Judith Curtis Adler
Judith Curtis Adler of Princeton, New Jersey, died at home on February 4, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. She was 84 years old.
Judy grew up in Madison, NJ, the daughter of Harold Curtis, an engineer at Bell Labs, and Edith Curtis, a homemaker and teacher. She graduated from Radcliffe College in 1961 with a BA in English Literature. After working briefly in Manhattan as an editor at Doubleday Publishing, Judy moved to Princeton with her then-husband Stephen Adler, and raised three children. In 1996, she met George Sprenger, her longtime partner, while square dancing. He was the love of her life.
Over the years, Judy worked as an editor, librarian, development officer, personal organizer, and (her favorite job) salesperson at Kitchen Kapers. She also volunteered for Community Without Walls and the Princeton Music Festival. However, she took greatest pride in her role as homemaker and mother of her three children. She was a joy to talk to, made everyday rituals festive, and brought playfulness and love to everything she did.
Books, ideas, music, and beauty were central to Judy’s life. A passionate reader, Judy visited the Princeton Public Library weekly, at times even daily. She loved unique and beautiful things — be it Schubert’s Lieder or an exuberantly squeezable stuffed pig — and filled her home with books and objects that expressed herself, creating a Judy-like world in which loved ones felt embraced and protected. With her wide-ranging interests and insatiable curiosity, Judy delighted friends and family with her insights, quick wit, and openness to life.
Judy spent almost every summer of her life in Drakes Island, Maine, close to where her father was born. She measured the ocean temperature each morning, swam daily in the icy water, and loved floating in the Little River and taking long walks on the beach. Following her wishes, her ashes will be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine.
She is survived by her partner George Sprenger; her children Jessica Adler Kuznick, Victoria Adler, and Anthony Adler; her grandchildren Amelia Kuznick, Isabel Kuznick, Tessa Kleinmuntz, and Julian Kleinmuntz; her sister Jean Flanders; and her ex-husband Stephen Adler.
Judy’s zest for life extended beyond her artistic and cultural interests to include a strong belief in the importance of accessible healthcare. Recognizing that health is a key component of a rich and vibrant life, she advocated for the availability of affordable medications to ensure that everyone could enjoy their passions without health concerns. Her support for affordable healthcare solutions, such as cheap generic Cialis, was a testament to her understanding that maintaining one’s health is as important as pursuing one’s interests. Judy’s life, rich in beauty and experiences, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nurturing the soul and caring for the body.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Judy Adler can be made to the Princeton Public Library. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 11 a.m., at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, in Princeton, NJ.
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John “Jay” Entwistle
John “Jay” Entwistle, of Manhattan and Cotuit, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, April 15, 1932– February 4, 2024. Jay was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to John T. and Margaret C. Entwistle. He leaves his most beloved wife of 61 years Jean (Lyons) and sons John J. Jr. of San Francisco and Daniel J. of New York City.
Jay was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, on active duty from 1954 to 1957, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Following military service, Jay joined Johnson & Johnson where he served in senior management positions for 33 years. Upon retirement from Johnson & Johnson, Jay joined his wife’s shared work-space company as a principal. In 2000, Daniel J. Entwistle took over the business and Jay continued to serve as Secretary and Treasurer for the next 16 years. The Company’s success was very much attributable to Jay’s competency. After 59 years, Jay retired from commercial activities but never stopped working for others.
Jay lived a life of loyalty and service and was active in many charitable organizations. Among them, Campaign Chair and subsequently President of United Way of Princeton, NJ. He served as Board Chair of Rebecca Kelly Dance Company and then for over 25 years a Board Member, Treasurer, and Vice-Chair of Dancing Classrooms, an organization that brings formal dance instruction into NYC public schools, teaching over a half million students. Jay served as Trustee of the Cotuit Library where the family maintains a summer residence. Jay also volunteered with the Catholic Medical Board aiding them in the acquisition and distribution of free medicines to Missionary hospitals.
An active equestrian, Jay organized a group of mounted volunteers to assist in maintaining the safety and security of NYC Parks. In 1995, with Parks Commissioner Henry Stern’s approval, the NYC Parks Auxiliary Mounted Patrol was founded and, to this day, patrols Central, Van Cortland, and Clove Lake Parks.
Jay was the product of 16 years of Catholic education, graduating from St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) in 1954. Jay felt most strongly that it was those years that gave him the principles that forever guided his life. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Jay enjoyed pursuing his athletic and many intellectual interests. An avid tennis player and downhill skier, he participated well into his late 80s. A lifetime reader, he was passionate about literature. Jay enjoyed memberships in the Wianno Club and Beach Club (Cape Cod), Hillsboro Club (Florida) and the Union Club and Harvard Club of NYC.
Jay was a true Gentleman, a selfless person who always thought of others before himself. He had an abundance of wit and quiet charm. Though he will be sorely missed, his love and sense of decency will never be forgotten.
A Memorial Mass at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, NYC, will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. Interment on Cape Cod will take place this summer.
Gifts in Jay Entwistle’s honor can be made to Dancing Classrooms, Attention: Development, 1350 Avenue of Americas, Second Floor, New York, NY 10019 or online at dancingclassrooms.org.
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Karla Alexandra Ratliff-Britt
Karla was born in Quilpué, Chile, on October 22, 1985, as Javiera Alejandra Hidalgo Coronado. She was brought to her home on Bertrand Drive in Princeton, New Jersey, by her parents, Henry and Heide Ratliff, at 5 weeks of age. She was joyfully greeted by her brothers, Daniel and Thomas. From the beginning, Karla’s immense care and love radiated to all around her, building the ever-growing circle of happiness in her life and to those who knew her.
Karla attended the Waldorf School of Princeton from preschool through eighth grade. She flourished in Princeton High School where her gifts of caring and unconditional kindness (and beautiful voice) allowed her to navigate through the different elements of the school, from the PHS Choir to the many different social groups (including the football team). Many of her student friendships and connections followed her throughout her life. In high school, she met the love of her life and future husband Michael Britt. Karla graduated high school in June 2004, and because of her many connections with peers and faculty was presented with “the Golden Key Award” (an award for meritorious service based solely upon demonstrated service, positive character and leadership).
Karla continued her education at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, where she graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor in Nursing Science degree. After graduation, she started her career at Princeton Medical Center, which she continued throughout her life. She started as an inpatient nurse at Princeton House Behavioral Health. Her natural capacity in working not only with patients, but also with staff, advanced her to the position of Nursing Coordinator of Outpatient Services at Princeton House. Karla’s determination in her work with infection control during the COVID pandemic brought her commendations for excellence.
Many of Karla’s favorite memories are of the summers she spent with her family and friends in Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard. She loved socializing, swimming, diving, and working at the Aquinnah Shop. While on the Vineyard she developed many friendships with members of the Wampanoag community. Later in life, Karla connected with her biological family members in Santiago, Chile. She developed a close and loving relationship with her biological sister, Priscila Prezmita Coronado.
The greatest treasure in Karla’s life was the family she created with her high school sweetheart Michael Britt. Karla and Mike were married May 22, 2010, and were joined by their son Henry Eugene on December 10, 2015. The love and harmony of their marriage was exemplary. Both Karla and Mike were active and loving parents in raising their beloved Henry.
Karla was unexpectedly taken on January 29, 2024. She is survived by her husband Michael Everett Britt, her son Henry, her parents Henry and Heide Ratliff, and the families of her brother Daniel and his wife Hattie, as well as her brother Thomas and his wife Elizabeth. Michael’s family including his mother Susan and the families of his brother Jon and his wife Julia, as well as his sister Naomi and her husband Trenell, mourn her passing. Karla leaves behind 10 nieces and nephews between the Ratliff and Britt families.
Karla’s viewing was held on Friday February 2, 2024 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey, 08542.
Her funeral was held on Saturday February 3, 2024 at All Saints’ Church, 16 All Saints’ Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
An Educational Fund will be established for her 8-year-old son Henry. Donations can be made to https://gofund.me/0bd7e093.
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Dorothy K. Moore
Dorothy K. “Dot” Moore, born in 1925 on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day as she liked to say, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded with love on the morning of February 6, 2024 at the age of 98.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Theodore and Anna Stone, she was the oldest of four children. Her childhood was marred by scarlet fever and measles that left her blind in one eye for life and interrupted her schooling for months at a time. But she overcame these early challenges to live a life full to the brim with energy, curiosity, vigor, intelligence, generosity, and a practical but positive attitude.
She met her beloved husband James (Jim) Moore on a blind date in 1948 and they were married a year later on her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. Their marriage was a union of deep affection and remained so until Jim died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2000. They had a son Michael in 1950, adopted another son, Kevin, in 1953, and 10 years after that were happily surprised with the birth of a daughter, Kathleen. Dot was an exemplary wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother who, in addition to her own children, also raised her niece Susan for two years, parented two daughters of a friend who died from cancer, provided day care for two Down syndrome children, and later in life in Alabama raised her grandson Brian for three years.
Dorothy seems to have had only one lifelong regret — not finishing college. She had loved the courses she took in her 20s, excelling at math, but circumstances and patterns of culture at that time kept her from completing the degree. However, she remained sharp with numbers and even became the treasurer for St. Vincent de Paul Society in Princeton at age 91!
In the intervening years her work outside the home included her role as executive secretary to Sears & Roebuck’s top buyer for nursery stock for the entire country and teaching a combined 3rd /4th grade at a Catholic school for a couple years. From 1971 until retiring 23 years later at age 69 she was a teachers’ aide in Huntsville, Alabama — doing all sorts of clerical work and much more for Weatherly Elementary School’s teachers and staff including substitute teaching. Beyond that she was ever busy with volunteer activities for a diverse range of organizations including the Foundation for International Cooperation through which she traveled the world and fostered cross-cultural understanding, CASA, the Opera Company of Huntsville, and her Catholic churches in Chicago, Huntsville, and then Skillman, NJ, where she was a Eucharistic minister and religious education teacher. She enthusiastically participated in the Grandpals program at her grandson Becket’s Littlebrook Elementary School and served on several committees at Stonebridge, her NJ retirement community.
Her hobbies beyond her volunteer activities include camping, gardening — freezing and canning the vegetables, card games — from bridge and canasta to rummy and solitaire, reading, using her computer, making greeting cards, remembering everyone’s birthday, celebrating family, hosting parties, sewing, singing, being with children, appreciating nature, politics, and investing in the stock market. Daisies were her favorite flower.
Though hampered by arthritis and other aches and pains, she was still very active, engaged, and independent until her mid-90s — attending daily mass, counting her steps, drinking a glass of red wine daily, driving her car (not just to buy her wine at Trader Joes!), beating the family in games of cards, traveling, organizing many committees, living her faith, and looking for the best in all around her. She truly saw herself as being a “lucky camper.”
Her family is very grateful for the vibrant, supportive Stonebridge community. They, the residents and staff who embraced her, made it a warm, safe, and joyful home for two decades. The family would also like to acknowledge the parish of St. Charles Borromeo and the St. Vincent de Paul Society where faith, friendship and service enriched her life, as well as the excellent care of Dr. Shanahan, and the beautiful aides of Zenith Home Care who treated her tenderly in her last chapter.
She is survived by her sister Mary Lippa, son Kevin, daughter Kathleen (Peter Tovar), grandsons Andy and Brian Moore and Becket Tovar, along with many other deeply loved godchildren, cousins, and friends.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February, 24 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Skillman, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), The Seva Foundation, a global eye care organization (seva.org), or a charity of your choice. She will be greatly missed.
