David B. H. Denoon
David B. H. Denoon, emeritus professor of Politics at New York University, passed away peacefully at his Pennsylvania home on May 23, 2026.
David was born on April 12, 1945, in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up as a Quaker, he attended Buckingham Friends School and George School. He received a BA from Harvard, an MPA from Princeton, and a PhD from MIT. He was prominent in the fields of U.S. Foreign Policy, Asian Political Economy, and Strategic Security. He served in the Federal Government as a USAID Program Economist in Indonesia, as a Vice President of the US Export-Import Bank, and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
David was best known for his research on the rise of China as a global power and founding the Center on US-China Relations at NYU. Through the Center, he organized multiple annual discussion panels on economic interaction and policy issues, with the goal of seeking pragmatic solutions. Throughout his career, he authored or edited 12 books and wrote many articles. As a teacher, he challenged students to think and debate with a focus on facts while viewing issues from diverse viewpoints. He had a strong interest in solving real world problems and was an active member of numerous organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Foreign Policy Association, and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.
In contrast to the urban setting of his academic activities, David spent his personal life in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He lived on a tree farm where he was extremely attentive to land preservation and management. He particularly enjoyed all the activities involved in taking care of the farm, which included working with his tractors, mowing large fields of grass, and the constant need to remove poison ivy. A public spirit, David supported land conservation and a wide range of educational and historical projects in his local community.
David is survived by his wife, Gloria, a son, Derek, and a brother, Ashby. He was a wonderful husband, father, and brother, always encouraging his family to find activities that interest them and to be positive contributors to society. With his inspiration, Gloria has become an origami artist and is now exploring other media including graphite and watercolor. Derek is a senior at Penn State doing research on active matter simulation and is involved in the club cross country team and in Penn State’s THON, a student-led charity supporting childhood cancer treatment. Ashby is enjoying his time at Pennswood Village and has completed a phonetic dictionary for English.
A memorial service will be held on July 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Wrightstown Friends Meeting. 535 Durham Road, Newtown, PA 18940. The event will also be livestreamed at: tinyurl.com/mssp4j4s. Zoom Meeting ID: 990 5847 4302; Passcode: 780272.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901. For assistance, contact Sara Potts, development officer, (215) 340-9800 ext. 161.
Verlee “Dee” Harris
Verlee “Dee” Harris, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, coach, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 17, one day before her 70th birthday. After a year-long battle with cancer, Dee lived her final days with the same determination, grace, humor, and warmth that defined her entire life. On the day before her passing, her grandchildren gathered around to paint her nails and sing happy birthday — a simple, joyful moment that perfectly captured the love that surrounded her until the very end.
Verlee Margaret Harris was born on May 18, 1956 to Barton Aldis Harris and Lois Furcht Harris on a U.S. Army base in Germany. Dee spent her early childhood in Huntington, Long Island. In 6th grade she moved to Princeton, New Jersey, and graduated from Princeton High School and then Arizona State University where she studied English. It was at Princeton High where she formed the great friendships that were a constant throughout her life.
After high school, Dee met Grayson “Gray” Ferrante through a mutual friend and both worked at the Rusty Scupper in Princeton, and the two fell in love almost immediately. They were married on June 16, 1984 at the Quaker Meeting House in Princeton, beginning a remarkable marriage grounded in devotion, partnership, and unwavering love. Together they built a beautiful life in Princeton Junction, where they raised their two sons, Adam and Nick, and later welcomed their five grandchildren.
Summers spent on Wanaksink Lake in the Catskills (Rock Hill, New York) where her parents had met as teenagers became some of her happiest memories. The lake remained her sanctuary throughout her life and would always feel like home. In 2011 she and Gray were overjoyed to win the bid on the cabin her great grandparents had built when her mother was a toddler. Her brother Jim was instrumental in that triumph. He and Carolyn and their three children were central to the social life on the lake that so enriched the last 15 years of her life.
Dee had many interests. She found tremendous fulfillment in her work nurturing and teaching children. She brought patience and kindness into every classroom she entered, leaving a lasting impact on countless students over the years. She had a gift for making others feel seen, capable, and loved — qualities that extended naturally into every part of her life. Her coaching of teachers involved in diversity training was a particular source of pride to her. And just for the pure joy of it, Dee reignited her high school era love of singing and enjoyed weekly practices and performing with Westminster Community Chorus and LOTUS Chorale for the last 15 years.
Nothing, however, brought Dee greater joy than being “Grammie” to her five grandchildren, Elizabeth Verlee, Josephine Jean, George Grayson, Annalise Caitlyn, and Julian Thomas. She celebrated every milestone, every school event, every story, and every moment she could spend with them. They all know her as a source of endless love, chocolate chip cookies, practical advice, contagious laughter, and comforting hugs.
Dee remained deeply connected to her dear high school friends throughout her life. Whether gathered at the lake in Rock Hill or traveling together on various getaways over the decades, those friendships were a treasured part of her world and a testament to the loyalty and love she gave so freely.
She will be remembered for her radiant smile, unmistakable laugh, wisdom, generosity, and the extraordinary relationship she shared with Gray — a love story that inspired everyone fortunate enough to witness it.
Dee is survived by her devoted husband, Grayson Ferrante; her sons, Adam (Kelly) and Nick (Kim); her five adored grandchildren; her brothers Buck (Fran), Nate (April), Cal (Lori) and Jim (Carolyn); 12 nephews; 15 nieces; and countless friends and extended family members who will miss her deeply.
Viewing will be at the Mather Hodge Funeral Home on Monday, June 8 from 5-8 p.m. Services will be on June 9 from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, New Jersey, where Dee was assistant teacher for many years. Reception following.
A Wanaksink Lake celebration will be at the clubhouse pavilion on Sunday, June 21 from 1-3 p.m. The Princeton and Rock Hill events will be updated on the Mather-Hodge site (matherhodge.com) too. After cremation, Dee will be laid to rest beside her mother Lois near the beloved Wanaksink Lake in Rock Hill, New York — the place that always held her heart.