Fleur Elizabeth Varney Chandler
(1933-2025)
Fleur Elizabeth Varney Chandler, aged 92, passed away peacefully at Pennswood Village, in Newtown, PA, where she and her husband of 70 years, Dr. James John (“Jay”) Chandler, lived since 2016, following 50 years as residents of Princeton, NJ.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Fleur moved with her family several times so her father could pursue his Army career, but upon his retirement after WWII, they settled in Rocky River, Ohio. It was there, in her hometown high school, that Fleur caught the eye of a handsome upperclassman, Jay Chandler, who became the love of her life. Their seven decades-long love story was a partnership marked by mutual respect, an enduring affection for each other, a commitment to give back to their discovery of new places and cultures.
aShe is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Dr. James John (Jay) Chandler, who resides at Pennswood Village in Newtown, PA; her daughter, Jennifer Chandler Hauge (Potomac Falls, VA) and treasured grandchildren, Camden Chandler Hauge of (New York, NY) [Lucas Sin] and Michael Lansdowne Hauge (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia); her younger brothers, Dr. James (Jim) Varney [Ruth], also of Princeton, NJ, and Tom Varney [Linda Martin] of Hilliard, Ohio; as well as her sons-in-law, Stephen B. Hauge (Morristown, NJ) and Steven N. Berk (Potomac Falls, VA). As an extra bonus, Fleur was lovingly “adopted” by two wonderful “bonus” children and their families, Emily Bakemeier (Guilford, CT) and Dylan Hogarty (Princeton, NJ and New York, NY).
A Celebration of Life will be held at All Saints Church, 16 All Saints Road, Princeton at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fleur’s memory to the Fleur Varney Chandler ’55 Endowed Scholarship at Mount Holyoke College; to Pennswood Village, Newtown, PA; or to Younity (formerly Womanspace), in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
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Michael J. Capek
May 26, 1939-October 18, 2025
The world lost a singular presence with the passing of Mike Capek on October 18, 2025 in New York City at age 86, with Barbara Lindheim, his adoring wife of 33 years by his side.
Mike dove into his many interests with passion and competence — teaching, distance running, Emily Dickinson, reading, the Grateful Dead, Wallace Stevens, human consciousness, squash, James Joyce, William Shakespeare, literary criticism, the English language, hiking the national parks, and walking the vibrant streets of New York City and byways of New Jersey’s beautiful Hopewell Valley.
A proud product of River Forest near Chicago and a Jesuit education at Marquette University, Mike completed his doctorate in English and linguistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A coveted assistant professorship in the English department at Princeton University brought Mike East and he never looked back. Eventually finding academic life constricting, Mike moved on to university and foundation fundraising, first working in the development office at Princeton and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation before returning to Princeton as head of foundation relations. A development position at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences provided Mike the opportunity to live in Greenwich Village and become a true New Yorker, running the Marathon in the early 1980s while reveling in the city’s diversity and energy.
Never one to follow the expected path, in the mid-1980s Mike pivoted to a position as a sales associate on the fabled first floor at Brooks Brothers. Half-jokingly describing this as his “best job ever,” Mike reveled in selling the beautifully made wares to his many regular clients, who included Fortune 500 CEOs. But missing his true calling of teaching, in his early 50s Mike reinvented himself as an executive writing coach and then as a full-time clinical professor of management communication at the NYU Stern School of Business, and for more than a decade as a visiting professor internationally, most notably at Copenhagen Business School. A gifted and unconventional teacher, Mike was named professor of the year at Stern and was beloved by generations of students for his engaged and powerful approach that went far beyond the standard curriculum. He brought the same focus and energy to his many close and diverse friendships.
In the late 1990s, Mike and Barbara (a graduate of Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School) acquired a pied-a-terre in Hopewell and from then on spent most weekends enjoying the history and natural beauty of this unique area, hiking the Sourland Mountains and Washington Crossing State Park.
As a lifelong athlete and fitness buff, Mike’s massive stroke in 2014 was a shock to all. Despite the resulting physical limitations, with his usual grit and determination Mike continued to participate fully in life for almost a decade until advanced Parkinson’s took its toll.
In addition to Barbara, Mike is survived by his sons Charles and Edward and daughters-in-law Kate and Molly, and by former spouse Mary Ellen Capek. Donations in Mike’s memory can be made to Wisconsin’s English Department at secure.
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John Bassett Moore Frederick
John Bassett Moore Frederick was one of twins born 25 January 1930 in New York City to Karl Telford Frederick, a prominent lawyer and winner of three gold medals for shooting in the 1922 Antwerp Olympics, and Anne Ferguson Moore, an artist who had studied at the Beaux-Arts de Paris and daughter of the first American judge on the World Court at The Hague. John’s twin, Karl, died young of pneumonia but the family expanded with his two sisters, Helen and Lisa. John attended the Buckley School in Manhattan, the Rye Country Day School, and Deerfield Academy, and graduated from Princeton University in 1951. After three years at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, he was ordained deacon and then priest in the Episcopal Church, serving as a curate at St Peter’s, Cheshire, Connecticut, and chaplain at Cheshire Academy. In 1948 he was fifth place in the national tryouts for the U.S. Olympic slow-fire pistol team and attended the London Olympics as a reserve.
In 1952, John served as a Winant Volunteer in the east end London borough of Poplar, returning as their chaplain in 1956. After two years as assistant priest at All Hallows-by-the-Tower under vicar Tubby Clayton, founder of Toc H, John became a curate at SS Philip and James’, Oxford. Married in 1960 to English widow Jean Norman Procter, a painter, the couple came to this country where he served as rector of St John’s Church, New Haven, for 10 years. In 1970, John and his family moved to Edgbaston, Birmingham, U.K., where he earned a Ph.D. in theology at Birmingham University. Simultaneously he served as priest-in-charge of an underprivileged parish, St Paul’s, Balsall Heath, successfully enough working with the English and West Indian parishioners that the bishop, who had planned to close the church down, decided to retain it. In 1974 Emmanuel College, Cambridge appointed him Rector of Bletchingley, Surrey, and he later became Rural Dean of Godstone. He also served as chaplain to the High Sheriff of Surrey and had to preach to a congregation of judges and schoolchildren on the same occasion. While there, he wrote a book on liturgy which was considered “ahead of its time” (he was also a strong advocate for the ordination of women) plus two works on the lineage of British land forces, of which he became a recognized authority.
Retiring to Princeton in 1995 (his stepdaughter Susan and daughters Alexandra and Sarah had all settled in America), he continued his vocation as a priest associate of All Saints’ Church. John pursued his passion for history, becoming Governor of the New Jersey Society of Colonial Wars. Interested in many subjects, he wrote an historical novel based on a forebear from Elizabethtown who had held the king’s commission throughout the Revolutionary War. John’s beloved wife Jean died in 2017 but he continued to live in Princeton until his death on 29 October 2025.
John is survived by his daughters, Susan Perin (Reuben Jr.), Alexandra Frederick, and Sarah Borner du Cane (Paul); step-grandchildren Serena Perin Vinton and Reuben Lyman Perin III and families; grandsons Thomas and Henry Borner du Cane; niece Wendy Parker; niece Judith Burchell and family; nephew Marcus Beaven and family; cousin Deirdre Forman; and countless friends and colleagues in several continents.
John lived a life dedicated to learning and education, pastoral care and contributions to society. His curiosity and loving nature will be sorely missed. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Church, Princeton at 4 p.m. on Saturday 15 November. Donations to Trinity Church and Heifer International gratefully received.
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Barbara Thomas
Barbara Thomas passed peacefully on November 3, 2025 after a battle with cancer. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, to Leota and Robert Thomas, Barbara studied chemistry at Miami University of Ohio where she met her husband, Tom. She went on to earn her PhD from Cornell University in Inorganic Chemistry. She then began her career at Colgate Palmolive where she worked for 38 years in their technology team, where she pushed for sustainable and safe personal care products.
Tom and Barbara moved to Princeton in 1998 where they raised their two kids, Sarah and Kyle. Barbara was an active member of the Princeton community and enjoyed sharing her love of science at annual Riverside Science Days. She cared deeply for the environment, participating in many local trail cleanups and supporting the creation of a public trail in the Riverside neighborhood. She was also proud of her garden and her annual tomato harvest.
Barbara was a lifelong Girl Scout. She led local Girl Scout Troop 71830 and has spent over two decades supporting women and girls in the Princeton area. She guided her troop to complete the highest awards in scouting and has since continued to volunteer with Princeton Girl Scouts. Barbara particularly enjoyed overseeing Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards where she helped young women develop leadership skills while supporting communities across New Jersey.
Barbara and her husband were also fond birders and enjoyed walks along the canal, Mountain Lakes Preserve, and around her neighborhood. The pair spent many summers birdwatching in Cape May. Barbara was devoted to her family and took particular pride in her children.
Barbara will be remembered for her curiosity, generosity, and passion, which she brought with her to all that she did for her family and the community.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 35 years, Tom Golobish, and her children, Sarah and Kyle Golobish.
Donations can be made in Barbara’s memory to the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate Barbara’s life on November 15 at 10 a.m. in Channing Hall of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ 08540). All are welcome.
Extend condolences and share remembrances at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.
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Roger S. Marcus
Roger S. Marcus, 80, died peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, November 4 with his daughters by his bedside.
Born in New York City, he was a resident of the greater Trenton area. Roger was a graduate of The Lawrenceville School and Boston University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business.
Roger was the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of American Biltrite. He was previously the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Congoleum Corporation from 1993 to 2012.
He enjoyed traveling, playing golf, and spending fun times with family and friends. Roger was a lifelong supporter of Greenwood House, which was named for his beloved parents Robert and Natalie Marcus. He was also a devoted supporter of Wounded Warriors and The Jewish Federation.
Most recently Roger received a lifetime achievement award by the Floor Covering Industry Foundation for his tireless work supporting flooring industry workers battling catastrophic illnesses.
Roger is predeceased by his parents Robert and Natalie Marcus. He is survived by his daughters Elissa Marcus Massimo and Julie Marcus and his brother Richard Marcus. He was the devoted grandfather to Miah Downs and Ava Massimo.
Funeral services are private. Donations in Roger’s memory can be made to Greenwood House, Wounded Warriors, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Arrangements by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel.