IN MEMORIAM
“I had the honor of being a student of Mr. Upjohn as well as a colleague at Fay. He modeled intellectual curiosity, the most outstanding of work ethics, and commitment to others and an institution.” –Suzanne Walker Buck ’86 A lifelong environmentalist, Mr. Upjohn was instrumental in starting a recycling program at Fay long before such activities were fashionable, and he served on the Southborough Conservation Commission for many years until his death. Mr. Upjohn was also known and beloved for riding his bicycle to and from campus regardless of the weather, and for his affinity for plaid blazers and pants. For those who spent their Fay years with him, however, he is perhaps best known for his dexterity on the Dining Room chimes and his recitation of the “Irish Blessing” at important community meals.
At the age of 82, Dick’s life ended here at Fay, between classes, at one of the places he loved best—ever committed to his students, the School, and its motto, Poteris Modo Velis.
My grandfather was my first teacher—the one who first instilled in me a love of wildlife, who taught me to be fearless, who taught me that there was so much more to history than facts in a textbook.” —granddaughter Kate Leist ’04 Mr. Upjohn leaves his wife, Sabra; his daughter, Emily Leist Vatis (a former member of Fay’s faculty); sons Richard Upjohn ’73 and Stephen Upjohn ’78; and grandchildren Kate Leist ’04, Chris Leist ’07, and Erin Leist ’09.
BARBARA DUMONT, former staff, December 9, 2011 Mrs. Dumont, born Barbara Craig, graduated from Marlborough High School in 1931 and married Raymond Dumont. She spent the first part of her adult life as a housewife, mother, and Brownie and Girl Scout leader. The early death of her husband in 1964 led her on a new path, and in in 1965, she began working as a seamstress at Fay.
The Fay community was reminded of one of its “traditions of old” this past winter, with the passing of Mrs. Barbara Dumont, Fay’s seamstress for 41 years.
But Mrs. Dumont was much more than a seamstress. As her official obituary noted, she was also “laundry and package monitor, lunch table mentor, tea pourer, and unofficial grandmother to several generations of Fay students.”
Mrs. Dumont retired from Fay in 2006 at the age of 93. She continued her active life as deaconess at Pilgrim Church and enjoyed time at the card table in her living room, where she could be found playing cards or doing puzzles. Mrs. Dumont was 98 when she died on December 9, 2011. She leaves her sister, Dorothea Brown; her son, Robert Dumont; daughters Joan Clark and Donna Wilson; and many grandchildren (including grandson Brian Clark ’85), great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
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