Faculty
Mary Whitman, 93, of Beaufort, SC, died Nov. 17, 2019, in Beaufort Memorial Hospital. She arrived at Country School in 1954 alongside husband Hugh Whitman (1954–1991), who had been hired to teach sixth grade homeroom and coach boys’ hockey. Three of their four children, Hugh Jr. ’67, Michael, Steve ’70 and Elizabeth Whitman Memishian ’76, entered school and Mary became active in the parent community. In 1967, she became the assistant to Beginner’s Teacher Betty McCarty, working on the Apprentice Teacher Training Program. In 1976, she became an Assistant Teacher in the Lower School, and by 1979, was a Head Teacher in the multi-age group. She completed her master’s in Open Education at Fairfield University in 1982, and by 1985, took on the additional responsibility of overseeing the Apprentice Teacher Training Program. Upon retirement in 1991, she was described by colleagues in the Bulletin as indefatigable, constantly executing special activities such as exploring the salt marshes and camping out at the Pound Ridge Reservation with students, and for creating a tennis club for colleagues. She and Hugh moved to the shores of South Carolina shortly thereafter, where she enjoyed sailing, golf and travel. Surviving in addition to Hugh are sons: Hugh Jr. ’67; Michael and Steve ’70; one
daughter, Elizabeth ’76; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Sandra “Sandy” Pauline Burn, 77, of Stamford, died Jan. 22 of a brain tumor. Sandy was born on April 1, 1943, and taught second grade at New Canaan Country School from 1982–2002. Surviving are daughter Lisa Burn Barocas ’88, who also worked at the school (2000–2004); son-in-law Morris Barocas ’83 and granddaughters Carly Barocas ’15 and Hayley Barocas.
Trustee
Katharine “Katie” Babcock Mountcastle,
89, passed away Jan. 22. Born in Philadelphia, Katie was the daughter of Mary Reynolds and Charles Babcock. She was educated at Madeira School, Sweetbriar College and graduated from Salem College. In 1951, she married Kenneth F. Mountcastle. In addition to raising her family, Katie had a long and renowned record of community service. In addition to serving as a Trustee for Country School (1990-1992), she served on the boards of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. Additional board service included Sapelo Foundation, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, International Social Service, Friends of the Earth, People for the American Way, Wake Forest University, American Farm School, League of Conservation Voters, NARAL, UNC Public Television, Horizons National, Rural Advancement Fund, New Canaan United Way, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, and Family and Children’s Aid Advisory. “Katie spent more than 60 years advancing work that made a difference to struggling people and communities. She was a force to be reckoned with! Full of life, strong opinions and a deep sense of justice, she will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to know her,” said a friend and former colleague. She is survived by her children, Mary Mountcastle ’69 (Jim Overton), Laura Mountcastle ’71, Ken Mountcastle III ’75 (Lisa) and Kathy Mountcastle ’78 (Mark Koster); and five grandchildren, Holt and Kemble Mountcastle, Kara Mountcastle and Alex and Katie Koster. The family asks that commemorative donations be made to Fund for Women and Girls at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, 383 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851 or Southern Environmental Law Center, 201 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22902.
We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the following members of our extended community: Angela Bothwell Mother of Stephanie Bothwell Grillo ’87
Frida Klykova Grandmother of Sasha Valdes ’23
Marie Polk Grandmother of Annie Nichols ’21
Frank Burr Grandfather of Miller ’21, Drew ’23, Hudson ’26 and Hannah ’28
Nigel MacEwan Stepfather of Michele Elliman ’76 and Jackie Elliman Leonard ’78 and Grandfather of Caroline Leonard ’09, Annie Leonard ’11 and Bobby Leonard ’14
Elizabeth “Betsy” Rodiger Mother of Greg ’74, Will ’77 and Bert ’80
Margaret Burden Childs Mother of Rick ’72, Lore Childs Macdonald ’73, Nick ’73, Connie ’75, Shirley Childs Kelly ’76, Hilary ’83, Pindy Childs McKee ’85 Shirley Kearns Mother of Todd ’83 and Andrew ’85
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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Spring 2020
Bill Mackey Grandfather of Will ’21, Colin ’22, Logan ’24 and Hunter ’27
Sidney Staunton Father of Sid ’78, Jody Staunton Mallory ’79, Steve ’80, Jeannie Staunton Bean ’83 and Ed ’85; Father-in-law of Chris Bean ’83 and Grandfather of Bella Bean ’14, Anna Bean ’15 and Finley Bean ’17
William “Bill” Pike Father of Lisa Pike Sheehy ’83 and Dan ’89
Mary-Starke Wilson Mother of Scott ’65 and Kiki ’67
