System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!
Charlotte Arey Hoppe '43
Oct. 6, 2019, in Canton, Conn., at 98. She became a member of the Navy WAVES during World War II, serving until her 1946 discharge as a chief pharmacist mate. She graduated from Columbia University Medical School in 1947 as a registered physical therapist and then worked for 12 years for the Veterans Affairs Physical Therapy Clinic in Hartford. She transferred to the USVA Hospital in Newington, Conn., working until she retired in 1986, serving 42 years in total for the U.S. government. She participated in horse shows and rode with a hunt club, becoming the Connecticut Horse Show state grand champion in the Open Hunter Division in 1955 and the Open Reserve Champion in the Jumping Division 1956-59 riding her horse Hi Mac! Later, she joined a fiddlers club, played in a senior band, was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and enjoyed line, square, and country dancing. Predeceased by her father, Harold Arey, Class of 1903, and siblings Barbara Arey Ambler ’41, Marjorie Arey O’Connor ’41, and Philip Arey ’51, she is survived by her lifelong friend, Gerry Lagace, and extended family.
Nancy Grahn Christensen '44
April 16, 2019, in Wellington, Fla., at 96. During World War II she worked for the American Red Cross in Europe, where she set up recreation centers for soldiers in cities across the continent. Having traveled fairly extensively, she later became a travel agent. She remained active even in retirement: playing tennis, hiking, and canoeing, which she did extensively with the Florida Trail Association. She had three sons with her first husband and raised two others, including Deborah Christensen Stewart ’72, with her second husband, who predeceased her.
Lois Peterson Johnson '44
Aug. 22, 2019, in Missouri at 97. Her life after Colby focused on supporting her husband's education and career while raising their four children. She worked for a time as a secretary for the Protestant chaplain at the University of Maine before retiring to Charlottesville, Va. Traveling, quilting, and sewing kept her busy and engaged, as did involvement with her church choir. Her brother, Philip Peterson ’48, survives her.
Evelyn Sterry Belanger '45
Oct. 3, 2018, in Brunswick, Maine, at 93. She began teaching high school French in 1945 and taught for 30 years in towns from northern Maine to Old Orchard Beach, earning a master’s in French in 1952 from Middlebury College. In 1980 she changed careers and became a reference librarian in Bath, Maine, until she retired. Evelyn was accomplished at knitting, crocheting, and needlework, and she was a cat lover, having 19 during her lifetime. Her daughter, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and extended family, including niece Pauline Belanger Beaudoin ’65 and cousin Sherri Worthen Christianson ’86, survive her.
Helen Strauss '45
March 13, 2019, in Tarrytown, N.Y., at 95. A native New Yorker, she worked in the city in advertising for more than 40 years, specializing in advertising for book publishers. She remained engaged with Colby as a volunteer, serving on the Alumni Council, as chair of her class’s alumni fund committee, and, most notably, as president of the New York Colby Club. Her service earned her a Colby Brick in 1976. Miss Strauss enjoyed traveling and cultural activities in New York.
Hazel Brewer Warren '45
May 2, 2019, in Centerville, Mass., at 96. For five years following her Colby graduation, she taught high school English and took graduate classes in education and library science. Motherhood followed, and later she resumed working in schools, this time as librarian. She retired in Centerville, where she was active with the historical society, library, and beautification committee, which awarded her with community service excellence awards during her 10 years as chair. A tennis enthusiast, she also played bridge, was an insatiable reader, and gardened. Predeceased by her sisters, Frances Brewer Barker ’42 and Mary Brewer Norton ’45, she leaves two sons and two grandchildren.
Roberta Marden Alden '47
April 13, 2019, in Yarmouth, Maine, at 93. After two years at Colby, she transferred to the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, returning to work at Colby for Buildings and Grounds until she married in 1947. She worked in local schools as a substitute teacher, in the office, and as a volunteer in her retirement. Roberta was active with her church, the Lions Club, and the Boys and Girls Scouts. Predeceased by her father, The Honorable H.C. Marden ’21, and her brothers Harold C. Marden Jr. ’50 and Robert Marden ’51, she is survived by three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Briggs Aronson '47
June 14, 2019, in Canaan, N.Y., at 92. An artist and writer, reader and scholar, she followed up her Colby graduation by spending two summers at Middlebury Language school, teaching high school German, bicycling in Europe, and studying at universities in Heidelberg and Tuebingen. She was married in Lorimer Chapel, then turned her focus to home and family. She later earned a degree in American studies from Boston College and became curator at Medfield (Mass.) Historical Society. She resumed teaching German, sang with a group in Boston, and built a cottage on Rangeley (Maine) Lake. She was also active with the Appalachian Mountain Club, leading hikes in the White Mountains. She also climbed mountains in the Canadian Rockies, Idaho, and Montana. Survivors include three children, five grandchildren, and extended family, including niece Nancy Briggs Marshall ’82.
Elizabeth Wade Drum '47
May 29, 2019, in Framingham, Mass., at 96. Her college education began at the University of North Carolina but was interrupted during World War II, when she returned to her home town of Pittsfield, Mass., to work as a calculator for General Electric. She transferred to Colby in her junior year, graduated, then returned to teach math for a year. After raising her sons, she taught fifth and sixth grade and earned a master's in elementary education. Among her community activities were directing handbell ringing groups, volunteering at the library and food pantry, knitting blankets for babies and veterans, and serving at her church as an organist, children’s choir director, and Sunday school teacher. She is survived by her three sons and three grandchildren.
Donald F. Klein '47
Aug. 7, 2019, in New York, N.Y., at 90. A psychiatrist called the "father of psychopharmacology" for his groundbreaking research that legitimized treating psychiatric disorders with drugs, Dr. Klein graduated from the State University of New York School of Medicine in 1952. He first worked in public health, and then in psychiatric research, working at Zucker Hospital in Queens, N.Y., and honing his understanding of depression, anxiety, and therapeutic drugs. In 1976 he moved to Columbia University's College of Physicians, where he became director of research and chief of the Division of Therapeutics at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. A teacher and mentor, he co-wrote Understanding Depression: A Complete Guide to its Diagnosis and Treatment, a book geared for physicians, patients, and families. Despite being labeled "anti-therapy," he reportedly supported both sides of the debate over whether therapy or drugs were the best approaches to treatment. He leaves his wife, Rachel Kravetz, five daughters, and eight grandchildren.
