Janelle Connevey Morris

Janelle Connevey Morris of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2020 at the age of 93. She is reunited for eternity with her beloved husband of 72 years, Mac Glenn Morris, and their beloved daughter Patricia Morris Harris, who preceded her mother in death exactly one year earlier.

Janelle was born in Breckenridge, Texas, on August 19, 1926 to John Lawrence Connevey, an oil company superintendent, and Virginia Nell Connevey, née Sutton, and had two sisters, Maxine and Madge. Janelle was raised in Tuleta, Texas, a suburb of Beeville, by her father and stepmother, Mary Alice (Mamie) Connevey, née Underwood, surrounded by love and laughter, and enjoyed many travels with Maxine by her side to New Mexico and Colorado.

Janelle met her husband Mac, a Marine bomber pilot, when he was assigned to Chase Field Naval Air Station in Beeville shortly after returning from service in the Pacific during World War II. They were married at her home in Tuleta on July 27, 1946 before moving to Princeton, New Jersey, in 1947, where they raised their four children. Their life together was marked by an immense love for one another, enjoyment of every moment spent with their children and grandchildren, a wonderful circle of friends, and annual road trips out West.

Many happy days were enjoyed by the Morris family and their treasured friends at Clearbrook Farm in Princeton, where Janelle and Mac raised their family. They purchased Clearbrook Farm, originally the country home of Moses Taylor Pyne, in 1962 and Janelle found great joy in making the house a home by renovating, painting, and wallpapering it herself. Janelle’s hospitality knew no bounds and Clearbrook Farm quickly became synonymous with a place of celebration and joy, hosting church gatherings, large Thanksgiving dinners for family and friends, plays that Janelle wrote, and Davidson reunions for hundreds of alumni. Janelle opened her home and her heart to all, treating strangers as friends and friends as family, always cooking for a big crowd, entertaining guests around the piano, and creating traditions at Clearbrook that have been carried on for generations.

Janelle was known for her contagious laughter and sense of humor, her unconditional kindness and warmth, her Texas pride, and her heartfelt love of music. As a natural creative, she enjoyed staying up all night sewing clothes, curtains, and outfits for her grandchildren. She had a deep knowledge and admiration of Southwest Native American jewelry and developed lifelong friendships with local artists. This later inspired her career as a buyer, sharing their craft with the Princeton community. She found beauty in everything — in the people she met, the clouds in the sky, the flowers in her garden, and through music and verse. She laughed easily and often, mainly at herself. She valued her faith and was a proud deacon of the Nassau Presbyterian Church. Most of all, Janelle loved her hero, Mac Morris, and their marriage was a love story that continues to inspire all who were lucky enough to know them.

Janelle Morris is survived by her son Steve Morris of Cleveland, Ohio, daughter Janelle Thibau and husband Eric of Potomac, Maryland, son John Morris and wife Suzy of Princeton, New Jersey, and son-in-law Ed Harris, Pat’s loving husband, of Perkasie, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her 13 adoring grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Janelle’s name to Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ.

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Carol A. Weiss
Cherished mom, grandma, and sister

Carol A. (Johnson) Weiss, 76, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2020 after a courageous seven-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Carol was raised in Florham Park, NJ, and graduated from Hanover Park High School. She graduated from Trenton State College with a degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career as a third-grade teacher at Mt. Way School in Morris Plains, NJ. She continued her teaching career as a permanent substitute for the Parsippany-Troy Hills school district. She raised her family in Parsippany, NJ, for 25 years and was very active in the community, including serving as President of the Troy Hills School PTA, President of the Parsippany Council of PTAs, and initiating/organizing the Parsippany-Troy Hills school district-wide fingerprinting program for elementary school students. After moving to Skillman, NJ, in 1995, Carol remained active in the community as a Drumthwacket docent for 22 years and mentor for Princeton University postdoctoral international students. She was very involved at Trinity Church in Princeton, serving as reception desk volunteer, One Table Cafe waitress, and rummage sale volunteer.

The pride and joy of Carol’s life were her children and grandchildren. She was their biggest supporter and cheerleader! She especially enjoyed all of the wonderful vacations they all took together over the years.

Carol was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Ed, and her parents Theodore and Eleanor. She is survived by her children Kim (Ron) Payne, Ed (Trish) Weiss III; grandchildren Ryan, Kevin, Rees, Landon, Riley, and Griffin. She is also survived by her sister, Gloria Knight.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Carol can be made to Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Carol’s family would like to thank her “sister” friends, neighbors, and caregivers Ginny Scala and Joanne Prospero for all of their love and support. They would also like to thank Dr. Konner, Dr. Jewell and the entire Memorial Sloan Kettering team for their excellent care during Carol’s seven-year cancer battle.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ.

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Jane Gregg Schowalter

Jane Gregg Schowalter passed away in Princeton on May 14, 2020, from complications associated with dementia.

Jane lived in Princeton for nearly 50 years, with a 15-year interval in Champaign, IL, between 1989 and 2003.

Jane was born on April 6, 1929, in Milwaukee, WI, to Scranton and Violet (Durand) Gregg. She graduated from Whitefish Bay High School near Milwaukee and received a BS degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. While living in Madison she met her future husband, William Schowalter. They were married in 1953.

In 1957 the couple moved to Princeton and shortly thereafter had the first of their three children, all of whom were born in what was then known as Princeton Hospital.

When their children were young Jane became involved in community volunteer activities. They centered on the schools her children were attending and ranged from room mother to committee and officer positions at parent-teacher organizations for Nassau St., John Witherspoon, and Johnson Park Schools. She was also active as a volunteer to the Princeton YWCA, serving as a member of the board. She was Chair of the Pearl Bates Scholarship Fund and of the Princeton Youth Tennis Foundation.

As the children grew older, Jane’s volunteer interests shifted to the field of healthcare, primarily through the Auxiliary of The Medical Center at Princeton. In that era the Medical Center’s primary fundraising effort was an annual community event known as the Princeton Hospital Fête. She had increasingly large responsibilities for the Fête, ultimately serving as co-chair in 1976. A lasting contribution to Princeton healthcare was her conception and realization of a Patient Support Program, along with her membership on the Board of Trustees of The Princeton Medical Center. Jane’s work at the Medical Center provided an opportunity for her to interface with the Family Service Organization of Princeton, of which she was a member of the executive committee.

Because of her husband’s affiliation with Princeton University Jane also contributed her talents to University-related activities. Most notable of these are services as vice president of the University League and as a member of the Auxiliary to the Isabella McCosh Infirmary of Princeton University.

Jane’s deep involvement in the Princeton community was recognized in 1986 when she was chosen to receive the Gerard B. Lambert Award, a recognition presented annually by the United Way for community service.

The next phase of Jane’s contributions to healthcare began in 1989 when her husband accepted a position at the University of Illinois and they moved to Champaign, Illinois. Soon after their arrival she was hired as a teaching associate in the University’s Department of Community Health. This led to Jane taking students on hospital visits to learn what it is like to be a patient in a hospital. She essentially transplanted her Princeton patient support experience into the consciousness of students, many of whom would become nurses or medical doctors and spend their careers caring for people in hospitals.

In 2003 Jane and her husband returned to Princeton. She reconnected with Princeton friends and made many new ones, joining The Present Day Club and re-joining the Auxiliary of the McCosh Infirmary.

Beyond Princeton, Jane’s favorite place to be was her vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard. That is where summers were filled with the presence of children and young grandchildren, and off-season time was savored by Jane and her husband alone.

A description of Jane’s life would not be complete without mention of her warmth and natural affinity for people. She thrived on personal interactions and was equally engaging whether hosting functions in her home for Princeton or Illinois faculty members, undergraduate engineering students, or the co-founder and CEO of Sony.

In addition to her husband Jane is survived by her three children, Katherine Schowalter (and Richard) Lesch of Scarsdale, NY, Mary Raser of Rancho Santa Fe, CA (whose husband Jeffrey predeceased Jane), David (and Beckley) Schowalter of Holden, MA, and eight grandchildren, Stephen, Elizabeth, Charles and Jack Raser; Jackson, Clara and Dylan Lesch; and Timothy Schowalter.

Donations in memory of Jane can be made online at https://allerton.illinois.edu/donate-to-allerton/ or by check made out to Allerton Park/University of Illinois Foundation and mailed to Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Road, Attn: Ms. Jan Gill, Monticello, IL 61856. In either case the gift should be specified for restoration of the room of Jane’s uncle, John Gregg Allerton.

A private burial service will be held at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton. A celebration of Jane’s life will be scheduled at a future date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ.

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Mark William Durand

A longtime resident of Skillman and Princeton, NJ, Mark William Durand, age 60, died March 19, 2020 at his home.

Mark was born in 1959 in Camden, NJ, to parents William and Dorothy (Drummond) Durand (both deceased), and was raised in Somerdale, NJ. He graduated from Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, NJ, and received a BS in Zoology from Duke University, an MS in Biological Sciences from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

He joined Bristol Myers after graduating from business school and was involved in many key transactions, including the merger with Squibb Corporation. He was a highly accomplished executive in the pharmaceutical industry for almost three decades, with leadership roles in several companies. He also believed in giving back to his community and volunteered at several nonprofits.

Mark had a great sense of humor and loved spending time with family and friends. He doted on his daughter and encouraged and supported her in all her endeavors. He was a passionate and talented tennis player and would play at any opportunity. An avid basketball fan, he never missed an opportunity to watch the Duke Blue Devils. He loved animals, including his two dogs, and spent many hours walking them in Princeton, NJ, and surrounding parks. He had an exceptionally keen wit and could always be counted on to pen a witty limerick, poem, or doggerel for any occasion. Mark could always be counted on to support family, friends, and colleagues, and he will be remembered for his wonderful smile, the twinkle in his eye, and his humanity and kindness. He will be dearly missed.

Mark is survived by his beloved daughter Serina Durand, his former wife, Gianna Sabella, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Because of coronavirus restrictions, a memorial service may be planned for a later date.

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Judith Ceccoli Colnaghi

Judith Ceccoli Colnaghi died after multiple medical challenges on May 9, 2020 at Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro, NJ. She lived in Princeton, NJ, for many years but also lived in Ewing, NJ, and San Diego, CA. Ms. Colnaghi was born on April 6, 1942 in Scranton, PA, to Louis and Anita Bartoli Ceccoli.

She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Louis E. Ceccoli. She is survived by her nephew Louis G. Ceccoli and her sister-in-law Carol Ann Ceccoli both of Peckville, PA, and very dedicated friends.

Judith grew up in Olyphant, PA, graduating with honors from Olyphant High School. She received her BS degree in psychology from Penn State University, State College, PA, and a MA degree in public administration from Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ.

Judith was a devoted, generous, and loving daughter, sister, and aunt and a loyal and caring friend who will be deeply missed. Even with a major medical challenge during her entire adult life, Judith was an accomplished, independent, self-sufficient, and resourceful woman. She had a well-respected career as a management consultant with over 25 years in State government for the Departments of Labor, Human Services, and Treasury. She was a member of the local chapter of Mensa and the Nassau Club of Princeton. She was active in both AGA (Association of Government Accountants) and ASPA (American Society of Public Administrators).

She traveled extensively through the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Mexico and loved to winter in San Miguel de Allende. Through her travels she studied languages and architecture and collected paintings and artifacts that were displayed in her home. She was an insatiable reader, consummate intellectual, researcher of “the best,” exuberant about life, an avant-garde interior decorator, and creator of a beautiful ambiance. She added elegance and color to everything she touched, enjoyed Sunday football, and loved beagles. Judith was an avid contract and duplicate bridge player and played at local clubs in Princeton and West Windsor regularly. She was instrumental in teaching and encouraging some of her friends to play as well.

The educational inequities of Native American Indian youth have been Judith’s lifelong concern. To that end she created as her legacy “The Judith Ceccoli Endowed Navajo Graduate Scholarship Fund” to support Navajo students at the University of New Mexico enrolled in the School of Medicine and School of Law who have demonstrated a commitment to assist their community after graduation. You may support Judith’s vision by sending a contribution in her memory in care of The Judith Ceccoli Endowed Navajo Graduate Scholarship Fund to The University of New Mexico Foundation, 700 Lomas Blvd NE, Two Woodward Center, Albuquerque,  NM  87102 or through the secure website: www.unmfund.org/fund/ceccoli-scholarship-fund/.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton, website: www.matherhodge.com. A memorial remembrance will be held at a later date.

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Denise Hodgins Call
October 27, 1942 – May 10, 2020

Denise Hodgins Call passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 10th, at her home in Princeton, New Jersey. Denise lived her life to the fullest as a mother to four, grandmother to 13, loving wife, friend, and renowned artist.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Denise was the daughter of Catherine Costello Hodgins and James Hodgins. She graduated from West Catholic Girls’ High School and Cabrini College in Philadelphia. Denise continued her studies doing post graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania. Her love of books and writing led her to become an English teacher at Marylawn of the Oranges Academy in South Orange, NJ.

Denise’s impeccable memory and voracious reading habits landed her a spot on the show Jeopardy! In 1994, Denise married Steve Call, whom she loved dearly. Steve and Denise traveled the world together and threw fabulous dinner parties, sharing their love of gourmet food and wine with their many friends.

After retiring from a career at Exxon in aviation fuel sales, Denise enrolled in duCret School of Art, where she began her next career as an artist. Denise painted all over the world, but created the majority of her masterpieces from her home in Bayse, VA, where she skied and played golf with her many grandchildren.

In her final years, Denise sailed the Queen Mary with her granddaughter Morgan and could often be found at the Museum of Natural History, the Met, or Alice’s Tea Cup in New York City with her granddaughter Reagan. She was an avid fan of her grandchildren’s athletics and could be spotted at many lacrosse games and rowing regattas. Denise was a member of the Nassau Club, Springdale Country Club, and a friend of the Institute for Advanced Studies.

Denise will be missed by many and is survived by her husband Steve, her children Caitlyn Parker (Steve), Mairin Kuligowski (Jeff), Edward Gilhooly III (Sheryl), and Bevin Walsh (Tim), and her 13 grandchildren.

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Diana S. Deane

Diana passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, April 25th. She had lived in Pennington, NJ, for many years prior to her retirement from the Glenmede Trust Company. Diana was born on October 7, 1953 in New York City to Betty and Everett Deane, Sr. She grew up in Sunnyside Queens and spent many long weekends in Terryville, Long Island, at the family’s country home.

Diana attended Garden School growing up and went on to Mount Holyoke College. Upon graduation, Diana later received a Master’s in Business from Harvard University and her Law Degree from Duke University. Diana honed her considerable skills by first joining private law practices which included two very prestigious firms, Shanley & Fisher and Drinker, Biddle & Reath. She completed her career concentrating on wealth and estate planning at New Jersey National Bank and Glenmede. She retired from Glenmede in 2008.

Diana loved the Arts and gave generously of her time to support local charitable causes. She was an active fundraiser for her alma mater — Mount Holyoke College. At the time of her death, Diana was the president of the Mary G. Roebling Foundation and the Roebling Musical Scholar Fund. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by a brother (Everett, Jr.), sister (Kathleen), and nieces Lisa Lynch (Ryan) and Kelsey Tardiff along with a grandniece (Chloe) and grandnephew (Benjamin). Diana’s beloved Golden Retriever, Wilson, has already been adopted.

Diana enjoyed a large circle of friends in the tri-state area who will miss her indomitable spirit. Due to the COVID-19 virus, funeral and memorial services are pending. Diana had requested to be interred near her parents at the Moravian Cemetery on Staten Island. Anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory should make it to Mount Holyoke College through their website mountholyoke.edu and then to Giving to MHC.

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Barry Edward Kaftanic

Barry Edward Kaftanic, formerly of Princeton, NJ, died suddenly on April 27, 2020 at Park Place Center in Monmouth Junction, NJ. He was 67 years old.

Barry grew up in Metuchen, NJ. He attended RCA Institute in Cherry Hill, NJ, and worked in the computer industry in New Jersey and then California. He moved back to Princeton when his worsening Multiple Sclerosis made it too difficult for him to live on his own.

Born November 25, 1952, Barry was the son of the late Harriet and Edward Kaftanic of Princeton, NJ. He is survived by his daughter, Amber DePasquale and her husband Ed, of Cherry Hill, NJ; his son, Justin Kaftanic and his fiancée Elizabeth Aitkin, of Cherry Hill, NJ; his sister, Linda Meuse and her husband John, of Princeton, NJ; three grandchildren, Olyvia, Edward, and Kathryn; and former wives, Toni Carter of Cherry Hill, NJ and Laurie Kaftanic of Monterey, CA.

Burial at the Princeton Cemetery was private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.