Barbara Nell Gilderdale of New Canaan, who worked for nearly three decades at the New Canaan Library, died Friday, July 12, with her family and dear friend Susanne Ainsworth by her side at Norwalk Hospital following a brief illness. She was 91.

The daughter of the late Frederic T. and Henrietta Osgood Gilderdale, Ms. Gilderdale was born Nov. 14, 1921, in Colrain, Mass., at the family farm she loved.

Ms. Gilderdale attended Spurr School in Colrain and was a 1939 graduate of Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Her library career began at the Springfield, Mass., city library followed by a position with the Greenfield (Mass.) Public Free Library, which led to the New Britain Library in Connecticut. In 1954 she joined the staff of the New Canaan Library, where she worked until her retirement in 1982.

Ms. Gilderdale attended Trinity College and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree from the University of Denver.

She was predeceased by her father in 1974, her mother in 1976, her sister Helen Frederica Gilderdale in 2002, her brother William Osgood Gilderdale in 2006, and to her dear friend Lillie Specht and beloved pets, Laki, Ginger, Taffy, Lady and Abbie.

She is survived by two nephews, David of Randolph, Vt., Alan of Colrain, Mass.; a niece, Judy Fowler of Halifax, Vt., five grandnieces, two grandnephews,  three great grandnieces, four great grandnephews, five first cousins as well as the many close friends she has made over her years in New Canaan.

The family historian, her hobbies included genealogy and traveling. In 1961 she traveled to England to view the Gilderdale castle, forest and creek near London. Ms. Gilderdale enjoyed her many trips to Cape Cod, her family said. She was a trail guide at the New Canaan Nature center, a member of the genealogy club at Lapham, volunteered at the New Canaan Historical Society and was a member of the Congregational Church of New Canaan.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hoyt Funeral Home, New Canaan. Graveside services and burial will be at a later date in the family lot in the North River Cemetery, Colrain, Mass.

Dorothy Kretzer

Dorothy Kretzer, a former New Canaan resident, died Wednesday, June 26, in Rockville, Md., with her loving family by her side. She was 81. Affectionately known as Dot, she was the wife of the late Gilbert L. Kretzer.

An only child, Dot was raised in Maywood, N.J., graduating from Bogota High School and Hood College in Frederick, Md., where she majored in French. Prior to marriage, Dot taught French at Mt. Holly and Ramsey High Schools in New Jersey. She and Gilbert Lloyd Kretzer were wed in July 1955. They were married for 46 years before his death he 2001.

The family moved to New Canaan in 1968, where they lived for 14 years. Dot was a volunteer in the community, taught French part time at New Canaan High School, and was involved with the music program at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stamford. Dot was a great support to Gil, who was a vice president of Amstar Corp. in New York City and active with the Exchange Club in New Canaan.  After New Canaan, Dot and Gil lived in Potomac, Md., and then Williamsburg, Va.

Dot loved music, enjoyed continuing education classes, tutored French, played the piano beautifully and sang in various choral groups. Her favorite place was at the beach. She spent her childhood summers on Cape Cod, and loved walking the North Carolina beaches with her grandchildren where she would spend hours along the water’s edge, collecting shells with them as she cultivated their curiosity and love of learning.

Dot is survived by her twin daughters, Caren Brinker of Johns Creek, Ga., and Gail Plamondon of Darnestown, Md., their respective spouses and seven grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 19, at 11, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg, Md.  Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation.

One of the kindest, gentlest, most loving people in the world is no longer with us.  Vada Shell Stanley, 80, passed away peacefully at home in New Canaan on Saturday, July 13, after a long illness. Many of those who knew her could think of no better word than “angel” to describe her.

Wherever she went, Vada Stanley impressed people as a very special person. She might have won any beauty contest she entered, but her beauty was more than skin deep; inside there was a beautiful soul.

She could be and was a charming dinner companion for people like Bill Clinton and Prince Charles, among others, but the same warm charm was there for absolutely everyone who crossed her path. A key thing that made her so very special was her way of making each of us feel we were special to her. A rare combination of compassion, acceptance and love radiated from her being.

Born in 1933 in the rolling hills of Kentucky, she had a life that was charmed in many ways but with challenges as well. Hers was a loving family but not one in which people went to college. She did by earning all the money needed with jobs through her high school and college years. Not long after that she had to face the need to end a disastrous marriage with two tiny children to support, Bill and Glee, and no help from their father.

At that challenging time in her life she got a job, a rare one for women then, as a marketing management trainee at the home office of Procter & Gamble. There she met and married (three years later) Ted Stanley who worked in the same office in a similar job. Their 52-year marriage was a happy one; her husband never got over his great good luck in having found her. They had one son, Jonathan, who appreciated her just as much. After their marriage in 1961, they moved to Westport; and have lived in New Canaan since 1996 with, at various times, second homes in Manhattan, Santa Fe and Vermont.

Vada Stanley was quite simply one of the most wonderful people in all the world, and she will be long remembered by everyone fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in peace and find as much joy in another world as she gave to us. A memorial service to be held at a later date.

For online condolences, please visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

Karola M. Schuette

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 20, for Karola M. Schuette of New Canaan who died Sunday, June 23. Mrs. Schuette, 90, was a New Canaan resident for more than 40 years.

Mrs. Schuette worked at the former Union Trust Bank in town and after her retirement she was among the first residents of the Schoolhouse Apartments. Mrs. Schuette’s complete obituary, originally published on July 3, can be found at NCAdvertiser.com.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 20, at 2, at the Congregational Church, 23 Park St., New Canaan.

Michael Koch

Michael W. Koch of Saco, Maine, who has a father and sister in New Canaan, died Friday, June 21, with his family by his side. He was 49.

Born in Clovis, N.M., on May 6, 1964, Mr. Koch was raised in Riverside, Conn., where he attended Greenwich High School, before moving to the Portland area of Maine 10 years ago. Mr. Koch was an avid New York Yankees and Miami Dolphins fan, his family said. “He loved to fish, spend time at the beach, especially Todd’s Point, and listen to U2,” they said. “He was a talented cook, and enjoyed creating amazing dishes to share with his family and friends.”

Mr. Koch is survived by his parents, Beverly J. Riggi of Cos Cob and Fred R. Koch of New Canaan; sisters, Vicki Barbera and her husband of Ridgewood, N.J., and Michelle Koch of New Canaan; his brother, F. Richard Koch and his wife of Weston; and his many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 20, at 10, at St. Catherine of Siena Church (in the chapel), 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside.

Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Koch’s name to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1 Ste 1, Scarborough, ME 04074-9925.

Justin Edward Smith III of Main Street in New Canaan died unexpectedly on Monday, July 22, while traveling in Florida. He was 53.

A New Canaan resident for the past 22 years.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jennifer Smith; and his daughter who he loved so much, Charlotte.

No other details were available this week, the family said. The family is asking for privacy and will provide a full obituary in the future.

Henry Hunter

Henry H. Hunter, a longtime public relations executive and consultant in New York and Connecticut, died peacefully on Thursday, July 18, at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk. He was 91, a resident of North Palm Beach, Fla., who had lived in New Canaan for many years.

Mr. Hunter was with the Olin Corporation for 25 years, the last 15 as corporate vice president for public relations and communications. He left Olin in 1979 to start his own consulting business in Norwalk. When he retired in 1990, he had served 22 organizations as public relations consultant and management speech writer.

He was born in Pittsburgh in 1922, the son of Marjorie Hamilton and Henry Phipps Hunter. He attended Williams College where he was a sophmore when the U.S. entered World War II. He left in December 1941 to enlist in the Marines and served two tours in the Pacific, including the capture and defense of Guadalcanal in 1942 and the Philippines in 1945.

In 1946, after a brief period with the Associated Press in Washington, Mr. Hunter entered the journalism school at the University of Missouri and graduated with honors in 1948. He joined the News-Gazette in Champaign, Ill., as assistant city editor, edited a business magazine in Cleveland, and then went into public relations with Ross Roy Inc. in Detroit.

In 1952, he moved to New York as assistant public relations director of Grant Advertising. He joined Olin in New York in 1954 as publicity manager and was named director of public relations in 1958. He became vice president for public relations in 1965, and moved from New York to Connecticut in 1968 when Olin relocated its headquarters to Stamford.

He was director of the Association of National Advertisers, the Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and, in Stamford, of Family and Children’s Services and United Way. He was a member of the Country Club of New Canaan and Lost Tree Club in Florida; and as a licensed airplane and glider pilot, of the Soaring Society of America and the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association.

His first marriage, to Diane Webb in 1959, ended in divorce. He is survived by his wife, Eunice, whom he married in 1990; by two children of his previous marriage, Mrs. Alison Potter of New Canaan, grandchildren Macy, Nina and Nick; Trip Hunter (Julie) of Park City, Utah, grandchildren Lilah and Miles; and by three stepchildren, Richard Doerschuck of Nantucket, Mass., grandson Tim; Anne Miles (Bill) of New Canaan, grandchildren Asa and Victoria; and Becky Whittaker of Winter Park, Florida, grandchildren Emily Lily and Bo.

He was a man of many interests: avid reader, world traveler, gourmet chef, dedicated boater and fisherman, and licensed airplane and glider pilot. His infectious sense of humor and peerless storytelling ability delighted everyone who met him, including small children and dogs, and he will be sorely missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation, 11520 Lost Tree Way, North Palm Beach, FL 33408.

Nicholas Crispi, 78, of Norwalk, formerly of New Canaan, passed away on July 24, in The Arden House, Hamden, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Marie Altieri Crispi.

Nicholas Crispi

Mr. Crispi was born in New Haven on May 24, 1935, son of the late Nicholas and Rose Mendillo Crispi. He graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven in 1953 and from Fordham University with a B.S. degree in Finance in 1957 and attended New York University Graduate School of Business Administration.

He served as president of Crispi, Wagner & Co., an executive search firm which concentrates on searches for senior level investment professionals. His background includes 25 years in the executive search field, as well as 15 years as a security analyst for several major financial institutions.

He was a member of AIMR (Association for Investment Management & Research); the Knights of Columbus; the Cursillo of the Diocese of Bridgeport; was a member of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan for 25 years and sang in the adult choir for 10 years.

He proudly served his country as a member of the US Air Force Reserve and CT. Air National Guard. He was named Volunteer of the Year by the New York Society of Security Analysts.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Paul (Patricia) Crispi of North Haven, Lori (Sean) Wensyel of Wellington, FL. and Peter Crispi of Norwalk; a sister, Phyllis (Wayne E.) Johnson of Southington; five grandchildren, Meghan & Caley Wensyel, Nicholas, John & Matthew Crispi; two nieces, Suzanne Johnson & Melinda Santos and a nephew, Ronald Altieri.

Funeral from The Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St. (cor. Dwight) New Haven Wednesday morning, July 31, at 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Ave., North Haven at 11:00. Friends may call at the funeral home prior to the funeral from 9-10:30 a.m. Interment with Military Honors in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Make a Wish Foundation of CT., 126 Monroe Tpke., Trumbull, CT 06611 or its website: ct.wish.org. To leave messages of comfort for the family and for directions to the funeral home, please visit CelentanoFuneralHome.com.

Merill Ann Topper Weinstein

Merill Ann Topper Weinstein, 72, of New York City, died on Friday, July 26, at home.

Born in Manhattan on July 7, 1941, to Alice Spalter and Bernard Topper, Merill grew up in Los Angeles. In the late 1950s, Merill landed her first job as a librarian for Cold War systems firm Systems Development Corporation. The position required her to have security clearance — at the tender age of 17. This first job would be a precursor of things to come — a distinguished career in hospital administration which afforded her the ability to seek and share information, ultimately resulting in improved health care outcomes and service.

Merill was a graduate of UCLA. In 1968, she married Arnold Weinstein, MD, and in 1970, they relocated to Connecticut, first to Weston, and then to New Canaan, where she and her husband raised their two daughters and kept a home until 1998.

In her first health care position in Connecticut, Merill worked as Executive Director of PSRO, Professional Standards Review Organization of Fairfield County.

For over 15 years, Merill served as Vice-President for Quality and Performance Improvement at St. Joseph Medical Center in Stamford, Conn. In that role, she oversaw initiatives pertaining to quality measures and performance standards. She was responsible for running numerous departments including medical records and utilization review and was the catalyst behind the creation of the Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Unit. She was also responsible for overseeing the Medical Center’s Cancer Registry and Tumor Boards. After the merging of St. Joseph Medical Center with Stamford Hospital, Merill played a vital role as Vice President for System Integration for Stamford Health System. She was responsible for standardizing processes and reducing duplication across the continuum and oversaw quality and risk management functions.

Merill dedicated her career to helping others and made a real difference in the many lives she touched. Her intelligence, generous spirit, sense of humor and kindness to others will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her beloved daughters, Margery Weinstein of New York City and Jessica Weinstein Harper and son-in-law Josh Harper of Brooklyn, N.Y.; sisters Tobey Dodge of Los Angeles and Barbara Hughes of Bakersfield, Calif., and several nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 30, at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield, Conn., at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Merill can be made in her name to: The American Cancer Society.

Helen Fitzsimmons Ryan

Mrs. Helen Fitzsimmons Ryan, formerly of New Canaan, passed on Thursday, July 18, at the age of 87 after many joyful years in Ormond Beach, Florida.

She was born and raised in Stratford, Connecticut, to Charles and Helen Fitzsimmons. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward P. Ryan and her brother, William Fitzsimmons. She is survived by her brothers James Fitzsimmons and Charles Fitzsimmons, her 10 children: Richard Ryan, Bruce Ryan, Patricia Earnshaw, Mark Ryan, Marylou Guzy, Lisa Feldman, Edward Ryan, Jeffrey Ryan, Ronald Ryan, Suzanne Bivrell and their families which include 26 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grand child.

While raising her children, she worked for 25 years at Perkin-Elmer Corporation as a lead technical writer. Upon retirement, she moved to Southbury, Connecticut, for three years before moving to Ormond Beach, Florida. She was a passionate volunteer at Ormond Memorial Hospital for many years, as well as an active resident in her community of Bear Creek.

She loved gardening, reading and spending time with family and friends. She will be greatly missed by many people, but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

Elmer Shumaker

Elmer Pangburn Shumaker, 95, of Vero Beach, died July 23, 2013 at Grace Rehabilitation Center of Vero Beach, FL.

He was born April 13, 1918 in Donora, Pennsylvania and moved to Vero Beach 10 years ago from Kiawah Island, SC.

Mr. Shumaker was a graduate of the University of Pittsburg, PA, earning his Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

After, college, Mr. Shumaker spent a year working at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, Pittsburgh; then seven years with ESSO in NJ; from 1948-1970 he worked for Caltex Oil Co. in New York City.  In 1970 he joined Chevron Corporation, and later moved to Belgium to serve as Vice President of Marketing for Chevron Oil Europe.  He returned to the US in 1976, retiring in 1983 as VP of Western Operations for Chevron USA in San Francisco, CA.

At first living and raising his family in New Canaan, CT, Mr. Shumaker was on the town Planning and Zoning Commission, and was a founder of the New Canaan Field Club. He enjoyed personally designing the two houses where he lived while there, and was a vestry member of St. Mark’s Church.

Five years in Brussels, Belgium were followed by a few years in Lafayette, CA. Then New Canaan, CT once again briefly, and then on to their much-loved Kiawah Island, SC home of 20 years. While in Kiawah, Mr. Shumaker served on the vestry of The Church of our Savior on John’s Island, SC. He was active in the choir, and in association with the church, he performed with a 20 man singing group.

Ten years ago the Shumakers moved to Vero Beach, SC and kept a condominium in Litchfield, CT. Mr. Shumaker was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Litchfield, CT and Trinity Episcopal Church, Vero Beach. He was a member of The Sanctum in Litchfield, and a member of The Union League Club in New York City.

Even his friends may not know that Mr. Shumaker had an early interest in music. In high school, he was trained in trumpet by the first chair of The Pittsburg Symphony, Louis Panella, and received an award from the state for his trumpet playing. In university, he played with the school marching band, and also with a dance band, but felt he had to leave music if he was to be able to maintain his scholarship.

He is survived by Ann, his wife of 70 years; four children and their spouses: Nancy and Schuyler Post of Litchfield, CT, Stephen and Alison Shumaker of Montrose, CO., Peter and Laura Shumaker of Lafayette CA, and Susan Fearey of Goshen, CT.; six grandchildren: Randi, Katie, Emily, Matthew, Andy and John; and five great grandchildren: Lily, Zoe, Michael, Josh and Seth.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Louise Martin.

Services will be held on September 21 at 11:00 am. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Litchfield,  CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camphill Communities California, a community for disabled adults, where Mr. Shumaker’s grandson, Matthew lives, P.O. Box 221, Soquel, CA  95073.

Lisa Polhemus St. John died at her home in Redding on July 30, 2013, surrounded by her children. She was 90.

Born in New York City to Henry M. and Lisa Polhemus, she graduated from The Chapin School Class of 1941.

Wife of Fordyce Barker St. John Jr., who predeceased her, she and her family moved to New Canaan in 1964. She was a lifelong summer resident of Sagaponack, Long Island, and a member of the Bridgehampton Club since 1947.

Mrs. St. John was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. An avid animal lover, she raised and showed German Shepherd dogs. She is survived by three children and two children-in-law: John and Megan St. John, Susan St. John, Elizabeth and Chris Abelt; two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

A private service took place at Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan.

For online condolences, visit HoytFuneralHome.com. Memorial donations may be made to FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111.

Don Angeletti

Donald “Don” E. Angeletti, a U.S. Army veteran who later worked for a natural gas company, died Tuesday, July 30, in Houston, Texas. Mr. Angeletti, 67, was the husband of Patricia Totaro Angeletti, a former New Canaan resident.

He was born in Pompano Beach, Fla., on May 14, 1946. He was the son of the late Primo and Murrel Goodlet Angeletti.

Mr. Angeletti was a graduate of Havre de Grace High School in Maryland. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964 and served in Vietnam. Upon completion of his tour of duty he continued his education and graduated from Morgan State College in Maryland.

After moving to Florida he began employment at the Florida Gas Transmission Company, and was later transferred to the Houston office where he was a senior gas controller until his retirement in December 2012.

In earlier years, Mr. Angeletti was a member of the Statue of Liberty Foundation of Ellis Island and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. In 1984, he was president of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Central Florida, and in 1998 was a member of the Friends of the Library Foundation in Humble, Texas.

Mr. Angeletti was an avid collector of model railroad trains and was a member of the Train Collectors Association. He and his wife traveled all over the country on steam trains attending railroad collector events. He was also a classic car enthusiast.

Besides his wife of 32 years, Mr. Angeletti is survived by a sister, Dolores Murphy and husband John of Pensacola, Fla.; nephews Rodney Angeletti of Fallston, Md., and Ronnie Angeletti and his wife Sandra of Nashua, N.H., his mother and father-in-law, Carmela and Patsy Totaro of New Canaan; brother-in-law, Gary Totaro of New Canaan; and grand nieces, Trisha Baldwin and Audrianna Angeletti.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 10, in the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday, 4-8, at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20006-3517.

Online condolences: HoytFuneralHome.com

—Advertiser

John “Jack” Novokus Sr., an 80-year New Canaan resident, died Friday, Aug. 2, with his family at his side. He was 97.

Mr. Novokus was born Nov. 1, 1915, in Wyoming, Pa. He attended school in Pennsylvania and graduated as valedictorian from Wyoming High School at the age of 17.

He served in the U.S. Navy from December 1941 until 1945 as a signalman on the SS H.L. Pratt and the Mount McKinley. After World War II, he started his own landscaping business and cared for many properties in New Canaan.

Mr. Novokus was predeceased by his wife, Ann Spadaccini Novokus; and his grandson, John.

He is survived by his son, John Novokus and his wife, Isabelle; granddaughters, Debra Hastings McNeil (Shaun) of Guilford, Carrie Phipps of Virginia Beach, Va., and April Baez (George) of Norwalk; and his great grandsons include Jacob Hastings and Jack and Jayden Baez.

Funeral services will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840.

To leave an online condolence, visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

Al Knaus

Al Knaus, a long-time New Canaan resident and well-known community figure through his 30-year career with the New Canaan public schools and involvement in local civic affairs, passed away at his home on Friday, July 26, after a brief illness. He was 87.

Al and his late wife Jane were fixtures in New Canaan, the town to which they moved as a young couple, raised their family, and happily remained during their retirement years.

Albert Charles Knaus Jr. was born in Montclair, N.J., on Aug. 1, 1925. In 1943, fresh out of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, ultimately serving in the Pacific Theater as a corporal during the latter days of World War II.

On the GI bill he attended Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, where the handsome fraternity president met and fell in love with an outgoing and attractive sorority president, Jane Bock. They married while still students, and their union lasted 62 years, until Jane’s death in 2011.

After Marietta, Al received a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. He began his teaching career at Friends Academy in South Dartmouth, Mass., and in 1957 he moved with his young family to New Canaan for his new job at Saxe Junior High School, where he taught social studies for over 20 years.

From 1966 to 1968, Al took a sabbatical from his teaching job to become principal of the nascent American International School of Calcutta, India. This family adventure resulted in a lifelong love of travel and connection to India. Later in his career with the New Canaan Schools, Al became coordinator of the work-study program at New Canaan High School, while Jane taught for many years in Darien.

For many years Al was active in the local Democratic Party, and served as head of the Democratic Town Committee for a period of time in the 1970s. Never shy with his opinions on the issues of the day, over the years Al contributed many letters to the editor of the Advertiser; an avid photographer, he also contributed numerous photographs to the Advertiser.

After retirement, he and Jane became active members of the U.N. Committee of New Canaan. Retirement allowed Al to pursue his interest in people by painting portraits and taking photographs on the numerous domestic and foreign trips he and Jane enjoyed.

Al is survived by his three children, Lucinda Knaus of Bearsville, N.Y., Albert Knaus III of New York City, and David Knaus of Stamford; as well as five grandchildren, and his sister, Janet Denison.

A memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan is planned for September.

—The Family

Marguerite “Margo” Grafton Rundles, 71, of New Canaan, and formerly of Durham, N.C., died suddenly on Friday, Aug. 2.

Born in Staunton, Va., on Sept. 15, 1941, Margo was the daughter of the late Thomas Hancock Grafton and Martha Stackhouse Grafton.

She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1963, and moved to Durham in 1966 to work as director of admissions at the Duke University Graduate School. After earning her CPA in 1974, she served as a trust and estates administrator at Central Carolina Bank and SunTrust Bank until her retirement in 2006.

Never one to sit idle, Margo enjoyed a busy retirement, playing golf regularly at the Hope Valley Country Club, volunteering in the chemotherapy room at Duke University Cancer Center, and serving on the university’s Patient Advocacy Council.  She was an ardent knitter and movie enthusiast, and had traveled the globe to places such as Africa and China.

After 45 years in Durham, Margo moved in 2011 to New Canaan to live within a mile of her beloved daughter, son-in-law, and young grandchildren. She took to her new town with gusto, joining the American Association of University Women and New Canaan Beautification League, and served on the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team at the Congregational Church of New Canaan. She also enjoyed her outings to New York City with subscriptions to the Manhattan Theatre Club and New York Philharmonic.

Margo was married to Duke hematologist Dr. R. Wayne Rundles in 1968 and they had their only child, Martha Rundles Palmer, in 1976. Dr. Rundles died in 1991. Several years later she married Richard Norman Hughes and he died in 2004.

Margo is also predeceased by her parents and her sister, Letty Grafton Jernigan. She is survived by her devoted daughter Martha and son-in-law Steven Richard Palmer of New Canaan; her grandchildren, Caroline Sydney Palmer and Alexander Wayne Palmer, also of New Canaan; a sister, Lib Grafton Greer of Columbus, Georgia; and three nieces and one nephew.

Margo will be remembered for her grace through adversity and adventurous spirit.

A memorial service will be held at 10 o’clock on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Congregational Church of New Canaan. A second memorial service will take place at 2 o’clock on Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Duke University Chapel in Durham, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Duke Cancer Center (20 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710).

For online condolences and directions, visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

Frank Mercede Jr., 76, of New Canaan and Jupiter, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Stamford Hospital. Born in Stamford on March 1, 1937, son of the late Frank and Anna Sacco Mercede.

Frank was a graduate of Fairfield Prep and attended the Institute of Design and Construction in New York, as well as the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Frank served honorably in the U.S. Army during the late 1950s, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany.

As a teen he worked as a laborer for his father’s company, Frank Mercede & Sons and later ran the construction end of the business. He was also the founder and former owner of Viking Construction based in Stamford. Throughout his career in the construction business, Frank made important contributions to the infrastructure of Fairfield County, building numerous public institutions including schools, hospitals, and churches. He received a medal of honor at Ellis Island in 1997, which honored “Ethnic Americans who made contributions to the life of this Nation.”

Frank is survived by his wife, Arlene, to whom he was married for 53 years; two daughters, Joanne Grasso and Carolyn and Fred Matera, two sons; Frank and Marianna Mercede, and Gregg and Cindy Mercede, all of New Canaan; two brothers, Nicholas and Anita Mercede, of Stamford, and John Mercede of Florida; one sister, Theresa Gaglio of Stamford; and nine grandchildren, Joseph, Samantha, Keil, Matthew, Erica, Ashley, Anna, Frank and Ryan.

Besides his parents, Frank was predeceased by his sister Janice Comis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Aloyisius Church, 40 Maple Street, New Canaan, on Friday Aug. 9, at 11.

Interment will be private at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan.

The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford,  is honored to assist the Mercede family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting all donations to be made to the Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd., Suite 202, Stamford, CT. 06902.

To leave online condolences, please visit cognetta.com.

New Canaan native Jacqueline Anne Bucciarelli Raymond, died Saturday, Aug. 3, in Middletown after a long illness. She was 80.

She was born on July 18, 1933, in Norwalk and grew up in New Canaan. She attended Maryland College for Women and Lesley College in Cambridge, Mass., where she majored in elementary education and graduated in 1955.

In 1956 she moved with her young family to a house in Middletown in which she lived until 2009.

She served as a volunteer and was a philanthropist. She will above all be remembered for her kindness, empathy and concern for others and for her wit.

She is survived by her son, George Raymond Jr. of Binningen, Switzerland, his wife Maryvonne and their son Henry.

A private graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan on Friday, Aug. 9. Memorial gifts may be made to the Music Department of Wesleyan University.

Catherine Marabella of Glastonbury, a former longtime New Canaan resident who worked as a housekeeper here, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Hartford Hospital. She was 95.

Mrs. Marabella was born in Stamford on Jan. 12, 1918, to the late Charles and Victoria Russo Carlino. She lived in New Canaan for 50 years and Stamford for five before moving to Glastonbury in 1992 to be closer to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Marabella was a former member of the New Canaan Seniors, a former member of the St. Mary’s Seniors, as well as a member of the St. Mary’s prayer group. She was a devout Catholic. She worked for many years as a housekeeper in the New Canaan area.

She is survived by three grandchildren, Sharon Presch of Hebron, Michael Nicoletti of Manchester, and Lisa Garlitz of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass; seven great-grandchildren, John-John, Michael, Lexy, Ryan, Catherine, Mikey, and Paige; and four brothers, James DeCarlo, Joseph DeCarlo, Anthony Altamuro, and Felix Altamuro, who all live in the Stamford area.

Besides her parents, Mrs. Marabella was predeceased by her sons, Anthony J. Nicoletti Jr. and Frank Marabella Jr.; and her husbands, Anthony Nicoletti Sr. and Frank Marabella Sr.; and her sister, Mary.

A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, at 10:15, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, for St. Aloysius R.C. Church, 40 Maple St., New Canaan, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11. Burial will follow at St. John R.C. Cemetery in Darien.

Calling hours are Monday, Aug. 12, from 4-8, at the funeral home.

Thomas Dieter Bene

Thomas Dieter Bene, beloved father and grandfather, longtime resident of New Canaan and president of Skaarup Shipping in Greenwich, passed away Thursday, Aug. 8, at his home in New Canaan. He was 76.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, Thomas immigrated to the NYC area in 1960. A well-known and respected leader in the international shipping industry, Thomas’ career with Skaarup Shipping spanned six decades. He raised three children in New Canaan, was an avid sailor and long-time member of Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich.

Thomas was a generous, loyal and humble man. He dismissed flattery, embraced fine friends and food; and had little doubt that duct tape was good enough to fix just about anything.

Thomas is survived by his three children, Christoph Bene of Westport, Bettina Bene Leddy of New Canaan, and Philip Bene of Bozeman, Mont.; his siblings, Sabine Pflueger, Jochen Bene and Oschi Bene of Hamburg, Germany; six grandchildren, and former spouses, Eveline Bene and Leslie Bene.

A memorial service will be held at Southport Congregational Church in Southport on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to JDRF in his name at JDRF.org