Edward Nelson

Princeton University mathematician and professor emeritus Edward Nelson, whose contributions to analysis, probability, and mathematical logic advanced all of those subjects and inspired much further research, died September 10, 2014 in Princeton due to complications from lymphoma. He was 82.

Known for his characteristic pipe and use of props during lectures, Nelson is remembered as a patient and courteous intellectual who relentlessly pursued answers to his questions — even if those answers defied convention.

“He was a man full of convictions and a lot of things he did went against the grain of other mathematicians,” said Simon Kochen, a professor emeritus of mathematics who, since coming to Princeton in 1967, was a close friend of Nelson. Although Nelson had an unassuming presence, “you mustn’t mistake that for softness. He had a will of steel,” Kochen said. “He was really courageous. He had a strong conviction and was a strong enough mathematician that he could put his ideas into practice.”

Accomplished in many areas of mathematics, Nelson is especially well known for his successful application of probability to quantum field theory, work for which he received the American Mathematical Society’s (AMS) Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research in 1995. The AMS recognized two papers published in 1966 and 1973, respectively, that “showed for the first time how to use the powerful tools of probability theory to attack the hard analytic questions of constructive quantum field theory,” the award citation said. The latter paper “fired one of the first shots in what became known as the Euclidean revolution,” according to the AMS.

That probabilistic approach had been attempted before, and many mathematicians had written it off as impossible, said Eric Carlen, a professor of mathematics at Rutgers University who studied under Nelson before receiving his PhD from Princeton in 1984. Nelson’s colleague Arthur Wightman, a renowned mathematical physicist and Princeton’s Thomas D. Jones Professor Emeritus, introduced him to the problem.

Nelson was told that the sort of approach he was taking had been tried and failed, but “Ed trusted his intuition over all the experts in the field and he was right,” Carlen said. “To bring forth a really new idea and bring it forth in a polished way requires tremendous effort, concentration, and focus. When he got a new idea he really followed it through to the end. And because of that, his ideas have really gone on to have a life beyond their original application.”

Drawing on his own powerful curiosity, Nelson encouraged his many students to seek new problems and questions that should have been asked, but had been overlooked, Carlen said. Poised at his office blackboard, he worked with young mathematicians to solve new problems instead of leading them down paths he’d already explored, Carlen said. The experience fostered in Carlen and other students (many now prominent in their fields) an ability and confidence to be independent and innovative, he said.

“I don’t think Ed ever gave students thesis problems that he knew how to solve,” Carlen said. “His way of looking at things gave his students such as myself confidence to work on difficult problems. Ed had this way of making these things look very natural. It’s very good as a student because you would go into talk to him and it was almost a Zen-like environment.”

One factor behind Nelson’s pursuit of new ideas was that he was a tireless scholar whose mind was always working, Carlen said, recalling many a late night when the only light on in Princeton’s Fine Hall would be in Nelson’s 12th floor office. When Carlen wrote the citation for Nelson’s 2013 emeritus induction, Nelson wanted him to make sure that “the emeritus notice didn’t imply that he was retiring from mathematics — he was just retiring from teaching calculus,” Carlen said. Nelson was scheduled to teach a junior seminar this semester, titled “Radically Elementary Mathematics.” (Carlen said of Nelson, “One of his favorite words was ‘radical.’ The more radical the better.”)

“Ed loved teaching. He was deeply happy knowing that he had given students the confidence to master rigorous mathematics,” said his wife, Sarah Jones Nelson. “He worked constantly and joyfully in recent years on what he called the ‘human fabrication’ of a completed infinity: the inconsistency of contemporary mathematics. This was his fun and his sustenance.”

Nonconformity also ran within Nelson’s upbringing, Sarah said. His father, Claud Nelson, was a Methodist minister, Rhodes Scholar, and southerner who was an early activist for African American civil rights. “His father encouraged each of his four sons — in the Jim Crow South — to be nonconformists willing to offer a tired African American woman the front seat of a bus,” Sarah said.

Born in Decatur, Georgia, in 1932, Edward Nelson lived in Italy as a child under the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini. He remembered even then questioning a children’s song that proclaimed Mussolini’s infallibility and love for kids. “Ed knew as a 6-year-old in Rome that Mussolini was lying,” Sarah said. “He always said he learned then and there to be a skeptic of any received truth, or authority for authority’s sake.”

Nelson moved with his mother to New York City before World War II and returned to Italy for high school. He attended the University of Chicago, where he studied under the influential mathematician Irving Segal and received his PhD in mathematics in 1955. In 1956, he went to the Institute for Advanced Study as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow. Nelson joined Princeton’s faculty in 1959 and became a full professor in 1964.

Among his honors, Nelson was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1975, the National Academy of Sciences in 1997, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2003.

Besides his wife, Nelson is survived by his son Douglas Nelson, of Denver; his daughter Kathleen Peterson, of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania; his brother John Nelson, of Naples, Florida; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Claud and James Nelson, and by his first wife, Nancy Wong Nelson.

A memorial ceremony will be planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Princeton University Department of Mathematics, c/o Kathleen Applegate, 304 Fine Hall, Washington Rd., Princeton, New Jersey, 08544.

Margaret Lucille Jeffries

Margaret Lucille Jeffries, 95, died on August 31, 2014 at her Assisted Living Facility in Brandon, Fla. after a brief illness.

She was born to the late William V. and Amy E. Murphy on July 27, 1919 in South Bend, Ind. Margaret graduated from J.W. Riley High School in 1937 and soon after completed cosmetology school. Margaret was employed early in her career by Elizabeth Arden, first in Miami Beach and later in Southampton and New York City. While in Miami, she met Naval Officer Edward B. Jeffries and they were married after the war.

After settling in Princeton, she opened her first hairdressing salon on Nassau Street and was sole proprietor. Over the years, she enlarged her business several times before finally opening Artistic Hairdressers at 38-42 Witherspoon Street with a staff of 20 employees, from which she retired after 35 years.

During the 1950s and 1960s, she won many National and International Hairstyling Titles and Awards. She was the only woman to twice win the International Hairstyling and Haircutting Competition. She was a member of the High Fashions Committee of the National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, a group that creates hairstyles for the American public.

Margaret enjoyed travelling, golfing, and dachshunds, but most of all, helping others through charitable work and teaching her craft.

She is predeceased by her husband Edward B. Jeffries and son Dennis E. Jeffries. She is survived by four sons: Christopher M. and wife Micki (deceased) of Palm Desert, Calif.; Mark W. and wife Christine of Clark, N.J.; Brian A. and wife Susan of Largo, Fla.; and Kevin W. and wife Staci of Valrico, Fla. She is survived by her three grandsons Jacob, Cory, and Riley Jeffries.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to LifePath Hospice in her memory.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, N.J., followed by a graveside interment at the Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue in Princeton.

Robert Magnus Sletta

Reverend Robert Magnus Sletta, 86, went home to be with his Lord on September 27, 2014, his 62nd wedding anniversary. Born in Chicago, Ill., he spent 5 years of his childhood in Norway and then returned to the United States. He graduated high school from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy; Fergus Falls, Minn. then received his Bachelor of Arts from Augsburg College, Minneapolis. He went to seminary at Church of the Lutheran Brethren, Fergus Falls, was ordained in 1953, served on the Board of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren and was editor of Faith and Fellowship. He later obtained a Master of Arts in history from California State University. Robert served as a Lutheran Brethren pastor in churches in Wisconsin, Minnesota (2), New Jersey (2), New York, and California. He also served as chaplain for the Norwegian Christian Home in Brooklyn, N.Y. and for the Griggstown Volunteer Fire Department. Following his retirement, he served as Interim Pastor for Griggstown Reformed Church and Windsor Chapel.

He was much loved in every church he served especially with his gift for visitation. He used his beautiful tenor voice in church choirs, traveling quartets, lovely duets with Helen, and as a soloist to bring praise to his Lord. He was a voracious reader and avid golfer, and could always be seen supporting his family and all church events.

He is survived by his beloved wife Helen, brother Arne, and his wife Addie, from Brea, Calif.; son Mark and his wife Lori, daughter Elizabeth, all of Griggstown, and 3 grandsons; John and his wife Hannah of Morgantown Pa; Jesse of Griggstown; and David and his wife Stephanie of East Petersburg, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son John Cameron; parents, Rev. Magnus E. and Sarah Sletta; brother David and sister Gladys.

Visitation will be held at Bunker Hill Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. with a memorial service at 7:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the church at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday followed by interment in Griggstown Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Pastor Sletta’s memory to Bunker Hill Lutheran Church, 235 Bunker Hill Road, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

Arrangements are under the direction of M.J. Murphy Funeral Home in Monmouth Junction.

Anthony M. Pirone

Anthony M. “Shanay” Pirone, 49, of Princeton, died suddenly on Monday, September 22, 2014 at his residence.

A lifelong resident of Princeton, he was a graduate of Princeton High School.

At the time of his death, he had been employed as a landscaper for several years with Bianco Landscaping in Princeton.

Anthony was a former volunteer fireman with Mercer Engine Company No. 3. He was an avid fisherman who loved riding his motorcycle, working in the yard, and animals. An all-around sports enthusiast, Anthony followed NASCAR, NY Mets, Chicago Bears and Bulls and the NJ Devils.

He was predeceased by his father Michael Pirone. Surviving are his mother, Eleanor Pirone, fiancée Cathleen Everk, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was an upbeat person who lived life to its fullest, enjoyed every moment, and always had a smile. For that, Anthony will be greatly missed by all, especially his cat, Boots.

Visiting hours were held on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton. Prayers were offered at 10 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to: Trenton Animal Shelter, 72 Escher Street, Trenton, N.J. 08609 or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104 (www.CHOP.edu).

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

Mary Jane Hill

Mary Jane Hill, 86, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2014 after a long journey dealing with Alzheimer’s. She grew up in Washington state, married Jack Hill in 1949, is survived by 6 children, Margaret Hill-Daniels (Jim) of Chillicothe, Ohio; Laura Hill of Princeton, New Jersey; Patricia Schiphof-Hill (Paul) of Berghem, The Netherlands; Gregory Hill (Vicki), of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania; Gary Hill (Kelly) of Hopewell, New Jersey; and Gordon Hill (Nora) and 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Mary Jane was the “apple of her dad’s eye, a loving wife and a wonderful mom. She raised 6 children. She also had time to be involved in many community programs; the Camp Fire Girls, the Girl Scouts, the Rainbow Girls and the United Way. She was also active in church programs including teaching Sunday School, running the summer Bible school program, starting a clothes closet for those in need, helping with the recycling program and the community garden. Throughout her journey through life Mary Jane loved cooking and started a catering business, had a craft shop, and worked at Saks Fifth Avenue where she became one of the top salespeople.

Mary Jane spent her last years living at Chandler Hall, Newtown, Pennsylvania, where they adopted her into their family. She was surrounded by a wonderful group of Chandler Hall employees who became special, wonderful people who took very good care of her.

A memorial service will be held in Missouri where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. In lieu of flowers, please send her a smile and hug and feel free to make a donation to a charity of your own choosing.

Stephen Alan Traylor

Stephen Alan Traylor died at his home in Lawrenceville on September 26, 2014.

Steve was born to Martha and William Traylor on May 11, 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1964 and went on to earn a BA from Hanover College in 1968 and a JD from Seton Hall University in 1984.

Steve served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1968-1970 and in the Volunteer Service Program of the Mennonite Central Committee in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1970-72.

Steve was a talented and successful attorney who loved every minute of his work — he fought tirelessly to help immigrants from around the world forge a better life for themselves and made many friends along the way. He was one of the first attorneys to be accredited by the U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (now the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) at the federal level and was exceptionally regarded by fellow immigration attorneys and judges alike. Steve frequently appeared before the federal immigration court in Newark, and also regularly met with clients at the federal immigration detention center in Elizabeth, N.J.

Steve retired in September 2014 after more than 30 years practicing immigration law with Traylor & Traylor PC, a Princeton-based law firm founded by his parents.

Steve is survived by his wife of 20 years, Martha, his two younger siblings Kathryn of Paris, France, and David of Rome, Italy, and his three sons, Nathaniel of New Brunswick; Gabriel of New York, N.Y.; and Matthew of Washington, D.C.

All are welcome to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the Princeton Alliance Church in Plainsboro, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (www.laldef.org). Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, located at 2560 Pennington Road in Pennington. Condolences are welcome at www.wilsonapple.com.

Memorial Service

Elizabeth “Lisa” McGraw Webster, a philanthropist and renowned supporter of American figure skaters, was born on June 11, 1926. She died on Saturday, June 28, 2014. A memorial service will be held at the Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street in Princeton, on October 11, 2014. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: the Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation, Post Office box 627, Princeton, N.J. 08542-0627, or The Skaters’ Fund, 202 Park Knoll, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

Memorial Service

Caroline (Becky) Cluett Houston’s memorial service will be held on October 11, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Church in Princeton.

Memorial Open House

A Memorial Open House for Virginia Taylor, (whose obituary appeared in the Town Topics Newspaper on September 3), will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2014 from noon to 3 p.m. at the University Club of St. Paul, located at 420 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, MN 55102. Food and beverages will be provided.