David J. Bucci ’90
David J. Bucci ’90 passed away on Oct. 15, 2019 at the age of 50. A full obituary can be found here.
Obituaries | 1990-1999
Nicole Zell ’93
Nicole Zell ’93 passed away on June 4, 2019. A singer/songwriter, Nicole majored in English while at Wesleyan. She leaves behind three young children. She was 48.
Andrew Berends ’94
Andrew Berends ’94 passed away on March 3, 2019. A full obituary can be found here.
James C. Kamm ’92
James C. Kamm ’92 passed away on June 20, 2018. At Wesleyan, Kamm majored in theater and was a member for Alpha Delta Phi. He earned an MFA in acting from DePaul University. Most recently, he worked as a desktop support specialist at Wesleyan for 10 years. “Jim was well liked and respected by the faculty and staff that he served, and was highly regarded by his ITS colleagues for his deep knowledge of all things Apple and his attention to detail when it came to writing and editing documentation for ITS services,” said Dave Baird, vice president and chief information officer at Wesleyan said. “He will be missed by one and all.”
Elizabeth A. Bender ’96
Elizabeth A. Bender ’96 passed away onNov. 27, 2017. A full obituary can be found here.
Jon-Sam C. Frank ’93
Jon-Sam C. Frank ’93 passed away on Sept. 28, 2017. A full obituary can be found here.
April E. Cotte ’91
April E. Cotte, an outdoor educator and advocate for the rights of indigenous people, died Jan. 25, 2018. She was 49. After graduation she worked in the Connecting with Courage program at Outward Bound in Boston and then moved to the Bay Area to work with adolescent girls as the first program director at Girl Ventures in San Francisco. Her association with Outward Bound continued as she facilitated courses in the Chihuahuan Desert, and she became an advocate for the rights of indigenous communities along the U.S. border with Mexico. She divided her time between her home in California and working as a community activist in Texas. At the time of her death, she was also involved with Gaia Girls, a Bay Area organization that provides long-term mentoring for girls through nature-based programs. She is survived by her partner, Brian Young, their 7-year-old son, her mother, and a brother and sister, as well as the countless friends and young people whose lives she enriched.
OBIDIMMA O. OKOBI ’98
OBIDIMMA O. OKOBI, an educator who was a school principal in addition to being a mentor, motivational speaker, and outreach coordinator, died Apr. 3, 2017. She was 40. After receiving her degree in art with an interest in architectural history, she received a master’s degree in urban studies from Southern Connecticut State University, certification in elementary education from John Hopkins University, and a master’s degree in school leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She was the principal of City Neighbors Hamilton School, in the Baltimore City public schools, and had also worked in various capacities in schools in the Baltimore area and in Connecticut. She personified the love of learning, commitment to students, and dedication to the principles of equity and justice that are the hallmark of a great educator. An active member of many organizations and communities, she focused on arts and culture, children, civil rights and social action, education, health, human rights, poverty alleviation, and social services. She served as mentor, motivational speaker, outreach coordinator, and girl’s lacrosse coach. An avid runner, she also captained lacrosse at Wesleyan. Among those who survive are her mother, Elsie Halliday Okobi, Ph.D., three brothers, her sister, and a large extended family and group of friends and colleagues.
KITARA C. BINGHAM ’98
KITARA C. BINGHAM, 38, a clinical social worker, died Aug. 9, 2015. She received her MSW degree and license in clinical social work from Fordham University School of Social Work. While living in New York, she worked at Incarcerated Mothers, Harlem Children’s Zone, and Sister’s Place. After moving to Newport, Del., in 2012, she began working for the Homeless Planning Council before becoming program director of LifeLines Independent Living Program at West End Neighborhood House. Survivors include her daughter; her mother; her maternal grandmother; five aunts and uncles; a very special friend, Dan; a childhood friend, Sherp; and many cousins and friends.
LORI D. ROBBINS ’92
Surrounded by love near and far, in the comfort of her home, Lori passed away very peacefully last night, January 7, shortly after 5:00pm. She has been warmed by everyone’s love and support over the years, and held in a sacred space the last few weeks, and truly blanketed in prayers and care the last 24 hours. Lori was an old soul, a sage beautiful lady, and had an accepting understanding of death as part of life’s journey. Perhaps that understanding moved her to live her life with such deep gratitude and so mindfully in the moment as she did. Those of us that were gifted the opportunity to walk with her through the last few weeks feel in our hearts that Lori found a calm peace and trust that allowed her to quietly transition on this eve. She has left her physical body but she is with us forever in our hearts, our memories, perhaps in sunsets and sunrises, or in any place of beauty we choose to hold her. Most of all she lives on in her beautiful courageous daughter Emilia. Please hold Emilia, Matt, Mike, and the rest of Lori’s family in your thoughts and prayers as everyone travels this journey of such great loss. Possibly the only thing greater than the loss is the deep love Lori showered everyone with, and the great love everyone has forever for her.
Rest peacefully dear Lori – we love you for all of eternity.