Class Notes

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of Mills Quarterly.

Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College alumnae community. To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills. edu. Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of the Mills Quarterly. Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College Alumnae Community, alumnae.mills.edu. To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills.edu.

By Amanda Dissanayake Jayatissa ’09 Amanda Jayatissa debuts with a dark psychological thriller, My Sweet Girl. Adopted as a young child from an orphanage in Sri Lanka by a wealthy American couple, 30-year-old Paloma Evans must unravel a suspenseful mystery that is strangely tied to her past, all while navigating the difficulties of cultural assimilation. (Berkley Books, 2021)

By Keenan Norris, MFA ’05 Recruited by the nearby private school even as he and his folks face eviction, Copeland is doing his damnedest to do right by himself, for himself. Yet the forces at play entrap him in a reality that chews up his past and obscures his future. Set in East Oakland in a very near future, The Confession of Copeland Cane introduces us to a prescient and contemporary voice, one that exposes the true dangers of coming of age in America: miseducation, overmedication, radiation, and incarceration. (Unnamed Press, 2021)

By Isabel Strychacz ’17 Edward Scissorhands meets When the Moon Was Ours in this romantic novel about two teen sisters who fight to protect the mysterious stranger who literally fell from the stars and into their backyard. Both Delta Wilding and sister Bee must go to incredible lengths to protect their mystical visitor, Starling—but Delta’s growing feelings for him could prove the greatest risk of all. The author is also the daughter of two Mills English professors: Kathryn Reiss and Tom Strychacz! (Simon & Schuster, 2021)

By Amanda Wheeler ’72 In this novel, Aubrey Sampson leads a tranquil suburban life until her husband, Pastor Phillip Sampson, confesses that he fathered a son with a former church member. When Phillip’s alleged son, Donovan, sweeps into church, performing as if under demonic possession, Aubrey’s world descends into chaos. In the midst of her conflict, can Aubrey find justice for Phillip and reclaim her own life? (GW Publishing, 2021)

Co-edited by Rina Faletti ’81 This collection of essays centers on discourse about water and power in the modern era. The manuscript is organized into three emergent themes in water studies: agency of water, fluid identities, and cultural currencies. Contributions come from preeminent as well as emerging voices across the humanities, including history, art history, philosophy, and science and technology studies. (University of California Press, 2021)

To submit listings, please contact alumnae-relations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123

Ellen Graue Farris ’46, MA ’51, September 23, 2021, in Spokane, Washington. After earning her master’s in early childhood development, the Idaho native ventured to New York to teach preschool. She later returned and married her late husband, Harry. Ellen had an incredible love for life and enjoyed the outdoors into her 80s, and she devoted herself to women’s issues and community service. She is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Dorothy Zimmerman Poznanski ’46, July 2, 2021, in Wilsonville, Oregon. An Oregon native, Dorothy spent time in Chicago before settling in Portland with her young family. She and her late husband, Bob, started Phillips Electronics in 1952, operating the business for 45 years. In her later years, Dorothy volunteered extensively at Meridian Park Hospital and with P.E.O. International. She is survived by three daughters, including Sue Poznanski Ramar ’69 and Linda Poznanski Merrihew ’75; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Helen Dencker Osborne ’48, July 26, 2021, in Belmont, California. Helen attended Mills after growing up in the Philippines, and she was an active member of an organization dedicated to historic preservation of the Bataan Death March—her father was a survivor. She was a teacher in San Mateo and an office manager for a lumber company, in addition to volunteering with various organizations. She is survived by her husband, Leland; two sons; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Rena Houston DuBose ’51, June 20, 2021, in San Antonio. After marrying her late husband, Hank, in 1953, Rena launched a lifetime of service to the Episcopal Church: She was the headmistress at St. David’s Episcopal School for 40 years, and she worked closely with the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools. Rena also loved to travel, with Bourbon Street in New Orleans as a favorite destination. She is survived by two children and two siblings.

Margaret “Margie” Church Wendt ’52, September 5, 2021, in Alamo, California. Margie died less than 10 days before her 91st birthday. She grew up in Hawaii before coming to Mills, later finishing her degree after birthing three sons. Margie worked as a medical technologist at several East Bay facilities. Even after turning 90, she still loved to walk her dog Chloe, and enjoyed golfing, hiking, and working on crossword puzzles. She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Church King ’50; a son; and two grandchildren.

Jane McClurg ’53, March 15, 2021 in Selma, California. She ultimately received her bachelor of science from Fresno State and a post-graduate certification as a registered dietician. When her brother became ill in the late ’80s, she retired from her career as director of housing and food services at UC Berkeley and returned home to successfully manage the family ranch in Fowler for the next 25 years. She is survived by a sister and many nieces and great-nieces.

Jacqueline “Kate’’ Kyle Goad ’57, June 20, 2021, in Chicago. After Mills, Kate finished her degree at the University of Oregon, where she later returned for her master’s and PhD in education. In her distinguished career, she developed nationally known MSED (Master of Science in Education) programs for public and private colleges across the United States. Kate and her husband, Richard, traveled to nearly every state in their motor home. She is survived by Richard, two daughters, two stepdaughters, nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Nancy Overton Covalt ’57, July 12, 2021, in Albuquerque. She finished her degree at the University of Pennsylvania, then married her first husband, Cale Carson, in Albuquerque that same year. She remarried, to Louis Covalt, in 1977. In addition to volunteering with various community organizations, she earned a master’s degree at the University of New Mexico, kicking off 30 years as a counselor in Albuquerque Public Schools. She is survived by a sister; her companion, William Bertenshaw; four children; three stepchildren; and 10 grandchildren.

Glory Sturiale, MA ’57, January 23, 2019, in Santa Clarita, California. She is survived by her husband, Horace.

Tanya Wood Mollenauer ’60, August 10, 2021, in Newton, Massachusetts. She decamped for the East Coast with her husband, Jim, soon after graduation. She taught, worked at Bell Labs, and volunteered at her local paper before earning a library science degree from Simmons University in Boston. As a librarian, she assisted students (many in the military) at what’s now Lesley University and ushered in computerized systems at Motorola and Analog Devices. She is survived by Jim and two children.

Sandra Lathrop Mueller ’61, July 14, 2021, in San Diego. After Mills, she graduated from San Jose State with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. Per her husband, Francis, she loved her years at Mills before her marriage in 1959. Sandra also enjoyed volunteering at her church and in the local community. She is survived by Francis, three children, and nine grandchildren.

Received June 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021

Barbara Goldblatt Becker ’63 by Diann Biltz Linda Nelson Branson ’77 by her husband, James Branson George Brown by Cynthia “Cindy” Facer Clark ’64, P ’91 Ann Noble Brown ’52 by Colleen Daveney Searle ’52 Peggy Faletti, P ’81 by her daughter, Rina Faletti ’81 Theodora “Thea” Faust Anderson ’14 by her aunt, Rhoda Faust Ronald Foster by his wife, Adrienne McMichael Foster ’74 Mary Gautreaux by Carrie Gotkowitz ’83 Sheila Knipscheer Johnson ’58 by Helen Drake Muirhead ’58, P ’89, P ’93 Judith Henderson Munz ’68 by Corinne Brandt Gallagher ’68 Marion Ross ’44 by Linda Tu ’91 Moira Roth by Denise Beirnes ’89 Paula Merrix Sporck ’46 by Wynne West Dobyns ’66, Helen Barbour Poindexter ’46 Margaret “Peggy” Price Trader ’61 by Sharon Callahan Vanderslice ’61, P ’13 Karen Johns Wells ’68 by Cathie Simpson ’68 Peggy Woodruff ’58 by Gwendolyn “Gwen” Jackson Foster ’67

P=parent. For information about making a tribute gift, contact 510.430.2097 or donors@mills.edu.

The renowned Iranian composer and violinist Hormoz Farhat, who earned an MA in composition at Mills in 1955, died on August 16, 2021, at his home in Rathmines, Ireland. He was born in Tehran but came to the United States for his education, attending UCLA initially for his BA and later returning there to earn his PhD in musicology in 1965. Farhat began his academic career in the US as well, teaching at Cal State Long Beach and back at UCLA until 1969. At that point, he returned to his native country to take a position at the University of Tehran as professor and head of the music department. While there, he chaired the Music Council for the National Iranian Radio and Television Network, and played a pivotal role in the Shiraz Festival of Arts. In January 1978, at the dawn of the Iranian Revolution, Farhat reached out to John Blacking at Queen’s University Belfast, where Farhat had given a series of seminars on traditional Persian music several years earlier. Blacking invited him to Belfast with a temporary appointment, and Farhat later applied for a permanent position on the faculty at Trinity College Dublin in 1982. Farhat taught there until his retirement in 1995. His many compositions included film scores and pieces that have been performed around the world, and he wrote several books, including The Dastgah Concept in Persian Music. Farhat returned to Iran in May 2018, for the first time in 39 years, to attend a ceremony organized by the Iranian Artists Forum in honor of his distinguished career. He is survived by his wife and a son.

Margaret “Peggy” Price Trader ’61, June 2, 2021, in Chula Vista, California. After earning her MLIS degree from UCLA, Peggy was a librarian in the Geisel Library at UC San Diego for many years. She is survived by three daughters.

Judith Brainerd Hunt ’62, July 18, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona. Judith majored in art history at Mills, later becoming a jeweler and artist who was dedicated to her craft. Her family lovingly remembers her as a loyal friend with a gracious, generous soul. She is survived by her husband, David; two children; and a sister.

Barbara Forster Mitchell ’63, June 8, 2021, in Livermore, California. Her creative interests followed her to Indiana University, where she earned a master’s and a PhD in art history. Barbara then taught at the college level before earning an MBA and founding her own company. She was also a devout Catholic who embarked on several pilgrimages across Europe, and she brought her art background into the centennial celebration of her parish church through a study of 22 stained glass windows. She is survived by her husband, Alex, and a daughter.

Frances “Fran” Sprau Nichols ’64, May 13, , 2021, in Los Angeles. Fran was an accomplished artist with many friends and former students on the Westside and South Bay areas of Los Angeles. She also worked with the art community in the Kern County town of Ridgecrest.

Linda Seebass Johnson ’66, June 13, 2021, in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin. After Mills, she worked as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, creating maps for the Department of Defense. She married her husband, Gordon, in 1985, and the couple loved to camp across North America. Linda was an avid naturalist who enjoyed tracking the flowers, birds, and woodland creatures near her home in far northern Wisconsin. She is survived by Gordon. Eleanor “Ellie” Ranson Nove ’69, June 9, 2021, in Hampton, New Hampshire. Ellie had a long career as a devoted and skilled teacher in Massachusetts, teaching grades from pre-K to sixth. She retired in 2008 and moved to Hampton, which became her home base as she made frequent trips to visit friends and family across the United States. An avid traveler, she also journeyed to Europe after retirement. Her son, Joshua, predeceased her. She is survived by two nieces and a nephew.

Linda Richardson-Townsend ’73, July 30, 2021, in Richmond, California. She worked for AT&T for nearly 40 years, but her true calling was serving her community. Linda participated in social justice activities for adults and mentoring programs for middle school-aged children, sharing her love of books and learning with hundreds. She was also an enthusiastic member of Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church. Linda is survived by two sisters, two brothers, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Nanette Chadwick ’80, March 8, 2020, in Auburn, Alabama. Nanette was a pioneer as a woman research scientist studying coral reef ecosystems all over the world for more than 30 years. As director of academic sustainability programs at Auburn University, she educated dozens of faculty so they could effectively incorporate sustainability into their classes, and she oversaw the maturation and expansion of the minor in sustainability studies. She is survived by her husband, Yoel Furman, and a son.

Jennifer Britt ’93, June 26, 2021, in La Mesa, California. Jennifer earned her law degree from UC Hastings in 1996, later starting a practice that focused on family law. In 2009, she was certified as a family law specialist. She is survived by her father and stepmother; a daughter; and four siblings, including Megan Britt Winkler ’84.

Radhika Lal Snyder, PMC ’11, July 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. Radhika grew up in New Delhi and came to the United States for college in 1999. She later took a detour from the tech industry to attend medical school at the University of Minnesota and establish practice in maternal and family health. Her family and friends have set up the Radhika Lal Snyder Postpartum Doula Sponsorship Program in her memory, to prevent the tragic losses that result from untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is survived by her husband, Seth, and two children.

Marian Cook ’16, September 9, 2021, in Williston, North Dakota. She was born in Germany to an Army family, starting school there before moving to Williston. Marian graduated from Mills with a degree in economics, though she developed a passion for art history in college and was a gifted photographer. She was hugely compassionate with the unhoused, and she worried as she became ill with autoimmune encephalopathy that she could not be of service. She is survived by her parents, a sister, and her extended family.

Daryl “Bud” Lembke, father of Nancy Lembke Brenn ’75, June 17, 2020, in Lafayette, California.

Dirk Tillotson, spouse of Amina Assefa ’00, October 2, 2021, in Oakland.

Jean Foster, July 5, 2020, in San Francisco.