Judith Jenks Fraser-Pearse died peacefully at her home in Vineyard Haven on Feb. 1, 2017, after a recent diagnosis of cancer. She was 78 years old.

Judy was born to Donald and Edith Jenks of Princeton, N.J., on July 31, 1938. Judy first fell in love with the Island in 1947 when visiting with her parents. She attended Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va. She then worked in high fashion in Philadelphia, where she met and married Alan Fraser. They began visiting the Island regularly when her parents moved year-round to their house in Vineyard Haven in 1961. As her children grew, Judy would bring the family to live with her mother to enjoy summers on the island.

Judy raised her children in Westport, Conn., where she was involved with many volunteer community efforts. She served as a member of the board of directors of Trinity Parish Nursery School in Southport, Conn., and as a member of the board of trustees at the Nature Center for Environmental Activities in Westport.

Judy’s life changed dramatically in 1978 when she got sober. This led her to her life’s work, helping individuals and families break the cycle of alcoholism. Judy worked as a volunteer at the Mid-Fairfield County Council on Alcoholism. She continued her education to become an alcoholism counselor through the National Council on Alcoholism/Westchester in White Plains, N.Y., and graduated from New Hampshire College with a bachelor’s degree in human services. She worked as an alcohol counselor at Programs on Alcohol at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, later serving as temporary program director in 1980. In 1982 Judy founded FAACTS, Foundation of Alcohol Awareness, Counseling, Training, Services, where she served as co-director.

Judy first moved to the Vineyard full-time in 1983. She established a private practice to help alcoholics, people with addictions, and their families. A nationally certified alcohol counselor, Judy was one of the first alcohol counselors in Massachusetts to receive licensure. Judy worked passionately to educate people that alcoholism is a disease and that there should not be a stigma attached to asking for help or receiving treatment. In 1996 Judy married Monte Pearse and moved to his hometown of Lexington, Va. Three years later, they returned to the Island and Judy resumed her practice. In 1999 she became actively involved with Vineyard House. Since that time she served on the board of directors, board of advisors, and the resident support committee.

Judy is survived by her daughter Alison Fraser Sheridan, son-in-law Tom, granddaughter Terra of Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; and her son Porter Fraser of Vineyard Haven. She was predeceased by her sister Sally Porter Jenks of New York City and husbands Alan Fraser and Monte Pearse. She is grateful for the love and support of her beloved friends, her relationships in the community, and life on the Island.

A celebration of Judy’s life is being planned for the fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Vineyard House, P.O. Box 4599, 56 Short Hill Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

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Carol Drechsler Brandon of West Tisbury died peacefully at home on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. She was 97. She engaged every room she entered with elegance, dignity, humor, and charm. And very often in French.

Carol was born on Dec. 18, 1919, in Baltimore, Md., to Ivan and Gertrude Drechsler. While she spent much of her school years in Europe with her family, she attended the Bryn Mawr School and Notre Dame, and graduated from Goucher College in Baltimore.

After graduation, Carol moved to New York City. While working as a summer intern at the original Barnes and Noble bookstore, she met a colleague, Lawrence Brandon, with whom she fell in love and married. Their life together was a true adventure of love, dedication, partnership, and parenthood. They shared a passion for their children and their families, travel, opera, art, and literature, but mostly each other. Their marriage lasted 67 years. She expressed the intensity of their love in her journal: “How to explain that our happiness is in being together … B [Lawrence] and I were separated during the war for over two years, and I feel as though I’m always trying to make up those 800-some days …”

The birds and flowers of her beloved Sweet Meadow home were Carol’s passion. She cared for them gently and protected them fiercely. Once when her children suggested that her view from the backyard would be enhanced by removing the tree that was home to her birds, she proclaimed, “That’s a good idea. You can cut it down when I’m gone.” The tree stands today.

Carol and Lawrence lived throughout the United States, including Maryland, Connecticut, North Carolina, Louisiana, and New York. Wherever they landed, Carol made lifelong friends with her humor, loyalty, intellect, and interest. It was true of their final home, West Tisbury, which they loved most fondly. Carol had many friends from the Garden Club and the West Tisbury Congregational Church, and their retirement on Martha’s Vineyard was full and rich.

Carol was devoted to her family. She is survived by two daughters, Molly (Ernest) and Christine (George) and two sons, Tony and Rogers (Esther). There are also 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, her parents, her sister Elizabeth Stevens Drechsler (Stevie) and brother Ivan Robinson Drechsler Jr. (Buddy).

The Brandon family would like to sincerely thank all of the caregivers and Island services that made our parents’ final years as peaceful as possible. However, we are especially grateful to Cherry Faulk for the relationship she developed with Carol in her final years. Her care, devotion, and positive spirit blessed Carol and our entire family.

Services will be scheduled in July 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Tisbury Congregational Church.

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Robert R. (Ron) Nagengast died on Feb. 2, 2017, with his loving family at his side, brilliant sun shining, and Irish music in the air.

It was a life devoted to family. Left to honor his lasting memory are three generations of Nagengasts, and many others who loved him dearly. It will not be easy to say goodbye to Papa, but knowing the fulfilled life of happiness that was his brings solace. His was a life enjoyed through adventures, shared with family, by oceans, and in the sky.

Ron lived in Chilmark from 1998 to 2005, where he was a volunteer with the Chilmark Fire Department, and worked for the phone company. He loved his time here, Menemsha, and Lucy Vincent Beach.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn for their assistance at this difficult time.

In accordance with his wishes, no formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Free to Be Me Pet Rescue, 154 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054.

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Paul Michael Domitrovich, 81, died at 3:28 am on Sunday, Feb. 6, at his winter residence in Coral Gables, Fla. Mr. Domitrovich transitioned peacefully after a long and valiant fight to survive complications of advanced heart disease. His final days were spent surrounded by friends and family who came by to pay their respects.

Born in Detroit, Mich., on June 12, 1935, to Croatian immigrants Michael Paul Domitrovich and Matilda Irek, Paul was raised with his sister, Ilene, and his two brothers, Edward and Tommy, whom he survived. Paul was a good Catholic and an even better troublemaker. He was known as Demmy or “the Fist,” but despite his rambunctious tendencies, even at a young age he was always impeccably groomed and attired.

Paul played football at St. Benedict high school (defensive tackle), and after receiving a full sports scholarship from Alma College, he was recruited by the Michigan State football team. Despite a shoulder injury which ended his sports career, Paul went on to become the first member of his family to graduate from college. He had many lives and jobs in his postcollegiate years (including a stint as a model for the cover of romance novels, and as an owner of a Hawaiian go-cart franchise).

Eventually Paul went into a career in advertising, starting at Campbell Ewald in Detroit, then moving to New York City to work at BBDO. He represented creative talents in the automobile industry, and was known for showing people a good time on the town. In 1967, Paul married his first wife, Christine, mother of his daughter Celene. He married his second wife, Katherine “Lola” Domitrovich in 1982, and they had their son Michael soon after.

Paul began his career as a restaurateur when he and Lola opened Ham Heaven in New York City in 1983. He was a devoted husband, father, and businessman, crisscrossing the city in cars that were held together by coat hangers and Krazy Glue, doing whatever needed to be done to make sure that his restaurant and his family were thriving.

In the early ’90s, Paul moved to Long Island, where he supported his family selling real estate and advertisements in local papers. After opening and closing another restaurant, called The Other Place, the family took a vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, where Lola spotted a property for sale on their way to the ferry. Following some creative negotiations, the Domitrovich family opened the 300-seat bar and restaurant, Lola’s Southern Seafood, in the summer of 1994.

Lola’s went on to become one of the most popular year-round restaurants and music venues on the Vineyard. Customers and friends will fondly remember Paul working the front of the house, going from table to table checking on everyone, eating big spoonfuls of Mr G’s Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce, to the delight and amazement of patrons. When he wasn’t in the main dining room he was in the bar, dancing with patrons, or somewhere in the attic or basement, coming up with creative maintenance solutions to keep the restaurant running smoothly. Anyone who’s dined at Lola’s will remember Paul holding a blowtorch while singing “Happy Birthday” at full volume in his birthday cake hat and vest. Even more memorable were Paul’s outfits at the yearly Mardi Gras celebration, where he would show up wearing one of Lola’s bathing suits or negligees. As Paul was often heard saying at that time, “Lola does the steak, but I do the sizzle.”

In 2003, the Domitroviches connection to New Orleans cuisine and culture reached its pinnacle when Paul was crowned King Shangri-La XXIX. King Paul was presented at the court and paraded through the streets of New Orleans in 2004 on his own float, throwing beads and gesturing grandly at the attendees gathered along the parade route. He had a full costume custom-made for him, including a 6-foot-high ostrich-feather-and-rhinestone “collar,” bloomers, tights, crown, scepter, and size 15 kneehigh white leather boots. For many years the costume was on display in the dining room at Lola’s, surrounded by pictures, beads, and more than a few undergarments.

Despite his imposing stature, gigantic hands, and size 15 feet, “King” Paul Domitrovich was one of the kindest, gentlest people, and was endlessly optimistic. He believed that the most important things in life were to be shared. He loved zydeco and blues music, dancing, smiling, salty meats, rolling rocks, and gin martinis. He never denied himself or his loved ones a smile, a hug, a snack, a drink, or a nap. For a man so strongly connected to the people, places, and things in his life, there was always a far-off knowing that sparkled in his eyes. In his final days he was a font of wisdom and poetry, often speaking in rhymes and gazing upon his doctors, nurses, friends, and family with eyes that were unnervingly warm, clear, and full of grace. He was a man who made people feel seen and loved just by looking at them.

A few days before he passed, he assured us all with a revelation (seemingly referring to his higher power), saying, “He’s not separating us inseparably, he’s just repositioning us.”

We salute you, King Paul, as you take off for your final Mardi Gras parade route in the sky.

There will be a funeral Mass in Coral Gables on Monday, Feb. 13, at 12 noon.

There will be a memorial service on Martha’s Vineyard at the Second Bridge on Saturday, June 24, at 8 pm, with a reception to follow at Lola’s Restaurant, 15 Island Inn Road, between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Email mikeydom@gmail.com to RSVP.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that any gifts be in the form of a donation to WYOB, the Martha’s Vineyard radio station which Paul enjoyed so thoroughly in his last years. If you send a check with the note “In Memory of Paul Domitrovich,” the funds will go directly to an extension of the station’s tower, which will enable the signal to be broadcast farther and clearer. All donations are tax-deductible.

Checks can be sent to: M & M Community Development Inc., Oak Bluffs Branch, P.O. Box 1326,

Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. If you prefer to donate online, please go to wyob.org/support.

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Anthony M. Guyther, 96, of Vineyard Haven died at Royal Nursing Care Center in Falmouth on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. A service is being planned for a later time and date to be announced. A full obituary will follow in a later newspaper edition. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.

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Pearle S. Perkins, 97, died from natural causes at her home in West Tisbury on Feb. 9, 2017. Born in Maroa, Ill., on Feb. 26, 1919, she attended Illinois State Normal University, majoring in speech and debate. She married John Lafayette Perkins in 1941, and the couple settled in Columbus, Ohio. The family moved to the Chicago area in 1957, where Pearle was a homemaker, then sold real estate in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs for several years. She and the family attended the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, where she sang in the choir for 33 years. After retiring, she moved to Bristol, R.I., to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. She resided at North Farm in Bristol for 24 years before relocating the the Vineyard in 2014.

A dedicated and unwavering Ohio State and Chicago Bears fan, Pearle cheered her teams with passion through winning and losing seasons. Pearle loved the ocean and the magnificent sailing schooners that navigate the seas. She surrounded herself with paintings and prints of the ocean and ships by her favorite artist, Charles Vickery, whom she commissioned to do a special sunset painting. Mr. Vickery often painted his works accompanied by pianist Hazel Troeger. Miss Troeger was the major influence in Pearle’s daughter Jan pursuing her career in music education, which Jan continues today at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

Pearle was an avid reader of all genres, often reading two or more books at a time. Her debating experience contributed to her excellent vocabulary and made her an interesting and entertaining conversationalist. She was an expert at word games, Scrabble, and crossword puzzles. Pearle also spent much time crocheting, and as a leftie, taught herself to knit, making sweaters, afghans, placemats, hats, coasters, and scarves, also creating many baby blankets for friends and relatives. She loved playing piano, singing, listening to music, and attending concerts and musical productions in Chicago, Boston, Providence, New York, and London. Another of her joys was traveling. She and her husband went to Europe, South America, and on cruises with real estate groups, and she spent many holidays in the Caribbean with her husband, daughter, and son-in-law. Paris and Barbados were her particular favorites.

She is predeceased by her husband John L. Perkins and daughter Sandra Kay Hall, and survived by daughter Jan Wightman and her husband John Wightman of Aquinnah, and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews around the country. Pearle was a person of strong moral and ethical values, possessing a generous spirit, and was always a lady who conducted herself with grace. She was loved by all who had the good fortune to know her. The one word that many people used to describe Pearle was “amazing.”

Many thanks to Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation facility, Horizons Geriatric Care Management, Pearle’s wonderful caregivers, and the Hope Hospice staff for helping Pearle’s family to make her last years here on the Vineyard comfortable and rewarding. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Pearle’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, using the Memorial and Honor Gifts Form on their website.

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Mary Ives Greely, a resident of Darien, Conn., and Edgartown, died on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Stamford Hospital. Born on June 20, 1928, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the daughter of Robert Franklin Ives and Ruth Enger. She was 88.

Mary graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree. She married the late Rev. John (Jack) A. Greely after he was ordained an Episcopal minister. They moved to Toledo, Ohio, to start their lives together. Jack worked as a hospital chaplain in the Toledo area. As Jack’s ministry grew, they moved to churches in Stonington, Conn., New York City, Boston, and finally in 1976 to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Martha’s Vineyard, in Edgartown. During this time, Mary volunteered at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospice, and delivered Meals on Wheels. She was also treasurer of the Women’s Guild at St. Andrew’s, and a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club. Mary was active in all the churches where Jack served. She was a very generous and giving person, and was committed to helping others. Mary and Jack enjoyed entertaining people, and were very social. You never knew whom Jack would bring home for dinner. One Thanksgiving he brought home a hitchhiker.

Mary was a loving mother and devoted Grammy to her six grandchildren. She remained positive, and never complained about anything, including her health. While residing in Darien, Mary was blessed to have a true companion as her caregiver, Alnie (May May) Hosang.

Mary is survived by her two sons, John I. Greely and his wife, Annette Bruscino of Orono, Minn., Grant Greely and his wife, Mary-Laura of Wellesley, and her daughter, Mary (Maggie) A. Boris and her husband, Keith of Darien. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Sam, Jack, Matthew, Austin and Abigail Greely and Finley Boris. Also surviving is a cousin, Fay Fawcett and her husband, Ned.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien, on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at 2 pm. Burial took place in Cincinnati in Spring Grove Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Island Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1874, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. A memorial service will be held at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown at a later date. For more information, visit lawrencefuneralhome.com.

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Susan Louise Jackson of Edgartown died after a long illness, at home with her family at her side, on Feb. 6, 2017. She was 66.

Susan was very caring and loving, and enjoyed time with her family. She will be missed by many. She enjoyed scratching tickets, eating lobster, and listening to Elvis Presley.

Susan is survived by her husband Peter Jackson Sr., son Peter Jackson Jr., daughter Lisa Smith, daughter Heidi Amaral, 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, brother Melvin Pachico and wife Jody, sister Sylvia Metell, sister Linda Fullin, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Frank Pachico, mother Gladys Pachico, brother Frank Pachico Jr., sister Lillian Burovac, brother-in-law Arthur Metell, and brother-in-law Timothy Fullin.

A private memorial service will be held in the spring for her family.

Donations in Susan’s memory can be made in her name to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

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Paula Maria Wyche Tookes died on Feb. 8, 2017.

Paula was born on Oct. 10, 1948, in Miami, Fla. She was the second child of Gracie Thompson Wyche and Paul Howard Wyche. Raised as a Roman Catholic, she attended Holy Redeemer School and graduated from Notre Dame Academy, both in Miami. She attended Spelman College and received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. She married Hansel Emory Tookes II on Dec. 29, 1971. They had two children, Heather Elise Tookes of New Haven and Hansel Emory Tookes III of Miami.

Paula built her life around spending time with her family, and she brought great joy to them all. She cherished the times with Hansel II, Hansel III and his partner Peter Ortega, Heather and husband Chris Alexopoulos, and their son Ryan.

Paula found joy in serving others — at work, at home, and in her community. She spent her career in human resources. She became director of human resources at Otis Elevator Co. in Farmington, Conn., and then worked at Florida Power and Light in Juno Beach, Fla., before retiring in 2000. Her life of service included serving on the boards of the Urban League of Palm Beach County and the Artist Collective of Hartford. She was also a member of the Links.

During retirement, Paula split her time between her homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Branford, Conn., and Martha’s Vineyard. She continued serving others wherever she was. She served on the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach, where she was a successful program leader and fundraiser. Paula was also an active member of the Obama Finance Committee, and hosted President Barack Obama at her home in Palm Beach Gardens, where she helped to raise critical funds for his 2008 re-election. In Martha’s Vineyard, she was a dedicated member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Oak Bluffs and an active member of the Cottagers. Paula also enjoyed travel both for business and pleasure, from the U.S. to the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia, always helping others.

Paula spent her life giving to family, friends, and the community. She helped many family members, especially nieces and nephews. She gave to Habitat for Humanity, built a house for a family in Haiti after the earthquake, gave to the United Way and to her churches.

Paula is also survived by her two brothers, Paul Wyche Jr. and Spaulding Wyche; brother-in-law Darryl Tookes; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life took place Tuesday, Feb, 14, 2017 at Trinity on the Green in New Haven, Conn. Interment was at Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paula’s memory to Smilow Cancer Hospital at hopperportal.yale.edu/page.aspx?pid=319. You may designate funds to the Paula Wyche Tookes Memorial Fund by noting that your contribution go to the Yale School of Medicine, and adding the following information in the comments section: “Attribute this gift to the Paula Wyche Tookes Memorial Fund, c/o Julie Parr, YCC Development.”

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updated Feb. 21, 3:15 pm

Thomas L. Brennan of West Tisbury died peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at the age of 90. He was born on Feb. 28, 1926, at home in Vineyard Haven, the fourth child and first son of Chester and Catherine Brennan.

He attended and graduated from high school at the Tisbury School, and soon joined the Navy in the last years of World War II. He was stationed at St. Simons Island, Ga., and served as a radarman. Thanks to the GI Bill, after the war he attended Boston College. During his time back on the Vineyard after the war before starting college, he met Vivian Anderson, who had moved from western Massachusetts to teach first grade at the Tisbury School. After Tom graduated from Boston College, he and Vivian married and moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as an analyst for the Department of Defense, a position he kept for his whole career.

Tom and Vivian raised their family of a son and two daughters in Maryland. Vivian died in 1997, and Tom moved back to Martha’s Vineyard, where his daughter Catherine lived.

He leaves behind his son Timothy Brennan and partner Judy Boggess, his daughter Catherine Brennan, his daughter Eileen Sheppard and son in law Stan Sheppard, and his grandson Charles Shilling. He was predeceased by his four sisters and his grandson Michael Shilling.

Tom was known for his generous heart, his great faith, and especially his love of family, both his own and his extended family. His family meant everything to him, and wanted for nothing. He was a true gentleman, and will be missed.

His family wishes any memorial donations to be sent to Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home on Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs will be on Tues., Feb. 21, from 5:30 to 7 pm.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Weds., Feb. 22, in St. Augustine’s Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven, at 11 am, with burial following in Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven, with military honors provided by the Veterans of Martha’s Vineyard.

Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.

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Dorothy M. Duart, 74, of Vineyard Haven died on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at the Falmouth Hospital. She was the wife of Joseph F. Duart III and mother of Jennifer, Lisa, and Robert. A memorial service will be held at a later date, and a complete obituary will follow in another edition of this paper. Donations in her memory may be made to an Island charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.

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The Rev. Dr. William Frederic Starr, a direct descendant of Dr. Comfort Starr, who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635, died on Feb. 11, in his home in Chilmark, surrounded by his family. He was 83.

Mr. Starr was born on May 17, 1933 in New Haven, Conn., but spent his youth in Watertown, Conn. He attended the Taft School, Yale University, General (Episcopal) Seminary in New York, and received a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

He was briefly an adjunct professor at Columbia, teaching the ethics of urban planning in the School of Architecture. He also taught courses at Queens College.

Most of his career, however, was spent at Columbia as Episcopal campus minister from 1965 to his retirement in 2002. In this capacity he is remembered for being an advocate not only for students but also for faculty and workers. He secured venues for many organizations to meet and his office was often headquarters for activists.

Mr. Starr played a memorable role in the 1968 student strike at the university, which was sparked by two immediate issues: intelligence that the university was conducting secret research for the Institute of Defense Analysis, a weapons research think tank with affiliation with the U.S. Department of Defense; and plans to build a segregated gym in adjacent public Morningdale Park.

Student protests led to brutal clashes with the New York Police Department for weeks that spring. During the occupation of Hamilton Hall, Mr. Starr, “married” a couple and pronounced them “children of the new age.” He helped organize and lead a counter-commencement for the Class of ‘68.

Arrested several times during his career, Mr. Starr was criticized by his church and the university for not confining himself to “religious matters.” Over his career his funding was cut many times, but his activism continued for decades with the formation of the Barnard and Columbia Anti-War Coalition, campaigns for the university to divest from South Africa, support for the Sandinistas of Nicaragua, aid to the members of District 36 in their union-organizing struggle, advocacy for the Rape Crisis Center, and many other causes, local and international.

Mr. Starr began coming to the Vineyard as a summer resident in 1970. For the past 14 years he lived year round with his family in Chilmark. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan Strane; a daughter, Elsa Starr; a son, Morgan Strane-Starr; and two grandchildren, Cyrus Starr Kennedy and Violet Starr Kennedy.

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John James Peipon died at his home in Lebanon, Tenn., on Feb. 11, 2017, due to complications from cancer. He was 68.

John was born on Oct. 2, 1948, in Kingston, Pa. He graduated from Kingston High School in 1966, and went on to earn a degree in clinical pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.

John moved to Martha’s Vineyard and worked at Yates Drug Store and Leslie’s Pharmacy in Vineyard Haven. Retired from pharmacy, he then worked at the Tisbury Water Department.

John was an avid reader who also enjoyed baseball, football, and tennis. Later in life he found bicycling and fly-fishing; he built bikes, and designed and tied flies. John said, “Bicycling gave me my freedom, fishing became my joy.”

John is survived by and lovingly remembered by his wife of 14 years, Laurie Schreiber; his brother James Peipon and wife Mariana; daughter Corrine Peipon; stepsons Max Schreiber Eagan and Evan William Eagan.

A celebration of life will be held at John and Laurie’s home in Lebanon, Tenn., on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Contact Laurie Schreiber at schreiberpottery@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203, or to the Center For Spiritual Living Nashville, 6705 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209.

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Wendy Ann Jones de Geofroy, originally from Wayland, died on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, while surrounded by family at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. She was five days shy of her 67th birthday.

Wendy was born to Wallace Jones and Marydale Dearth on Feb. 20, 1950, the youngest of four. She spent her summers on Lake Winnipesaukee, where she earned lifelong bragging rights as a champion waterskier. She was a self-avowed hippie; she attended Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., but was too busy protesting the Vietnam War to finish her degree.

It was at Colby-Sawyer that she met Elizabeth Early (now Sheehan), who brought Wendy to spend her first summer on the Vineyard. She instantly fell in love with the Island, and a few months turned into nearly 50 years. With the exception of a brief stint in New Hampshire and two years in Santa Fe, N.M., she spent her entire adult life on the Vineyard. Shortly after moving to the Island, Wendy met Elizabeth’s cousin, Charles A. de Geofroy. The two were later married and had three children together. They were married for 24 years before parting ways.

Wendy held a variety of jobs: She was a mail clerk at Alley’s General Store, served as town clerk of Chilmark, and operated a computer tutoring business out of her home on North Road in Chilmark. She had a talent for genealogy, which began with a search for her mother’s birth parents and quickly grew into an obsession. A technology enthusiast, Wendy pioneered the use of computers for genealogy research, and delighted in finding connections between the important people in her life. She founded an adoption support group on the Island, and helped several parents find the children they had put up for adoption, and vice versa. She finally found her mother’s birth parents after nearly 50 years of searching, a fitting bookend to her life’s work.

Wendy is survived by her three sons, C. Maury de Geofroy of Vineyard Haven, Andrew de Geofroy and his wife, Ashley Mead, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Alexander de Geofroy and his wife, Kate, of Rochester, N.H. She is also survived by her sister, Terry Johnson, of South Berwick, Maine. She was predeceased by her brothers, David and Eric.

Her family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Tobey Hospital for providing comfort to Wendy and her family in her final hours.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard, 238 Main Street, Vineyard Haven.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Island Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1874, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

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Joanne Elizabeth Clark (née Coffin), 87, born in Cleveland, Ohio; formerly of Newtonville, Martha’s Vineyard, and Stratton Mountain, Vt.; died peacefully after a long illness, surrounded by love, Feb. 17, 2017, at home in Wilmette, Ill.

Joanne was fortunate to inherit her family’s love of the sea and multigenerational history on Martha’s Vineyard. In youth she enjoyed sailing in their catboat, The Victor, later winning many a Vineyard-15 race in her own boat, the Sweet Sixteen.

During high school she worked summers at the Colonial Inn, and especially loved being a camp counselor and sailing instructor at the St. Pierre School of Sport in Vineyard Haven. The counselor reunions during her last years on the Island were treasured experiences.

Joanne graduated from Newton High School in 1947, then Boston’s Garland Junior College. She enjoyed a brief career modeling for Filene’s department store, appearing often in advertisements in the Boston Globe and Boston Herald. She later worked as a secretary in New York City and Washington, D.C., before returning to New York, where she started her family.

A whole new life began in 1964 when the family moved to Vermont to operate the Stratton Mountain Inn, a challenging but thrilling opportunity. The ski area’s early years brought wonderful memories and lifelong friendships, plus opportunities to pursue her love of fashion and design. She worked in the Norse House ski shop, opened her own boutique at the Inn, and regularly staged fashion shows throughout Southern Vermont. The Vineyard remained a constant, with summers spent there.

In 1980, Joanne moved permanently to her family home on the Island, the Jared Coffin House on School Street in Edgartown. She loved working in retail in several classic Island storefronts: the Country Store of Concord, Gift of Love, and the Chocolate Barn, to name a few.

A consummate people person, charming and gracious, always willing to help, usually with a wicked sense of humor and a great laugh, Joanne loved cooking and entertaining, and was always trying new things in the kitchen. Music (especially jazz) and art provided her constant joy.

Her curious mind and sense of style frequently brought new interests, like architecture and landscape design. A trip on the very first Vineyard solar home tour resulted in a beautifully designed and built South Mountain solar home. Always a passionate gardener, Joanne created a landscape for the property, stunning to this day.

After a brief foray into the competitive field of real estate, Joanne opted to follow her passion: the history of and her family’s role in the development of the Island, dating back to the 1600s. First a volunteer then a full-time employee of Martha’s Vineyard Museum (formerly the Dukes County Historical Society), Joanne was tremendously satisfied by working on the Dukes County Intelligencer, managing the office, and transcribing oral histories, which were then compiled into the great series “Vineyard Voices.”

Always a volunteer, she assisted at Polly Hill Arboretum, Featherstone, and the Christiantown Memorial (where her ancestor Frederick Baylies ministered to and taught English to the Wampanoag Indians, the indigenous people of the Island). Joanne was an active member of the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club, Edgartown Winter Yacht Club, and the Federated Church of Edgartown.

She was the beloved mother of Timothy (Dina) Coffin Clark; grandmother of Harry Coffin Clark; step-grandmother of Madison and Claire McVey; and aunt of Christopher (Holly), Peter, Davis (Kitty), William (Lisa), and Abigail Clark. Joanne was preceded in death by two young sons, Benjamin Coffin Clark and Jared Baylies Clark, parents Frederick and Dorothy (née Springer) Coffin, and former husband and dear friend David Whitehouse Clark.

A memorial service will be scheduled in summer 2017. Her remains are buried at Edgartown’s New Westside Cemetery.

Donations may be made in her name to the Adrenaleukodystrophy Foundation, aldfoundation.org, or the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, mvmuseum.org.

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Eleanor L. Waldron died at her West Tisbury home on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. She was 95.

Her family is planning an informal graveside gathering at a date to be announced. A complete obituary will follow in a later newspaper edition. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.

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Robert J. Priore, a longtime resident of Vineyard Haven, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family and friends, after waging a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 73.

Robert was born in Hartford, Conn., and raised in nearby Windsor. He attended Loomis Academy, now known as the Loomis Chaffee School, and the University of Hartford. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as a medic in the United States Air Force.

Robert began his lifelong love affair with Martha’s Vineyard in the late 1960s, when he came to the Island on vacation and decided to find a way to earn a living that would keep him here, at least part-time. Early on, he recognized the potential of building affordable vacation homes, and developed what became known as Bernard Circle, Leonard Circle, Canterbury Lane, and numerous other streets in Vineyard Haven. He also built several homes in Katama. In the span of a career that lasted 40 years, Robert oversaw the building of more than 200 homes on Martha’s Vineyard.

Robert moved to the Vineyard full-time in 1992 to raise his sons in the type of environment he believed every child should be raised in, a life lived outdoors filled with fishing, boating, swimming, and clamming.

In 1998 he met Maribeth, the woman who became the love of his life, and not too long after, his devoted wife.

Robert was an avid sailor who loved nothing better than navigating the waters off Martha’s Vineyard at the helm of his Endeavor, Maribella, in the company of his family, friends, and faithful canine companion Quinn. He enjoyed all the Vineyard had to offer, whether it be fishing, clamming, listening for the first pinkletinks of spring, or simply gazing in awe upon a starry, starry Vineyard night sky.

Robert is survived by Maribeth, his wife of 17 years, his sons Rob and Chris, his daughters-in-law Jenafer and Stephanie, his grandchildren Olivia and Owen Priore, his brother Henry Priore, and his many nieces and nephews.

Robert’s memorial service will be celebrated on Friday, March 10, at 11 am in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. A period of visiting with the family will begin at 10 am. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineyard Avenue, Oak Bluffs, with military honors provided by the Veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. Donations may be made in his memory to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, c/o Infusion Department, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.

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Adam Nessen, 51, of Boston died peacefully on Feb. 21 after a two-year battle with cancer. Adam, son of Beatrice and Peter Nessen, brother of Victoria Nessen Kohlasch, and grandson of Saul and Edith Nessen, spent many happy days on the Island from the time he was a week old to last summer. Fishing and crabbing on the Island’s waters were his passions. He worked as a seasonal Chilmark policeman for two summers, as well as a chef at several Island restaurants.

Funeral services were private, surrounded by his family and dear lifelong friends.

Remembrances may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Head and Neck Cancers, c/o MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.

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Brian A. Garde, also known as “B,” 62, of Oak Bluffs, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Feb. 26, 2017. He died after a valiant battle with cancer, during which he never lost his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Brian was always a loving, gentle soul. He was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed by many.

Brian was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Feb. 11, 1955, to Erik C. and Elizabeth (Nielson) Garde. He grew up in Bridgeport. He attended Central High School, where he excelled in basketball and enjoyed playing tuba in the marching band. He later attended Housatonic Community College.

He moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1974 to work at Cranberry Acres Campground and the Ocean View Restaurant. He then went on to own and operate the Spaghetti Pot Restaurant with his brother Ken and Cindy Araujo. When the restaurant closed, he went to work for Thomas Barlosky and John Casey, where he honed his skills as an interior finish painter. Over the years, Brian continued to work as a self-employed painter.

Brian married Joyce Kilmer in 1980. They were blessed with two sons, Adam and Jarred (JD). He took great joy in coaching his sons in Little League and youth and high school basketball. He also loved teaching Sunday school at Faith Community Church in Edgartown, and playing in the RCBL.

Brian was a diehard New York fan — the original New York teams, that is; the Giants, Knicks, and Yankees. He loved going back and forth with Red Sox fans. He never lost the joy of watching sports, and always loved a good “Columbo” mystery and “M*A*SH” episode.

He is survived by his wife and sons, his brother Ken and wife Nina of Kingston, and his many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. He also leaves behind his lifelong friend Gary Rome of Brooklyn, N.Y., and West Tisbury. He was predeceased by his parents and beloved brother Arne Garde.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at 11 am, at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the home of their dear family friend Nancy Barlosky, 52 Carroll’s Way, Vineyard Haven. The family will begin receiving visitors at 10 am.

In honor of his great love of animals, donations in Brian’s memory may be made to Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539, or Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis MA 02601. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.

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Mariana del Carmen Aguayo Pallamar de Gill, known to most as Mariana Gill, died unexpectedly on January 15, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston of natural causes. Her husband was by her side.

Mariana was born on Dec. 16, 1948 in San Fernando, Chile, one of five children. She spent her early childhood moving from camp to camp in remote areas while her father worked on road construction. On May 22, 1960, at age 12, she was uncomfortably close to the 9.5 magnitude Valdivia, Chile earthquake, the strongest earthquake on record. She described how they were amazed when the first relief plane to land in Chile was from the United States and out of the back of the plane came jeeps and trucks bringing food, medicine, generators, fuel, a mobile hospital with doctors, machinery, water purifiers, and more.

She graduated High School in Castro, Chiloe, Chile from Liceo de Ninas de Castro. After high school she received training as an international flight attendant for an airline in Chile. While working as a flight attendant, she lived at times in a number of countries including Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Curacao N.A., Canada, and the U.S. She came to the United States in 1975 and lived in Georgia until moving to Martha’s Vineyard in 1982. On the Vineyard she worked as a professional cleaner for rental houses and light commercial cleaning.

Mariana is survived by her husband Jonathan Gill; one brother, Sergio Enrique Aguayo Pallamar; one sister, Migna Virginia Aguayo Rojo; several nieces and nephews, and their children.

A memorial service will be held at the Chapman, Cole, and Gleason funeral home at 56 Edgartown Rd., Oak Bluffs on Sunday, March 19, at 2:30 pm, followed by a reception at the Vineyard Playhouse at 24 Church St., Vineyard Haven. The family will begin receiving visitors at 1:00pm. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Mariana A. Gill to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.

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