We have established this page to pay tribute to all of our classmates who have passed on in life. It would be greatly appreciated if you would contact Alan Nathan with information regarding anyone who has passed away and is not listed here.
Harold Merzon of Whitman, MA entered into rest on Saturday, May 9th, 2020 at the age of 74. Harold was born on January 26, 1946 in Siberia, Russia to the late Joseph & Esther (Neiman) Merzon. Harold grew up in Brookline, MA and graduated from Brookline High School. After high school he continued his education at Northeastern University where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree. Before his retirement, Harold worked for many years as a manager for World Publication. Harold was an accomplished Bridge player and loved playing the game but most importantly he loved spending time with his family which meant everything to him. Beloved husband of Beverly (Arbit) Merzon. Loving father of David Merzon & his wife Jennifer, Mark Merzon & his wife Julie, and Alyssa Soper & her husband Michael. Cherished grandfather of Ashley, Sara, Jacob, Evan, Alex, Zachary, and Kaitlyn. Devoted brother of Rose Merzon Feinberg and Paul Merzon. Private graveside service will take place at David Vichor Cholim Cemetery on Baker Street in West Roxbury. Expressions of sympathy in Harold’s memory may be donated to a charity of your choice.
SAWYER nee Ross, Ann R. Passed away at the Arbor in Ridgeland April 5, 2020, after a long illness. Anne was born on August 17, 1946 and grew up in Brookline, MA. She graduated from Brookline High School and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Boston University with Honors in French and Education. She was awarded the Columbia University Book Prize as the outstanding education student in her class. Anne worked as a grade school teacher for several years and then obtained a Master's degree in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston, MA. This was later followed by a specialization degree as a Medical Librarian from UCLA. Anne worked as a medical librarian and library consultant for many years. She ran the medical library at the Kaiser Hospital in Harbor City, CA with distinction. She was also the lead author for Blue Cross-Blue Shield's Directory for Health Data Resources in California which was a landmark publication. She was a very kind, caring and compassionate person. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Charles Ross. Anne is survived by her loving husband Donald E. Sawyer, M.D. of Ridgeland, MS. She was a much loved aunt, great-aunt and sister-in-law, and loved by many friends. She was also "Mommy" to 3 little pugs, Milton, Winston and Hoover. She will be greatly missed but her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. The family thanks the staff of The Arbor in Ridgeland and a special thanks is due to Willie Evans and Evon Smith, two of Anne's caregivers during her long illness. These two ladies provided love, wonderful care, and compassion. They were truly our angels during this difficult time. A private Funeral Service will be held at Parkway Funeral Home in RIDGELAND. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Anne's Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Beth Israel Congregation, Alzheimer's Association, or Alzheimer's Disease Research. For online condolences, please go to https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ridgeland-ms/anne-sawyer-9112092
Kind soul, dear husband, loving father, admiring brother, and steadfast son, Ralph Harry Nesson, age 72, of Fayetteville passed January 6, 2020. Born February 27, 1947 to William T. and Freda Sarah Nesson, he grew up in Brookline, Mass. with two surviving siblings, Carol Nesson and Bob Nesson. After his undergraduate studies at Hobart College, and graduate studies at Boston College, Ralph set off for adventures around the U.S., living in Chicago, San Francisco, and Santa Monica among other places.
While serving as a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) in Chicago, Ralph met his future wife, Kathleen Agnes Conway. They moved to California together and had their first child, Chava. Eventually they meandered to Russellville, Arkansas, where they had their second child, Liam. The family soon moved to Fayetteville where Ralph attended graduate school in adult education. There they had their third child, Benerin and raised their family while working and serving the community.
Kathleen practiced midwifery and Ralph became a leader in social work and adult education. He worked for the Economic Opportunity Agency helping underprivileged families in Northwest Arkansas and became the director after many years of service. In 1984, Ralph founded the Washington County Single Parent Scholarship Fund and built into the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund by 1990. The organization still thrives today and offers $1.5 million in higher education scholarships annually. After retirement in 2013, Ralph continued to serve his community and most recently started the nonprofit, Northwest Arkansas Books for Kids, which creates complete family literacy programs in public schools.
Ralph loved his family and doing what they relished together. With a life well-lived, he was a world-traveler and visited countries as far flung as Spain, France, Ireland, Israel, South Korea, and New Zealand. Ralph was a voracious reader and filled his home bookshelves to overflowing. He found peace and enjoyment when outdoors and sailing on lakes and oceans, hiking and camping. He always sought engaging social activities with Kathleen and their many friends in the NWA community and beyond. He strived to help people endlessly, with his family, work and personal life. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and those whose lives he touched so generously.
Ralph is survived by his wife Kathleen Conway; daughter, Chava Boyett and husband Kenny, and their children Tate and Jett of Fayetteville; son, Liam Nesson and wife Jessica Andrews, and their children, Chloe and Eleanor of Hilo, Hawaii; and son Benerin Nesson and wife Angie Jae of Truckee, Calif.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Ralph, please direct gifts to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Program (https://www.aspsf.org/donate) or Northwest Arkansas Books for Kids (https://www.nwabooksforkids.org/).
Dottie (Henick) Paris passed away on Sep 16th, 2009. She was the beloved wife of Michael Paris, devoted mother of Kim Weinstein Wynn (and her husband Harlan), Scott Weinstein, Todd Paris and Joshua Paris. Dottie was also cherished by her grandchildren Amanda, Kyle and Jaron.
Beth Janet Shapiro died nineteen years ago, August 3, 1995 in Houston,Texas. At that time she was Vice Provost at Rice University and also University Librarian. She left her husband Russell Barnes and her daughter, Gabrielle Alexandra Barnes.
I last saw her at the 25th reunion where we gathered with our dear old friends, Roye Miller from London, Flavia Hoefler from Denver and Faith and Boo Loeb from nearby. What fun times we remembered: riding to Nantasket in her Chevy, cheerleading, singing with the choir at the Boston Pops. Being a great athlete before Title 9, Beth remembered playing basketball and field hockey. We shared avid reading interests but she had taken lots of AP courses-math, english, history which none of the rest of us had pursued. What a unique person she always was.thinking and acting 'outside the box' which led to some hard battles. Beth always was in pursuit of social justice and equal opportunity for all. Long live her passionate spirit!
