In Memoriam - Mount Holyoke College Class of 1983

Name	Date of Death	Details
Donna L. Robinson	February 19, 2025
Elizabeth Fox (Ziehl)	October 5, 2024
Sarah O’Connor (Tawney)	July 1, 2023
Anne Sandt (Chisholm)	December 29, 2021
Anne Coughlin	July 29, 2016	No other details available.
Lisa Natoli	February 21, 2016
Kim Haeyoung	June 20, 2013	No other details available.
Cheryl Roberts (Slomski)	January 27, 2013
Gail Attridge	August 12, 2012
Heather Woiciechowski (Kemble)	September 25, 2011
Jacqueline Miller	December 22, 2009
Amy Nixon	January 4, 2005
Victoria Anne Traut	March 25, 1992	No other details available.
Julie Shaw	January 19, 1988	No other details available.
Shara Friedberg	July 20, 1985	No other details available.

After a long battle with COPD and Emphysema, Donna passed away on February 19th, 2025 at The University of Staten Island Hospital-North, Staten Island, NY.

Donna Lynn Robinson was born January 12th,1961 in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. She was the first child born to William Francis Robinson Sr. and Joan Dolores (Pearsall) Robinson.

After moving with her family to Richmond Hill, Queens, Donna attended P.S. 90, JHS 210, and Richmond Hill High School, where she graduated in 1979. Donna was a confirmed member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richmond Hill. She rose to the highest rank of First Class in The Girl Scouts of America.

In 1983 Donna graduated from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

For many years, Donna taught in the NYC Public School System, at two elementary schools, and eventually at her alma mater JHS 210 in Ozone Park, Queens.

Donna was predeceased by her father William Francis Robinson Sr. Survivors include her mother Joan Dolores Robinson. Her brothers William Francis Robinson Jr. (Diane Greif), and Joseph Lindsay (Suzanne Rioux) Robinson. Her nephew Paul Joseph Robinson. Her Aunts Mildred (Pearsall) Henriksen, Peggy M.(Pearsall) Lucas, Gail E. (Pearsall) Andersson, and Susan (Moser) Peters. Her Uncles James J. Lucas, and Lars G. Andersson, and her cousins Joan (Hoyeski) (Steven) Meyers, Albert J. (Karen Markowski) Peters, Monika E. (Andersson) (James) Flaherty. And Craig C. (Erin Sisk) Andersson.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, March 1st 2025, between 3:00 & 4:00 PM at The Hess-Miller Funeral Home 64-19 Metropolitan Avenue Middle Village, NY. Cremation on March 3rd, 2025 at Fresh Pond Crematory Middle Village, NY. Burial in Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY April 25th, 2025. Memorial Service and Burial officiated by The Reverend Robert G. Sonnenberg, Pastor St. John’s Lutheran Church Richmond Hill, NY.

Please send donations in Donna’s name to the North Shore Animal League America or Pets Alive in Middletown, NY. Donna was a true lover of all animals and their causes.

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Elizabeth Cornelia Ziehl Fox, 65, of Westport, passed peacefully at home on Oct. 5, 2024, following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Liz was born in Queens, N.Y., on May 20, 1959, to Joseph D. and Joan (Fox) Ziehl. Elizabeth grew up in Greens Farms, graduated from Staples High School in Westport and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College.

In 1986 Liz married John G. Petti III and had two children, Delia and Jack.

Liz was passionate about architecture and building. In 1997, she directed the design and construction of a magnificent estate on Sasco Hill Road in Fairfield, which she filled with beautiful art and antiques. She was an impassioned gardener and cultivated spectacular gardens at her homes in Fairfield and Westport.

In the early 2000s Liz created Foxy Music, a production company that sourced and recruited new talent. Liz was an ardent and accomplished cook who loved to entertain. She graciously welcomed her many friends and family members to her home where she expertly curated home-cooked meals for small intimate gatherings as well as veritable feasts for large crowds.

Liz was a compassionate and generous philanthropist that gave whole-heartedly of herself to the causes and people that were dear to her. She hosted many fundraisers for Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, the Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center and the Daniel Trust Foundation, to name a few.

As a proud Democrat, Liz was actively engaged in politics, especially as it related to human, women and voting rights.

People often described Liz as a tenacious and wise force of nature. Unapologetically authentic, Liz always beat to her own drum unbothered by popular opinion. While Liz had such a wealth of knowledge on many different things, she always remained curious and humble.

Most of all, Liz was devoted to her family and loved them all dearly. Liz was predeceased by her mother, Joan Ziehl. In addition to her cherished children, Jack Petti of Newport Beach, Calif., and Delia Petti and her fiancé Michael Corsi of Newtown, Liz leaves behind her ex-husband John G. Petti III and his wife Courtney of Westport; her beloved father, Joseph D. Ziehl of Woodbury and Naples, Fla., and his wife Michelle; her brother Joe Ziehl and his wife Cynthia of Monroe; her sister Cathy Ziehl and her husband Larry Nirenberg of Newton, Mass.; her brother Matthew Ziehl and his wife Amy Starr of New York City, and eight nieces and nephews.

The family especially wishes to thank the nurses and home health aides at RVNA for their kind and compassionate care without which we would not have been able to navigate her cancer journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Malta House in Norwalk. Malta House focuses on aiding women and children.

Additionally, a celebration of life/charity will be held next fall in Liz’s honor and will support some of her favorite causes.

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Sarah Tawney O’Connor, 61, of Wilmot, NH, died peacefully in her home on July 1, 2023. Sarah, who never smoked, fought ALK Positive lung cancer for five years. Born October 27, 1961, Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Psychology and played varsity field hockey and lacrosse. She then earned a Master of Social Work from Smith College.

Sarah was a loving mother and a generous, kind person who was committed to her family, her friends, her community, and to living a full life. Always thinking of how she could help others, over the decades she volunteered at many organizations, including the Wilmot Community Center’s beach program and community breakfasts, the Wilmot Public Library, Kearsarge School District, New London Historical Society art shows, and the Kearsarge Food Pantry. Most recently, she co-founded and co-ran a writing support group for people diagnosed with ALK Positive Lung Cancer. Sarah served on several nonprofit boards including the New London Outing Club and KAT Company.

Professionally as well as personally, the common denominator in Sarah’s life was her focus on helping and supporting others. She worked at New England College as a therapist and adjunct professor, Proctor Academy as a woman’s lacrosse coach, Lutheran Social Services working with refugees in Concord, the Manchester School District as an extended learning opportunity coordinator, the Connecticut Valley VNA and Hospice, and Alice Peck Day Hospital as a case manager.

Sarah loved her family and was a devoted mother. She would do anything for her children and was committed to their growth and success. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Sarah enjoyed gardening, music, traveling, playing tennis & pickle-ball, knitting, and scuba diving. She was an outstanding cook who loved to lavish her skills on her family and those fortunate enough to be her friends.

Sarah was predeceased by her parents Robert “Bob” and Joyce Tawney. She is survived by her husband of forty years, John; her children, Rebecca O’Connor, Ian O’Connor, Charlie O’Connor; Rebecca’s spouse Chris Duncan; her granddaughter Maconda Joyce Duncan; her siblings Mark Tawney, Peter Tawney, Martha Toth, and Robert Tawney and their spouses.

The family offers very special thanks to her oncologist Dr. Dagogo-Jack and the team at Mass General Hospital and the help she received from the Lake Sunapee VNA and Hospice.

A service celebrating her life will be held at The First Baptist Church in New London on Monday, July 24 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please give to ALK Positive (www.alkpositive.org) supporting research into curing this form of cancer.

The family is sad to announce that Anne Winthrop Chisholm Sandt peacefully passed away on December 29th 2021, at home with her family by her side. She was the middle child of William H. and Virginia Chisholm, born in Claremont, New Hampshire on November 20th 1961. First living in Exeter NH and then later moving to Rye Beach.

As a child, she followed in the footsteps steps of her mother and attended the Wavus Camps (now known as the Kieve-Wavus Education). Over 10 summers, for eight weeks at a time, Anne swam and boated in Lake Damiscotta all the while learning and practicing the values of the camp. She later served on the Board of Directors. It was with great pride that her daughters Anna and Ellie have spent over a decade themselves as campers and counselors at Wavus. The Rays, a longstanding Wavus tradition, were a moral compass for Anne, the most meaningful to her was the ray of patience; Patience the heron must practice while waiting for fish for his dinner. Full many a task is accomplished if self-control rules our emotions.

Upon graduating from Governor Dummer Academy, Anne enthusiastically entered Mount Holyoke College. Not only did she receive a quality education, but made lifelong friends. Boston University School of Law followed. Again, not just obtaining the knowledge to succeed at law but continued to make long-lasting friendships. She spent two summers in Washington D.C as an intern, including a stint working in Senator Gordon J Humphreys (R) New Hampshire office.

As an attorney, she was dedicated, compassionate, and loyal to her clients. After over thirty year working with the same firm, she opened her own practice. Respected by her colleagues, she was often sought out to present at annual conferences in her areas of expertise across the country. She would often say to her daughters, if you do the hard work and pay attention to the details you will always get the best results for your client.

She married Mark Sandt on August, 27th 1998, in Stonington, Maine. They loved to travel and explore new countries together, but always came back to Maine each summer. Most of all she treasured her twin daughters, Anna and Eleanor (Ellie). They were the center of her universe.

Anne also loved to garden and found great satisfaction in getting her hands dirty. Every year was a new canvas to work with as she searched for different varieties and combinations to grow.

Anne is survived by her husband and daughters of Byfield M.A.; sisters Sue Chisholm of Franklin N.H.; Dorcus Chisholm of Pittsfield N.H.; Helen Chisholm of Eugene O.R.; brothers, Timothy of Bristol, R.I.; Manson of Chestertown M.D.; and John of N.H. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Kirsten Hinkle.

The family would also like to acknowledge the commitment, dedication, and compassion shown by the staff of the Anna Jacques Cancer Center, through Anne’s battle.

Services and burial will be private. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mrs. Sandt’s family with her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wavus Camp at Kieve Wavus Education (PO Box 169 Nobleboro, Maine 04555).

Gail Attridge of Bedford Road, Carlisle, age 50, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on August 12 2012 after a five-year battle with breast cancer. A wonderful mother, wife, daughter, friend and neighbor; an excellent sailor, a skilled equestrian; a loving steward of animals including horses, dogs and chickens; Gail will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.

Gail was raised in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Like her daughters eventually would, she competed as a girl in horse shows, a passion that she maintained throughout her whole life. Before university, she sailed the Maine coast every summer developing her skills as an experienced off-shore sailor. She majored in economics at Mount Holyoke College, including a year’s studies overseas at the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, and then completed a master’s degree at the London School of Economics.

Gail’s career in international finance began in Boston immediately after she graduated, working as an economist for three years with Data Resources Inc., but a thirst for adventure compelled her to take a break to spend a summer working on a charter boat sailing out of Camden, Maine. She then moved to Japan for two years to help her father start a business there, followed by two years in Hong Kong working for British investment bank County NatWest. During that time, Gail traveled extensively throughout the region researching Asia’s emerging economies for County NatWest.

It was during her stint in Hong Kong that she met her Australian husband, Rob Thomson. The pair eventually left Hong Kong together to travel throughout China, Russia, and Europe before settling in the U.S., where they both resumed careers in the fields, and married in 1992. After several years as a Fund Manager and Vice President for Putnam Investments, Gail gave birth to her elder daughter, Harriet, followed by Ella’s arrival three years later.

The family of four moved from Brookline to Concord when the girls were small and enjoyed neighborhood life on Revolutionary Ridge, but before too long, her abiding passion for the equestrian life, an interest fast taking hold in both daughters as well, drew the family to Carlisle, where they bought property that had enough room to build a barn which would house their two horses, Avi and Ziggy. The barn and surrounding pastures provided space for not only Ella and Harriet but also numerous friends and emerging equestrians to develop their riding skills under Gail’s tutelage. The family became involved in the Old North Bridge Pony Club, where the girls rode and competed while Gail served as an officer and eventually as District Commissioner.

After learning in 2007 that she had inoperable breast cancer, Gail readjusted her life in small ways to maximize the time she had left with her family. She welcomed help from her mother, Iris, of Gloucester, and enjoyed visits from her father, still living in Japan. She and Rob made it a top priority to spend time together as a family. She continued tending to horses and chickens alike for as long as she was physically able, passing on her knowledge of animals and so many other things to her daughters every step of the way. Gail faced her illness with honesty, strength and resilience, putting everything she had into making the most of every day while always being candid with family and friends about what the future held.

Gail is survived by her husband Rob Thomson, and their two children Ella and Harriet Thomson, her parents Iris and Bill Attridge, her aunt Joyce Coish, cousins Ron and Ken Coish, and countless friends she met through her children’s activities, riding groups, and the various places she has lived.

Memorials:
Gail had asked that those wishing to express their condolences through a gift of flowers please consider instead a donation to the MSPCA Nevins Farm in Methuen and their Equine/Farm Adoption Center , a special MSPCA facility devoted to neglected farm animals including horses (wwww.mspca.org)..