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Grace R. Foster '21
Grace R. Foster '21, a distinguished educator, died October 5, 1994 in Jacksonville, Fla., at 95. She was born in Swatow, China, the daughter of a Christian missionary, John M. Foster '03. She completed high school at Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville, Maine. At Colby she joined Sigma Kappa, was involved in the literary society, Colbiana and the women student's newspaper and graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors in biology. While teaching high school biology in Buffalo, N.Y., she pursued graduate work in psychology at Columbia University and received her Ph.D. in 1934. Following her grandfather John Barton Foster, Class of 1843 and a professor of Greek and Latin at Colby for 35 years, she returned to the College as an instructor of psychology. Her 1934 book, Social Change in Relation to Curricular Development in Collegiate Education for Women, was an exhaustive study of the development of a place for women in higher education. From 1935 to 1947 she was employed as a psychologist by the Augusta, Maine, State Hospital and from 1950 to 1960 by the Guidance Bureau in New York. She returned to her teaching career at the University of Maine and later at Inter-American University before retiring in 1966. An assertive pioneer in women's professional advancement, she led the unionization at Augusta State Hospital and was the author of numerous articles in professional journals. Two brothers, two cousins, a niece and two nephews, John T. Foster '40 and Walter S. Foster '56, also attended the College.
Doris Purington Cunningham '22
Doris Purington Cunningham '22, a retired teacher and librarian, died August 17, 1994 in Presque Isle, Maine, at 93. Born in Houlton, Maine, she attended Houlton High School. At Colby she joined Sigma Kappa, served as class secretary and was a member of the Echo editorial board. After Colby she pursued a career as a teacher and continued her education at the University of Maine and the University of Chicago. For 12 years following her marriage in 1930 she was librarian of the Presque Isle High School. She had one daughter and three grandchildren and at the time of her retirement in 1971 was active in local church, social and cultural organizations.
Mary Irene Whitcomb '22
Mary Irene Whitcomb '22, a librarian, died August 13, 1994 in Bethesda, Md., at 94. She was born in Richmond, Que. She attended Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville, Maine, before entering Colby, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa. She earned a B.S. in library science from Simmons College in 1923 and was employed in the libraries at Boston University and Amherst College. In 1930 she returned to Waterville and worked for several years in Memorial Hall as the cataloguer for Colby's library. She later traveled extensively throughout the United States and also resided in California, Arizona and Washington, D.C. She gave generously of her time to the Salvation Army and worked with the blind.
Mollie Seltzer Yett '26
Mollie Seltzer Yett '26, former member of the Vermont State Symphony, died in October, 1994 in Boston, Mass., at 88. Born in Warsaw, Poland, she was raised in Fairfield, Maine. At the College she was a member of the Glee Club and the orchestra, was class poet and commencement speaker and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the first woman to receive the Health Cup, awarded to the outstanding athlete of the class. For several years she taught high school English in Vermont and New York. Following her marriage and move to Barre, Vt., in 1932, she was active in local civic organizations, serving as president of the Vermont chapter of AAUW and as chair of the Vermont Federation of Women's Clubs. She also studied at the Juilliard School of Music and was first violist of the Vermont State Symphony. Her sister and brother, Rose Seltzer Gahan '27 and Leo Seltzer '37, predeceased her. She leaves three sons, including Daniel Yett '58, a sister, a brother and seven grandchildren, including Jonathan Yett '86.
Willis S. Duncan '29
Willis S. Duncan '29, a farmer in Fort Fairfield, Maine, died September 1, 1994 in Mars Hill. Born in Washburn, Maine, he graduated from Washburn High School and attended Aroostook State Normal College as well as Colby. For over 60 years he was a resident of Fort Fairfield, where he was engaged in farming until his retirement in 1977. For the next 15 years he was employed with the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and held many church positions over the years. He is survived by two sons, a daughter, three brothers, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Albert C. Palmer '30
Albert C. Palmer '30, former chair of the Board of Trustees, died December 11, 1994 in Stoneham, Mass., at age 84. He was born in Hinckley, Maine, and attended Good Will High School. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the College, he was employed by New England Telephone and Telegraph in 1930 in the sales and traffic departments and eventually rose to division traffic superintendent in Boston. From 1950 to 1956 he was an assistant vice president of AT&T; in New York, first as head of the traffic division and later in the personnel department heading the labor relations staff. In 1956 he returned to Boston as vice president-personnel with the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, and as vice president-operations from 1959 to 1965 he was responsible for the engineering and marketing organizations in five states. At the time of his retirement he was vice president-administration and planning, concerned principally with development of long-range corporate plans.
At the same time that he pursued his successful business career, he unselfishly devoted energies and talent in one role or another to the life of the College. He served as an alumni interviewer, as a class agent and as a member of the Alumni Council. In 1960 he was elected alumni representative to the Board of Trustees and worked tirelessly to raise College funds, serving key leadership roles in the Boston area Mayflower Hill Development Fund campaign, the Ford Challenge Campaign and the subsequent Fulfillment Campaign. He was a member of the board's budget and finance, student affairs, planning and executive committees. Elected chair of the board in 1970, he served tirelessly until 1979. In addition to his successful business and Colby careers, he also was president of Massachusetts Blue Cross and vice chair of the Governor's Advisory Council for Comprehensive Health Planning in Massachusetts. For his service and contribution to Colby and to society at large he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws in 1972. The Alumni Association awarded him a Colby Brick in 1973. Survivors include his wife, Louise, his son, David Palmer '57, his daughter-in-law, Anne Burbank Palmer '55, his daughter, Betsy, his brother, Norman Palmer '30, and his sister, Mary Palmer Mills '33.
Donald E. Allison '30
Donald E. Allison '30, a retired educator, died August 1, 1994 in Westerly, R.I., at 89. He attended Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. At Colby he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, president of the Student Council and on the football and track teams. While pursuing a career in education as a teacher of mathematics and principal at several schools in New England, he also did graduate work at Boston University and Harvard University. He was active in school sports as an official and served as president of the Association of New England Football Officials. From 1944 to 1994, he and his wife operated the Winnapaug Day Camp in Westerly, and in 1990 they were honored with the Community Service Award by the local chamber of commerce. He was a member of the New England Day Camp Directors Association as well as a deacon at the Dunn's Corners Presbyterian Church in Westerly. Predeceased by his brother George Allison '30, he is survived by his wife, a son, Phillip Allison '63, a daughter and five grandchildren.
John S. Davidson '31
John S. Davidson '31, a retired public utilities executive, died June 8, 1994 in Harrisburg, Pa., at 86. Born in Montpelier, Vt., he attended the Roxbury School in Cheshire, Conn. A history major at Colby, he was president of Delta Kappa Epsilon and vice president of the Student Council. After working for the Nebraska Power Co., he joined the Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. as assistant to the vice president and during a 34-year tenure with the company held five different positions before retiring as vice president of the Northeast Division. He was a director or trustee of numerous industrial development, civic and charitable projects and was a founder and first president of the Hazel-ton Industrial Development Corp., president and director of Northeast Pennsylvania Public Television and a member of the Pennsylvania Selective Service Appeals Board. In 1963 he received an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Scranton, which he served as a trustee. A trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, he received the Americanism Award from B'nai B'rith for outstanding community service and was selected as a Distinguished Pennsylvanian in 1982 by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Predeceased by his brother, James E. Davidson Jr. '30, he is survived by his wife, Faith (Rollins '31), two daughters, five grandchildren and a sister.
Wallace A. "Wally" Donovan '31
Wallace A. "Wally" Donovan '31, longtime coach and athletic director, died October 22, 1994 in Waterville, Maine, at 86. He was born in Waterville and graduated from Waterville High, where he won 14 letters and was captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. As a running back at Colby he was All-Maine three times, All-New England and twice honorable mention All-America. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he also was president of his senior class, president of the Student Council and co-winner of the Condon Medal. As coach and athletic director at Waterville High for 38 years before his retirement in 1972, he led Waterville to several state championships in football and state and New England titles in basketball. He was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. Survived by his wife of 57 years, Runa, he leaves a daughter, a son, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Arthur A. Flewelling '31
Arthur A. Flewelling '31, a retired grocer and store manager, died August 5, 1994 in Ipswich, Mass., at 87. He was born in Monticello, Maine, and graduated from Ricker Classical Institute. At Colby he belonged to Theta Kappa Nu and was inducted into Chi Epsilon Mu honor society. He was employed as manager of the First National Stores in Orono and then in Augusta, Maine, until his retirement in 1972. In 1992 he moved to Ipswich. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Flewelling Swanson '64, and two grandchildren. His wife, Irene, survived him by one month.
