Class Notes

Legacy Society Member Debbie Ohler Bowman ’66 shares why she has included MFS in her estate plans.

I wanted to contribute to the life of Moorestown Friends School because MFS made such a positive contribution in my life. I am also grateful to our parents who provided the experience for me and my sister because they believed in the Friends philosophy, values, faith and education. I’d like to share a bit of what the MFS experience has meant in my life. First though, I’ll define what I mean by the MFS experience because I think it’s different for each of us, and this is just what it has meant to me.

The MFS experience encompassed the Quaker values that, to me, lead to a balanced, full and meaningful life. They were embodied in compassionate, thoughtful and challenging teaching and lived by the people involved. These Friends/friends walked their talk. Most powerful of all, for me though, was the open, honest discussions or as we now say conversations - meaningful ones about important life issues fostering decision-making skills. All of us were equal and could contribute our thoughts. As one friend said about Friends schools, “They taught you to think,” so true for me. We also learned from our mistakes, weren’t humiliated by them and didn’t fear them. For those of you at MFS in the sixties (Go class of ’66!), some examples of the activities at MFS included the Religious Life Committee assemblies on Monday and the relaxed assemblies on Fridays and work camp to clubs and teams, dances, class plays and many essay tests. (I think it was so emblematic that there were multiple teams. I remember hockey teams, from the First team all the way to the Sixth team, to enable everyone who wanted to play to do so.) There was something else, though, and it is the intangible spirit of the School, more than atmosphere. I attribute that spirit to the recognition of the Inner Light in all who went there. There was fun, joy and balance in growing up with MFS for me. Oh, and tough moments and disappointments from which to learn.

So how did I apply what I experienced? I have to admit that I absorbed the experiences and didn’t realize that I had until freshman year in college. I was walking across a grassy lawn at Sweet Briar on a Thursday and I was suddenly startled by the realization that I missed (longed for) Meeting (when we were at MFS it was on Thursdays). But I didn’t really ponder that feeling then. Though I guess I incubated all I had gained, and I know I referred to my Quaker school experiences and the faith in action that I had seen. During my sophomore year my roommate asked, “Why don’t you major in what you’re really most interested in?” It was Religion so I changed my major from Psychology to Religion. I believe both fields served me well in my work as a school psychologist and special education supervisor through some challenging, difficult times when special education was implemented in public schools. They have helped me subsequently in my volunteer work.

The MFS experience has been my core, and I finally began to realize that after I had lost both parents (within a year and a half of each other). I was 25 years old at the time, and I believe I had little personal insight at that point, and that was when I relied on the core automatically. I grew more reflective with help and became so much more aware of the influence of the experience. As I grew personally through missteps and fortunate ones, the Friends mercy and direction steadied me and helped me continue through the rest of my life.

Watching MFS continue to grow, talking with development staff over the years, meeting with our Head of School virtually, reading about the wonderful students, outstanding graduates and wanting others to benefit from MFS, I knew I wanted to give a financial bequest. In some small way I want to help the school to continue to flourish.

Debbie Ohler Bowman ’66

To learn how you can include MFS in your estate plans, visit https://mfriends.plannedgiving.org/ or contact Steve Zakroff, Director of Development at szakroff@mfriends.org

1964 1967

Pete and Bonnie Greenfield Reagan.

During the pandemic, Rochelle (Shelly) Towers has been going back and forth between Cherry Hill and Ocean City. “A year making all our travel plans and socializing impossible! Not good for our mental health.” She is grateful for her three sons and daughters-in-law, and for the seven grandchildren that they have, ranging from ages 9 to 20. This April, she and her husband will have been married 59 years.

1961

Karen Sieg Barton reports that she has become more active in retirement than she expected to be! On September 23, she was elected to the Lower Merion (PA) Township Human Relations Commission for a three-year term. This joins her work as Coordinator of the Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition, and board membership in the Bryn Mawr Business Association. She is also a member of the Bryn Mawr Civic Association, the Philadelphia Area AntiDrone Network, and has been an active participant for many years in the Campus Community Dialogue Group, which works to smooth the relationship between Villanova University and the surrounding community. All these activities complement what she refers to as her “insane exercise program,” involving walking six miles a day, and lifting weights three days a week. She admits to looking forward to slowing down sometime.

1963

(p. 36) Class representative Butch Chase hosted a virtual reunion for members of the Class of 1963 on January 30. Thanks to the more than 20 members of the class who participated.

1964

Pete Reagan wrote to us about his wife Bonnie Greenfield Reagan making Janet Sawyer Thomas and husband John celebrated Janet’s retirement with a cruise, pre-pandemic.

her debut as a composer, since, he says, Bonnie was too modest to write. Seven years ago, early in her retirement from medical practice, Bonnie helped to found BRAVO Youth Orchestras in North Portland, OR, a music education program dedicated to community involvement and social change. It has grown to serve upwards of 800 underprivileged students in kindergarten through high school. She became so inspired by the young musicians that she decided to begin the study of violin herself, and is progressing, despite arthritic fingers. Her teacher encouraged her to also learn some music theory, which has led her to try her hand at composing. Her short composition, “Ionian Meadow,” was premiered by BRAVO students online this past December to rave reviews!

1970 1986

Larry Hinds is administering the COVID-19 vaccine in Hawaii.

1966

Debbie Ohler Bowman p. 37

1967

Percy Ransome p. 43

Janet Sawyer Thomas was lucky enough to squeeze in a cruise celebrating her retirement last year, before COVID-19 restricted travel. Her new pandemic hobby has been taking up gardening at home in Moorestown, with which she is enjoying moderate success.

1970

Janet Hinds Pilvalis ‘71 shared a photo of her brother Larry Hinds, who has retired from the Southern Sarasota, FL Fire Department. He maintains his paramedic license and is part of emergency response teams. Currently, he lives in Oahu, HI where he is administering up to 1000 vaccinations per day.

1974

After her retirement last June, Lora Urbanelli and husband Bill moved back to New England. They are again in the Providence, RI area and she is consulting for a search firm, recruiting museum At his retirement ceremony in July 2020 following 30 years of active Federal service, Colonel G. Shawn Wells (center) is pictured with Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges (former US Army Europe Commander) and Shawn’s daughter, Katie Wells.

directors and staff. She shares, “It’s been a tough year for everyone, nonprofits and cultural organizations included. Stay well, friends.”

1983

1976

Lisa Bobbie Schreiber Hughes was able to complete her last overseas assignment for the Department of State (an inspection of the Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania) before the pandemic spread worldwide. She reports that she and her dog Voxie, and cats have been dividing their time between SportingArt Farm, the Jersey Shore, and DC.

1978

Stuart Fisher, senior psychologist with The World Bank, reports that his father, retired physician George R. Fisher III of Haddonfield, aged 95, has just published a book, Philadelphia Revelations: Twenty Tours of the Delaware Valley. The book is a companion piece to his blog, “Philadelphia Reflections.” (Dr. Fisher’s other alum children are George ’69, Miriam ’70, and Margaret Fischer ’75.) In September, Sheryl Huggins Salomon was promoted to Chief Communications Officer for the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, from Director of Communications.

1980

Mary Jo Coll has moved. “After 21 years in Center City on the tenth floor with amazing news, made the move to the ‘burbs, Glen Mills, PA, to a 55+ community. Fifty-five plus… yes, that’s us, hard to

Michael Carter ’91 Releases Second Book The Mission Corporation

Michael Carter ’91 , founder and CEO of BizEquity, a financial technology company, recently published his second book, The Mission Corporation. Co-written with his friend Michael Moe, founder and CEO of GSV Holdings, the book has been endorsed by business leaders including the CEOs of Starbucks and Nike and the publisher of Forbes.

Carter and Moe were motivated to write the book because they felt that the capitalism that is prevalent today was not the “capitalism that we grew up with.” The authors think that modern capitalism has lost its moral bearings. Available through Amazon, The Mission Corporation is a call for corporations to follow “seven declarations” which would make capitalism more equitable. They hope to start a movement with what they term “The Mission Corps,” and, according to Carter, “...get a million business to be created this way, and help to change the world one entrepreneur at a time! What the Peace Corps did for service, we want to do for business.”

Carter has founded and successfully sold five startups, including BizEquity, which is now owned by a subsidiary of Advance Media. In addition to his continuing role there, he is an angel investor through his St. Michael’s Ventures.

Reflecting on his time at Moorestown Friends, what has stayed with him most, rather than a particular course or a single teacher, were the dynamics of his small class. Carter shared “...my time at MFS taught me that there can be common ground that you can build on even among those that were completely different from you. We were blessed (the Class of 1991) to grow up at a time when social media did not exist and conversations and differences could not simply be ‘cancelled’ but had to be listened to and talked out and absorbed. We had a diverse group of 49 students from different races, creeds, social-economic- and even political backgrounds or traditions. America was built on our differences and on one big idea really, that there was God in everyone.”

Carter’s first book How Much is Your Business Worth? was co-written with Daniel Priestly. An alumnus of St. Joseph’s University (B.S. and M.S. from the Haub School of Business), Carter and his family live in Haverford, PA.

Michael and Meredith Carter, with their children Harrison William and Catherine Rose

believe! Enjoying the extra space, the grass, and the new community with John (together five years) and my dog Titus. And loving the garage! Still working as a hospice nurse. When we’re not unpacking, the three of us enjoy our North Wildwood condo purchased in January 2020. Lots of changes in 2020, all good, and feeling very blessed and grateful.”

1981

Susie Harrison wrote to send her regards to all alumni, especially to those from the classes of 1980 and 1981. She reports that she is still teaching high school art in Louisville, KY, and is married to “a dear man” named Paul Reid.

1983

Sheryl Huggins Salomon p. 39

1986

(p. 39) G. Shawn Wells retired from the United States Army as a Colonel, at a gala ceremony at The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, VA, on July 17. At the event, he received the Legion of Merit with the bronze oak leaf cluster and a flag that was flown over the Pentagon in his honor. He began his career in the military at Fort Bragg, NC, as an armor officer in July

Linsey Davis ’95 Named ABC World News Tonight Weekend Anchor

Linsey Davis ’95 was named the Sunday anchor of World News Tonight and began in her new role in February. ABC News President James Goldston was effusive in his praise in a statement:

“Linsey has had an impressive rise at ABC News as a result of her unflinching interview prowess, her versatility and experience. Last year she was named anchor of ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast in primetime, which has surged in viewership by over 200% since launch a year ago. Her presidential debate moderating performance was nothing short of commanding, holding candidates to account on racial inequality before social unrest swept the nation last summer. Linsey co-anchored our 2020 election coverage, including all eight nights of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, two presidential debates, the vice presidential debate, five straight days of presidential election coverage until a winner was declared and Inauguration Day. Her interviews have included a wide range of newsmakers from Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Camille Cosby and a powerful jailhouse conversation with Myon Burrell. She conducted the first roundtable discussion with Black female mayors from across the country during the height of protests against police brutality and anchored the documentary Homegrown Hate: The War Among Us – a chilling look into hate-inspired violence and intimidation, and the growth of domestic terrorism. She’ll continue to anchor ABC News Live Prime Monday through Thursday, and we’ll rotate anchors on Friday nights.”

Linsey joined ABC News as a New York-based correspondent for ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate news service. Before joining the network in June 2007, Davis was anchor of the weekend evening newscasts at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis. There, she started out as a reporter in 2003 and reported from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, from Torino for the 2006 Winter Olympics and from Athens for the 2004 Summer Olympics. From 2001-2003, she was a reporter at WJRT-TV, the ABC owned station in Flint, Michigan. Davis has received several honors for her reporting, including two Emmy Awards and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award.

Her children’s book, The World is Awake, became a bestseller in February 2019; in August 2019, Davis released her second book, One Big Heart, which also became a bestseller. Davis’ third book, Stay This Way Forever, was released in February 2021. Active at MFS as a member of student government, the Instrumental Ensemble and the Varsity Tennis team, Linsey was also chosen by her classmates as their Commencement speaker. She has stayed involved with MFS through keynoting Career Day, participating in the Head’s Advisory Board, holding a book signing at the school, and helping host MFS journalism students during a 2019 visit to New York.

Davis earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in communications from New York University.

1990. He has served in several overseas assignments, including Germany, Italy, and Korea, as well as operational deployments in East Timor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and received numerous decorations including the Bronze Star. He has also participated in several national events, including Operation Noble Eagle, the US-Canadian joint homeland security mobilization following the events of 9/11. He was looking forward to enjoying some time off before going back to work within the National Capital Region.

1988

Dana Calvo writes that “Due to COVID-19, this marks the longest stretch of my life that I have not been back East from my home in Los Angeles. As I write this, it’s been ten months since I have seen my parents or sister, Lisa Calvo Haas

Tiffany Taylor Jenkins ’97 Featured in New Book on Those Impacted By Racism in the Work Place

Tiffany Taylor Jenkins ’97 is featured in the new book Shut Em Down: Black Women, Racism and Corporate America by Dr. Corey Yazeed, the stories of 20 women experiencing racism in the workplace. Tiffany is the founder and CEO of Awakening Change Counseling Service, LLC, located in Cherry Hill. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years and is in the process of completing the requirements to complete a doctorate in organizational leadership. Tiffany has shared that she is “proud to have been chosen as a contributing expert for an anthology on Black Women and Racism in corporate America. The anthology reached #1 on Amazon with just pre-sales. The anthology shares stories from 20 workplace trauma survivors and advice from three experts (all Black women) in an effort to facilitate conversation around this difficult topic. I am super excited to add this publication to my list of accomplishments in the midst of such a difficult year.” Signed copies can be obtained through Tiffany’s website: www.awakeningchange.org

1989

1996

Donna Basilicato St. Germain, with her husband Brian St. Germain, and their son Jack. ’84. Sending care and health to the MFS community from the West Coast.”

We also heard from Heather Guthrie Martin in Portland, OR: “Living in the Pacific Northwest for the last 16 years we already appreciated our access to outdoor recreation, but that became even more valuable during COVID. My family, including my two sons, are doing well and enjoying proximity to my brother’s family in Seattle (David Guthrie ’86).” Jimmy Stanley reports that after a tenyear hiatus from flying, he took a position as an airline pilot for Horizon Air, the regional airline of Alaska Air Group, based in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. This past summer he was upgraded to airline captain and once again has enjoyed work as an aircraft commander and mentor to up-and-coming airline pilot first officers. He has enjoyed occasional get-togethers with MFS classmate and fellow Portland resident Kacy Kozloff and her family. Ariadne Moore welcomed baby girl Bellamie Ann to their family.

1989

In December, Donna Basilicato St. Germain achieved an M.B.A. with a minor in marketing from Drexel University. Her career has been focused on leading corporate communications for multinational companies. She lives in Downingtown, PA, with her husband Brian, ten-year-old son Jack, two dogs, and two cats.

1998 1998

Edwin Darlow and Tracy Ransome Darlow with daughter Starla.

At the wedding of Tracy Ransome and Edwin Darlow in August 2019 in Kauai, HI were: Tracy’s father Percy Ransome ’67, Grace Ransome, Tracy’s mother Marie Ransome, Tracy, Edwin, Mason Ransome, Fran Ransome, and Eric Ransome.

1991

Michael Carter p. 40

1995

Linsey Davis p. 41

1996

Ariadne Moore, in South Charleston, WV, welcomed baby girl Bellamie Ann into the fold in August, joining big brothers Philip, Jonathan, Maxwell, Nikolai, and Aleksei.

1997

Tiffany Taylor Jenkins p. 42

1998

Tracy Ransome Darlow and her husband Edwin Darlow were thrilled to welcome their daughter Starla Ransome Darlow into the world on the island of Waiheke in New Zealand on September 12. Still making their home in New Zealand, the Darlow family hopes to return to the U.S. when the COVID situation gets better. Tracy and Edwin were married on the Hawaiian island of Kauai on August 24, 2019.

1999

In November, Matt Riggins was named Chair of the Burlington County Bridge Commission, succeeding State Senator Troy Singleton who stepped down in October. Matt had been serving as Vice Chairman. In his new role, Matt will lead the three-member board which oversees the agency responsible for the operations of the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol toll bridges over the Delaware River, as well as several smaller bridges in the county and within the Palmyra Cove Nature Park. The Commission also serves as Burlington County’s improvement authority and oversees regional planning and economic development for the county, including the small business loan programs such as the recently launched Health Emergency Loan Program (HELP) for businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Matt lives in Moorestown and is CFO and Executive Vice President of Riggins Oil.

2003

Ella and Kingston Hall, children of Kareem and Erika Richardson Hall.

2003 2007

Lindsay Michaelson Kelemen and Dylan Kelemen, with their children Warren and Neve.

Although they had to postpone their big celebration to 2021, Emily Hummel and Ryan Murray got married in a small backyard ceremony in Media, PA this summer. Alums joining them via Zoom included Emily’s sister Lisa Hummel ’05, who lives in California, and Emily’s classmates Rebecca Cope, Kathleen Osborne, and Rosie Reilly.

2007

2007 2010 & 2012

Emma Bradfield Hurt, daughter of Katherine Hoelz Hurt, arrived in late December.

2008

Claire Kaiser McLean and Sterling McLean welcomed baby boy Caden Kaiser McLean on December 5, 2020. They live in St. Petersburg, FL. Joe Wittman and Lauren Joffe were married on October 10.

2003

(p. 43) Erika Richardson Hall and her husband are happy to announce the birth of their son Kingston Alexander Hall on November 8. Their daughter Ella is now three. The Halls live in Decatur, GA.

(p. 44) Classmates Dylan Kelemen and Lindsay Michaelson Kelemen and their son Warren welcomed a new member of the family, daughter Neve Audrey Kelemen, on October 20. They live in Washington, DC.

2006

Noelle’s Light, the nonprofit organization that Alex Laughlin and Jodi Schantz Laughlin founded in memory of their daughter Noelle, continues to grow. This year on the eve of what would have been Noelle’s fourth birthday, a new partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was announced. The fund will provide emergency financial support to families transitioning from CHOP’s Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment to the Newborn/Intensive Care Unit. It will give help to distressed families toward covering costs such as transportation and lodging, co-pays, and uninsured medical costs, lost wages from unpaid time off work, and funeral costs. The Laughlins live in Riverton.

2007

Emily Hummel Murray p. 44

Katherine Hoelz Hurt and her husband Ben welcomed a baby girl named Emma Bradfield Hurt on December 22, just in time for Christmas! “We are all happy and healthy.” The Hurts live in Charlottesville, VA.

2008

Claire Kaiser McLean

2010

Joe Wittman ‘10 and Lauren Joffe ‘12 were married on October 10 in a small ceremony for which they wrote their own vows. The couple resides in Moorestown with their dog Jeffery. Joe is Director of Engineering with Dayton Inspection Services and Lauren is a real estate agent with Evergreen Real Estate, LLC and a developer with Creekview Development Company, LLC.

2012

Share Your News with Friends

Moorestown Friends School encourages all alumni to share their news for Class Notes. To contribute, please email communications@ mfriends.org with updates on your life and any high resolution photos you would like to submit for publication. If you prefer, you can also write to Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck, Moorestown Friends School, 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 08057.

Class Notes received after March 15 will be printed in the next issue of Among Friends.

Josh Sackstein and Julia Rubin became engaged on November, 28, 2019, and plan to wed this June. Pictured here (L to R) are Josh’s parents, Adam and Sharon Sackstein, Josh, Julia, and Julia’s parents, Andi and Paul Rubin.

2012

Paige Dubrow is now living in Salt Lake City, UT, and pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology.

Katherine Sowa Hammer - see Class of 2020 note.

note. Lauren Joffe - see Class of 2010

Josh Sackstein

2014

Lawrence Mullen has been elected to serve a three-year term as the Business Agent (de facto head) of the SUNY at Buffalo GSEU-CWA Local 1104, the Graduate Student Employee Union, part of the Communication Workers of America. Lawrence is pursuing doctoral studies in 19th century American literature and cultural studies there.

2017

Congratulations to Katie Schuyler, who graduated in December 2020 from Tulane University with a B.S. in neuroscience.

2018

Amanda Cooper, Brown University Class of 2022, last year achieved high honors with distinction, maintaining a 4.0 while playing NCAA Division 1 field hockey for the Bears.

2020

Wellesley College freshman Shelby Deibler was interviewed in the Oct./ Nov. Issue of Girls’ Life Magazine about voting for the first time in November. Her interviewer was Girls’ Life Digital Director and Associate Editor Katherine Sowa

Hammer ’12.

Bella Runyan ‘20 was a significant contributor to the Villanova women’s basketball team which finished 17-7 overall and 9-5 in Big East play. She finished among the top five on the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Former Faculty Jack Schneider, who taught history at MFS from 2002-05 (and also coached baseball), recently published his fourth book, “A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door: The Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School.” A frequent contributor to The Washington Post and The Atlantic, he also co-hosts an education podcast, “Have You Heard?” He left MFS to pursue a Ph.D. at Stanford University, and now is an Assistant Professor of Leadership in Education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He remains connected to the MFS community through his mother-in-law, School Committee Clerk Barbara Caldwell.

Maria Randall Allen ‘41

Stephen Balaban ’63

brother of Donald Balaban ’59

Ray Cabrera

husband of Patricia A. Drake ‘66

William T. Caldwell ’46

brother of Mary Rose Caldwell Schlatter ’51 and the late Margaret Caldwell Karb ’49

Natalie Vavricka Chanier

daughter of former Prekindergarten Assistant Diane Vavricka, sister of Alyss Vavricka ‘08

Arthur J. Collins III ’58

Alan R. Craig

former Headmaster and husband of former Fifth Grade Teacher Mary Craig

John Dawson

husband of former Lower School Teacher Marge Dawson

Antoinette Green

mother of Patricia Green Lee ’83

James Green

father of Patricia Green Lee ’83

Donald M. Haley ’63

John “Jay” Hatfield III ’71

Gail MacColl Jarrett ’72

daughter of late head of school Alexander MacColl, sister of Carol MacColl ‘73, Katherine MacColl ’75, Pamela MacColl ’76, Kim MacColl ’80, and Christina MacColl ’81

Carol Dickerson Kaufman ‘53

sister of Mary Dickerson Reed ’55 and the late William Dickerson ’59

Brenda Kirkland-Constantino ’65

Francis Merrick Murphy ’63

brother of the late Mark Murphy ’63

Jane Carpenter Post ’51

sister to Charles Carpenter, Jr. ’52 and the late Cynthia Carpenter Wilson ’43

Thalia Little Putney ’53

Andrew Robert Wasson ‘81 brother of Michael Wasson ‘83

Joan C. Weber

mother of Meg Weber Garza ’78, Beth Weber Hermann ’82, and Christian Weber III ’87

Editor’s Note: Full obituaries are found on the MFS website. “In Memoriam” lists the passing of the following: alumni; immediate family of alumni (father, mother, child, spouse, sibling); current parents; current and past faculty and staff; spouses, partners and children of current faculty, staff and administration; current and former trustees; and spouses and children of current trustees. Notices will include any of the deceased’s relatives who are MFS alumni. To locate full obituaries on the MFS website, navigate to “News” in the top menu of www.mfriends.org and then select “Among Friends Magazine.” Alumni who do not have access to the Internet may contact Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck at (856) 914-4434 to request a hard copy of an obituary.