December 23, 2004

OBITUARIES

Jane E. Gordon

Jane E. Gordon died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 15, in Long Beach, N.Y., at the conclusion of a long, slow illness. Jane is known to the Yellow Springs community as a village resident and member of the Antioch University McGregor faculty from 1992 to 2003. She spent several months at the Friends Care Community in 2003.

Jane was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 21, 1946, and grew up in the New York City area. She lived in Brooklyn, in Maine and in Rochester, N.Y., before coming to Yellow Springs in the fall of 1992. She was married to Richard Yarbrough from 1991 to 2000. Jane graduated with a BS from the State University of New York at Brockport in 1985 and received a Ph.D. from State University of New York at Albany in 1992.

At Antioch McGregor Jane served as associate professor of psychology in the master of arts degree program of individualized liberal and professional studies. She was active in faculty development and leadership and was also known for her support of staff interests and concerns. Due to her failing health, she retired from McGregor in the spring of 2003. In March 2004 she moved to Long Beach to live with her sister and family.

Jane was loved and appreciated by her family, friends, students and colleagues both for her wisdom and her compassion. Often her caretakers at hospitals and nursing homes were so touched by Jane’s genuine interest in them that they shared their life stories and woes with her as they were taking care of her physical needs. Perhaps the greatest tribute to the depth of Jane’s character was the decision by her neighbor of eight years, Daria Mabra, to donate a kidney to Jane in September 2001 at a time when Jane’s life was endangered by the progress of her disease.

Jane is survived by her parents and stepparents Norman and Diana Gordon of Oswego, N.Y., and Tina Gordon and her companion, William Elfort, of New York City and West Palm Beach, Fla; her sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Bernard Weitz of Long Beach, and their children, Jan and Abby; her brother and sister-in-law, Marc and Barbara Gordon of Walcott, N.Y., and their sons, Tyler and Caleb; and her friend Ann Koppelman of Yellow Springs.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m., at Rockford Chapel. Memorial donations may be sent to the Amyloid Research Program, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, K5, Boston, Mass., 02118.

Timothy A. Harris

Timothy Allen Harris of Yellow Springs died unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 16. He was 45.

He was born Jan. 28, 1959, in Springfield, the son of Albert E. and Ople (Davis) Harris. Timothy was employed with TDM Construction Company and was a member of the Laborer’s International Union of North America.

He was preceded in death by his father; one sister, Cheryl C. Starks; and a brother, Keith Harris.

He is survived by his mother; two daughters, Portia and Allison Vie Harris; four sisters, Trudy Lawrence, Patricia, Cynthia and Esther Harris; two brothers, Kenneth Harris and his wife, Christina, and Ronald Harris; one uncle, Phillip Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Central Chapel AME Church. Burial followed in Greenlawn Cemetery in South Charleston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family. Porter-Qualls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Novella Faith Shropshire

Novella Faith (Oakley) Shropshire of Dayton died Monday, Dec. 13, at Friends Care Community. She was 77.

She was born Jan. 25, 1927, in Yocum, Ky., the eldest child of Elvis and Olene Oakley.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Shropshire.

She is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law, Charlotte Bourelle of Huber Heights, Anne Hemmelgarn of Florida and Alice and John James of Arizona; a brother and his wife, Hershel and Evelyn Oakley of Washington State; many nieces and nephews, including Renee and Ed Willoughby of Medway and Brady and Debra Karns of Yellow Springs.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 18, at Tobias Funeral Home, Dayton, with interment following at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Christian Fellowship Church in Fairborn or Friends Care Community.