Obituaries 4/4/12
William F. Alston
William “Bill” Alston, 96, passed away peacefully on March 15 at his residence in the Carolina Meadows Health Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was a former resident of Princeton, and a well respected and popular biology teacher at Princeton High School for 33 years.
He was raised in Pitman, N.J. and graduated from Maryville College and North Carolina State University with degrees in botany and biology. He gained valuable field study experience in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, where he would later be employed for over 40 summers as a Ranger Naturalist.
He married Mildred “Milly” Keith in 1947 after serving four years in Europe with the Navy Medical Corp. They moved to Princeton in 1949, where they raised two children, Bill and Patty. He served as a deacon and usher in the First Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed socializing with his neighbors and many friends in the community. He particularly cherished his trips to upstate New York and California to visit and spend time with his grandchildren.
In 1991, they moved to Carolina Meadows Retirement Community where they enjoyed a variety of activities and many family visits. He never tired of his daily walks and talks with residents and employees, and will be remembered by all for his friendliness and sense of humor. His Smoky Mountain folklore and bear stories were renowned, and always entertaining.
With his beloved wife’s passing in 2009, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Margaret Alston of Petersburgh, N.Y.; daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Stan Elijah of Stockton, Calif.; four grandchildren, Chris, Justin, Jennifer, and Jeff; and three great-grandchildren, Lily Grace, Emma Claire, and Colt.
A memorial service was held on March 21 at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill with Dr. Robert Dunham presiding.
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Patricia M. Murray
Patricia M. Murray died peacefully on February 21, 2012 after becoming ill while visiting family in St. Louis, Mo.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa. on March 17, 1926, she was a lifelong resident of New Jersey. She was a graduate of Camden Catholic High School and worked as a Secretary at RCA in Camden, N.J. and later for many years at Princeton University. She and her late husband, John, were married for 59 years.
Patricia was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, and friend. She was a talented interior decorator, a super cook, and a fun hostess who was dearly loved by all who knew her. She had a very close friendship with all of her nephews and nieces and spent many happy times with them.
She is survived by her sisters, Eileen Fabian of Durham, N.C. and Mary Lou Pandorf of St. Louis, Mo.
A Memorial Mass was celebrated in St. Louis, Mo. On March 17.
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Gertrude Kaplan
Gertrude Kaplan, 90, died peacefully at the Pavilions at Forrestal Assisted Living in Princeton on March 16, 2012.
Burial was at Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y. on March 18, 2012.
Gertrude Kaplan was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to immigrant parents, Rebecca and Joseph Cohen. Gert met Alexander Kaplan at a dance in Manhattan and they were married. Alex had a successful manufacturing business in Brooklyn, N.Y with his six brothers. Gert and Al moved to Queens where they raised three children, Michael, Stephen, and Mary. Stephen attended Princeton University, Mary teaches on the piano faculty at Westminster Conservatory in Princeton, and Michael had a real estate business in Bernardsville, N.J.
Gertrude was a folk dance expert and taught classes in Coram, N.Y., Florida, and Monroe Township, N.J. where she lived until 2010. Gert enjoyed golfing and the outdoors. Al and Gert loved art and cultural activities. Gert attended lectures at The New School and the Ethical Culture Society.
Gertrude is survived by her son, Michael Kaplan and his wife Karen; and her daughter, Mary Greenberg and her son-in-law Kenneth. Gert has five grandsons, Nathaniel and Stephen Greenberg, and Alexander, Max, and James Kaplan. Gert will always be remembered for her bright personality, positive energy, and sense of humor. Her lively spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
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Marianlouise Turner
Marianlouise Turner, 89, of Princeton, died Monday, April 2, 2012 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Chicago, Ill., she was a longtime resident of Princeton. Marianlouise was a board member of the Princeton Public Library, a member of the Princeton Day Club, and a volunteer for over 50 years in many local, community, and political activities.
Daughter of the late Norman B. and Emma (Jones) Thomson, and wife of the late Orren Jack Turner; she is survived by her son, Jay Turner and his wife Linda of Morganton, N.C.; her daughter, Blair Turner of Washington Crossing, Pa.; her grandson, Aaron Turner and Elly of Toronto, Ontario; a great-grandson, Miles Jack Turner; her brother, Dr. Norman B. Thomson Jr.; and a sister, Emily Wasiolek.
Funeral services are private.
As Marianlouise was a 42-year breast cancer survivor, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made in her memory to Susan G. Komen for the Cure by calling (877) 465-6636.
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Jacqueline O. Fuschini
Jacqueline Owens Fuschini of Ewing, passed away March 25, 2012 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-New Brunswick in the presence of her loving family.
“Jackie” was born and raised in Princeton where she retired from Princeton University after 30 years of service. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Princeton.
Daughter of the late Margaret and Henry Owens, sister of the late Annette, Edward, Henry Jr., and Sherwood; she is survived by her husband of 55 years, Michael Sr.; daughter, Jo Ann Geter (Todd); son Michael Jr. (Maria); sisters, Barbara Owens and Lois Moscoe (Jeff); six beautiful grandchildren, Jazmin, Jaime, Jason, Sydney, Nicolas, and Luca; a great-grandson, Sidney Christopher; extended family, Maria, Chuck, Brad, and Katie Hector. “Aunt Jackie” enjoyed many wonderful nieces and nephews as well. Other survivors include her loving cousin Joyce Young, very special friends Doris Levine, Daphne Williams, Florence and John Broadway, and former brother-in-law Don Williams Sr.
A memorial service is planned for a later date and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Princeton, John St. and Paul Robeson Place, Princeton, N.J. 08540.