Arlene L. Maret, B.A. '76, of East Moriches died in her home after a long battle with cancer on May 3rd. She was 77. In the 1970's she completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education at Dowling College and went to teach as a special education teacher in the Eastport and East Moriches school districts.

Former faculty member Ronald Ghiradella died on July 26 at the age of 69. After beginning his career in education at the Riverdale School for Boys, Ron moved to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, where he taught social studies at the Merrick Avenue Junior High School. After retiring in 1996, Ron continued his commitment to education by teaching at Dowling College.

Nina Deegan, B.A., '73 of Wading River died on February 22, 2006. Mrs. Deegan was a dedicated and respected employee of Patchogue-Medford Schools as teacher of English and a Guidance Counselor.

James Joyce, B.B.A., '73 of Amityville died of cancer on March 28, 2006 at the Hospice Inn in Melville. Mr. Joyce was a long-time finance employee at Grumman and former board chairman of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union. He was 66.

Former faculty member Charles E. Mizzi, Ed.D., died on December 29, 2005. A resident of Sayville, Dr. Mizzi was 80.

Gertrude Schweibish, B.A., '71, passed away in November. Gertrude was the Library Director of the East Islip Public Library, retired.

Linda Jasper, B.S. '90, passed away on September 30, 2004 after a yearlong illness. Linda dedicated her life to serving others through involvement in many community organizations, especially as a Volunteer Advocate for the American Cancer Society on their National Board of Directors representing the Eastern Division. Linda was the first New Yorker awarded the highest honor given by the American Cancer Society for volunteer advocacy, the Dr. Theodore C. Marrs Award. In her honor, the Society has named their headquarters in Hauppauge the Linda Jasper Building. Among her many awards were the New York State Women of Substance Award, Red Cross Henry Dunant Corporate award, and the LI Center for Business and Professional Women Award. Linda was the former president of the LI Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.

Linda was owner of Suffolk Sidewalks, Inc. and General Manager of Melo's Construction, both of Miller Place. She is survived by her husband, Bob, and at the family's request, donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 75 Davids Drive, Hauppauge, NY, 11788.

Jason Senecal, B.B.A., '93, passed away suddenly on October 6, 2004. Jason lived most of his life in Sayville and was a graduate of Sayville High School. He is survived by his wife Kasmira Mohanty-Senecal. At his family's request, memorial contributions may be made to North Shore LI Jewish Systems Foundation, Bi-Polar Research, 125 Community Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021.

In Memorium—Dr. Stephen J. Shafer
Colleagues at Dowling College, where Dr. Stephen J. Shafer taught Biology and Natural Sciences for 34 years, recall a quiet, thoughtful, generous man, who could silence a raucous faculty meeting by simply rising to his feet. Shafer, a resident of Patchogue, died on September 14, just weeks after retiring from full-time teaching. A memorial service will be held in the Hunt Room on March 23, 2005 from 4–6 p.m. “He was a loving husband, father and mentor to us all,” said daughter Cindy Buckmaster. “We learned more from him than anyone.”
Friends and colleagues lauded Shafer as a trusted confidant and level-headed provider of sage advice. “He was enormously generous with his time and intellect. He played the role of mentor to many faculty members here,” said Dr. Sandra Monteferrante, Professor of Mathematics.
Shafer was active in many aspects of the College and served on five negotiating teams during faculty union contracts with the College during the past three decades. “He was instrumental in designing contracts that gave enormous academic benefits to his colleagues,” Monteferrante noted. “Many aspects of the College in existence today have been molded by him. He was one of the most important faculty members in the history of Dowling College.”
After earning his Master’s of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Temple University, Shafer joined the Dowling College faculty in the fall of 1973. He was active in RNA and protein synthesis research, and was published frequently on these and other topics. He was among a group that spearheaded the initiative to build The Jerry and Debra Kramer Science Center, which now houses Dowling College’s labs and science classrooms. Friends describe Shafer’s generosity as boundless. He raised money for the St. Ursula Retreat Center in Blue Point, and was a founder of the Dowling College Faculty Scholarship Fund.
“He was a quiet, thoughtful person who built bridges between people,” said Dr. Susanne Bleiberg-Seperson, a professor of Sociology, who joined Dowling with Shafer in 1973. “His presence on earth was a gift and he will not be forgotten.” Shafer is survived by his wife,Gail Thalmann Shafer of Patchogue, and daughter Cindy Buckmaster of Germantown, Maryland, a Dowling College graduate who went on to earn her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from SUNY Stony Brook.

Julie Adams, ’70, a Central Islip resident who went on to earn her master’s degree in social work while raising 13 children, died April 20 at age 75. Working as a probation officer in Suffolk’s Family Court, Adams pushed to reform policies that she felt harmed poor women and children. When she retired, Michael A. LoGrande, then county executive, gave her an uncommon honor by proclaiming her departure date—Nov. 9, 1987—to be Julie Adams Day in Suffolk County.

Virginia Ingle, B.A., ’75, died on August 25, 2004 at the age of 68. Virginia is survived by her three sons, three daughters, her brother, and 16 grandchildren.

Eugene A. Murtha, the former District Court Bureau Chief in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, and an adjunct professor at Dowling’s School of Business, died on September 4 after a long illness.

Constance Cavanagh Swezey, B.A., '73, died on July 29th at 80 years of age. Constance worked as a radiation dosimetrist at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.

Mildred A. Hansen, B.A., '78, died on August 15 at age 71. Mildred worked as a Kindergarten teacher at the William Floyd School District, and as an ESL teacher in Springs. She was also a board member of A.V.I.S. and the Amagansett Historical Association.

Arlene L. Maret of East Moriches died in her home after a long battle with cancer on May 3rd. She was 77. In the 1970’s she completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Dowling College and went to teach as a special education teacher in the Eastport and East Moriches school districts.