Sally Armus Shutts died March 6, 2023 after a brief illness. She was the daughter of Harry and Ellen Armus and a long-time resident of Darien. Well-liked and high energy, she went on from DHS to earn her bachelor's degree from Ashland University (Ohio) in Early Childhood Education. She married DHS graduate Sam Shutts and the couple have a son, Jason. Her many interests lead her both to be involved in community service, and, with her husband, travel the world. Together they visited all seven continents and over 100 different countries. The Class of 1969 also thanks Sally for her 35 years of service on the Reunion Committee. Services for Sally will be held at The First Congregational Church in Darien at 10:00 am on Friday, June 9, 2023. There will be a reception following the service. |
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Classmate Dale Cannon MacQueen passed from us October 26, 2022. She will be missed. After graduating from DHS, Dale went on to earn both a bachelor's and master’s degree at UConn. It was at UConn Dale met and married fellow student Tom MacQueen. While starting her career in the medical field, Dale later became an educator. Living in Woodstock, CT, Dale taught at both Woodstock Middle and Woodstock Academy schools. She spent her last 15 years at the Rectory School, a private boarding school in Pomfret, CT, where she also coached both the cross country and track and field teams. Dale and Tom have a daughter Kyle born in 1985. Her family speaks of Dale’s love for animals, her musical talents and a love of travel. |
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Classmate Dave Terry has passed away after a valiant fight against Alzheimer’s. He led a very full life and leaves many friends behind, the most cherished of which is Anne Irvine, our mutual classmate and his first love in high school and, for the last five years after they reunited, his partner and best friend. Dave lived in Maui, HI for over 40 years after traveling all over the world in search of all things related to surfing, wind surfing, kite boarding and all other manor of sports. He was a creative, artistic, vastly intelligent, unique and wild spirit who loved life and all his many friends from around the globe. He had a small plane as well as drone pilot license. He was a gifted photo journalist as well. His greatest love was his passion and faith in God. His greatest joy was reuniting with his love, Anne Irvine. The end of life on earth for Dave was a rocky, frustrating ride as his ability to do what he loved best had to be put aside and he had to focus on his fight against Alzheimer’s as the disease overtook his life. The good news is that he now rejoices with his Lord in Heaven and all pain and suffering is gone. If you knew Dave, then you were blessed. He never forgot his time at Darien High School and loved and enjoyed calling so many of you “friend”. May he truly rest in joy and peace. |
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There is sad news of another classmate passing too soon. Stephen Jones died April 19, 2022 from health issues at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. Steve grew up in Darien and after graduating from high school attended Franklin and Marshall College. He earned a Masters and JD from the American University. Steve worked as an attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor for over 30 years. Amazingly, Steve completed 5 Boston marathons after the age 47. He leaves a wife, 2 daughters and 2 grandsons. |
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Russ Wadhams
Rusty passed away on Christmas Eve 2021 after battling cancer. His partner Cindy Xie was beside him, and his sister Christy Wadhams Ehlers and her husband John had just visited. There was a private funeral service on January 2nd. He will be missed by all that had a chance to know him; relatives, friends, co-workers, clients and colleagues alike. Russ had an amazing career and was known as a gentleman amongst the rough-and-tumble crowd of contractors that serve New York City. He was a graduate of Pratt Institute, and started working in the trades even before he graduated. Russ never lost his passion for building beautiful and striking spaces. This passion led to helping found the company Fulton Landing. Many friends and classmates of Russ gathered in NYC on April 30 to celebrate his life. |
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David Jefferson
David Jefferson died in Febuary 2021. He was given 2 years to live after he was diagnosed with ocular melanoma. He surpassed that diagnosis by a decade. Dave played sports like football and baseball and was even in Boy Scouts, but a lack of adult supervision led to pranks such as building a cement swimming pool in the DHS common area. David married his wife Sharon in 1983 and they raised 2 daughters, Lauren and Bailey. Along with hiking and skiing, David was an avid sailor. He sailed across the Atlantic, making stops in exotic locales such as Croatia and the Caribbean. |
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Deborah Garrison
We have just learned the sad news of the untimely passing of Debby Garrison. Anyone with any information, please contact us. |
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Michael Brin passed after a short battle with cancer on April 14, 2014. Mike was born in Scotland and grew up in Connecticut, eventually moving to coastal Maine and the New Hampshire area. Mike worked in real estate in general contracting. Mike is survived by his wife of 37 years Rene (Betts) Brin, his son Matt and wife Johanna. |
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Cheryl Haines Sinkovic
Classmate Cheryl Haines (Sinkovic) passed away in June of 2016. Cheryl left behind two sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren. Cheryl was a health care professional for some 40 years, most recently with the Indiana University Health System. She was a tireless volunteer and speaker, who enjoyed singing, sailing and traveling. Cheryl was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Gerald Sinkovic. |
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Cortlandt “Chip” Ames has passed away. Chip moved to Darien from California at the start of 7th grade at Mather Jr. High. Quiet but friendly, Chip was buddies with fellow classmates Rusty Wadhams, Tim Potts and Georgiana Smith (Bloom). They were a quartet of sorts in high school and often spent weekends at Chip's house playing full tilt boogie music when his parents were out. Chip was a smart guy but like many in high school "didn't apply himself" and found himself in and out of private school (like other DHS students). He tried and made the DHS wrestling team. He was an avid hunter, especially with a bow, and lived for awhile in Alaska. He is remembered by friends as a sweet and kind person. Chip eventually moved back to California and had recently been in charge of a drug clinic in Santa Barbara. He died in Bend, Oregon in January 2019. |
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TERRIS DEVEREAUX
Passed November 25, 2016 "For 50 years, Terris has been my brother, my BIG brother. Larger-than-life; generous to a fault; and endowed with seemingly insatiable appetites; being with him has always been an adventure. It would take an army of Boswell’s (or monkeys) to chronicle his exploits. A little bit Armenian (pistachios) and a lot Irish, he remains 100% Terris.
Hooray for that!" Steven Jones DHS '69 |
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Peter was married to Amy Lee on November 12, 1988, in Richmond, VA and leaves his wife, daughter Sarah and son Kris. Peter served in the U.S. Air Force from 1978 to 1982, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and worked as a commercial real estate appraiser for over 20 years in the Richmond area. According to his family, Peter had a life-long love of ice hockey and many of us in Darien remember playing hockey with Peter on Stu Traver’s pond in the winters. In the 1990s, Peter developed a passion for collecting golf memorabilia and, over the years, amassed an admirable collection of ceramics and artwork. Those lucky enough to see Peter at the 45th Reunion in 2014 remember this enthusiasm for golfing. Peter connected with many classmates over Facebook and social media. It was a joy that he attended his 45th high school reunion and will be missed by his many life-long friends. |
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David “Doc” Ettele passed away peacefully on April 16, 2015 in American Fork, UT, after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was 65. David is survived by his sisters, Nancy Ettele of Herriman, UT and Janet Ettele of Bethel, CT, along with other family members. David graduated from Darien High School (CT) in 1969 and served in the US Army from 1971 to 1973 in Vietnam and White Sands Missile Range, NM. He was a member of VFW Post 12087 in Salt Lake City, UT From Jim Morrison: “Although he may have missed a few classes his senior year, Doc was always a class act. He passed this year in April from long term cancer and his last weeks were with his sister Nancy, Class of 69. I remember all the antics that Doc and I pulled in our senior year and always smile from the memory. His one-of-a-kind laugh always made those around him add to the activity and his love for our class can never be challenged. He was a Vietnam Vet who seemed to go to war in 1971 and never fully came home. He found himself wandering from one thing to another but never forgot his ties to our class. I hope all will take a moment to say a small prayer for his soul and remember that whether you were a fan or not, Dave, almost President of the class, was and always will be a classmate from the Class of 69. “ |
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We belatedly report the sad news that Allison Frame has past away. Allison was born August 7, 1950 and died September 22, 2002. We learned this news from the obituary of Allison's mother Jean, who recently passed away July 2014. But from this earth, this grave, this dust, |
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Peter Popov passed away suddenly on June 29, 2014. He leaves his wife, Lela Love, daughter Nicole Popov Doppelt and son in law Brad, and grandson Hunter. Peter graduated from Tufts University and Georgetown Law and worked in New York City for Overseas Shipholding Group. The Popovs also owned a family farm in Newmarket, New Hampshire along the shores of the Great Bay. Their love of this unique and important terrain lead them to protect over 150 acres of the rich wetlands and wildlife refuge. Peter was quoted as saying, “Human lives are relatively short and unpredictable compared to how long the land has existed. We believe that preserving such a beautiful and serene place is the best legacy we can leave." We classmates remember Peter from Middlesex and high school for his intellect, generosity, artistic talent and his kindness. |
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Nancy’s last years of life were difficult. The couple lost their son Brent to a tragic car accident in 2011. In 2012 Nancy broke her hip and had a difficult time with a long rehab. Finally, her husband pre-deceased her by two weeks in February 2014. May she rest in peace. |
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Liz is survived by her husband Dick and son Benjamin, her brother Peter Horton (DHS ’67) three grandchildren- Ashley, Kate and Luke along with nieces and nephews. |
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We remember Joan Anderson, who passed away peacefully on Monday, November 18, 2013. She is survived by her two daughters, Erica D. Christopoulos and Kate T. Christopoulos, both of Manchester, CT. After graduating from DHS, Joan studied at the Art Institute of Boston. Before getting married, she traveled the world and eventually moved to Manchester, Connecticut. Joan was an accomplished artist, an avid gardener and, according to reliable sources, a chef extraordinaire. |
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Christina Hornbeck died in August 2010. Known for her diminutive stature and ability to command an audience, Hornbeck was as big a presence on Wall Street as she was in her hometown, Hastings on Hudson. Hornbeck loved music and art, and had a penchant for dressing a bit ostentatious. She is survived by her two children, Ruth and Matthew Reader; her mother, Helen Hornbeck; and brother, Jeff Hornbeck. We also know she survived two attacks at the World Trade Towers. It was a blessing to be with her on our 40th reunion. |
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We report the passing of our friend and classmate Mark Freeman. Mark is remembered for his kindness and good humor, and for his athletic abilities, a result achieved mainly by being just so much bigger than everyone else. Mark passed away December 17, 2009 at the age of 59 near his home in Georgetown, Kentucky. Mark was a retired Major of the USAF. His career as a pilot began 36 years ago when he flew F-4 Phantoms for the USMC and for over a decade he flew his favorite commercial airliner, the 747-200. Along with his wife Janet of 36 years, Mark is survived by his mother, two children and two grandchildren. |
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Danny Summerton -
"I am sad to report that my brother Daniel Summerton passed away from a sudden heart attack back on June 27, 2006 at his home in Sumner, WA. Dan is survived by his beloved wife Katie and daughter Jo. Dan was an IT support engineer at Echostar Communications at the Kent, WA office where he was highly regarded by his colleagues. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and a friend to all who would always go the extra mile. "The Road goes on Forever and the Sun Shines on for Miles".
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May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam |
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And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you're far away from home |
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Be courageous and be brave...
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Paula Mahan Dabney (1951-1995)
The DHS Class of 1969 wishes to pass along the news of the passing of Paula. After repeated attempts at contacting her, we were informed of this sad news. Bright and fun and brassy, she will be missed. |
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Forever Young |
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And may you never love in vain,
and in my heart you'll always remain |
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Forever young, forever young,
Forever young |
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And what ever road you choose |
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Forever Young! Rod Stewart, "Forever Young," Out of Order, Warner Bros. 1988
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