directed to The St. Jude Children’s Hospital, stjude.org, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, NY, NY 10122. For directions or online guestbook, please go to: Magnerfuneralhome.com

— The Advertiser

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Cynthia Ann Roth of Glen Cove , N.Y. and Great Neck died Tuesday May 26, 2015 at the Glengariff Health Care Center in Glen Cove , N.Y. where she was a resident for many years. She was 80.

Born in Forest Hills, N.Y. , Dec. 11, 1934 , she was the daughter of the late William C. and Jo Ann Roth.

After graduating from Forest Hills High School she attended Beaver College in Pennsylvania and then went on to various executive assistant roles in advertising and Wall Street, including Legg Mason, in New York City.

Survivors include her brother William C. Roth Jr. of New Canaan and her nephew Douglas S. Roth of Bethel, Conn. She was predeceased by her nephew William C. Roth III.

Funeral services and interment are private.

For online condolences visit Hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Advertiser

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Nan Murphey Gray

Nan Murphey Gray, beloved wife of John (Jack) L. Gray, passed away May 6 at home in New Canaan after a long battle with COPD. She was surrounded by family and her dogs when she passed.

Nan was born on March 8, 1930. She was a life-long resident of New Canaan and wintered in Hilton Head, S.C.

She was an avid athlete at the New Canaan Country Club, where she loved playing tennis, golf and paddle tennis. She and Jack were also members of the Norwalk Yacht Club where they enjoyed sailing. Nan was a member of the New Canaan Sewing Group for many years, volunteered at Waveny Lifecare Center, participated in the Pegasus program, played croquet, and was an accomplished cook.

She graduated from Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Mass. and then from Hollins College, Va. with a degree in biology.

She is survived by her husband, John L. Gray, her brother Welles Murphey, her three children: Sharon, Christian and his wife Marsha, Ann and her husband Bo, and six nieces. She adored her four grandchildren: Meredith, Jennifer, Jonathan, Stephanie, and her great-grandson Jack.

Nan insisted she was 29 years old for the last 56 years. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

The burial will be private.

-The Advertiser

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Felix “Phil” R. Iannazzo

Felix “Phil” R. Iannazzo, age 87 of Norwalk, beloved husband of Giselle (Thibedeau) Iannazzo for 66 years, died at home with his family by his side, on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.

Born in Sanbiase, Italy, the son of the late Anthony and Louise (Pullia) Iannazzo, he was the owner of the Main Market.

A veteran of World War II, Phil served in the U.S. Marine Corps. A sports enthusiast, he was an avid Yankees and Giants fan and a high school basketball official throughout the state for 30 years. He enjoyed riding his scooter through town. At home, he enjoyed watching the stock market and spending time in his backyard enjoying the birds. Phil also enjoyed trips to the casino.

Phil is survived by his loving wife, Giselle, children: Richard and his wife Marcie of Stratford, Reid and his wife Patti of Norwalk, Rob and his companion Kathy of Trumbull, four cherished grandchildren; Philip, Richard, Nicole, and Rachel, a brother Anthony of Bridgeport, and a sister Millie and her husband Antonio Iannazzo, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother Peter. Special thanks to his caregiver, Mindy DeMaio for her many years of loving and dedicated service.

His family will receive friends on Friday, June 5, from 5-8 p.m. at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, at St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Rd., Norwalk. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. John Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 2151, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38101-2151. (Stjude.org)

For directions or online guestbook, please go to: www.Magnerfuneralhome.com

— The Family

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Barbara P. Reynolds

Barbara P. Reynolds, 89, of State College, Pa. died peacefully on May 26, 2015 at Juniper Village at Brookline.

Born on Jan. 31, 1926 in Yonkers, N.Y. she was the daughter of Pelton and Roberta (French) Preuss. She married George D. Reynolds Jr. (Altoona) on July 10, 1948. He preceded her in death on Nov. 7, 2004. She is survived by a daughter Jane (Ronald) Schulten of Crete, Ill. and a son George D. Reynolds III of Bellwood, Pa., two grandsons Keeler Schulten of Crete, and Trevor (Karissa) Schulten of South Elgin Ill., her sister Ann P. Gillerlain of New Canaan, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her dear friend Sally Schaadt of State College.

Barbara was a graduate of Roosevelt High School (1943) and Lasell Junior College (1945). She worked as a secretary in New York City. Following her marriage, the family moved to New Canaan, where they lived for almost 50 years. She was an involved member of the Congregational Church of New Canaan, singing alto in the church choir and working as the church secretary. During their New Canaan years she played many roles, scout leader, seamstress, active sportswoman, world traveler, caregiver to many, and most importantly, a loving wife and mother.

George and Barbara moved to State College in 1998 living in the wonderful community of Village Heights and for many years she was head of landscaping for the condominium association. She enthusiastically adopted Penn State and avidly followed the Lady Lions and other teams. She kept busy with family, friends, bridge, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Spruce Creek United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 45, Spruce Creek, PA 16683.

Private services will be held at the family’s convenience. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at kochfuneralhome.com.

— The Family

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Cecilia M. Borglum

Cecilia M. Borglum (nee Murphy), 86, wife of David S. Borglum of Wilton, Conn. died peacefully at her family home on June 7, 2015.

Born Sept. 18, 1928 in New York City, N.Y., and raised in Scarsdale, she was the daughter of the late Esther (O’Reilly) and Henry V. Murphy. Cecilia was one of six children; Francis X. Murphy (deceased), Elizabeth Ann Dewey (deceased), Rita Murphy (deceased), Henry V. Murphy II, and Bernadette Mullin (deceased).

She attended The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, N.Y. and the College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, Md.

Cecilia worked in New York where she met her life-long love David Borglum. They married in 1960 and shared a beautiful three-month honeymoon traveling around Europe before settling in the Silvermine community of Wilton.

Cecilia greatly enjoyed her family and kept herself busy with numerous family sporting activities, outings and wonderful vacations. Summers were spent gardening and at the beach with the ‘ladies group.’ She enjoyed annual family camping vacations, attending the theater at the Westport Country Playhouse, as well as a lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years David Solon Borglum, her six children: Felicia Borglum-Lamond of Wilton and husband Randall Lamond of Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia; Christian Borglum and wife Lori, of Souderton, Pa.; Diane Borglum of Wilton; Andrew Borglum and wife Susan, of Ramsey, N.J.; Thaddeus Borglum of San Diego, Calif., and Justin Borglum of Wilton. Her eight grandchildren are Michael and Elizabeth Lamond, Alexander, Nicholas and Aaron Borglum and Nicole, Zachary and Cassandra Borglum.

Family and friends will join together from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 15, directly at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 229 Danbury Road, Wilton, Conn. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to Our Lady of Fatima, Wilton. (www.olfwilton.org).

For directions or online condolences please visit  www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

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Louise Foote Besson, a resident of New Canaan since 1947, died on Friday, June 5, 2015, at her current residence, The Greens of Cannondale in Wilton, Conn. She was halfway through her 104th year.

Louise was born of American parents in Munich, Germany in 1911, where her father, Dr. Nathan C. Foot, was working with a mentor on the emerging science of pathology. The family returned to Milton, Mass., where Louise spent her early childhood. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in the early 1920s, where she and her sister attended the newly formed Lotspeich School, of which her mother Emma May Foot, was a founder.

Graduating on into The Hillsdale School, the two sisters collaborated on writing the school song. Both schools have since evolved into what is now the prestigious Seven Hills School in Cincinnati.

Louise showed early musical talent and studied the violin from the age of five. In 1930, she was accepted to Smith College, but chose instead to pursue her music, working with teachers both in New York and abroad. In 1937 she made her New York concert debut at Town Hall as solo violinist with the Women’s Chamber Orchestra of New York, under the name Louise Foote — adding the “e” back onto her family name, which her grandfather (James D. Foot, an early land developer of Rye, N.Y.) had removed, saying bluntly, “A foot is a foot!”

For the next four years she played numerous concerts in the tri-state area and beyond. Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony said of her, “(She is) a violinist of very considerable attainment, who combines with her artistry a striking personality. Her playing is sensitive and assured and she possesses a beautiful tone and mature style…I venture to prophesy for her a career of considerable brilliance.”

Louise married John Case Besson of New York in 1941. After WWII, they moved to New Canaan, where Louise taught violin, played concerts in the area, and was active in the community and at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. She and her husband led Great Books groups at the New Canaan Library in the 1950s, and Louise continued to be a member of several Book groups until the age of 99. During the 1960s Louise was on the board of The World Affairs Center in Westport — a hub of information for the socially conscious. She was active in the anti-nuclear and peace movements, and marched several times on Washington.

In the 1970s, for relaxation and exercise, Louise joined the YMCA, where she became a member of a group of synchronized swimmers that gave several “Water Ballet” performances at New Canaan’s YMCA. About this time, she also renewed her musical involvement, spending two summers at Colby College in Vermont working with the Hungarian String Quartet. After the death of her husband in 1982, she joined the St. Mark’s Church choir, and in the early 1990s, Mrs. Besson went on the board of the Waveny Chamber Music Society at The Carriage Barn in New Canaan’s Waveny Park. She was involved in the screening and choice of chamber groups for each season, often writing the program notes for the pieces to be performed. She also became the reviewer for all the concerts given, and developed quite a following for her incisive musical reviews in the New Canaan Advertiser.

At the age of 95, Louise moved into The New Canaan Inn on Oenoke Ridge, the independent living arm of Waveny’s senior care complex. There she flourished in a new direction, writing two self-published memoirs: one about her early childhood in Milton, and the second about her adventures abroad and her early concert career. At the age of 98, she won third place in a poetry competition sponsored by Connecticut Community Care, Inc.

Mrs. Besson is survived by her three children, Cassia Farkas Ward of Norwalk, Conn.; Elise B. Misiorowski of Patagonia, Ariz.; Jonathan C. F. Besson of Pittsburg, Calif,; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20. A reception will follow in St. Mark’s Morrill Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Louise Besson’s name to either the St. Mark’s Church Music Fund, 111 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840; or The New Canaan Library, Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.

— The Family

Louise Foote Besson

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George Bermejillo Moore of New Canaan, Conn. and Sugar Hill, N.H. died peacefully at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York on June 5, 2015, at the age of 75 after a four-year battle with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

Born in New York City on Oct. 10, 1939, Mr. Moore was the only child of George Stevens Moore, the former president and chairman of the First National City Bank (predecessor to Citigroup), and Beatriz Bermejillo y Braniff, the Marquesa de Mohernando of Spain.

Mr. Moore attended the St. Bernard’s School in New York and graduated from The Brooks School in 1957. He received a BA in history from Yale University in 1961. At Yale he was a member of The Fence Club, a member of the Berzelius society, and assistant editor of the Yale Daily News. In 1964, Mr. Moore received his MBA from Stanford Business School and joined the corporate finance department of White Weld & Co. in New York. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a private stationed at Fort Dix. White Weld was acquired by Merrill Lynch in 1978, and Mr. Moore remained with Merrill Lynch as a private wealth investment manager in the New Canaan office until his retirement in the spring of this year. He was honored for 50 years of service in 2014.

Mr. Moore was actively involved in numerous charitable activities, serving on the board of Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York, president of the New Canaan Chapter of the American Red Cross, on the board of the New Canaan Country School, president of the Lockwood-Mathews Museum in Norwalk, Conn., and trustee, president and chairman emeritus of The Hispanic Society of America Museum in New York.

Mr. Moore was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. He had an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. He always had a positive outlook on life and was generous in spirit. He was a compassionate, kind and honorable man.

Mr. Moore was fortunate to meet his wife, Kathie, when he was still at Yale, and they were married in 1966. They enjoyed 49 happy and fun-filled years together in New York and New Canaan. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed playing the piano despite picking the instrument up late in life. He was also an avid golfer, tennis and squash player, and was a multi-sport club champion in both golf and squash.

Mr. Moore is survived by his beloved wife, Katharine Lipson Moore; son George Braniff Moore of New York; daughter, Tanya Moore Jessop of New Canaan; five grandchildren, Carter, George and Schuyler Moore, and Katherine and Cooper Jessop; daughter-in-law, Calvert Saunders Moore; son-in-law, John C. Jessop; sisters-in-law, Sandra C. Ryon and Eleanor B. Naess, and brother-in-law, Peter S. Lipson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service celebrating George B. Moore’s life will be held at Saint Aloysius Church in New Canaan at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 19.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to the George B. Moore Memorial Fund at The Hispanic Society of America (613 West 155th Street, New York, NY 10032), which will support the preservation of artwork at the Museum. www.hispanicsociety.org

— The Family

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Elaine D. Leo

Elaine Dale Piper was born in Quincy, Mass. on Nov. 3, 1926, and died peacefully at her home in Ludlow, Vt. on Feb. 9, 2015.

Elaine graduated from Malden (Mass.) High School in 1945. In 1947, at age 19, Elaine earned her pilot’s license.

In 1948 Elaine married John P. Leo, lived in Suffield, Conn. and raised three children: John Patrick Leo, Jr., Quentin Brian Leo and Sara Ann Leo. John and Elaine Leo divorced in 1972.

Elaine was active in the Suffield Historical Society. She had life-long interests in early American spinning and weaving, and in contemporary fashion design. During the 1960s Elaine’s artistry and skill drew a local following and a wider audience as a guest on Hartford and Springfield broadcast programs.

In 1990, Elaine retired to Ludlow, Vt. where she was known simply as Piper, and continued bicycling, hiking, kayaking, and skiing for most of her next 25 years.

Piper is survived by son Quentin and his wife Meg Leo of New Canaan, grandson MacGregor Leo of Los Angeles, Calif., step-granddaughter Courtney Kennedy, her husband Michael Horton Kennedy, and two great-step-grandchildren all of Greenwich, Conn., and sister Gloria Jean (Piper) Winiewicz of Abington, Mass., and Honolulu, Hawaii.

A celebration of Piper’s life will be held Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m. at the United Church of Ludlow, 48 Pleasant Street, Ludlow, Vt.

— The Advertiser

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