Obituaries

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.

TADD GERO, 22, a reporter and writer who often performed stories that he h ad written, sometimes accompanied by live music, died Aug. 17, 2009, of pneumonia. At Wesleyan he was a theater major and reported for the Argus. He had been living in a community of artists in Philadelphia and working at Urban Outfitters. Among those who survive are his mother, Felissa Rose Gero,

NOAH L. SIMRING, a talented musician who had been on leave from Wesleyan for two years, died July 29, 2006, his 21st birthday. Described as multi-talented and highly creative by family and friends, he is survived by his parents and a sister.

BRENDAN R. O’REILLY died Sept. 5, 2005, of injuries sustained in a biking accident in Prescott, Ariz. He was 20. At Wesleyan he studied chemistry and French and was the recipient of the CRC Award for outstanding work in chemistry during his freshman year. Survivors include his parents, Brian and Gail O’Reilly, a brother, and a sister.