Obituaries

REX L. BERNSTEIN, a government major who minored in history at Wesleyan, died Jan. 10, 2015. He was 22 and died peacefully in his sleep. His parents, Karen Close and Steven Bernstein; his sister; his grandparents; and a large extended family, including his aunts, Sarah H. Porter ’86, and Alison B. Bernstein ’87, survive.

MARC J. AUGUSTINE, an artist who specialized in structural displays and graphics, died Oct. 26, 2014, at age 38. He also studied at Dartmouth College and received his BFA degree from the University of Connecticut. An award-winning artist in creative design concepts, he created unique environments for Urban Outfitters and had won numerous best of show awards throughout the Northeast for his unique sign-making, structural displays, sculpture, and graphics. He also carried on his grandfather’s roofing business in Middletown, Conn., and was an avid street rod enthusiast. Among those who survive are his wife, Cynthia Bland Augustine, two brothers, two aunts, and several cousins.

MICHELLE L. SALISBURY, a senior project manager for the State of New York, died Nov. 9, 2014. She was 38. After receiving her degree in government and psychology with honors, she worked for the Cadmus Group as a project manager. In 2007 she received a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University. She then returned to the Albany, N.Y., area, where she was selected as a Carey Fellow for the New York State Division of Budget, and later joined the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as a senior project manager. She was killed when the car in which she was riding was hit from behind. She was 31 weeks pregnant with her son, who later died. She is survived by her husband, Jon D. Orris, her mother, her grandfather, her brother, and two nieces.

ANTHONY I. STEPHENSON, a freelance writer, died Sept. 30, 2014. He was 47. Among those who survive are his parents, Tracy and Charles Stephenson, two sisters, seven nieces and nephews, and many loving friends, including Annie Rush.

ANNIE RAVITZ, who worked in children’s theater and television, died Jan. 26, 2015. She was 48. Stricken with Lupus at age 11, she faced constant health problems. After graduating from Wesleyan she became an assistant to a New York City Councilman and then worked in children’s theater and television. Her father, Robert J. Ravitz, survives, as do her brother and several nieces and nephews.

SHARON BYRNE MCGOWAN, an ironworker, died Oct. 23, 2014. She was 54. After starting a medical career, she decided to work outdoors and became an ironworker. She also enjoyed restoring VW diesels and doing fine woodworking, in addition to birding. Her father, Dr. Robert Byrne, survives, as do her husband, Philip McGowan, her brother, two aunts, and six nieces and nephews.

JOAN L. MARKMAN, an attorney and Philadelphia’s first Chief Integrity Officer, died Jan. 14, 2015. She was 54. After receiving her law degree from the University of Virginia, she was an assistant U.S. attorney for ten years and then Philadelphia’s first Chief Integrity Officer, beginning in 2008. She is survived by her husband, James M. Becker, two children, her brother, and a large extended family.

JEANNE DEMKO CHIANG, an actuary, died Oct. 7, 2014, at age 61. After receiving her degree in mathematics, she spent her entire career at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, Conn. She enjoyed music and traveling. Survivors include her husband, Jaf Chiang ’74, two children, and her brother.