In Memoriam: Deceased alumni in Class of '77
The following members of our class have died, according to College records.
In 2017, the Swarthmore Bulletin started printing brief obituaries of alumni. When available, those are reprinted here.
- Helene Abramowitz
A freelance proofreader and medical editor who also attended law school, Helene died June 23, 2017.
Remembered for her sense of humor, Helene volunteered with New York Cares, coaching job seekers through interview preparation, supporting the city's library projects, and securing clothing for impoverished children.
- Roland Ben (6/7/16)
- Cassandra Thompson Benson (reported in Jan 2010 Class Notes)
- Lee Bouton (in 2005; reported in Jun 2007 Class Notes)
- Ann Mitchell Cowie-Bozner (9/24/19)
An engineer and a natural problem solver, Ann died Sept. 24, 2019.
Her life was enriched through her deep love and connection with her children, her time with extended family and friends, her passion for politics and social justice, the community of a long¬standing book club, her time with her companion dogs and cats, and more," reads her obituary. "She was passionate about increasing access to health care, creating a community response to the opioid crisis, and electing progressive candidates to office.
- Melvin Daughtry (7/9/07)
- Greg Gilbert '76 (12/31/14)
- Sarah Maurer Graham
- Randall Grant
- David Johnsen (noted in the April 2008 Bulletin)
- Jon Kaplan (4/6/16)
- Larry Klay (reported by Mary Callahan)
- Stephen Lyon
- Stanley Mills
- Alison Wong Noto '78
A former New York and Philadelphia architect and a Rhode Island garden club president, Alison died Nov. 3, 2018.
Devoted to her daughters, her matchbox husband, Richard Noto '77, and her dogs, Alison had a self-effacing manner that belied how talented, intelligent, strong, funny, and caring she was-which only made her loved ones treasure her more.
- Peter Pompetti
- Michael Rill (4/18/2015)
- Renee Smith Schaffer (reported in July 2011 Class Notes)
- Walter Skallerup '78 (3/17/15)
- Lewis Shuster
Lewis, an influential director of more than a dozen life sciences companies, died Dec. 13, 2018.
"Lew was a tremendously thoughtful and insightful board member," his colleagues at Principia Biopharma Inc. wrote, "but more importantly, he was a kind and generous individual who brought a great deal of passion and energy to our industry and to the pursuit of our mission."
- Katherine Pozorski Styer
- Louis Staton
A gifted writer, singer, dancer, and actor, Louis died Feb. 6, 2018.
Louis worked briefly on and off Broadway, at An Evening Dinner Theatre in Westchester, N.Y., and at Mount Vernon (N.Y.) Fine Arts Cultural Center Open Cage Theatre. His other jobs included working in solar panel sales, and he wrote at least seven musicals and 76 songs.
- Randall Thomas (12/9/15)
- Ruth Ann Diamond Trammel (reported in July 2014 Class Notes)
- George Owen Van Hazinga (9/26/2015)
- Timothy Welch