Randolph Wilson Bromery was born January 18, 1926 in Cumberland, Maryland.  He was the son of Lawrence Randolph Bromery, deceased October, 1975 and Edith Edmonson Bromery, deceased March, 1947.  He was the grandson of Sarah Wilson Bromery and Ulysses Rutherford Bromery and the great grandson of Emma Wilson Black, all of Cumberland, Maryland.  He is survived by his wife of sixty five years, Cecile Trescott Bromery; his sons Keith M., Dennis R., David T., and Christopher J. Bromery and a daughter Carol Ann Thompson of Tallahassee, Florida; Amherst, Massachusetts; Ellicott City, Maryland; Lynn, Massachusetts and Baltimore, Maryland respectively.  He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  His older sister, Bettyjane Coker lives in Lanham, Maryland and his younger brother Robert M. Bromery lives in Bowie, Maryland.  His younger brothers Lawrence E. and Phillip M. died in 2006 and 1935 respectively.

Dr. Bromery attended the Frederick Street School and graduated first in class from the same school which was renamed Carver High School in 1942.  During World War II he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps Tuskegee Airmen.  He attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and physics in 1954.  He earned and was awarded a M.S. Degree in Geology from The American University in 1962; and a Ph.D. in Geology from The Johns Hopkins University in 1968.

He was an Airborne Exploration Geophysicist and a Supervisory Research Geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey from 1948 to 1967.  At various times, he served as a mineral resource consultant to several West and Central African countries primarily with the Kennecott Copper Company.  He was a special honored guest to the Presidents of Liberia, Republic of the Cameroons, West Africa and Malawi, South Africa and he was elected honorary member of the Liberian Geological Survey.  As a member of the Boards of Directors of The Exxon Corporation and The Singer Company, he traveled extensively in the Far East, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and China.

Dr. Bromery recently served as Interim President of Roxbury Community College and served as President of Springfield College from 1992 to 1999.  Dr. Bromery served at The University of Massachusetts in numerous positions prior to retirement in 1992: Commonwealth Professor of Geophysics, Chairman of the Department of Geology and Geography, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Chancellor of the Amherst Campus, Executive Vice President of The University of Massachusetts System and a retired Commonwealth Professor, Emeritus.  He served as Chancellor of the Board of Regents for Higher Education under Governor’s Dukakis and Weld and served as Interim President of Westfield State University from 1988 to 1990.

As a leader in the business community, Dr. Bromery served as a member of the Boards of Directors with the Exxon Corporation, NYNEX/Bell Atlantic Corporations, New England Telephone Company, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and The John Hancock Life Insurance Company.  He served as President of Weston Geophysical International Corporation and the Geoscience Engineering Company, a jointly owned geological and geophysical consulting business.

Dr. Bromery was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Awards from Howard University and The Johns Hopkins University.  He is the recipient of nine honorary degrees from colleges and universities around the world, including The Johns Hopkins University and was named honorary president of Soodoo Women’s University located in Seoul, Korea.  Dr. Bromery is a Senior Fellow. Fellow ad member of numerous professional Societies and served as the first African-American President of the Geological Society of America in 1989.  President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Bromery to membership on the President’s Committee on The National Medal of Science.  He has published many articles on science and education in several professional journals.

While serving as President of Springfield College, he was the recipient of several prestigious community service awards including; Eyes on the Prize Award in 1997 from PBS Channel 57; Community Builder Award in 1996 from the Springfield Urban League; the distinguished Pynchon Award in 1993 from the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts; Human Relations Award from The National Conference in 1997; the Distinguished Citizens Award from the Pioneer Valley Council of Boy Scouts in 1992; the Chancellor’s Medal and Honorary Alumnus Award from The University of Massachusetts in 1996; Lifetime of Excellence in Education Award from the Massachusetts Legislative Black Caucus in 1996; and Key to the City of Seoul Korea from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and an Award from the Governor of Hokkaido, Japan.  Dr. Bromery’s picture was featured on the front cover of the Business Monthly Magazine of Western Massachusetts.  In February of 1997, he was honored by the National Academy of Sciences as one of the nation’s outstanding Black Scientists and his portrait was hung in the Hall of The National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Bromery and his wife moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody, Massachusetts.  Prior to that they had lived in Amherst, Massachusetts where he was involved in several activities with the University of Massachusetts including serving as founding member of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Foundation and also served as chair of the Advisory Committee to the Newman Center at the University of Massachusetts.  He continued to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Johns Hopkins University and a member of the Corporation of The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday March 6, 2013 from 4 – 8 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A memorial service will be held  at The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, at a later date.   Please No Flowers, donations may be made to, Bromery Endowment Fund for the Du Bois Center, Umass Amherst Libraries Development Office 154 Hicks Way Amherst, MA 01003-9275.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Freda M. (Rustemeyer) De Pillis

 

AMHERST, Freda Mae (Rustemeyer) De Pillis passed away on Feb. 23, 2013. She was able to live at home until May 26, 2012.

Freda was the third of the four daughters of Julia (Bogler) Rustemeyer and Ferdinand (“Fred”) Rustemeyer. She was born on the family farm on Pointers Creek in Linn, Osage County, Missouri on Aug. 27, 1924.

She attended a one-room schoolhouse on Pointers Creek.  After graduating from Linn High School in 1942 Freda moved to St. Louis where she worked in various jobs until the spring of 1947, when she signed a two-year contract to work for the U. S. occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan, processing payroll.

Always a voracious reader and keen of mind, her experience in Japan deepened her desire for education.  She decided to apply to the College of the University of Chicago and was admitted in 1949. She met her husband there, whom she married in 1952.

Freda graduated with a BA from the College and an MA in psychiatric social work. She had a varied career in hospitals, psychiatric institutions, and family counseling agencies in Chicago, Philadelphia, New Haven, and Northampton. She spent most of her career at the Northampton agency, Children’s Aid and Family Service. She specialized in marital counseling, and adoption. After retirement she was volunteered for Not Bread Alone (a community meal program), Tapestry (a community-based non-profit family planning and reproductive health services provider), and taught English to immigrants and visiting academic spouses. She also served in Amherst Town Meeting.

Freda was a feminist, beginning in the 1940s when she was denied training in animal husbandry in rural Missouri because she was a girl. She was less interested in feminist ideology than concrete equal rights. She cheered when she saw the first woman linesman climbing a telephone pole.  She opposed America’s role in the war in Vietnam, joining the weekly peace vigil on the Town Common in Amherst.

Freda kept a journal from age eleven until no longer able.  These she transcribed and they are now part of the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.  

Freda is survived by her husband of 61 years, Mario S. De Pillis Sr., and their sons, Vincent B. De Pillis (wife Kristin Bedell) of Seattle, with granddaughters Lydia and Sophia; Mario S. De Pillis Jr. (wife Anne H. Walton) of Amherst with grandsons Alexander A. (“Rex”) De Pillis and Rafael; and Alexander F. De Pillis (fiancée Debra Pinsof) of Montpelier Vermont; and her older sister Dorothy of St. Louis, Missouri. Her sisters Marcella and Mary Ellen predeceased her.

The family thanks the caregivers whose compassion and care provided her the best possible quality of life during her last years.

A memorial service will be held Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst on Sunday March 10 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Amherst Senior Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.  

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Amherst, Barbara Louise (Diehl) Weidenfeld passed away peacefully last Sunday February 19th, 2013 at the age of 88 at the Overlook Nursing home in Leeds, Massachusetts. She was born in New York City, December 1^st, 1924 to Irene Dornfeld (Diehl) and Frederick Brereton Diehl. She leaves behind her husband Jerome Weidenfeld of 54 years, a resident of Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton, MA., and three sons Robert Foster Weidenfeld (Davis, California), David Jonathan Weidenfeld (Easthampton, MA) and Mark ‘Moshe’ Weidenfeld (Brooklyn, New York) and their respective spouses. She also leaves behind four lovely grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and an extensive circle of friends.

Lady Barbara (as she was known by some) graduated from Washington Irving High School in NYC and later attended Park College in Missouri. She studied music composition at Juliard Night School, played piano, guitar and possessed  the ‘voice of an angel‘. 

After enlisting in the WAVES (Woman Accepted in Volunteer Emergency Service) where she served as a Link Training Instructor during World War II.

She attended and received a BA in English from Columbia Teachers College, New York City. In her long life, Barbara held a variety of interesting positions including working as an editor for the College Board.  She also worked in special education and as an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor and homemaker. She had a love and knowledge of music, nature and literature. Both she and her husband Jerome were active in causes of social justice including civil rights, antiwar activities and environmental concerns. She and Jerome were members of the Jewish Community of Amherst and Barbara was a member of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

She was laid to rest this past Tuesday February 21st at the Jewish Community of Amherst, Cemetery in Shutesbury, MA. Any donations in Barbara’s memory should be made to the: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) and/or Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Marangelie Santana

 

GRANBY, Massachusetts, Marangelie Santana, of Granby passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2013 in her home after a long battle with Lupus. Raised in Yauco, Puerto Rico, she is survived by her beautiful daughter Natasha Mercado- Santana. Her parents, Angel and Marta Santana; twin sister Angie and brother-in-law Pablo Mercado; sister Sharon; brother Angel and sister-in-law Susan Santana; nieces Aryanna and Katelyn and nephews Pablo and Michael. She was a graduate of UMass Amherst, Springfield College and Fitchburg College.  She worked in the Holyoke School System as a teacher for 17 years. She was a wonderful and dedicated mother, sister and daughter. She enjoyed helping others in need and was devoted to the success and welfare of her daughter, Natasha. She will be sorrowfully missed by all who have known her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Sat. Feb. 23, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst with burial following in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be today, Fri. Feb. 22, from 5-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

VIRGINIA COOKE

AMHERST, Virginia Cooke, 87, passed away on Feb. 20^th at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst.

Virginia was born on Dec. 19, 1925 in Amherst, the daughter of the late Howard and Esther (Williams) Cooke of Amherst. She attended Amherst schools and was a housekeeper for many people in Amherst.

Virginia is survived by six brothers; Charles of Florence, Richard of Fountain, CO, William of Seattle, WA, Robert of Amherst, George of Milton, FL, and Roy of Hatfield, two sisters; Jean Martin and Mary Martin of Jemison, AL, and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her brothers Howard Jr. of Raleigh, NC, Albert of Amherst and James of Albuquerque, NM and sisters Thalma of Holyoke and Esther of Amherst.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wed. Feb. 27^th, at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with burial following in Wildwood Cemetery. A Calling Hour will precede the service from 9 – 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

L. Z. Moulder

LEVERETT – L. Z. Moulder, 74, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

He was born September 18, 1938 in Camdenton, Missouri to Howard V. and Lillie M. (DeGraffenried) Moulder.

He worked as a steam power engineer, spending his career working for the state, Belchertown State School, UMass and retiring from the Holyoke Soldiers Home. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, continued to serve in the Army National Guard for a total of 20 years combined. He loved to work on cars, hunting, and fishing. He and Betty enjoyed travels together in their motor home, members of Hilltown Chapter and Good Sam camping clubs. He was past Master of The Pacific Lodge of Masons in Amherst, and a member of The Republican Lodge of Masons in Greenfield. He was currently Worthy Patron of the Unity Chapter #66 of Amherst OES. He was a member of the Moose Club in Greenfield and the VFW in Amherst.

He leaves his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Field) Moulder of Leverett, a daughter, Mary J. (Moulder) and her husband, Roderick “Greg” Rawls of Millers Falls, a granddaughter, Ashlea A. Rawls of Montague and a grandson, Jonathan T. Rawls of Millers Falls. He was expecting his first great-grandchild in July of this year. He leaves four brothers and one sister all from Missouri, Donald Moulder, Earl Moulder, Jimmy Moulder, Jackie Moulder and Wanita (Moulder) Cowan. L. Z. was predeceased by his daughter Terry L. Moulder in 2006.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 21st, at 10:00 a.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Feb. 20th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service with a ceremony performed by the Order of the Eastern Star at 7:10 p.m. followed by an Evergreen Service performed by The Pacific Lodge of Masons at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson,168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA 01060. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

GEORGE I. TREYZ

Amherst, George I. Treyz, 76, died at his home in Amherst, MA on February 14th, in the presence of his wife and family.  He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sidney; his son, Victor, and daughter-in-law, Susan, of San Francisco; his son, Frederick, and daughter-in-law Enhua, of Amherst; and his brother Russell and sister-in-law Alice, of New York; and six grandchildren, Claire, Henry, Peter, Eric, Justin, and Athena.

George was born in Callicoon, New York, on February 21, 1936.  He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and received a Ph.D. in economics from Cornell University.  George showed his entrepreneurial spirit at Princeton, starting a business selling grinders to fellow students, as featured in an article in LIFE magazine.

His first teaching position was in the Economics Department of Haverford College.  He joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts in 1968, teaching for 29 years and writing numerous articles and books on economics and regional science.

George was a pioneer in the field of computerized macroeconomic modeling, starting with research in national macroeconomic modeling in the late 1960s.  He was one of the first in his field to develop state and local econometric models.  George founded Regional Economic Models Inc. in 1980 with a vision of improving government policy through economic analysis.  George had a passion for all aspects of economic modeling including its theoretical foundations and applications.  He inspired academic researchers, his staff, and practitioners with his dedication and enthusiasm.  His wife Sidney was involved with REMI from its beginnings and his son Frederick continues to guide REMI today.  

George was devoted to his wife and family.  He was an involved and loving father, and took great joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren.  He and Sidney enjoyed life-long friendships and travel.  George enjoyed life to its fullest, and had many interests including painting, gardening, cooking and outdoor activities. 

George passed away after a long illness.  George’s family would like to thank all of his caregivers, especially Ray Buddu and Rex Solis for their kindness and professionalism.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, February 19, at 2:00 PM at Grace Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: UMass Amherst Friends of the Libraries, For: George I Treyz Fund for Economic Reference Materials, Friends of the Libraries, UMass Amherst, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, 154 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9275. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

CLOTILDA B. GAWIENOWSKI

1927 – 2013

 

AMHERST, Clotilda (Brewington) Gawienowski, 85, died on Feb. 9, 2013 at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst. Born on April 9, 1927 in St. Louis, MO, she was the daughter of the late Forrest and Clotilda (Brown) Brewington. Clo graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1950 and was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was employed at the University of Missouri Library and also taught school in Montgomery City, MO. She came to Amherst in 1963 and helped maintain the Library at the Newman Catholic Center for 30 years. Clo was a substitute teacher at local schools and worked elections at North Amherst polling places for most of 40 years. Clo is survived by her husband Anthony Michael Gawienowski, three sons; Reverend John J. Gawienowski, Anthony Gawienowski, and Peter Brewington Gawienowski (and his wife Reverend Michelle) and two daughters; Margaret Clotilda Briskin (and her husband Donald) and Mary Frances Gawienowski. She has one grandchild, Clotilda Zoya Briskin. Clo was a private, peaceful soul who enjoyed her Red Sox, playing piano, Wendy’s bacon cheeseburgers, and the voice of John Denver.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Feb. 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the Newman Catholic Center, Amherst, with burial following in North Amherst Cemetery. A brunch reception will be held afterwards at the Newman Catholic Center.  Calling hours will be Friday, Feb. 15, from 6-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Memorial donations may be made to the Newman Catholic Center or a charity of one’s choice. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com. Clo’s family extends its appreciation to the staff at Calvin Coolidge Nursing & Rehab Center and the Center for Extended Care Amherst.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

                                                                                   Mary Tarallo

 

Amherst – Mary Tarallo, 86, passed away February 6, 2013. Born October 15, 1926, in Lawrence, MA, she was the daughter of Anthony Nardo and Josephine (Lomastro) Nardo.

Mary lived in Valley Stream, Long Island, NY where she raised her family and then worked as an Executive Assistant.  She was proud of being part of the work that built and opened Schnieder Childrens’ Hospital at Long Island Jewish Hospital. In 1991 she retired and moved to Amherst with her husband, Joseph Tarallo, whom she married on December 14, 1948. Joseph passed away on December 28, 2012. Mary was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She leaves three daughters and their husbands, Judy and Brian McNamara of Amherst, Jan and Tony Nappo of Westtown, NY, and JoEllen and Jay Falk of Brattleboro, VT; as well as six grandchildren, Kate and Evan McNamara, Anthony and Nick Nappo, and Jessica and Carter Falk. She will be remembered for her graciousness and hospitality, incredible food, and the many hand-quilted and sewn items she leaves behind. She was a loyal and compassionate friend to many throughout her life.  She lived a life where all were welcomed and nourished by her generous spirit. Mary died at home surrounded by her daughters and sons-in-law. She had the opportunity to visit with her cherished grandchildren, her beloved sisters Rose Turton of Burlington and Louise Russo of Wilmington, as well as nieces and a few close friends in the last weeks of her life. She was predeceased by her brother, James Nardo, of Alton Bay, NH. Mary’s family would like to offer their thanks to Marguarite Essis, Nathalie and Haoua, as well as staff at VNA/Hospice, who provided support and care during the final months of her life and enabled her to remain at home where she wanted to be. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 13, at 11 a.m. at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA 01060

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Constance M. Kelly

AMHERST, Constance M. (Nelsen) Kelly, 90, died peacefully after a brief illness at the Fisher House in Amherst on January 31, 2013, in the presence of her husband and daughters.

Mrs. Kelly was born on April 2, 1922, to the late Andrew and Minna Nelsen. She is survived by her beloved husband William; four children, Susan, Nancy, William, and Karen; a daughter-in-law Kathleen and son-in-law Randall Sandke; five grandchildren, Robert, Marie, William, and Richard Kelly, and Bix Sandke; a brother, Richard Nelsen, and sister-in-law Doris; and three nieces and one nephew.

A funeral service will be held for Mrs. Kelly at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 N. Pleasant St, North Amherst on Monday, February 4, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Augustine’s Cemetery in Andover. Calling hours are private. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.