Obituaries
Gertrude B. Pietrinferno
Pauline Endy
Katherine W. Dresdner
Katharine P. Lasley
Lois H. Rendall
Alessandra Mazzucato
Veronica Boone-Shorter
George V. Masselos
Nanci M. Fasanella
Edward T. Wells
Gertrude B. Pietrinferno
Gertrude B. Pietrinferno
Gertrude Trudy B. Pietrinferno, 89, died February 23 at the Merwick Care Center in Plainsboro.
Born in Philadelphia, she grew up in Plainsboro West Windsor where her parents, Irvin and Gertrude Heft, started Walker Gordons first boarding house called The Crows Nest Down in the Hollow.
She never finished eighth grade at Penns Neck School when she came to Princeton as a Nanny. She rode the Dinky each day for 5 cents. A few years later she met and married Frank Pietrinferno and together they had two sons, Frank and Jim.
From 1948 to 1953, she was a caretaker for Helen Lowe Porter, Thomas Manns translator. Every other Thursday for five years they were visited by Albert Einstein for high tea at 4 p.m. Einsteins friend, Lily Kahler, considered Trudy a saint.
In 1954 she started the first of three popular restaurants called The Nassau Coffee Shop, where PJs Pancake House currently is now. It was followed by the Princetown Coffee Shop at 82 Nassau Street and finally the College Inn Diner across from Coxs store. For thirty years she cooked daily for Bill Bradley, George Sands, and the Governors of New Jersey. She was often cited for her great burgers and Italian dishes, but she was the main attraction. When she retired, she pitched in full time to help raise her grandchildren on Carnegie Lake.
Predeceased by her husband, Frank; and her son, Frank Jr.; she is survived by her son, James Firestone; six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.
Funeral services are private under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.
A family gathering at the Mt. Lucas picnic house this summer will celebrate her life.
Pauline Endy
Pauline Pat Endy, of West Chester, Pa., formerly of Princeton, died February 26.
She was the wife of the late Hon. Alexander Endy; and mother of Eric Endy, Michael Endy, and Daryl Klein.
Services were held at Beth Israel Congregation in Eagle, Pa.
Contributions may be made in her memory to Beth Israel Congregation.
Katherine W. Dresdner
Katherine W. Dresdner, nee Katherine Van Duyne Winans, Kay, died February 23 at the Medical Center of Princeton.
Born on April 8, 1929 in Jersey City to Robert A. Winans and Katherine B. Winans, she grew up in Glen Ridge, N.J.
She graduated from The Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Va. and received her B.A. degree from Wellesley College in June 1950. That same month she married K. Philip Dresdner at St. Bartholomews Chapel in New York City. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past June.
She raised her family in Upper Montclair, N.J. where she was an active volunteer for many years. She worked in the Childrens Theatre of the Montclair Junior League, in Mountainside Hospital, and as a Docent at the Montclair Art Museum.
She enjoyed tennis year round and skated with the Essex Skating Club. A passionate gardener, she was a member of the Montclair Garden Club and served as its president from 1975 through 1977. During this time she supervised a major civic project a large water fountain surrounded by a flowerbed in Montclairs central business district. Working from her home as a landscape designer, she designed and installed many private gardens with significant water features throughout Essex County, N.J. In 1980, she received a Certificate in Landscape Design from The New York Botanical Gardens.
Later that year she and her husband moved to Princeton where she continued her commitment to volunteerism as a driver for The Lawrenceville School Infirmary. She then founded her second landscape design business where she designed and supervised the installation and care of gardens and landscapes for many large private residences in the Princeton area. Her work included her own residence where she created formal rose and perennial garden beds, a hillside of daffodils, a reflecting pool, and planted specimen trees. Her gardens have been featured on many garden tours, including tours of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. A member of the Garden Club of Princeton, she received a special recognition award in 2007.
In 1986, The Lawrenceville Schools Katherine W. Dresdner Cup was created following the Boards decision to begin admitting girls to the school. The Dresdner Cup recognizes the athletic competitions of girls in an equal manner as the boys competitions at the school.
She also supported the work of ASPCA; the Humane Society; The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga, N.Y.; Retired Thoroughbred Race Horses; the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association; and the Hopewell Valley Citizens Group. She will be remembered as a dog person with a special fondness for Golden Retrievers and for her knowledge of thoroughbred horse breeding and racing. She also loved to sail and travel with her family.
She is survived by her husband, K. Philip Dresdner; her children, Katherine V. Dresdner Esq., Dr. Karl P. Dresdner Jr., Robert P. Dresdner Esq., and William W. Dresdner; and four grandchildren.
Calling hours were on February 28 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue. A Memorial Celebration was held at The Lawrenceville School Chapel on March 1.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Kays honor to SAVE, 900 Herrontown Road, Princeton, N.J. 08540, (609) 924-3802.
Katharine P. Lasley
Katharine Parker Lasley, also known as Kakkie, 85, died February 25 after a brief illness.
She was born in Onanco*ck, Va., to Roberta Lee and Tully Page Parker, where she lived on a farm, riding her pony, and growing strawberries.
In 1951 she married John Ross Lasley, shortly after he left Yale University to join the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. They moved to Princeton and raised four children.
She started working part-time before becoming the owner of Princeton Aqua Sports. She took scuba divers all over the world, diving on reefs and in caves, seeing the wonders of the underwater world. In South Africa she was known as the shark lady for her work with the Shark Research Institute and joined Peter Benchley and Stan Waterman to help people appreciate the misunderstood shark species and enjoy our world underwater.
An avid swimmer, she joined the Princeton Rowing Club in her 60s. On her 75th birthday she convinced most of her family to get dolphin and bill fish tattoos and was fond of saying to anyone who might have a tattoo, Ill show you my tattoo if you show me yours.
Inspired to start the Mercer Alliance for the Mentally Ill, she volunteered for many years to advocate for and provide housing for people challenged by mental illness.
She is survived by her husband, John; her sister, Anna; three children, Martha, David, and Tom; and nine grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held at her home on 212 Cherry Valley Road, Princeton, from 2 to 5 p.m. on March 5. She requested family only but considered many of her friends to be family, and they are welcome to come for a brief visit. Since parking is limited, friends can park at Research Park or DJ business service on Route 206 where van service will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to the Mercer Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 3371 Brunswick Pike, Suite 124, Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648; Princeton Hospital 253 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540; or a charity of your choice.
Lois H. Rendall
Lois H. Rendall
Lois H. Rendall, 79, of Wiscasset, Maine, died February 26 at Brigham & Womens Hospital after battling Erdheim-Chester Disease for the last five months.
Born on May 6, 1931 in New Brunswick, N.J., she was the daughter of Frank and Hazel Welchman. She married Kenneth M. Rendall Jr. on September 13, 1954.
Employed by the Episcopal Church for the last twenty-six years, she spent eleven years as Parish Administrator for Trinity Church in Princeton, and the past fifteen years as Parish Secretary at St. Andrews Church in Newcastle, Maine. She was an active member of the Altar Guild at Trinity and St. Andrews and was invited to participate in the Altar Guild Flower Seminar at the Washington National Cathedral in 1998.
As a 20-year member of the Wiscasset Garden Club, she served as president from 1995 to 1997 and as co-president from 1997 to 1999. The recipient of the Thomas & Lansdale Gardiner Silver Bowl, she was a master gardener, an honors member of the Landscape Design Consultants Council, and a mentor for the Flower Design Practice and Committee.
An avid reader, she consumed at least four mysteries a week. She was also a seamstress who loved making outfits for her nieces and granddaughters as well as needle point kneelers for Trinity Church, St. Lukes Cathedral, and Saint Cuthberts Chapel. Most of all, she enjoyed extended dinners in her dining room surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband, Ken; three sons, Kenneth M. Rendall III, R. Keith Rendall, and Craig H. Rendall; and five grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Newcastle, Maine, on Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The ECD (Erdheim-Chester Disease) Global Alliance, P.O. Box 775, DeRidder, La. 70634.
Alessandra Mazzucato
A Memorial Service for Alessandra Mazzucato, 71, of Princeton, will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Princeton University Chapel.
Veronica Boone-Shorter
Veronica Boone-Shorter
Veronica Ronnie Boone-Shorter, 76, of Pennington, died February 18 at her home.
Born in Princeton, she was a life-long resident.
She attended the Princeton Borough Public Schools and was employed as a Resident Living Specialist by Skillman Development Center. She also worked privately as a hair stylist.
Predeceased by her husband, William Edward Shorter; her parents, Alzada Zada Everett and Latson Sonny Boone; and three sisters, Alma Pearl Everett, Drew W. Craig, and Truemaine Boone Jezequel; she is survived by her eight children, Vincent H Boone; Anthony Boone; Andrea Moody, Alzada Shorter, William Shorter, Pastor Harvey J. Gibson Jr., Monica Faith Shorter-Miles, and Brian Shorter; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.
Funeral services took place at Lord Jesus Love Temple, 68 Vine Street, Trenton. Interment was in Princeton Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Campbell Funeral Chapel.
George V. Masselos
George V. Masselos, 91, of South Dennis, N.J., formerly of Belle Mead, died February 28 at home.
Born in New York, N.Y. to the late Spyros and Mildred (Choffy) Masselos, he moved to South Dennis in 1980 from Belle Mead, N.J.
He was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, serving as line chief in the Flying Tigers, Third Fighter Group, 14th Air Force, Chinese American Composite Wing. He dealt in fine arts and antiques for 35 years.
Preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Elizabeth in 1980; and his second wife, Lenore Rosselot in 1993; he is survived by his cousin and many friends.
Funeral services will be held on March 3 at 11 a.m. at the Radzieta Funeral Home, 9 Hand Avenue, Cape May Court House, N.J., where viewing will begin at 10 a.m.
Interment will be in Unionville Cemetery, Dutchtown Zion Road, Belle Mead, N.J. on March 4 at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Cape May County Historical Society, 504 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210.
Condolences at www.radzieta.com.
Nanci M. Fasanella
Nanci Marie Fasanella, of Florence, died February 26 at home.
Born in Princeton, she resided most of her life in Princeton before moving to Lawrenceville and then to Florence in 2000.
She was a program manager for many years with the State of New Jersey, Office of Early Childhood Service in Trenton. She was also a program manager for Childrens Futures Early Literacy Program at Mercer County Community College and was actively involved with Early Childhood Development.
A devoted Catholic, she was very active with the church.
Daughter of the late Joseph J. and Betty A. Fasanella Sr., she is survived by two brothers, Joseph J. Jr. and Guy Fasanella.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on March 5 at St. Pauls Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will follow in St. Pauls Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on March 5 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Pauls Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, N.J. 08542.
Edward T. Wells
Edward Thomas Wells, 90, of East Stroudsburg, died January 25 at the VNA Hospice House in East Stroudsburg.
Born February 3, 1921 in Germantown, Pa., he was the son of the late Barnes Sr. and Theodosia (Freeman) Wells and lived in Monroe County for the past 56 years.
He was a star football player and track runner. He also attended Virginia State University.
He worked for the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a forklift operator, retiring 31 years ago. A veteran of World War II, he served as a medical corpsman in the United States Army.
He was a member of Stroudsburg United Methodist Church.
Predeceased by his wife, Vivan J. Wells in 1973; an infant daughter, Garland Angela Wells; two sisters, Beatrice Brown and Theodosia Powell; and a brother, Barnes Wells Jr.; he is survived by his wife, Mary (McQueen) Folk Wells; his children, Tillitha Kennedy, Nicholas Wells, and Edie Sue Wells; his step sons, Michael Folk, Keith Folk, and Dean Folk; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a sister, Cordelia Scudder; and a brother, Walter Wells.
The funeral service was on February 4 at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, Stroudsburg. Burial followed in the Stroudsburg Cemetery.
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