Conrad A. Plimpton
Conrad A. Plimpton, Deal Maker and Business Builder with a Passion for Science, Dies at 82.
Conrad Austin Plimpton, 82 (born August 26, 1943), of Princeton, New Jersey, and Tucson, Arizona, passed away on April 19 at Tucson Medical Center Hospice, Peppi’s House, from pneumonia and related health complications.
Conrad led a remarkable life characterized by enthusiasm, deep commitment to loved ones, and an enduring spirit of adventure. He will be deeply missed by many. His vibrant energy, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to family and friends left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
Conrad is survived by the center and love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Grace Ann; his sons, David (Stacy), Conrad II “Steve” (Rebecca), and Michael; and his daughter, Sarah Liebowitz (Marc). He is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his younger brother Jonathan (Anne), and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Joanna Plimpton, and two of his sons, John and Peter.
In recent years, Conrad was most active as an angel investor in projects that inspired him and as a donor to organizations that reflected his values, most notably MSDx, Flourishing Arizona, and the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, where he served as founder and trustee.
Prior to his “retirement”— though he never truly retired — Conrad’s career focused on investing, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a particular appreciation for applied science, life sciences, and technology.
Conrad earned his AB from Harvard College, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a Master of Astrophysics from the University of Chicago.
He began his career at McKinsey & Company, focusing on technology investments, and later worked as an investment banker at Kuhn Loeb & Co. In 1975, he founded Plimpton & Company, dedicated to buying and building businesses, with a strong emphasis on supporting people and entrepreneurs.
Over the course of his career, Conrad invested in, owned, and chaired the boards of numerous businesses, including Exide Electronics, which he grew in the 1990s from $50 million in revenue to $600 million, primarily through new product innovation. The company was ultimately sold to Eaton.
In 1981, he led the buyout of Inolex, where he served as Chairman and CEO until 2013. Today, Inolex is an ingredient design firm serving the health, beauty, and wellness industries and remains an independent, multigenerational family investment. Conrad was also instrumental in the acquisition of Troy Corporation, a company focused on safe preservation technologies, in 1983, and remained a long-term investor and director until its eventual sale to Arxada. In 2018, he co-founded Sustainable Botanicals International, focused on traceable, sustainable natural ingredients for the beauty industry.
Conrad was a well-known and widely respected figure in the cosmetics industry. He will be remembered for traveling tens of millions of miles to meet people, attending conferences and trade shows, and consistently building relationships across the global personal care community.
In his free time, Conrad was an active member of the Rotary Club of Tucson, participated in the Physical Sciences committees at the University of Chicago, and was involved with the Tucson Jewish Community Center. He previously served as a Trustee of the Center of Theological Inquiry and as a member of Harvard University’s Major Gifts Committee.
Conrad was also a member and elder of Winnetka Presbyterian Church in Illinois, the Church of the Holy Comforter in Kenilworth, IL, and later a longtime member of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ, as well as St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson, AZ.
A memorial service will be announced later.
Donations in his honor may be made to: Child Health Institute of New Jersey, 89 French Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 or Misericordia Home, 6300 North Ridge, Chicago, IL 60660.
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Jacqueline A. Poncin
Jacqueline A. Poncin, 87, of Princeton, died on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro. Née Jacqueline Guye in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, France, she immigrated permanently to the United States in 1969 at the age of 31.
Jacqueline was a lifelong teacher in both France and the U.S. She retired after many years of service as a beloved language teacher at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton. She was a survivor of breast cancer for many years. She studied the sciences at the University of Lyon and earned a Master’s in French Literature from Rutgers University. Jacqueline cared about her students, treating each with acceptance and respect regardless of ability. She maintained new and lifelong friendships for more than 80 years, here and in France. Her essence was one of kindness, humor, love, and chocolate (and ice cream).
Daughter of the late Maurice and Marie-Louse (Valenti-Botta) Guye, she is survived by her husband of 65 years, her “chou”, Bernard A. Poncin. She is also survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Yann Poncin and Jin Ju Lee; her daughter and son-in-law, Karyn and Thomas McGrory; her older brother, Jean-Pierre Guye; and her sister, Anne-Marie Pellecuier. She had a great interest in the lives of her five grandchildren, Jana, Shemuel, Forrest, Emilie, and Sarah.
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Brenda J. Smith
Brenda J. Smith (Weigand), longtime resident of Wilmington, DE and most recently of Princeton, NJ, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with friends and family by her side. Brenda was born in Easton, PA on August 16, 1949.
Her biological mother was Doris Leggio. Brenda was raised by her father Howard Weigand and her adopted mother Arvilla Weigand. She graduated from Deiruff High School and shortly thereafter had her first and only child, Dean Smith. Brenda’s life was characterized by hard work, wonderful friendships and dedication to family. Immediately after High School Brenda began a work life where she made a mark wherever she was employed. From her early days with Gilboy Motors and her first career as a keypunch operator with the Department of Agriculture and Franklin Mint, she always impressed her colleagues. At the Franklin Mint she was noticed by Kathy Jones, a director, who ultimately became one of her dearest friends of more than 50 years. She was promoted into what would become a decades long career as a Sourcing Director for the Franklin Mint and later Lennox. Brenda always had a side gig to support her love of clothes, and shoes. She worked at the Shoetique and Kitchen Kapers while holding down her day job! In her “retirement” she continued working as an Office Manager for a homeopath and Dental Office, both located in Hopewell, NJ. Her last place of work at Trader Joe’s in Princeton brought Brenda joy until her very last days. While it was good hard work that defined Brenda, it was her relationships with friends and family that filled her up. Behind the wheel of her car she would motor to breakfasts, lunches and dinners here, there, and everywhere, meeting the friends and family she loved. In between events on her social calendar and work, Brenda shopped for her ever-expanding wardrobe and popped in for her “little treats” at many local favorites.
In the last fifteen years of her life Brenda was so happy to have moved in next door to Dean, Felix, and her daughter-in-law Joanne. It was there that the relationship with her son grew into something special. And her grandson Felix became the center of her heart and life. Brenda took in her new life in Princeton with gusto and was always up for anything, whether it was wild avant-garde music, indescribable ethnic foods, or zany cultural events. She always wanted to be part of her son’s life in Princeton, and she was, all the while making a lasting impression on his friends and her neighbors in the Princeton community with her pleasant, kind demeanor and caring heart.
Brenda is predeceased by her brother Jerry Weigand. She is survived by her brothers Michael Weigand (Cathy), Dale Weigand (Melissa), Carmen Leggio (Cheryl), James Leggio (Mandy), and James Wood (Jean); her sisters June King (George Smith) and Robin Zeller (Dennis); her son Dean Smith (Joanne Farrugia) and her grandson Felix Farrugia. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved cats Tiny, Pumpkin, and Jersey Boy.
There will be a Celebration of Brenda’s life on Tuesday, May 19th, at 11a.m. It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Los Angeles Innocence Project or the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.