Ruth Garvey Horger, 71, Died; Former Staples Student, “she was never dull”
Columbia, South Carolina - Ruth Garvey Horger, 71, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2022 in her home in Columbia, SC.
Ruth was born to the late Edward and Ruth Garvey and grew up in Westport, Connecticut until the family moved to Rome, Italy her senior year of high school. Upon the insistence of her mother, a native of Greensboro, NC, she chose to attend college in the South at Converse College. It was there that she met her eventual husband of 49 years, Robert R. Horger ("Bob"), while socializing at Wofford College. After college, Bob and Ruth eventually settled in Orangeburg, SC, where Bob practiced law in his family's law firm. Ruth lived most of her life in Orangeburg before moving to Columbia in more recent years.
She was fun and made friends easily and often. She was a great conversationalist and never met a stranger. Rather than talking about herself, she focused on others, inquiring about whatever she knew was important to whom she was speaking. She could charm anyone who crossed her path. Her unique ability to speak her mind without (often) offending was refreshing to others and she was never dull. She loved people and the riches in her life were the many friendships she developed. Never one to spend too much time idle, Ruth always stayed busy. She acted as the ultimate chief executive officer of her household. No one was more organized or ran a tighter ship. Although she did not enjoy cooking all the time, she was known for her resourcefulness in procuring the best food for any occasion. Additionally, she was an avid exerciser all of her life and rarely missed a day. Passersby always commented on how fast she walked around the neighborhood. Both in exercise and in life generally, she loathed being forced to slow down.
One of her greatest joys was spending time with her two granddaughters. She was blessed to see them often and she enjoyed every moment in their company. She excelled at planning trips and travelled extensively throughout her life. However, she was happiest on Hilton Head Island with her family and her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel nearby.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter, Ruth Vanstory Horger (Tim) of Columbia, SC; son, Charlton Bowen Horger II (Susie) of Columbia, SC; grandchildren; Mims and Cate Horger; brother, Patrick Garvey (Anne) of Hilton Head Island, SC; sister, Ann Olderman (Richard) of Bethesda, Maryland; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Ruth at The Palmetto Club in Columbia, SC on Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. for all friends and family. Ruth wanted this occasion to be an informal gathering in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to SCOA Cares at 166 Stoneridge Drive #100, Columbia, SC 29210 or a charity of one's choice. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Steven Minter of SC Oncology Associates, and his staff for their excellent care and compassion. Online condolences may be expressed at www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com or https://www.facebook.com/Dukes-Harley-Funeral-Home-and-Crematory-304968586272868
Carol Plaine Fisher, 94, Died; Westport Rotarian, Temple Israel Member
Carol Plaine Fisher, a beloved daughter, sister, stepmother, aunt, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother died in her home in Westport, Connecticut on June 26, 2022 at the age of 94 after having successfully fought Parkinson's Disease for a decade.
Born in New York City to Alfred and Bertha Plaine on April 14, 1928, she graduated from Queens College at age 19. She worked at Little Golden Books and for a movie magazine before taking a job as acquisitions editor at Pyramid Books. At Pyramid, she developed and edited a book by Peter Max and as well as health-focused cookbooks and short biographies of 30s and 40s movie stars. Pyramid Books became, as a result of her efforts, the US publisher of bestselling author Barbara Cartland. Carol also worked as an editor at Harcourt Brace.
Her life changed in 1978, when she married longtime Westport resident Milton Fisher, an attorney, investment banker, author, and teacher of the popular "Applied Creativity" class in Staples Adult Education. She moved to Westport and together they founded Wildcat Publishing Company, where Carol brought her editorial skills and experience to bear on the publication of books including the Holocaust memoir Dry Tears, by Nehama Tec, a resistance classic which served as the basis for the film, Defiance; Who Owns What's in Your Head? by Stan Lieberstein; the novel, The Kid from Naphtali by Eytan Halaban; The Fall of Japan by William Craig; and the murder mystery, Murder Most Puzzling by Lillian Robinson.
Carol Fisher was a devoted participant in and organizer of stimulating programs at the Westport Senior Center, the Westport- Weston Arts Council, and the Westport Library. The Westport Senior Center recognized her outstanding efforts to enliven and improve the lives of seniors in Westport by giving her the "Service to Seniors Award" in February 2013.
As Executive Director of the Renee B. Fisher Foundation, Carol Fisher was instrumental in creating and sustaining initiatives including Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity (run by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven); the annual Renee B. Fisher Piano Competition (run by the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven); and the "Books for Teachers" Program that has built thousands of classroom libraries in under-resourced schools in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington (The Pequot Library in Southport, CT, where the Program began, remains the "Books for Teachers" flagship program). A great reader throughout her life, Carol Fisher was an enthusiastic member of several book clubs and a movie discussion club, and was also an avid bridge player.
She was a member of the Westport Rotary Club and a longtime member of Temple Israel. Her family was always a sustaining pleasure. She loved hosting joyful multi-generational family gatherings on Thanksgiving and Passover at her home every year, as well as month-long family reunions during summers. The last gathering she hosted coincided with her 94th birthday this year.
In addition to being the cherished wife of the late Milton Fisher, Carol Plaine Fisher was the beloved aunt of Moss Plaine, sister of the late Leonard Plaine, and sister-in-law of Gillis Plaine--all of New York; and the beloved stepmother of Shelley Fisher Fishkin, mother-in-law of James S. Fishkin, grandmother of Joseph Fishkin and Robert Fishkin (and their partners, Cary Franklin and Maya Belitski), and great- grandmother of Anna Ardith Fishkin Franklin and Simon Asher ("Sasha") Fishkin Franklin--all of California. She will also be missed by other family members including Paige and Lee Barr, David Fishkin, Jill Feinberg, Stephanie Fishkin and Rebecca Fishkin of Maryland.
A private virtual memorial service is being planned for late summer. If you are interested in attending, please email Shelley Fisher Fishkin at sfishkin@stanford.edu. Contributions in Carol's memory may be sent to the Anti-Defamation League.
MaryLou Bell, 83, Died; Staples Class of ‘56, Beloved Westporter
MaryLou Bell, 83, of Westport, CT, died Thursday, June 30, 2022 peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.
MaryLou is survived by her daughter Kathy Santarella and husband Scott of Westport, CT; son Bob Stephens and wife Marybeth of Suffolk, VA; her six grandchildren, Jordan & Jamie Santarella, Weston, Tyler, Ashley & Will Stephens; her sister and brother-in-law Annette & AJ Izzo of Westport, CT; her brother-in-law Ray Barry and his wife Linda of Fairfield, CT. She is also survived by many cousins (especially her 'ABC' cousins) and many cherished nieces and nephews.
MaryLou was preceded in death by her spouse of 35 years, William E. Bell in 2000, and her youngest sister Angela M. Doddo in 2001.
MaryLou was born in Norwalk, CT to the late Patsy and Antonette Doddo. She was the eldest of three daughters and a lifelong Westport resident. She graduated from Staples High School in 1956.
MaryLou was a well-loved and respected local banker. She began her banking career with The Westport Bank & Trust company while in high school, often telling stories of sun-bathing on her lunch breaks with fellow employees on the roof of the downtown building which is now home to Patagonia. She amassed a loyal customer base during her career which would faithfully follow her to the newest bank branch in her capacity as Branch Manager, AVP. Throughout the years she worked with Connecticut Bank & Trust, The Bank of Darien, The Bank of Westport and many others, ending her career in 2012 at Fairfield County Bank.
She enjoyed her annual NYC outings with her network of bank colleagues, taking in Broadway shows and dinner. Her vacations in North Truro on Cape Cod were very special to her. She volunteered her time at the Westport Sons of Italy's Festival Italiano, the Westport PAL's Annual Memorial Golf Tournament and was a member of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club. She was very active in local politics during the 1970's and 1980's as a member of the Republican Town Committee and Save Westport Now. She had multitudes of friends, co-workers and customers whom she loved very much. She always enjoyed spending time at the Westport Senior Center and sharing laughs with her friends and family. She was fiercely independent, a straight-shooter and was never afraid to express her thoughts to others. MaryLou lived life "her way."
MaryLou's family would like to thank her exceptional caregivers Millie and Thomasine for providing friendship along with compassionate care during the years MaryLou was not able to care for herself.
Friends may greet the family on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 4-7pm at Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:00 am. Entombment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in MaryLou's memory to the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice
Mary Ann Baldwin, 78, Died; Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club Member
Mary Ann Baldwin, a fifty-two-year resident of Ridgefield died on June 22, 2022. She passed away comfortably at home with her husband holding her hand.
Mary Ann was born on January 29, 1944, to Michael Sudzina and Elizabeth (Gregus) Sudzina in Perth Amboy, NJ. She grew up in Metuchen, NJ and graduated from Michigan State University and subsequently received a master's degree from Fairfield University. She married Dr. Randall Baldwin in 1966 and had two children: Geoffrey and Matthew. She was the proud grandmother of Sarah, Nathaniel, Lindsey, and Abigail. She is also survived by a brother, Michael R. Sudzina and two favorite nieces: Christine Shutt and Susan Brandon.
Mary Ann loved the Town of Ridgefield and was very active in town affairs. Among her many positions were nine years of service on the Board of Education, including four years as Chairman. In 1991, she took the responsibility of Director of Social Services for the town. She served in that capacity until her retirement in 2010. Mary Ann and Randall were also members of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club for over forty years. She was a faithful member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; 353 Main Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place privately.
Mary Ann may be remembered with a gift to the Ridgefield Social Services Emergency Fund or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which were her favorite charities. Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.