O B I T U A R I E S
Louise Hinckley Tweedie ’35, June 25, 2007, in Newton, Mass., at 94. In Maine she was a deaconess for the Woodfords Congregational Church and served on the board of the Girl Scout Council of Greater Portland. She is survived by her children, Melissa Cafferky, Deborah Thomas, and Robert Tweedie, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Ruth Richardson Paradise ’36, May 8, 2007, in Brighton, Mass., at 91. She graduated from Smith College, married, and worked at Sentr y Insurance in Concord, Mass. She played bridge, discussed politics and women’s issues, and swam in White’s Pond well into her 80s. Survivors include her children, Richard ’71, Forrest, John, Carolyn, and Charles, and seven grandchildren. Winston C. Clark ’38, June 20, 2007, in Rye, N.H., at 91. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Optometry, he practiced optometry for 52 years in Amesbury, Mass. He served in World War II as a captain in the medical corps in Europe. He was a fisherman and a runner, and in 1990 he received the Amesbury citizen of the year award. Survivors include his children, Carol Clark, Winston Clark Jr., Anne Clark Steele, and Jane Clark Marasco, his sister, 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren Alice Dignam Grady ’38, July 16, 2007, in Slidell, La., at 90. A housewife and a mother, she was involved with her church. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Dignam Murphy ’31 and Delores Dignam Morgan ’33 and her brothers, Walter L. Dignam ’33 and Charles L. Dignam ’39. She is survived by her sons Bill and Jim, three grandsons, her sister Ellen Dignam Downing ’35, and several nieces and nephews, seven of whom are Colby alumni.
74 COLBY / FALL 2007
Evelyne Short Merrill ’39, June 15, 2007, in Whittier, Calif., at 88. She earned a master’s in education from Whittier College and a master’s in linguistics from California State, Long Beach, becoming an English teacher and reading specialist. She was active in a reader’s theater group and in AAUW. She was predeceased by her husband, Buell O. Merrill ’40, with whom she raised a child, Robin. Survivors include her niece, Nancy Short Hall ’68. Isabel C. Abbott ’40, August 2, 2007, in Belfast, Maine, at 88. She established and ran a clothing store in Union, Maine, for 40 years and dedicated herself to community service in Union. She founded the Union Chamber of Commerce, was town clerk, sat on the library board, and gave 25 years of service to the Union Fair. She researched her family’s genealogy, traveled in Europe, and loved Border collies. Her sister, Susan Abbott Faris, many cousins, and several nieces and nephews survive her. Buell O. Merrill ’40, February 18, 2007, in Whittier, Calif., at 90. He worked as an executive assistant for Los Angeles County for 28 years, played tennis, and was a cabinetmaker. His wife, Evelyne Short Merrill ’39, died on June 15, 2007. Together t hey ra ised one ch ild, Robi n. Survivors include his niece, Nancy Short Hall ’68. Hannah Putnam Burbank ’41, May 28, 2007, in Windham, Maine, at 88. She earned her MSW from Simmons in 1944, which launched her career as a psychiatric social worker in Boston and New York. She is predeceased by her brother Joseph Lysander Putman ’48 and an aunt and four cousins who attended Colby. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bernerd H. Burbank ’39, two sons, one daughter, nine grandchildren, two brothers,
and nieces, nephews, and cousins including Charles A. Pearce ’49. Harold J. Bubar ’42, June 26, 2007, in Bangor, Maine, at 86. During World War II he served with the Army Air Corps as a weather instructor. He built a career at the North Anson (Maine) Reel Company, serving as vice president for 17 of the 35 years of his employment. He coached Little League and was a church choir soloist. Predeceased by his wife, Louise Hagan Bubar ’42, and his brothers Paul S. ’39 and Harley M. ’40, he is survived by his sons John H. ’68 and James A. ’72, his daughter-in-law Lisa Kehler Bubar ’73, two grandsons, and two great-grandchildren. Anita Pooler Laliberte ’42, July 17, 2007, in Waterville, Maine, at 87. She worked as a librarian at Waterville High School for more than 20 years. She volunteered through her church and belonged to the Waterville Women’s Club. She golfed, skied, and spent summers on China Lake. She was predeceased by her husband, Alton G. Laliberte ’42, her brother-in-law Bernard A. Laliberte ’52, and her grandson Scott T. Laliberte ’01. Survivors include her children, Terry McAvoy, Robert, and Peter, a sister, a half-sister and a half-brother, fi ve grandchildren, including Douglas P. Laliberte ’03, and four great-grandchildren. Col. Harold D. Seaman ’42, August 15, 2007, in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., at 87. He served in the Army for 30 years including wartime service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Among his many awards were 11 battle stars, two Bronze Star Medals, and the Cross of Gallantry. His civilian career included jobs in Washington D.C., and Europe as well as teaching at The Infantry School in Georgia. His wife, Cynthia, three children, four grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren survive him.
Ethel Paradis Emerson ’43, August 11, 2007, in Farmington, Maine, at 86. She taught in public schools in Maine for 25 years and operated the Falls Book Barn in Farmington Falls for nearly 30 years. She and her husband were founding members of the Farmington Alliance for the Mentally Ill and received a commendation from Maine’s governor for their service to the mentally ill. Her husband of 64 years, W. Merritt Emerson ’44, a son, a daughter, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild survive her. R. Frank Vigue ’43, July 19, 2007, in Kennebunkport, Maine, at 88. He earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine from M ichigan State and treated animals for 39 years in Springvale and Arundel, Maine. He was active with Rotary International, was a spiritual man, and traveled the world, and was an avid reader. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara, a daughter and a son, two brothers, a sister, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Jean McNeill Decker ’44, January 1, 2007, in Cuddebackville, N.Y., at 87. A Christian Science practitioner, she traveled extensively around the world and managed real estate later in life. She is survived by her husband, Wayne, with whom she raised three children. Charles A. Dudley ’45, July 29, 2007, in Windsor, Conn., at 84. A fi rst lieutenant in World War II, he was an Army combat pilot and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He was an analyst for Pratt & Whitney for 30 years, loved to play bridge, and coached his children’s sports teams. For his many years of service to the College, he was awarded, along with his wife, the Colby Brick Award in 1995. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Shirley Martin Dudley ’46, five children, and seven grandchildren.