In Memoriam
1932 Katharine Roe, age 97 of Sunfish Lake, Minn. passed away peacefully at her home on March 23, 2012. Preceded in death by her husband, John (“Jack”) H. Roe, Jr.; sons John H Roe, III ’58 and James B. Roe ’64; brothers Robert Angell ’26 and Richard Angell ’28; her parents, Frederick and Elizabeth Angell; and her great grandchild, Caitrin Roe. She is survived by son Tom ’59 (Margaret) of Minnetonka; son Bill ’62 (Betsy) of Sarasota, FL.; daughter Kathy Cross ’70 (Tonny) of Wilsall, MT.; 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. Katharine, better known as “Tinker”, was born on October 1, 1914 in Oak Park, Ill. , but grew up and lived her life in St. Paul. She graduated from Summit School and Carleton College, and completed graduate studies for social work at the University of Minnesota. Tinker and her husband, Jack, raised their family at their home on Sunfish Lake. After her husband passed away in 1972, Tinker built a home on an adjoining piece of property and carried on with her social work. Besides her devotion to her growing and extended family, Tinker is remembered for her many athletic activities (golf, tennis, skiing, hunting and even a little ice hockey), her support of community programs, her love of travel, good music, reading, gardening and golden retrievers, her commitment to her alma mater, Carleton College, and her interest in public affairs.
1935 Elizabeth S. Guenzel, age 94, January 24, 2012; beloved wife of the late Paul W. Guenzel, retired treasurer and vice-president of Container Corp of America. Served on women’s boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago. A reader for Hadley School for the Blind and a teacher’s aid at Hibbard School. Survived by children Elizabeth (David) Carlin and William (Jo) Guenzel; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
38
SPA | Spring | Summer 2012
1941 Marney (Brown) Brooks, was born November 18, 1922 in St. Paul, and passed peacefully on February 4, 2012, surrounded by the loving attention of her husband Conley ’40 and their children, spouses, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Marney is remembered most prominently for the simple and genuine kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity she extended to everyone she encountered. Her love of literature and history motivated her not only to support the Minnesota Historical Society, where she served on the Board and was very instrumental in raising the capital to build the Minnesota History Center, but also to pursue extensive genealogical research and writing, including the books “A Pioneer’s Legacy” and “Turning the Leaves”. Marney loved nature and was an avid bird watcher and gardener, as well as being an accomplished musician who generously extended these interests into serving her community. She took great joy in her family as well as in many close friends who all benefited profoundly from her love and care. Marney is survived by her husband of 67 years, Conley Brooks ’40; her sister, Jo Wright ’42 of St. Paul Minn.; her children, Conley Brooks Jr. (Carol) of Wayzata, Minn., Marlow Brooks of Boulder Colo., Sky Brooks of Boulder, Colo., Stephen Brooks (Rachel) of Halifax, NS Canada, and Markell Hapka (Rick) of Maple Grove, Minn.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
1945 Mary Butler higgins died on March 1, 2012. She was 84 and a resident of Delray Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, former Minnesota State Senator, Raymond John Higgins. She was born in St. Paul to Robert Butler and Margaret Porter Butler. Mary’s father was an ambassador to Cuba and Australia during the Truman Administration She graduated from the Summit School,
St. Paul, Minn.; Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA; and attended Mills College in San Francisco, Calif. Her family was always first and foremost and to whom she was a constant source of support and inspiration. She adored being a devoted wife to Ray; an adoring mother and mother-in-law to Ray Higgins, Betsy and Roy Little, Andrea and Alexander Bierce, Tom and Jackie Higgins and Wendy and Don Chambers. Mary, known as Grams and Mimi by her grandchildren, was extraordinarily proud of her 14 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. She was the consummate volunteer, who flourished by helping others. Her lifelong volunteer work ranged from extraordinary work with: Hospice by the Sea, Boca Raton; St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, the Duluth Symphony; Sandoway House, Delray Beach; The Garden Club of America; The Junior League; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth and St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Delray Beach. With her many achievements, she will be remembered above all by the hundreds of people who knew her, as a giving and caring woman.
1948 Patricia Sharpe Courtney Strong died on October 20, 2011. She was a consummate volunteer and community servant, with almost 60 years membership in the Junior League of Minneapolis. She is survived by her five children, two stepchildren, and many grandchildren.
1955 Arthur W. Partridge died on July 5, 2011. He was born in St. Paul to Alfred and Jean Norwood Partridge. He attended St. Paul Academy, graduated from Harvard College in 1959, then served in the US Air Force 1959 to 1965. He retired as a Captain with Northwest airlines, based in Minneapolis, in 1997 and moved to Portland, Oreg. in 2000. Arthur is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane, and sister, Lillian Partridge Young ’58 (Robert) of Los Angeles, Calif.