In Memoriam

THE SCHOOL HAS LEARNED OF THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY

NANCY JAYNES COULTON ’45

Westridge recently learned of Nancy’s passing in Asheville, North Carolina, on May 30, 2018. At Westridge, Nancy was involved in volleyball, tennis, and was on the Welfare Committee. Following Westridge, she attended Finch College in New York City. She married John Frederick Coulton in 1948 and they lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Cashiers, NC before moving to Asheville in 2008. They had two daughters, a son, four grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

PATRICIA BOOTHE MACLAREN ’46

Patricia passed away at her home in Laguna Woods on March 16, 2018. She was predeceased by her sister Gretchen Boothe Daily '47, and husband Stuart Pounder MacLaren. Married for 64 years, Stuart and Pat lived in San Marino for 38 years before relocating to Dana Point in 1995. Patricia attended Westridge for a short time before she graduated high school from The Bishop’s School in La Jolla and attended Gardner College in Boston. She is survived by four children and five grandchildren, including Arden ’23.

MARY SKILLEN ANDREWS ’47

Mary, a resident of Redmond, WA, passed away on February 10. Her stories about her Westridge classmates during the WWII years were said to be legendary, worthy of a Hollywood coming-ofage blockbuster. Mary valued the education she received, adored her teachers, and loved her many lifelong friends, who called her Skilly. She was on the volleyball team and served as business manager on the Inlook staff. Following Westridge, she graduated from Stanford University in 1951, then received her Occupational Therapy Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania and Physical Therapy Certificate from USC. Her career as a Pediatric PT/OT spanned more than 40 years, including work as a lecturer and published researcher. Mary moved to the Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s and married Wilbur "Bill" Andrews in 1972. Together, they enjoyed fishing, hiking, and skiing. She will be remembered as a friend, role model, advisor, and confidante to many friends and family members, including nieces Maggie Skillen Vilott ’73, Heather Skillen Simon ’81, and two nephews. Her obituary suggests remembering Mary by saying “yes” to adventure, appreciating the beauty in the world, being kind, and having a grateful heart; all lessons she was said to have taught daily by example.

VIRGINIA DESURVILLE MULLER ’47

Virginia, known as Ginny, passed in her sleep on March 18, with her husband of 67 years, George, by her side. At Westridge, she was president of the Glee Club and perfomed in Mask and Brush Club plays. She attended Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC, then married in 1954. She spent her married life in Pasadena and Santa Barbara, raising a family and remaning active with the Pasadena Junior League, Pasadena Guild of Children’s Hospital, and Villa Esperanza, as well as working the polls during many presidentail elections. Ginny is survived by her husband, sister Mary de Surville McDuffie ’41, three daughters, and six grandchildren.

ELIZABETH SIMONDS GRINDLE ’49

Elizabeth’s daughter, Becky, informed Westridge that her mother, known as

Betsy, passed away at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Claremont on August 21, 2020. Becky said her mother was a lifelong Southern California resident who was always a Westridge gal, staying in touch with her classmates throughout the years. “Mom lived a full life, traveled extensively, and was always volunteering and helping others,” said Becky. Betsy’s late mother, Elizabeth Colby Simonds, Class of 1922, attended Westridge, as did her sister Sally Simonds White ’57, cousin Cheri Colby Langdell ’62, and nieces Pae White ’81, Melissa Campbell-Langdell ’99, and grand-nieces Sarah, Class of 2020, and Emerson, Class of 2022.

MARGO JENSEN BOETTICHER ’61

Margo passed away at her home in Canyon Country on May 3. At Westridge, she was vice president of Mask and Brush. She was known as the class shutterbug, and was said to be a serious student with hidden talent as a humorist, and to have a friendly smile and charming quietness. After Westridge, Margo studied history at the University of Washington with a minor in English. She worked for Capitol Records as a personal recuriter followed by several years in the film industry. In 1976 Margo had a change of heart, following her passion to pursue a career as a marriage and family therapist. She discovered a second passion while working with a biophysicist who taught her about body chemistry analysis and diet. She worked as a dietary consultant while earning her master’s degree, and explored her interest in natural healing while maintaining a private practice as an MFT, in addition to teaching several classes at Phillips Graduate Institute. In 1979, Margo met her husband Ali Abu-Bekr from Ghana, and while they did not have children together, she enjoyed having four boys and three grandchildren. In her 50th reunion memory book, Margo said “The 50th reunion was wonderful, both for the pleasure of reconnecting with so many special classmates, the pleasure of observing the growth of Westridge over the years and a deepened appreciation of the incredible gift from my parents of such a valuable education.”

YVONNE NUNN HOUSSELS ’61

Yvonne’s daughter, Elaine, reached out to Class Rep Vicki Dillingham to share that Yvonne passed away on June 19, 2019 after a two-year stuggle with sarcoma cancer. “She often spoke of her days at Westridge with fondness,” said Elaine. Vicki said, “Yvonne dazzled us always, with her incredible talent that she so generously shared with the school. We were in awe.” Yvonne will be remembered for her gentle spirit, kindness, beauty, and dancing.

SUSAN HIGGINBOTHAM REHM ’61

Susan died on January 20 at a retirement community in Oakland with her daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah, at her bedside. Sue, as she was known, will be remembered by her classmates for her ever-present smile, twinkle in her eyes, great sense of fun and adventure, humor, and many talents. In spite of battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years, she delighted her classmates while bravely attending their 50th reunion, never losing her positive energy, kindness, or courage. Sue came to Westridge in 6th grade from Linda Vista, and became a vibrant member of the class, with the Romans benefitting from her athletic prowess. She competed on many athetic teams, was head of swimming in her senior year, and was a dedicated student, enthusiastic member of Glee Club, and was a stately and beautiful model in the Inlook tea fashion show. Sue attended USC, where she met husband Lynn Rehm, whose work as a clinical psychologist took them many places, including the University of Houston. Sue worked as a Montessori School teacher and administrator. Retirement brought them back to Santa Rosa, CA to be near their daughters and three grandchildren.

CAROLINE GREY GANZ ’63

Caroline’s husband, Frank, shared the news of her passing on April 11 in Tucson, AZ. Classmate Tudor McCook said Caroline was surprisingly alert and upbeat during an April 3rd call on her birthday, and several classmates talked to her that day as well. Tucson had become a gathering point for the Class of 1963’s Western Arizona contingent, and they often met in Apirl, near Caroline’s birthday for food, fun, and to enrich their friendship.

DEBORAH SILL SANGER ’65

Westridge recently learned that Deborah passed away December 18, 2019 in Beaverton, OR. She attended Westridge for 6th and 7th grades. Deborah was predeceased by her father and mother, Sally Cameron Sill ’23, and sister Sally Sill Lewis ’60. She is survived by husband John Sanger, sister Janet Sill Fitzgerald ’63, and nieces Hilary Fitzgerald Henderson ’81 and Courtney Fitzgerald Mumford ’88.

ALISON MARSHALL ’76

Alison Joy Marshall passed away on February 12 in San Rafael, CA and was remembered fondly during an online memorial on February 27. She was known for her hearty laugh, vibrant spirit, and colorful attire, especially pink, and many of the Zoom participants wore bright colors to honor Alison. Alison was joy personified, living the joy she wanted to share with everyone, including her close friends and family who often received two or three birthday cards each year. Deeply spiritual, Christmas for Alison was October through March. Authentic, quirky, and unabashedly herself were words to describe Alison, whose creative spirit was exhibited through her purposefully mismatched earrings and her work as a writer and member of the California Writer’s Association. Devoted to personal and spiritual growth, Alison was an adventurer who showed amazing strength and maintained her sense of humor throughout her stem cell treatments.

Alison attended Westridge until 7th grade, but remained close as an alumna who attended Bay Area alumnae gatherings, Alumnae Weekend, and other campus events. Following Westridge, Alison attended USC and studied communications.

She was predeceased by her parents, Elisabeth and Gordon Marshall, and husand Michael, whom she married in 2019. She is survived by sisters Karen Marshall Houser ’67 and Valerie Marshall ’69.

DONATING Stock or an IRA Saves Taxes

By design, investment portfolios fluctuate throughout the years. If you opt to sell investments that are worth more than what you originally paid for them, you will be faced with paying capital gains tax. Consider donating stock directly to Westridge School to eliminate paying long-term capital gains tax.

Similarly, making a qualified charitable distribution (IRA charitable rollover) can offer significant tax advantages. If you are 70½ or older, you can make a gift from your individual retirement account (IRA or Roth IRA) and receive tax benefits in return. A gift of stock or from your IRA can pay dividends for you and for Westridge. Contact Lisa Vandergriff at lvandergriff@westridge.org to learn more about making a gift today.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986

Westridge Heads of School

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

Mary Lowther

Ranney

1913-1938

1913

Louise Wood

1941-1945

Elizabeth "Libby" Edmundson Herrick

1959-1973

Nancy Owen

1977-1986

Fran Norris Scoble

1990-2008

Elizabeth J. McGregor

2009-present

Katherine Trower

1973-1977

Elsa "Midge" Bowman

1986-1990

Andrea Kassar

2022