Last Updated: 03/05/2010
Glynn Compton Harper (16th Co)
Glynn
Compton Harper, 74 of San Augustine, passed away Wednesday, January
13, 2010, in Lufkin, after an lengthy illness. He
was born October 21, 1935, in Shelby County, Texas, to Hattie Frances
(Compton) Harper and William Bruce Harper. He was rector of Christ
Church Episcopal in San Augustine. Before that he served as rector at
St. Anna's in New Orleans, LA. He held numerous post in the churches
in and around the Houston area, namely St. James, St. Andrews, and St.
Peters.
Glynn
graduated from the US Naval Academy with the Class of 1958 and served
as a submariner. He later separated from the Navy and went to
seminary, including studying at Oxford, England. He spent his adult
life in the service of God through the Episcopal Church.
Close
to retirement age, Glynn dedicated himself as a author. He has
published "A Perfect Peace" and "Arise Beloved."
Glynn Compton Harper will be remembered as a brilliant man and a good
friend.
Memorial
Services were held on Monday, January 18, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. in the
Christ Church Episcopal in San Augustine to honor his life.
He
is survived by: Goddaughter: Dixie Harris, and her husband, Lt. Col.
Bryan of Abilene, his brother: Richard Harper of Pasadena, and his
adopted sister: Jill Buffington of Harrison, Township, MI, as well as
a host of dear friends.
He
was preceded in death by his father, William Bruce Harper, his mother,
Hattie Frances Compton, and his brother, Thomas Paul Harper.
In
lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a memorial in Glynn's name to
Christ Church Foundation, 201 South Ayish, San Augustine, Texas.
Charles Emerson Harrison (12th Co)
Charles
(Chuck) Harrison, 74 died Thursday, February 26, 2010 at Groton
Regency.
Mr. Harrison was born on June 23, 1935 in Elmira, NY the son of
Charles and Ruth Emerson Harrison. Chuck graduated from
Ithaca
High School in 1953 and joined the Navy Reserve. He entered the U.S.
Naval Academy graduating in the class of 1958 and attained retired
status from the Navy in 1972 as a Lt. Commander. He was a member of
the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Groton Base, the Fleet Reserve, Branch
20, the Mystic Chorale Group, Mensa and many others too numerous to
mention.
Chcuk is survived by hid wife Marry Harrison of Groton, his four
daughters Mardyne and Dion Smith of Branford, Denyse Espinoza of GA,
Helyn and James Go of Oakdale, and Katherine Harrison of VA, his son
C. Edward Harrison of HI, 15 grandchildren and 12 Great-Grandchildren,
and many nieces and nephews. Chuck lived his life to the fullest
everyday. Besides his family, he leaves behind many friends he met on
his journey through life.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 until 7:00pm on Friday,
March
5, 2010 in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London, CT
06320. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at the
U.S. Naval Academy. Please visit our website www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com
for photos and tributes.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to USSVI
Scholarship Program, 40 School St., Groton, CT 06340; Niantic Rotary
Foundation, P.O.Box 339, Niantic, CT 06357, or VITAS Hospice
Charitable Fund, 255 Pitkin St, East Hartford, CT 06108.
Last Call John Paul Berry (14th Co)
On February 13, 2010, John Paul Berry passed away suddenly in Annapolis, MD. John Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Wilma (Billie) Berry; his mother, Mary Ellen Berry; brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Collins, Marybeth White, Charles Palmer III, David Berry, and Thomas Berry, Jr.; devoted father of John Paul Berry, Jr., Patrick Berry, Colleen Ginsburg, Stacy Isaacs and Carole Elliott. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Kristen Isaacs, Steven Berry, Jamie Williams, Robert Isaacs, Jr., Sarah Ginsburg, Cora Berry, Julian Berry, Charlotte Elliott, Cecelia Elliott and Thomas Elliott. A public viewing will be held at Mariners Church, 1592 Whitehall Rd., Annapolis, MD 21409, phone (410) 757-6064, Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10 a.m.; public service to follow at 11 a.m. Refreshments following. For further information, please visit http:// www.marinerschurch.com . Interment, private, will be held at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Mariners' Missions Fund, http://www.marinerschurch.com or Campus Crusade for Christ, http:// www.militaryministry.org .
John Coventry Chambliss (8th Co)
The following obituary appeared in "The State", a South Carolina paper.
COLUMBIA — Lt. Col. John Coventry Chambliss,
U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), died February 9, 2010. Known as Jack, he was
the son of John Lockwood Chambliss and Barbara Channing Miller
Chambliss of Falls Church, Va. He was a graduate of the United States
Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps from 1958 to 1978. His
military duties included tours in Okinawa, Vietnam, and Marine Corps
Headquarters in Arlington, Va. He earned a degree from the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and a master’s degree from
the University of Michigan in communication information and control
engineering. After retiring from active duty, he worked with Federal
Data Corporation for 10 years and was an adjunct professor of
mathematics at American University in Washington, D.C.
The family returned to Columbia in 1986 where Mr. Chambliss was an
active participant in the community. He received a master’s degree
in rehabilitation counseling from the University of South Carolina and
taught criminal justice and mental health at U.S.C. as an adjunct
professor. He was a committed volunteer, focusing on adult literacy
and literacy teaching in the prisons and drug and alcohol
rehabilitation counseling. He also volunteered at the Midlands Veteran
Rehabilitation Center, Habitat for Humanity and Harvest Hope Food
Bank. He was on the board of the Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center
and the local Red Cross Pherisis Program.
Mr. Chambliss was a dedicated member of Eastminster Presbyterian
Church, where he served as an elder, Bethel Bible teacher, Kerygma
teacher, adult Sunday school teacher and tutor in the Champs program.
He also was a Stephen Minister and leader in the Stephen Ministry
program, which he found especially rewarding and meaningful.
An avid golfer for his entire life, Mr. Chambliss always walked the
course and carried his bag. He was a member of the Midlands Master
Gardeners Association and specialized in teaching new Habitat
homeowners how to care for their yards. He also was a member of the
Columbia Cotillion Club.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Coleman McPherson Chambliss; two
daughters, Elizabeth Chambliss and her husband, Erik Semmelmeyer, of
Montclair, N.J., Julia Craig and her husband, Tim, of Columbia; four
grandchildren, Lucy Coleman Semmelmeyer, Jane Lockwood Semmelmeyer,
Elizabeth Grace Craig and Elaine Coventry Craig; sisters, Dana
Anderson of Astoria, Ore., and Natalie Chambliss of Mountain House,
Calif.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2010,
at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday
at the home, 10 Mallet Hill Court, and on Saturday in the Eastminster
parlor following the memorial service.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks for the supportive care
of the nurses and staff on 8th Averyt at Baptist Hospital.
Memorials may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church or the
charity of one’s choice.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
Vera Sidonie Port (Wife of Joe Port 23rd Co)
The
following sad news is from Ray Landrum:
Joe Port's wife, Vera, passed away Jan. 19. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Jan.29 at 10:30 AM in St. Andrews Chapel. Inurnment will follow at the Naval Academy Columbarium.
The following was published in the The Capitol Newspaper on 22 Jan:
Vera Sidonie Port, 73, of the Arnold/Annapolis area, previously of Potomac, died Jan. 19 at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after a four month illness. Born on Oct. 12, 1936, in the tropical paradise of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. A smoldering Latin beauty with movie star looks, she never lost her native passion for life and "calor humano." She graduated from Cazenovia College in upstate New York with an associates degree in 1957. While living and studying in upstate New York, she had met, at church, the love of her life and eventual husband of 51 plus years, Joseph C. Port (Cdr. USN, retired, Class of 1958). They married following his graduation on June 5, 1958, at the Naval Academy Chapel. A loving mother and devoted Navy wife, she raised four children in a dozen different homes, across four continents. She was also a nurturing grandmother to nine grandchildren and her force and influence will live on in them. Throughout the decades, she was the matriarch and rock of the family as the Navy called them to duty in stations in the U.S. and abroad, including Pensacola, San Diego, Hawaii, Japan, Patuxent River, Annapolis, Italy, and Brazil. In the late 1960's and early 1970's she worked for the Brazilian American Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., promoting Brazilian art and culture. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, when the family was living in Brazil, she worked as the in-country representative for the Italian aerospace company Selenia. Later in the 1980's when the family had moved to Long Island, New York, she worked as a sales associate at the Macy's in downtown Manhattan. After the family moved to the Annapolis area in the late 1980's, she opened Vera's Bakery & Café in Severna Park, where her Brazilian and international cooking were legendary to her loyal customers. She also established Vera's Wedding Cakes and for years supplied equally renowned artisan cakes for area weddings. She later became an icon of the local Farmers' Markets in Anne Arundel County known for her delicious breads and scones and other unforgettable baked delicacies. Compassionate and giving, she rescued animals and donated regularly to charities for orphaned children in Brazil. She is proceeded in death by her father Charles G. Hasler; her mother Dulce Bottas; and one brother, Niel R. Hasler, all of Salvador, Brazil. She is survivied by her husband, Joseph Clinton Port of Arnold, whom she married June 4, 1958; three sons, Charles F. Port of Annapolis, Joseph C. Port, Jr. of Frederick, Christopher N. Port of Bryson City, N.C.; one daughter, Katia Port Reecer of Arlington, Va.; her stepmother, Eugenia Hasler of Salvador, Brazil; two brothers, Charles Hasler of Salvador, Brazil, Gerald B. Hasler of San Paolo, Brazil; two sisters, Elza M. Hasler of Lexington, Ky., Patricia M. Principe of Salvador, Brazil and nine grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Jan. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrews Chapel, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (enter Gate 8). Inurnment USNA Columbarium. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Red Cross to help Haiti. Arrangements by the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made to www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com.
From Chuck Smith
At Saint Martha Catholic Church today (4 January 2010), Classmates from the San Diego area gathered to bid farewell to Tom Doyle (19). Tom's widow, Audrey, and family graciously hosted class members, wives, shipmates and friends at their Temecula home, following the service and military honors. Attending the service were Claudette and Bruce Craig (19), Shari and John Dean (22), Madelyn & Joe Fenick (7), Dick Hanson (7), Dick Lawe (22), Chuck Smith (20) and Dotty and John Washburn (7). Several Class members/wives commented positively on the opportunity they had to see Tom recently at the December Class Lunch on 9 December
From
Gordo:
I regret once again to be passing along the word on the loss of a classmate. Tom Doyle passed away on Wednesday, 29 December. He had been in apparent good health and suffered a heart attack. We have been in touch with his son, Tom Jr., and have learned that the funeral service will take place on Monday, 0900, 4 January 2010, at St. Martha's Church, at 37200 Whitewood Road, Murieta, CA 92563.
John James Dittrick, Jr (17th Co)
Captain
John J. Dittrick, Jr., USN, (Ret.) was hospitalized at Sentara
Virginia Beach General Hospital on August 20, 2009.due to a sudden
illness. Jack passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at
A
message from Carolyn Dittrick:
Dear Family, Friends and Neighbors,
We deeply appreciate all of your thoughtfulness, prayers and support.
We will be holding a Celebration of Life to honor, appreciate and remember Jack Dittrick. We would be honored to have your presence in sharing in this meaningful time.
Saturday,
December 5, 2009
1:30 p. m. service
Eastern
Shore
Chapel Episcopal Church
757-428-6763
Refreshments to follow in the adjoining Parish Hall
If
you are traveling from out of town, we recommend the Hampton Inn
Oceanfront North,
***
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations
be made to one of the following organizations.
Please reference In Memory of John J. Dittrick, Jr. when providing a donation. They in turn will notify us that a donation has been sent.
Donations In Memory of John J. Dittrick, Jr.
Room 419
216-368-0587
Ocean
Conservancy - Membership Department
Donations In Memory of John J. Dittrick, Jr.
8th Floor
800-519-1541
www.oceanconservancy.org
American
Legion Troop Support Program Operation
Comfort Warriors.
You can use your credit card to make
an online donation or you can mail a check to:
Operation
Comfort Warriors
PO Box 1055
Indianapolis,
IN
46206.
From
Bob Pidgeon
Bob
Phillips passed away on Veterans Day after
a protracted illness. He is survived by his wife, Cleo, two
daughters (Lynn and Karen) and a son, Marc.
His funeral is planned for 1400 Sunday, 15 November at the First Baptist Church of El Campo TX, Bob's home.
The following obituary was published in the Victoria Advocate on November 13, 2009:
Robert
E. Phillips, Captain USN Retired, of El Campo, passed away on Nov. 11,
2009. He was born on Dec. 24, 1934 in Dallas.
At age 14 he got his private pilot license and Ham Radio License,
W5NZ. He graduated from Amon Carter in Fort Worth in 1953. He attended
Texas University for one year and was appointed to the Naval Academy.
He graduated from the Academy in 1958.
After 26 years in the Navy he retired in 1984 and went sailing. He
later built a 42-foot Catamaran and sailed it with his wife. They then
started traveling in a motor home and after three years of traveling
he looked and settled down in El Campo in September 2004 with his
wife.
He is survived by his wife, Cleo; three children, Lynn Brown, Karen
Warfield, and Marc Phillips and their spouses; seven grandchildren;
and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Jennings and Eunice
Driskill Phillips, and a brother.
Visitation will be on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Triska Funeral
Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at
the First Baptist Church with Rev. Rick DuBroc officiating.
Pallbearers will be Walter Rutherford, Noel Rodriguez, Edmund Holub,
Shane Naiser, Rick Lindley, and Donald Preismeyer.
Memorial donations may be made to Houston Hospice-El Campo, P.O. Box
1417, El Campo, TX 77437. Triska Funeral Home, El Campo,
979-543-3681.
James Lawrence Buchanan (24th Co)
From Gordo
James
"Bucky" Buchanan died in an automobile accident yesterday
evening near his home in Las Vegas. Bucky’s
funeral will be held at 2 PM, Friday, November 13th at the
Palm Mortuary, 1325 N.
Main St. Las Vegas, NV 89101.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to make donations to the UNLV Foundation for the Academic Scholarship Fund.
From
Mike Cunningham:
I'm sorry
to have to inform you that our company mate and good friend George
F. Lisle passed away early this morning (11/7/09). George had
been fighting cancer for
a long time. I don't have the full details yet but I do know that the
funeral will be held at St. James
Episcopal Church, on Camp Road, in Johns Island (Charleston), SC at
11:00 am
on Monday, 9 November.
I talked to Red Gottsche, our other roommate, and he and I are both
planning
to attend the funeral and will represent the 18th Company.
George Martin
Kelley, 73, of Cadiz, died Saturday, October 10, 2009, at his home,
surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 31, 1936,
in Cadiz, a son of the late Martin Alonzo and Ruth McCloy Kelley. George
was an Electrician for IBEW 246. He
attended the U.S. Naval
Academy and was a
Naval Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He
was a member of the Cadiz American Legion and the Cadiz Fraternal
Order of Eagles. Surviving
are his wife of 41 years, Judy Covert Kelley; his children: Kim Kelley
of Toronto, Scott (Vicki) Kelley of Steubenville, Lincoln (Gina)
Kelley of Empire, Vince Kelley of Stratton, Jody (Tom) Mack of East
Springfield and Nikki Case of St. Clairsville; 14 grandchildren; 2
great grandchildren; and a sister, Pat Pezzopane of East Palestine.
Friends may call Monday, 2-4 and 7-9 at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, Cadiz, where funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. George Romage officiating. Burial will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove. Military honors will be performed by the Cadiz American Legion.
George was a non-grad who stayed in touch with the class
Thomas
Joseph Lamb (19th Co)
Tom Lamb died while in hospice in North Carolina Friday evening 18
September.
From the Lamb Family:
As most of you know, my father loved the water. He was so proud
serving his country in the Navy, and was a strong supporter of the
USNA Class of 1958 (as evidenced by his large collection of
"Great in 58" ball caps & T’s). Dad spent a lot
of time on the water in any boat that was available to him throughout
his life. My sister Eileen and I would go to Key West with a
crowd of friends in tow and dad would wear us out with daily fishing,
SCUBA, or kayaking trips, which usually started at 0600.
We had to explain that the Lamb sisters needed their rest while
on vacation, so he let us sleep in until 0800 - thanks dad. I
guess you never lose the midshipman within.
My father’s final resting place will be overlooking the water at the Columbarium at the US Naval Academy. We will have a ceremony in St. Andrew’s Chapel, committal in the Columbarium with military honors, followed by a luncheon at the Officer’s Club. Details are below. If you plan to attend the luncheon, please let me know so I can I give them a headcount.
Thank you for all your support during
this difficult time. Dad, we sure have had some fun and will
miss you!
Love Barb barb@blueberrymarketing.com
Tom's service will be at the USNA Chapel, downstairs in St. Andrews Chapel at 1030 on Tuesday 6 October. Following the service we will proceed to the columbarium. This will be followed by lunch at the O&F Club. All attendees are invited.
Tuesday, October 6th 10:30
am
Memorial Service St. Andrew’s Chapel
Followed by Committal in the Columbarium & Luncheon at the Officer’s
Club
US Naval Academy
121 Blake Road
John
Elias Dickson, Jr.
(14th Co)
John
E. Dickson, Jr. (14th Co.) will be buried at Arlington on Friday 13 November.
Meet at the Admin Building at 0830. Burial at 0900.
Col. John E. Dickson Jr. USAF
(Ret)., 73, passed away Tuesday, 1 September 2009.
John was born in Long Island, N.Y., in 1936 to John E. Dickson
and Anne Noble Dickson. He has one surviving brother, Peter. John
married Margie Goodwin in 1960 and they had two children, John
Geoffrey and Tania Anne.
In his youth, John was an accomplished classical pianist and attended
Julliard for 14 years. He retained a love for music his entire life. A
military career was his goal however, and he was accepted to and
graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He opted to go with the
U.S. Air Force and served a total of 27 years.
He served in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). He flew EB47s as an
electronic warfare officer and B58s as a DSO. In Vietnam, he served as
a navigator on EB66s. He won the Distinguished Flying Cross for
finding the first SAM site in Laos. After the war, he served with
6514th Test Squadron who worked on developing drone technology. His
Air Force career later took a turn toward space. His final assignment
for the Air Force was when he became the director of safety for the
Eastern Space and Missile Range at the Patrick AFB and oversaw the
first 18 shuttle launches. John attained the rank of colonel and
retired in 1985. After his military retirement, John went on to work
for SRS Technologies in Huntsville for 13 years. His second retirement
came in 1998.
John is survived by his wife, Margie; his son, Geoffrey and his wife
Rita and their children Renee and Ryan; his daughter Tania and her son
Jon Smith; and his brother Peter and his wife Linda.
A viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Valhalla Funeral Home.
The graveside service will be at a later date at Arlington National
Cemetery. He will be
remembered as a beloved husband, father, friend, and a patriot that
loved his country.
Please sign online guest book at www.valhallafunerals.com.
George Peyton (10th Co)
George Peyton passed away January 18, 2008 in Manassas Park, Virginia. There are no other details at this time.
Donald
Arthur Boerner (15th Co)
Lieutenant Donald “Don” Arthur Boerner died
on August 14, 2009 in
A resident of
Upon graduation with the Class of 1958, he served
ten years active duty both aboard ships and ashore.
He left the U.S. Navy in 1968 and joined the Eastman Kodak
Company in
Don is survived by his wife Gail; son David A.
Boerner and his wife, Margaret, of Lake Jackson, Texas; step-sons,
David Sidoti and his wife, Lissette, of Belmont, CA, and Steven Sidoti
and his wife, Marie, of Cincinnati, OH; four grandchildren,
A memorial service was held at the Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church in
Pat passed away Saturday night at the Baylor Medical Center after a long illness.
Laurence Stanley Gifford (5th Co)
Larry Gifford died at home on 28 July. No cause of death was reported.
Relative's and friends are invited to Larry's life celebration at Money and King funeral home 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Monday 10 August from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA on Tuesday 11 August at 10:30 AM. Internment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 2 PM. Please view and sign the family's guestbook at www.moneyandking.com.
Tom died on 16 July. No further details at this time.
William Sachse (14th Co)
Bill Sachse died on 27 June 2009 after a battle with cancer. He was able to make it to the 50th reunion after surgery, but it came back with a vengeance. Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Bradford, PA at 10 AM on 2 July,
14th company roommates Curt McGaffin and Tom Theohary will represent the class.
Edward A. Studer (20th Co)
Edward A. Studer, age 72, of Burnsville, MN, passed away June 5, 2009. Edward attended Christ the King School in Minneapolis and St Thomas Academy. In 1958 he graduated from the US Naval Academy and entered the Marine Corps serving attaining the rank of Captain. USMC. He is preceded in death by his brother Michael. Survived by loving wife, Miriam; children, Lisa (Dick) Eekhoff, Edward (Tamantha) Studer; grandchildren, Ava and Jill-Ann Eekhoff; siblings, Patsy (Fred), Barbara, Mary Ellen (George) and Tim.
Memorial Services were held on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Ave. S., Burnsville. Interment was at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
William Jasper Peters, III (14th Co)
From Gordo (9/12/09)
Bill
Peters' funeral will
be at 0900 at the Old Chapel (the one down the hill) at Ft. Myers on 8
October. That's a nasty time of day to get around so please leave lots
of time to get there.
From Mary Sue Peters (6/26/09)
The funeral arrangements for Bill will be as follows: Visitation on Saturday, 27 June 2009 from 6-8 pm at Segle Funeral Home in Pulaski, Virginia, and the funeral on Sunday at 3PM at First United Methodist Church with a reception being held at the Family Life center at the Church. Burial will occur later at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date according to schedule they provide.
Bill had suffered from an unspecified lung disorder for some time.
From Mary Sue Peters (6/25/09)
Last evening at 8:50 PM Bill took his last earthly breathe. He had suffered tremendously for several weeks with his breathing problems. Letting him go has been a difficult thing for me, for when you love someone we become very selfish with making decisions of giving them up. I know that God now has a wonderful person in his arms, for Bill had found God to be a part of his daily earthly life. We have not made arrangements at this time due to notifying all of family and making arrangements for the burial in Arlington. Thank each of you for being his friend and keep us in your prayers.
Love and peace to each of you. Bills Wife, Mary Sue
Susan Donnell Konkel (Wife if Harry Konkel (6th Co))
Published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on 6/3/2009
Susan Donnell Konkel, 72, died peacefully June 2, 2009, in Portland, with her family by her side. She was born March 25, 1937, in Findlay, Ohio, the only child of James C. Donnell, II and Dolly Louise Devine. After attending Findlay schools through the seventh grade, she attended the Katherine Branson School (now The Branson School) in Ross, Calif. for three years, then the Garrison Forest School near Baltimore, Md. for two years graduating in 1955. Susie received a degree in Geology from Wellesley College in Massachusetts in 1959. During the summer of 1958 she attended the University of Wyoming Summer Science (Geology) Camp in Southeastern Wyoming.
The first evening home for Christmas vacation her senior year at Wellesley, she met a visiting Naval Officer, Harry Wagner Konkel. After an often long distance courtship, they were married in Findlay on June 3, 1960. Thus, Susie embarked on what many call 'the toughest job in the world, that of a Navy wife.' Their honeymoon consisted of driving across country to Long Beach, Calif., where they lived for three years and their son, James Donnell Konkel, was born. From there it was up the coast to the Monterey Peninsula for two years and their daughter, Susan Konkel, was born. Over the next 20 years the family accompanied Harry to his various duty stations along the East Coast, residing in Southern and Northern Virginia, Hingham, Mass., and Newport, R.I.
Susie spent many hours working with the other Navy wives who had the difficult job of managing the home without a Father and Husband for long periods of time. Upon Harry's retirement from the Navy in 1985, they returned to her family home in Findlay, and moved to Portland in November, 1987. Susie always loved to travel and did so extensively to many parts of the world over the years but much less so after settling in Portland. She was an accomplished gardener and was delighted with the success of her jade Susan Donnell Konkel plants, roses, and orchids. Susie was quite a cook, she enjoyed and explored new recipes, including a meal in her home by Julia Child. She was a avid horsewoman growing up and always had great respect and admiration for horses. While not a competitive golfer she enjoyed playing for fun for many years and missed it greatly the last few years.
Susie was active in many organizations over the years, especially the arts. Now settled in Portland she became more so and greatly enjoyed her work with the Portland Museum of Art Collections Committee of which she was a member for over 20 years. She also served as a Trustee of the Portland Museum of Art for six years.
Susie is survived by her husband of 49 years Harry; their son Jim and his wife Sue of Cape Elizabeth, and their daughter Susie of Portland. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Tim Baum, Dr. Tom Ervin, Dr. Steve Gorman, Dr. Alan Hickey, Dr. John Roediger, and Dr. Michael Taylor for their exceptional care over the years. Special thanks also to the Associates of Home Instead Senior Care for their assistance the past two years, in particular to Carol Lamb for her dedication and devotion, as well as the Staff at Mercy Hospital's Critical Care Unit and Floor 3B.
The family hopes her friends will join them for a celebration of her life to be held at the Portland Country Club on Monday, June 15, from 4-7 p.m. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Memorials in Susie's name may be made to: The Portland Museum of Art Seven Congress Square Portland, Maine 04101 or to the charity of one's choice.