U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Helen Ledgerwood Davis
Helen Ledgerwood Davis, a full-time resident of Hilo since she and her husband, the Reverend Lewis H. Davis, retired to their Shelter Island home in 1967, died, after a brief illness, of heart failure at Eastern Long Island Hospital on December 11, 2002. She was 99.
An artist who worked in several mediums and painted 18 hope chests on separate themes for her children and grandchildren, Mrs. Davis served with her husband throughout his career in seven Methodist pastorates in New York and Connecticut, including two on Long Island: Bellport (1933-1934) and Cutchogue (1934-1939). The Reverend Davis, who died 19 years ago at the couple's Shelter Island home, also served for a time as interim pastor at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church.
As a self-employed artist, Mrs. Davis made quilts, hooked rugs, drew Shelter Island scenes, worked in oils, watercolor, ink and colored pencils and decorated furniture.
In a homily presented by her son-in-law Robert W. Howard at the December 14 funeral for Mrs. Davis at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, he spoke of message from Mrs. Davis's niece sent upon learning of her passing. She "saluted Helen for her graciousness and her artistry. She also remembered her waste-not, want-not principle, born, I suspect, from a childhood in a family with little enough means, a bias accentuated by her later years as the wife of a preacher during the Depression."
Born August 25, 1903 in Sandborn, Indiana, Mrs. Davis moved with her family when she was a young child to South Pasadena, California, where she grew up. She earned a B.A. degree at Los Angeles Campus of UCLA and went on to Teacher's College of Columbia University in New York, where she earned her master's degree and met her future husband, a student at nearby Union Theological Seminary, on a blind date. They were married November 1, 1932 at Union Seminary's Lampman Chapel.
The Reverend Davis, who was from Amityville, was a sailor and one highlight of their life together came early: a six-month cruise after their marriage on a 36-foot motorsail out of Greenport. They were reported lost at sea in a gale off Cape Hatteras "that had everyone, including The New York Times, wondering about their safety," according to her son-in-law Mr. Howard, and continued on to tour the Caribbean, where after six months they shipwrecked on a coral reef off Cuba. They returned home by way of a sugar boat and began their 35 years of professional life.
They served Methodist pastorates in the Connecticut towns of Seymour, Torrington, Bristol and Stamford as well as in Brooklyn and Dobbs Ferry, New York. After they retired to Shelter Island, the Reverend Davis was a frequent preacher at the Presbyterian Church, a tenor in the choir and an "unofficial pastor" to many Island families, according to his son-in-law, who is retired pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Valley Stream.
Mrs. Davis is survived by her children Barbara Davis Howard and Eleanor Davis Tener of West Hartford, Connecticut, and Donald Ward Davis of Portchester, New York. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two brothers, Charles and Kenneth Ledgerwood, and a sister, Evelyn Bishop.
Services on December 14 at the Presbyterian Church were officiated by Pastor Bill Grimbol.
Frank J. Bang
Frank J. Bang, 92, died peacefully at home in Grandview-on-Hudson, New York on the morning of December 2, 2000. He was a long-time resident of Grandview-on-Hudson and a long-time summer resident of Shelter Island.
"Uncle Bud" was born in Lynbrook, Long Island on September 20, 1908. An avid gardener, conservationist and sailor, he single-handed his sailboat until age 91. He was the last surviving partner of Marboro Books, a New York City institution during the Forties, Fifties and Sixties. Marboro Books was the largest mail-order book business of its era, the first to use mailing lists, beginning with a list of the contributors to the Lincoln Brigade of the Spanish Civil War.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Forman Bang, whom he affectionately referred to as "Mary"; his three children Peter, Paul and Francesca, and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shelter Island Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, PO Box 850, Shelter Island, New York 11964.
Jerome G. C. Mundy
Jerome G. C. Mundy died at his home on Shelter Island this Saturday, December 8, 2001, after a long battle with heart disease. He was 70 years old.
Mr. Mundy was born on March 30, 1931 to Ethel and Jerome Mundy in Westmount (Montreal), Canada and raised in New Jersey.
In 1950 he married Shirley Edwards in Victorville, California. The couple moved to Shelter Island permanently in 1953.
Mr. Mundy was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1953. He earned the rank of Airman First Class.
For 31 years Mr. Mundy was a lineman for the Long Island Lighting Company and also worked for LILCO's emergency services on Shelter Island. He was assistant chief of the Shelter Island Fire Department and a member of the Heights Fire Department. He belonged to Mitchell Post 281 of the American Legion on Shelter Island and served as post commander. He also was the past president of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and served the community as a Cub Scout leader.
Mr. Mundy was a member of the Presbyterian Church on the Island.
Mr. Mundy is survived by his wife Shirley and four children: Jerome G. Mundy Jr., Rob Mundy, Michael Mundy and Laura Bailey, all of Shelter Island; by a sister, Pam Ewers, of North Berwick, Maine; and 10 grandchildren -- Brian Mundy, Melissa Mundy, Sara Mundy, Zack Mundy, Megan Mundy, Nathan Mundy, Olivia Yeaman, Jessica Sherman, Erica Bailey and E. J. Bailey.
A sister and brother, Eileen Lockwood and Frank Murphy, predeceased him.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, December 11 at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, the Reverend William R. Grimbol officiating. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps will be appreciated by the family.
Patricia P. Wade
Patricia P. Wade died November 4, 2001, at age 58, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer, at St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Born Patricia Payne, February 19, 1943, at Eastern Long Island Hospital, she was the daughter of the late Edward W. Payne and Evelyn G. Sherman Payne.
Patty was in the class of 1961 at Shelter Island High School and the class of 1962 at Krissler Business Institute in Poughkeepsie. She was married on August 20, 1963 to John (Jake) F. Wade and moved to Daytona Beach, Florida.
In 1964, Mrs. Wade was employed at Financial Planning and Services and worked her way up to office manager/executive secretary. In 1971, she returned to Long Island and worked as a medical records transcriptionist/ assistant and then executive secretary at Eastern Long Island Hospital. From 1973 to 1976, she was office machine bookkeeper/payroll clerk and from 1976 to 1977, she was head bookkeeper. From 1977 to 1980, Patty attended numerous workshops and conferences related to hospital financial management and achieved the title of accounting supervisor. On March 31, 1980, with deepest regret, she submitted her resignation. From June 1980 to 1982, she worked at the Shelter Island School as district treasurer. In 1987, she fulfilled her dream of owning her own business by opening Quality Business Services on Shelter Island, providing bookkeeping, payroll and various financial services. She sold her business in 1993 and moved to Whispering Pines, North Carolina in 1994 for semi-retirement.
In November 1999, Patty was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her husband said, "On November 4, 2001, the Lord took Patty home. In her last days Patty told me that she wasn't afraid to die but did not want to leave me behind. Patty requested that her body be cremated and placed in an urn to be kept on the mantle in our home, and later for her ashes to be placed in the family plot on Shelter Island, or to rest with me, when this time comes. Patty, thank you for a life I would not have had, until we meet again. Love, Jake."
Mabel Harriet Beckwith
Mabel Harriet Beckwith died surrounded by her family on December 5, 2003 at the age of 89.
The daughter of Charles and Edna (née Jennings) Fisher, she was a harelegger, born on Shelter Island on October 5, 1914 and lived her entire life and raised her family here.
Mrs. Beckwith opened her home and her heart to others and always had a hot meal ready to feed them, said her family. She worked locally and her last employment was as the cook at the Belle Crest Adult Home on Shelter Island.
Her interests were her grandchildren, cooking, writing poetry and rug hooking. She was an avid reader and always had a crossword book at her side.
She embroidered something special for each granddaughter and her crocheted potholders, which hang in every family member's kitchen, are a reminder that she would be always watching over their baking and cooking. She also loved nature and enjoyed watching the sunset at Crescent Beach.
Mrs. Beckwith was predeceased by her sisters Iris Baumann, Evelyn Fisher and her former husband Frank R. Beckwith.
She is survived by her sister Beatrice Conklin of Landrum, South Carolina and her five children: Frank Jr. of Cove City, North Carolina; Charlotte Perez of Lawton, Oklahoma; and Diane Kilb, Charles Beckwith and Melanie Mitchell of Shelter Island.
She also is survived by her 11 grandchildren: Cathy Cheesman, Christina Church, Cindy Arnold, Rebecca Mundy, Sharon Gibbs, Karen and Theresa Kilb, Michelle and Stanley Beckwith, Ronald Mitchell Jr. and Rhonda Lee Burns as well as her 16 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was conducted on Wednesday, December 10 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church by the Reverend Alan Krauss. Interment was at the Emily French Memorial Cemetery.
The family requests donations be made to the American Red Cross Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 830, Shelter Island, New York 11964 or St. Mary's Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1660, Shelter Island, New York, 11964.
Elizabeth Putt Weslek
Elizabeth Putt Weslek, 54, of Shelter Island died on November 22, 2000 at home after a brief illness.
Known to Islanders as Betsy, she loved and adored everyone in this wonderful and giving community. She is survived by her four children: Holly of Rogersville, Alabama; Ian and Brian of Shelter Island and Eric of Shelter Island and New York City. She is also survived by her granddaughter Brittany Savannah of Rogersville, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, her wish was for donations to be made to East End Hospice.
Isabel Webb Schaible
Isabel Webb Schaible passed away on November 23, 2001 on Shelter Island at the home of her daughter. She would have been 87 on December 26.
She was born in Mannsville, New York to Floyd and Eva Webb. She came to Shelter Island in 1935 after graduation from Potsdam Normal School with degrees in elementary education and music. She taught sixth grade at Shelter Island School for 32 years. She was a member of the Nurses Club and active in Girl Scouts, the Red Cross, PTA, United Presbyterian Women, the Bell Choir, East End Retired Teachers Association and the Ladies Fire Auxiliary.
Mrs. Schaible met her husband Abe while sleigh riding at Goat Hill. He predeceased her on June 30, 2001. They would have been married 60 years this past August.
She is survived by a sister, Kathryn Ford of Columbus Ohio; two daughters, Judy Sherman of Shelter Island and Wendy Hardy of Centreville, Virginia; five grandchildren, Carla, Michelle, Brian, Rebecca and Courtney; and eight great-grandchildren, Amanda, Seth, Jessica, Christopher, Cody, Taylor, Ray Wesley and Isabella.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 9 at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church with a reception following in Fellowship Hall. Contributions in her name may be made to United Presbyterian Women, P.O. Box 612, Shelter Island, New York 11964.
Mary German
Mary German, a Shelter Island resident from 1977 to 1992, passed away at the Southampton Nursing Home on December 1, 2001. She was 89 years old.
The daughter of John and Angela Podstupkia Filla, Mary was born in Jamestown, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1912.
Mrs. German had been employed with Ideal Novelty & Toy Company as a sewing machine operator for 30 years. She was also a union representative and shop steward for 30 years.
Mrs. German loved Shelter Island and she cared about other people.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann, and son-in-law John German, of Shelter Island. Also surviving are three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands, the late Frederick Koch and Jerri German.
Cremation was private. Arrangements were under the direction of the Shelter Island Funeral Home.
Ambrose S. Havey
Ambrose S. Havey III, 76, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, formerly of Yonkers and Shelter Island, New York, died on November 29, 2001.
He was a summer resident of Shelter Island for 20 years, later residing on the Island full time. Mr. Havey was president of Havey Funeral Home, Inc., a five-generation firm in Yonkers and White Plains, New York.
In 1979 Mr. Havey founded the Shelter Island Funeral Home, Inc., known to Islanders as "The White House." For many years he was the chairman of the New York State Department of Health, division of funeral directing and was responsible for the creation of funeral cost itemization legislation. He served on the board of the First National Bank in Yonkers and for many years was the disaster chairman of the American Red Cross.
As a member of the Heights Fire Department, Mr. Havey participated enthusiastically in the annual Heights Chicken Barbecue by giving airplane rides at Klen's field. He also enjoyed the annual flights with his friends to Pennsylvania for the town's supply of Fourth of July fireworks. As an accomplished commercial, multi-engine-rated pilot he was especially proud of his membership by invitation to the International Order of the Quiet Birdmen.
Mr. Havey is survived by his wife Agnes Stewart, daughter Barbara of Sarasota, Florida and son Stewart of Lawrenceville, Georgia, grandchildren Peter of Knoxville, Tennessee and Elizabeth of Lawrenceville, Georgia, a brother and sister, and two beloved pets -- Chico and Dickens.
A memorial service is planned for the near future. Donations in his memory to the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church Pastor's discretionary fund would be most appreciated by his family.
Richard H. Smith
Richard H. Smith, born on Shelter Island on January 31, 1917, died at the Brunswick Hospital in Amityville, New York on November 19, 2001. He was a veteran of World War II and a former member of the Shelter Island Fire Department.
Mr. Smith was predeceased by his wife, Viola Horlick Smith; his parents, Albert R. and Lottie D. Smith; and his brother, Charles A. Smith. He is survived by four children, Linda Biddy of Herndon, Virginia, and Richard, Craig and Dean Smith of Copiague, New York; three grandchildren, Ryan Biddy, Olin Biddy Jr. and Tiffany Smith; his sister Adelaide S. English of Shelter Island and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the D'Andria Funeral Home in Copiague and burial in the Shelter Island Cemetery.
Harman Hawkins
Harman Hawkins of Shelter Island Heights died at home on December 17 of complications following open-heart surgery. He was 83.
After Mr. Hawkins retired as partner of the Wall Street law firm of DeForest and Duer in the mid-1980s, he and his wife Janet Gay Hawkins moved from Plandome, New York to their long-time summer headquarters, Shelter Island. Their goal was not a life of recreation and leisure pursuits but to become an integral part of the Island and its waters, where Mr. Hawkins had sailed since World War II days.
A member of the Shelter Island Yacht Club, at which his cruising yacht Redhead frequently anchored, Mr. Hawkins became heavily involved in its activities as a resident trustee.
His interest in libraries and education led him to become a founding member of the Shelter Island Educational Foundation. Mr. Hawkins was a member of the Community Preservation Committee (popularly called the "Two Percent Committee") appointed by the Town Board to offer recommendations on land use and open space preservation.
He also served on the board of the Friends of the Shelter Island Library. He has been an active participant in the affairs of the Mashomack Preserve, of which Mrs. Hawkins was recently named a trustee, and of the Shelter Island Historical Society. Mr. Hawkins also served as chairman of the Board of the Gladys Brooks Foundation, a national non-profit, which focuses on libraries and medical institutions.
Mr. Hawkins first became acquainted with Greenport and Shelter Island during World War II, when he served as a member of the U.S Coast Guard's Picket Patrol, sailing yachts donated by private owners on silent patrol on offshore waters.
He became interested in sailing as a youth, racing in Manhasset Bay and on the Sound. He picked up his racing and cruising career after the war was over and sailed in such prestigious offshore events as the Newport to Bermuda Race. In later years he became active in the management and direction of yachting activities, frequently acting as a race judge, serving as commodore of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, president of the U. S. Sailing Association (formerly United States Yacht Racing Union), commodore of the Storm Trysail Club and board member of the International Yacht Racing union. He exercised his legal skills on the part of the San Diego Yacht Club to help to settle the America's Cup disputes of 1988.
He received the Herreshoff trophy for service to the sport of yachting. He was also made an honorary member of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club for his contributions to yachting.
Mr. Hawkins was an equally involved Plandome resident. He was counsel to the Manhasset Public Schools for 18 years, member of the Plandome Village Board, a water commissioner and president of the Plandome Association. He also spent time as a member of Plandome's volunteer fire department.
At the time of his death, Mr. Hawkins was a member of the Shelter Island Yacht Club, the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, the New York Yacht Club, the Cruising Club of America, the Storm Trysail Club and an honorary member of the Ft. Worth Boat Club.
Mr. Hawkins was a graduate of Manhasset Public Schools, Amherst College and Harvard Law School. He is survived by his wife Janet Gay Hawkins, also a Manhasset native, his sons Christopher of Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Jonathan of Middletown, Rhode Island; grandchildren Rebecca, Matthew, Jeremiah and Jackson and brother Glen Hawkins of Redding, California.
Edward F. Carroll
Edward F. Carroll of Shelter Island, a retired sugar broker and former president of the Gardiner's Bay Country Club, died on December 17, 2002 at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. He was 90 years old.
Mr. Carroll was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 23, 1912 to William B. Carroll and Delia (nee Cullen) Carroll. After serving in the Air Force for three years during World War II, he joined Jack Frost Sugar Company in their sales department and later became sales manager of their specialty department. In 1952, he left Jack Frost to enter the sugar brokerage business for himself. For 22 years, he was a director of the National Sugar Brokers Association.
In 1966, he was elected to the board of directors of the Gardiner's Bay Country Club. He served as president from 1967 to 1972. When the club had financial troubles, he was again elected to the board of directors and served as vice president until 1992.
Predeceased by his wife, Anne M. Carroll, in April of 1982, and by his brother, William Carroll, he leaves his brother, Richard Carroll of Red Bank, New Jersey, and his sister, Helen Buttimore of Wayne, New Jersey, and 19 nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were held on Friday, December 20 at the Shelter Island Funeral Home, where parish prayer services were held that evening by Father Charles Dougherty, C.P., who also celebrated the Liturgy of Christian Burial on Saturday morning, December 21, at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church. Interment was in Our Lady of the Isle R.C. Cemetery.
