Author: Leslie Egbo

KIM-MARIE MARSH WALKER was born on October 7, 1969 at Misericordia Hospital, Bronx, New York to Darlene P. Huger Marsh and Arthur Marsh, Jr. The eldest of three siblings, Kim seemed to be one of those rare individuals born with incredible gifts of creativity, intelligence and leadership.

Kim attended P.S. 85 in the NYC public school system. Accepted to the Prep for Prep Program, Kim entered the Birch Wathen Private School for grades 7-12, graduating and making her mark as Class Valedictorian. As a student at Wesleyan University, Kim-Marie often demonstrated a very special ability to give of herself to others. She participated in the Big Sister/Little Sister program. Pursuing her aspiration to become lawyer, Kim-Marie received her law degree form Northeastern Law School. During her time there she also rose to the position of President of Northeastern chapter of BLSA (Black Law Student Association) and Regional Director of the National Black Law Students Association.

Kim-Marie was admitted to the Bar in the states of Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, the District of Columbia, and the Supreme Court. She was a member of the American Bar, DC and Maryland Bar Associations. Practicing her profession, Kim-Marie worked for the Legal Aid Society in NY, advocating for the rights of juveniles, served as Law Clerk for Judge Mott, Washington D.C., was an attorney in the Office of Corporation Counsel and, at the time of her passing, was an Associate at the Law Firm of Anthony Davenport, ESQ, P.C., Washington, DC.

While Law was a major part of her life, family was the joy of her life. The joy erupted even more when she met and then married her all too brief life partner, Ray Walker, on December 18, 1999. What a delight it was for her to send greetings to others under the signature, “The Walkers” Ray, Kim-Marie, Sapphyra and Ena.

Kim-Marie had long ago received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her willingness to openly share her faith caused many around her to more personally embrace that faith as well. She had an almost uncanny ability to touch others in meaningful ways. She also possessed an acerbic wit that sometimes stung but always loved.

Even in the midst of illness and pain, Kim-Marie cheered others along. She has fought a good fight and kept the faith. On Sunday, January 16, 2005, just as the light of the new day dawned, with her God-mother’s arms wrapped around her, Kim-Marie smiled one last earth-bound smile as her spirit rose up to go into the arms of her Lord. She entered into her rest with such a glory and peace on her countenance that could only have come from God.

The list of individuals and people groups who will cherish the memory of Kim-Marie Walker is far too numerous to record. But highlighted among them are most certainly her beloved husband, Ray, the children she so adored and loved with all her heart, 9 year old Sapphyra Imani and 2 year old Ena Patrice; her mother Darlene Huger Marsh, father, Arthur Marsh, Jr, mother-in law and father-in-law, Ena and Ralph Walker; her brother, Cairo K. Marsh and sister, Dara K. Marsh; Grandmother, Rev. Odessa L. Huger, Uncle, Raymond Huger; Aunts, Rev. Dr. Brenda Huger Hazel, Josephine Claybon, Karen Huger and Hilda Brown, Great Aunt Dorothy Stewart and cousins who were more like another brother and sisters, George Hazel, Tracey Fuller and Renee Huger; her brother in law, Ralph (Jr.) Walker, other loving relatives and a true host of friends.

We celebrate your life, Kim-Marie!

Sharon L. Campbell-Evans, a class dean in the undergraduate divisions at Columbia University, died Feb 10, 2008, after a two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 38. Elected Secretary of the Class of 1991, she was an English major and earned her master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University. Subsequently, she joined the Office of Residential and Campus Life at Colgate University. She is survived by her husband, Clayton B. Evans, their son, and her mother.

HENRY A. SPAN, who had been professor of law at George Mason University, died of cancer Jan. 30, 2005 at age 36. He received his degree with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, he received his law degree from Yale University and clerked for a New Jersey Supreme Court Justice. At Yale, he was editor of the Yale Law Journal and the Yale Law and Policy Review, in addition to being named an Olin Fellow. Survivors include his parents, Gerald and the Hon. Miriam Span, and his sister.

MICHELLE SAUNDERS, a librarian who worked at the Institute for Learning Sciences at Northwestern University and at the Chicago Public Library, died Feb. 5, 2012. She was 44. The recipient of a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois, she also worked in Louisville, Ky., where she opened the first library branch just for teenagers. Among those who survive are her son; her parents; two sisters; a large extended family; and her partner of 25 years, Christopher Zurn.

JESSICA ANN NATHANSON, 42, assistant professor at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., and director of the Women’s Studies Program and the Women’s Resource Center there, died of breast cancer Apr. 5, 2011. She received her master’s and doctoral degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. After teaching at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she was an active force in feminist organizations and a contributor to Dakota Women, she joined the faculty at Augsburg and was instrumental in shaping the Women’s Studies community there. She co-moderated the international women’s studies listserv, WMST-L, and co-edited the book Mother Knows Best: Talking Back to the “Experts”. At the time of her death she was working on a book project dealing with new media and the production of feminist theory. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Dan Weinstein ’91, one son, her parents, and her brother.

JAMES P. MAHER, 44, a high school mathematics teacher and amateur musician, died Dec. 30, 2011. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College and a master’s from New York University. His parents, four siblings, and a large extended family survive.

JULIUS J. FORD, an attorney, co-founder of the Harriet Project, and a tireless community and political activist, died Oct. 8, 2009. He was 41. After receiving his degree he worked as a social worker before entering the Boston College Law School, where he received his law degree. He then launched the Harriet Project, an intergenerational, interracial gathering that promotes critical thinking, artistic freedom, and healthy living practices for disenfranchised youth and their communities. At the time of his death he also worked for the Western Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities, a private agency that provides preventative healthcare for youth and others. Among those who survive are his wife, Debora Ferreira, two sons, his father and stepmother, his sister, and a large extended family.

RACHEL MELCHIOR HENDERSON FALLS, the national hotline director for the National Abortion Federation in Washington, D.C., died of brain cancer Aug. 24, 2008, at age 40. She received an MFA from the University of Iowa, worked as a stage manager, lighting designer, and dramaturg, and taught in the theater departments at the University of Iowa and the International School in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 1989, she was an inspiration to many through public speaking and counseling for brain cancer patients and their families. Several awards have been created in her honor. She is survived by her husband, William Falls, whom she married in 2001, her mother, three sisters, including Mary Hannah Henderson ’95, her stepmother, three nieces and nephews, and her cousin, Wesleyan Professor of English, Emerita, Gertrude R. Hughes.

BETSY BURTON, 38, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at The Wright Institute in Oakland, Calif., died Dec. 17, 2006. She had battled manic depressive illness for some years and committed suicide. An outstanding athlete and vice president of the senior class, she was also a resident adviser at Wesleyan and played #1 singles in both squash and tennis. She received the Jones Award as the top player in both tennis and squash. Throughout her short career she worked with children in a variety of settings. Predeceased by her father, Michael B. Burton ’65, she is survived by her mother, Linda S. Burton; two sisters, including Carly Burton ’97; her paternal grandmother; her brother-in-law; a niece and nephew; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

DAVID L. HARRIS, a government major, died July 31, 2008, in a hiking accident in Oregon. He was 21. During the fall semester of his senior year he studied in India. While at Wesleyan, he volunteered with the Traverse Square tutoring program and enjoyed playing and learning music. Among those who survive are his mother, father, and brother.