Category: Obituaries (2024)

Margaret (“Marcy”) Deiley Dearth of Westport died on Nov. 6, 2020. She was 71.

Margaret Deiley Dearth Contributed photo

Marcy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on March 25, 1949 to Walter and Margaret Dearth. Throughout her childhood, Marcy spent her time surrounded by horses at the family horse farm where they bred and raced horses, fostering an early love of animals that she would carry with her throughout her life.

A gifted athlete in a variety of sports, she belonged to numerous teams, most notably the Junior Olympic Swimming Team. In her teens, Marcy moved with her family to Long Island where she became an accomplished sailor, and went on to transport sailboats all over the world.

After years of sailing the ocean she hung up her fins and became a successful buyer for Lord & Taylor before she decided to follow her true passion, teaching. After settling in Westport in the late 1970s, she completed her master’s in early childhood education at Sacred Heart University and became a teacher at Trinity Parish Nursery School, where she remained a beloved teacher for nearly 30 years. The popular science program she created for the children she loved has been adopted by schools across the tri-state area. Known to everyone as Ms. Marcy, she brought joy to all those who knew her and warmed the lives of those she encountered. Her boisterous laugh, smile, and jubilant nature were infectious; the world was a brighter place with Marcy in it.

Irene Marcenaro died at her home in Westport on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. She was 92.

Irene Marcenaro Contributed photo

She was born Irene Wrublski in Brooklyn, NY on December 18, 1927. Following her marriage to Carlo Marcenaro in 1958, she lived in Dobbs Ferry, NY until moving Westport in 1968.

Irene was true entrepreneur. Under the business name “Lock, Stock & Barrel,” Irene performed estate sales and appraisals as well as exhibiting in antique shows across Connecticut and Westchester for over 40 years. She had a wonderful eye for finding treasures at tag sales, auctions and the goodwill. She was one of Ebay’s first Powersellers.

An avid swimmer who specialized in the backstroke, she was a longtime member of the YMCA and frequent visitor to Compo Beach. Her hobbies included stock market investing and crossword puzzling. A great supporter of wildlife charities, she had a love for all animals, which she fed lavishly at her back patio year round.

Jeffrey Alan Shwartz of Newtown died suddenly on Nov. 3, 2020, in Stamford. He was 63. He was the wife of Nancy Davis Shwartz and the son of the late Leonard David Shwartz and the late Renee Bacal Keane.

Jeffrey Alan Shwartz Contributed photo

He is survived by his daughter Amelia Davis Shwartz of Bristol; and his son Alan Wayland Shwartz, his daughter-in-law Grace Winkler Shwartz, and his grandson Taliesin Malcolm Shwartz of Manassas, VA.

Jeff was born Aug. 6, 1957, in New York and grew up in Westport. He went through the Westport public school system but preferred to learn by doing and reading. He was an adventurer. He lived by the philosophy that life is short and you should find a passion and pursue it. His passions included hot air ballooning, playing poker, selling cars, ham radio, master gardening (although he wasn’t very good at that), sailing, backpacking, and beekeeping.

Jeff was well-known locally as a beekeeper, mentor, and member of the Backyard Beekeepers Association. He understood and loved bees and in turn, they loved him. He devoted the last part of his life to educating adults and kids alike about honeybees as well as other insects. Jeff loved sharing his knowledge and holding bee demonstrations at schools, fairs, and farms. He encouraged children to not fear bees and wasps but to appreciate them. His advice to those who have a paper wasp nest on their property was to leave it alone because they eat things that eat us, such as mosquitos.

Carole Patricia Young Ruden of Westport (and The Greens in Wilton) died Nov. 12, 2020. She was 83. She was surrounded by her children.

Carole Patricia Young Ruden Contributed photo

Born in Far Rockaway, NY, on September 24, 1937, to Barney and Hilda (Zucker) Young, she was the oldest of three daughters and developed an early interest in fashion working at her parents’ clothing store, “Young’s.” She attended Far Rockaway High School and Harcum College, and at the age of 21 married the love of her life, Morton Ruden. The couple moved to Westport in 1969 with their two young sons.

Blessed with many friends and a wide range of interests, she became an expert needlepoint teacher, working on a special mural for Temple Israel in Westport. She began selling silver jewelry from her home in 1978 with a close friend, Carol Turk, who she met during their husbands’ time at NYU Law School. The pair opened the iconic jewelry store Tu-Caroles inside the Top Drawer boutique in 1979. For two decades, the Caroles were early champions of many designers, including David Yurman, Paul Morelli and Lisa Jenks, and were renowned for their unique, fashion-forward selection.

An avid reader and traveler, Carole was a go-to resource for great mystery book recommendations and travel finds. She was often the first one requesting an author’s latest book at the original Westport Public Library. A lover of music, particularly jazz, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Shirley Horn were her favorites, and she occasionally displayed her hidden talent for tap dancing, to her family’s amusem*nt.

Peter Anthony (Tony) Eastman died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. He was 78. He was born in Los Angeles, CA on Nov. 8, 1942. The son of Philip Dey (P.D.) Eastman and Mary Louise Whitham, both with careers in animation, he was destined to work in the animation business.

Peter Anthony (Tony) Eastman Contributed photo

In 1954, his family moved East to Westport where, as a youth he created flip books and short animated films with a 16mm Bolex movie camera his father bought for him. He soon met his life-long friend, cartoonist Kim Deitch, with whom he created many animated films and a live action film—“Dial M for Monster”—which was filmed in Westport and NYC.

Tony graduated in 1960 from Staples High School, where he excelled in art. His art teacher, Vivian Testa took a special interest in him and encouraged him to apply to the Carnegie Institute of Technology. Shortly before Ms. Testa’s death, Tony was happy to be able to visit her and present her with copies of the children’s books he had written and illustrated.

In 1964 Tony earned a BFA from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, where he met his future wife, Susan. While at C.I.T. he produced/directed/animated a short animated film for the school’s 1961 “Scotch and Soda” production, with a story based on Walt Disney’s work, titled “For the Love of Phoebe.”

Eloise Ann Turken Epstein died Oct. 21, 2020 of natural causes. She was 91.

Eloise Epstein Contributed photo

Born Jan. 4, 1929 in New York City, she was the second of two children to Dr. Samuel Turken and Diana Goldstein Turken. A graduate of Brooklyn College with a degree in early childhood education, she met her future husband, the late Dr. Gerald Epstein, at 16 years of age, and they married in 1948. When Gerald received his dental degree at age 20, they settled in Fairfield, where he opened his first office and Eloise taught elementary school. They moved to Westport 1957, where they raised their three sons, Richard Allen Epstein, Kenneth Martin Epstein, and Steven Edward Epstein.

Eloise had a dynamic and memorable spirit, whose generosity and energy is remembered by all. She reveled in giving gifts to others, close and distant, and loved to entertain. She often took people under her wing, including other’s children, families, and even caretakers. She founded a children’s drama school, and was an active member of B’nai Brith and the Westport PTA. She travelled the world with her husband Jerry until his death in 1995, and enjoyed working as a travel agent. An accomplished pianist, Eloise hosted the Performers of Southern Connecticut, and her many friends for duo piano evenings on the 2 pianos in her living room. She was devoted to and loved her extended family, who fondly remember her blue eyes, her infectious laugh, and her perpetual optimism.

She is survived by her sons Richard Allen Epstein (Ina Chadwick) and Steven Edward Epstein (Cary Brown-Epstein), Kenneth Martin Epstein (deceased 2019, survived by wife Amalia Taub- Epstein), grandchildren Nina Wilde, Rebecca Jarit, Jennifer Capalbo, Daniel and Michael Epstein, and Samuel Lee Lyons Epstein, and great-grandchildren Zachary and Shaina Goldberg, Charlie and William Capalbo, and Harrison Jarit.

Longtime Westport Resident and former owner of the Mansion Clam House Restaurant, Barbara Saltus, died Nov 10, 2020, in Marble Falls, TX after a short illness, surrounded by family and her two Yorkshire Terriers, Beau and Annie, who watched over her until the end. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbi; her sons, Duke, Brett, and Matt; as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Don, and eldest son, Jocko.

Barbara Saltus Contributed photo

Barbara Henry was born Nov 2,1937 in Fairfield. She married Don Saltus in 1956. They purchased the historic Bennett House on South Compo Road and settled in Westport CT. After her children were grown, Barbara resumed her education, graduating from Sacred Heart University with a degree in teaching and later received her Master’s degree. She took a position as a Special Needs Educator, first in Darien. then later in Wilton.

In 1987, Barbara left teaching to purchase the landmark Mansion Clam House Restaurant, along with other family members. While operating the business end of the restaurant, she took on the task of restoring the families’ 1758 Bennett House. Her restored historic home was the quintessential New England homestead, a magical place where she could entertain her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and friends.

Anyone lucky enough to attend one of her holiday parties, or Sunday brunches, appreciated her attention to detail. Barbara kept her large family and friends wonderfully amused and well fed. While outside in the backyard, the grandchildren climbed the large beechwood tree and swung on the famous family swing, enjoying their childhood.

Pamela Madeline Winthrop Powers died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 in Shelton, with her family by her side. She was 94.

Pamela Powers Contributed photo

Pamela is survived by four children: Timothy Powers, CA; Brian Powers (Mary), MT; Aileen Powers Kennedy (Joe), CT; and Sheila Powers Casinelli (Daniel), CT; as well as six grandchildren; Christy Murray (Neil), MT; Victoria Casinelli, Stephen Casinelli, Michael Casinelli, Elizabeth Casinelli, CT; and Patrick Kennedy, CT. Additionally, she is survived by two great-grandchildren Rowan and Bea Murray, MT. Pamela was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Harry Powers, her parents Harry Stephen Winthrop and Aileen Anne O’Brien Winthrop, as well as her siblings Betty Weir, Joan Griffin, Patricia Stopford, John Winthrop, Shirley Grant, Tui Batty, and Gay Swindells.

Pamela was born on Saturday, June 12, 1926, in Auckland, New Zealand to Harry and Aileen Winthrop. She graduated from Epsom Girls’ Grammar School in 1942 and went on to obtain a Secretarial Degree. Pamela traveled the world and worked as a secretary for the Goodyear Oil & Tire Company in many countries including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Tahiti, Fiji, England, and Canada, She met American Kenneth Harry Powers while in England and moved to Canada to date between Toronto and New York City. On December 29, 1956 Pamela and Ken married and then honeymooned in Bermuda. After moving to Queens Village, NY, Pamela and Ken started their family. Over eight years, the couple welcomed four children into their home starting with the two boys in Queens Village then on to Huntington, Long Island for the two girls. In 1975, the family moved to Westport, CT where Pamela lived for 45 years before moving to Shelton, CT with daughter Sheila and family.

While in Westport, Pamela ran a home daycare program for many years. Pamela was an active and dedicated member of Assumption Church and often volunteered at school and church events. She participated in the Women’s Guild of Assumption Church in Westport and made many long lasting friendships. Pamela was involved in Boy Scout troops for her sons. New to the States and living in New York, Pamela became an avid New York Mets baseball fan and loved to watch or listen to their games but hated when they were on the west coast and the games were aired late at night. If Pamela didn’t have a nice hot cup of tea in her hand, she was found to have a can of Tab with a straw. Knitting was a favorite pastime and Pamela made Christmas stockings for many as well as tons of baby sweaters, especially for her grandchildren.

Patricia A. Hooper of Westport died Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Norwalk Hospital. She was 88.

Patricia was born in Flushing New York. she was a resident of Westport for 55 years. Patricia spent most of her youth in Gainesville Georgia, before attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her major was Greek. She also attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.

Patricia worked as an administrator at Save the Children and was a homemaker and raised three children in Westport. She will be remembered for her love of the theatre and was active in community theatre, and her fondness for literature.

Patricia is survived by her daughter Dorothy Claire Brooks of South Lake Tahoe, CA; and her three grandchildren, Kiera Nachman Kent of Ridgefield Park, NJ, Willian (Billy) Nachman of Chicago, IL, and Victoria Nachman of New Orleans, LA; great grandchildren Liam and Ezra; daughter-in-law Martha Welsh Nachman of Westport; and by the father of her children, Herbert Nachman, Townsend, TN.

Gordon F. Joseloff, editor and publisher of WestportNow, former Westport first selectman and an award-winning veteran journalist who reported from London, Moscow, Tokyo, and other world capitals for United Press International and CBS News for more than two decades, died Nov. 9, 2020. He was 75.

Gordon Joseloff: journalist WN photo

He had been battling a rare blood cancer, myelofibrosis, for three years.

Joseloff founded WestportNow in March 2003 as one of the nation’s first community news websites. Since then, it has gained national attention and is often cited as a model for Internet community journalism sites. It has won numerous awards for excellence from the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

“Westporters could get almost instant news of bombings in Beirut, but it often took days to learn of something happening in Westport,” he often explained as the reason for starting WestportNow.