Donna Kuizenga, Emerita Professor of French and former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston, died in Milton on February 23 after a twenty-month struggle with cancer.  She was 69 years old and is survived by her husband, George Held, an independent scholar of ancient Greek literature, two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law and their children and grandchildren, and an extensive network of colleagues and friends in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Missouri, as well as the international community of scholars of French literature and culture.

During a 46-year career as a scholar in seventeenth-century French literature and women’s studies Dr. Kuizenga held tenured positions at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she was director of graduate studies in Romance Languages, and the University of Vermont, where she chaired Romance Languages for five years and served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1995-2004.  She also taught at Adelphi University, Brooklyn College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Universität des Saarlandes in Saarbrücken, Germany.  She came to Boston in 2004 and held the position of Dean of Liberal Arts from 2004-2011; she retired in 2014.

Dr. Kuizenga earned her B.A. from Adelphi and her Ph.D. from the City University of New York.  As literary critic, editor, and translator she was the author of three books, most recently an edition and translation of Madame de Villedieu’s groundbreaking novel, The Memoirs of Henriette-Sylvie de Molière (the University of Chicago Press).  Her work in French studies, comparative literature, women’s studies, and pedagogy appeared in more than forty articles and book chapters.

Dr. Kuizenga served on the editorial boards of several scholarly journals devoted to French studies and was elected to a four-year term as president of the Societé d’analyse de la Topique Romanesque.  She held memberships in and made presentations to numerous professional organizations including the Modern Language Association, the North American Society for French Seventeenth Century Studies, the National Women’s Studies Association, and the American Association of Teachers of French.

Her colleagues in the College of Liberal Arts dean’s office and the department chairs with whom she regularly worked both collectively and individually knew her remarkable work ethic.  Less well-known was her lifelong interest in and talent for music.  As a skilled amateur flutist she participated for many years in the Composers Conference, an annual summer chamber music workshop at Wellesley College.  John Ranck, Assistant Director of the Composers Conference and principal flute with the Melrose Symphony, remembers how “Donna’s love of chamber music and great spirit and attitude inspired everyone who knew her.”  In retirement she continued to expand her range with the flute and took up a second instrument, the viola.

As Dean of Liberal Arts at UMass Boston, Dr. Kuizenga presided over the rebuilding of the college’s faculty with the largest number of hirings since the late 1960s.  As retired professor of Political Science and former Associate Dean Jack Spence recalled, she was a master of detail and known as an extraordinarily astute and perceptive interviewer.  While she scrupulously avoided pressuring academic departments to hire her favored candidates, she made the incisive notes from her own interviews available as a resource for department hiring committees.

Department chairs in the College of Liberal Arts found that Dean Kuizenga had high expectations for their performance but also that her leadership style was consultative and collaborative, and leavened by a lively wit and deep empathy.  She devoted energy and resources to bolstering the work and enhancing the morale of the growing cadre of new faculty in the College.  English professor Matthew Brown described her as “a remarkably thoughtful, deliberate, informed, and supportive Dean, especially to junior faculty.”

During her deanship Dr. Kuizenga inaugurated a number of new programs including the Ph.D. in Developmental and Brain Science, the M.F.A. in Creative Writing, the M.A. in Historical Archeology, the M.A. in Applied Economics, and new undergraduate majors in Asian Studies and Communications.  She founded the interdisciplinary Research Center for Urban Cultural History and was deeply involved in the planning for the university-wide Institute for New England Native American Studies and the Developmental Sciences Research Center.  Emerita Professor of Psychology and former Dean of Graduate Studies Joan Liem called Dr. Kuizenga “a leader among Deans and a truly strong advocate for the liberal arts within the Deans’ Council.”  She leaves a rich legacy in programs, personnel, and best administrative practices to the College and the University.

She wished to thank the Neurology and Oncology units at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Seasons Hospice for excellent care.  Interment will be private.  A memorial service will be held at UMass Boston at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Composers Conference, PO Box 5507, Wayland MA 01778, or the Milton Animal League, 181 Governor Stoughton Ln, Milton MA 02186.

Joseph A. Orlando passed away on February 24, 2016.Son of the late Joseph Orlando and Dorothy. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Tibets) Orlando. Devoted father of Vanessa Allen and her husband Samuel, Felicia Orlando and Kristina Orlando. Grandfather to Aaron, Avery, Maya,and  Rowan. Cherished brother of Donna Orlando and Nancy Monday. Son-in-law of the late Harold Tibets and Veronica of West Roxbury. A  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Gregory’s Church, Saturday, February 27 at 12Pm. visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St., LOWER MILLS, Saturday 9:30-11:30AM. Interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Spaulding Rehab Hospital 1245 Centre St. West Roxbury Ma 02132.

Andrew P. Connors, of Milton, Monday February 22, 2016.

Beloved son of Hon. Thomas A. and the late Therese A. (Murphy) Connors of Milton and also leaves Thomas’ fiancé Kathleen M. Planeta of Westwood. Brother of Brendan M. Connors and his wife Jenny Pey Chen, M.D. of Winchester.  Andy is the uncle to nephews and a niece. Nephew of Barbara A. Connors of Quincy, Zoe and her husband John Williams of Everett and Flora and her husband Earl Pearce of Meridian, Idaho.

Funeral service at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON, Saturday February 27 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Friday 5-8 PM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Andy was a graduate of BC High and Vassar College. He was a drummer for several bands in the Indie Boston music scene  and was employed as a technology specialist at Brandeis University.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Andy’s memory may be made to BC High Advancement Office, 150 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, MA 02125.

Dr. Robert West Hopkins, Professor Emeritus of Medical Science at Brown University and former surgeon and Acting Chief-of-Surgery at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on February 22 in his home in Milton, Massachusetts, with his devoted wife and daughters at his side.

Born and raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Robert was the son of the late Dr. Frederick Sherman Hopkins and Mary West Hopkins.  A graduate of Classical High School in Longmeadow, Robert went on to attend both Harvard College (Class of 1945) and Harvard Medical School (Class of 1947). Robert became a surgeon, like his father and grandfather before him, completing his internship and surgical residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital before being called to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in Korea. His duties as a surgeon on the hospital ship U.S.S. Repose earned him a Medal of Commendation from the United States Navy.

Robert began his medical career at the Pennsylvania Hospital as assistant surgeon and instructor in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He moved to the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital in 1959, where he served as an associate surgeon from 1959-1970. While there, Robert served as Director of Graduate Education for the Department of Surgery and Chief of Trauma and Emergency Services. He was also an associate professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.

In 1970, Robert moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where he was recruited by Dr. Fiorindo Simeone to play an instrumental role in developing Brown University’s new medical program.  Brown graduated its first class of physicians in 1975. Robert was Surgeon-in-Chief at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, and joined the faculty of Brown University as Professor of Medical Science. In 1980, he became the medical director of the Miriam’s Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory, which was renamed the Robert W. Hopkins Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory upon his retirement in 1996. While at the Miriam, he also served as a surgical consultant at Rhode Island Medical Center and Roger Williams General Hospital. Notably, Robert performed the first kidney transplant in Rhode Island in 1973 while at the Miriam.

Robert was an active member of numerous medical societies, serving in leadership positions of several. He authored numerous professional publications. He was President of the American Cancer Society, Rhode Island Division from 1973-77. He was Vice-President (1982-1983), President-Elect (1988-1989), and President (1989-1990) of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery. He was Vice-President and then President of the Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces (1982-1984). He was Vice-President of the New England Surgical Society from 1984-1985. Other medical societies in which Robert was active include: the American Surgical Association; the American Association for the Advancement of Science; the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma; the American College of Surgeons (both nationally and in the local chapter); the American Heart Association (Trustee of the Northeast Ohio Chapter, 1969-1971); the American Medical Association; the American Trauma Society; and the Society for Vascular Surgery (Distinguished Fellow). Even in his 90s, Robert continued to attend professional conferences and remained interested in the ever-evolving field of medicine.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ann (Demetreou) Hopkins, two daughters, Mary Ann Hopkins, M.D., also a surgeon of New York City, and Elizabeth Hopkins Dunn and her husband Randall of Chicago, 2 granddaughters, Hunter and Chase Dunn, brother Frank Hopkins and his wife Belva of Andover, sister, Martha Booth of CO, sister- in- law Patricia Hopkins of IA, and late brother Frederick.

Graveside service was private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to either Doctors Without Borders, 333 7^th Avenue, NY, NY  10001-5004 www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate or to Harvard Medical School,Landmark Center, 401 Park Drive, Suite 22W, Boston, MA  02215 www.hms.harvard.edu/giving

Maurice A. Hastingsof Mattapan, in Weymouth February 19, 2016 a long time resident of Mattapan.Born October 1930, Maurice was raised in Allston, Massachusetts. The loving Hastings family was full of the same humor and laughter Maurice valued throughout his life. An avid Red Sox fan, as a young man Maurice worked at both Boston Braves Field and Fenway Park. He was an Alumni of St. Anthony’s Grammar School, Boston College High and Boston College.

            After serving his country in the US Army in the Korean War, Maurice met Elaine Burns at Mosley’s on the Charles and they married in October of 1957. He and Elaine had 3 children, Mary, Elaine, and John. He enjoyed being involved in their lives and teaching them many important life lessons. He could always be counted on to organize a neighborhood whiffle ball game and was an ever-ready chauffer to his kids and their friends. His many nieces and nephews also have fond memories of their uncle. Most recently, he enjoyed being an active grandfather to Kirstin, Joshua, Sarah, Rachel, Jae and Erin.

Maurice earned a Masters in Education from Boston Teacher’s College. He began his teaching career at the Washington Allston School and continued as a teacher and administrator at the Sarah Greenwood, Endicott, and Joseph E. Lee schools. He also served St. Gregory’s Parish in many capacities, such as Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher. After his retirement he stayed active as a volunteer at the JFK Library and Mass Genealogical Society.

            Maurice will be missed by many but he left all with cherished memories of a life well lived. Maurice was the beloved husband Elaine (Burns) Hastings.Loving father of Mary Hasler and husband John of CO, Elaine Martin and husband Mike of Pembroke and John Hastings and wife Margaret of Norwood. Brother of the late Patricia, Jeannine, Barbara, Frances, Ursula and Edward. Also survived by 6 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Gregory Church, Dorchester Wednesday at 10 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St., DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Tuesday 4-8 PM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery. Late Korean War Veteran. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Lutz, Rita A. (O’Rourke) 90 of Quincy formerly of Milton died February 19, 2016.  Beloved wife of the late  Allan Lutz.  Loving mother of Janet E. Darcy and her husband James of New Jersey, Carol A. Bauer of Maine, Virginia M. Pescatello of Yarmouth Port, John L. Lutz II and his wife Donna  of Dorchester and Allan B. Lutz Jr. and his wife Donna of Arizona. Cherished grandmother  of  12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday February 21, 2016 from 2-5PM in the Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Avenue, MILTON VILLAGE.  Burial will be private.  Donations in memory of Rita may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA  02472.  See www.dolanfuneral.com for online condolences and directions.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that on February 12 Sandra (Sandy) Irene Bolton of Hyde Park MA, greater Boston and Cincinnati, Ohio passed away unexpectedly at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Sandy was the cherished wife and partner of Joseph David Mason for more than 50 years.  She was predeceased by her parents James and Lucille (Tucker) Bolton; her maternal grandmother, Hazel Grant, all of Ohio, and her favorite Uncle Ray and Aunt Irene Cornett of Florida.

Sandy had an extraordinary sense of color and quality that she applied in her artistic creativity.  She was known for her keen mind, quick wit, great sense of humor and loving heart.  She was a voracious reader; loved learning, her cat Hector and turning simple things into special gifts for her family and friends.

Coming from a long line of gardeners and farmers, she spent her summers immersed in flowers, trees, bees and butterflies.  Sandy studied garden design at Radcliffe College, while founding Bolton Gardening and Landscaping.  She was passionate about creating magical, spiritual places in which the subtle interplay of the plants and flowers provided her clients with a place of respite.

Prior to launching her landscaping business, Sandy had worked at Mahoney’s Garden Center and Boston Hand Print; she founded Yesterday’s Paper and also worked at Tramp Printers and Book Clearing House.

She leaves many close friends, her god-daughter Emily Flynn-Pesquera, as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to attend visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home 1140 Washington Street in Dorchester on Friday, February 19 from 4 – 7 p.m.  A Memorial Celebration of her life is being planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sandy’s name to Heifer International at http://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/index.html or send mail to 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arizona, USA 72202 phone 1.855.948.6437.

Kathleen Antoinette (Garvin)  McLaughlin, of Duxbury, formerly of Milton & Dorchester, passed away suddenly February 12, 2016. She was 76 years old.

Kathleen was the loving daughter of the late Anthony and Catherine Garvin of Dorchester. Beloved wife for 54 years to John G. McLaughlin. Kathleen and John happily raised their family in Milton and she was the devoted and cherished mother to Hugh and his wife MaryEllen of Hingham, Catherine Rudicus and her husband John Rudicus of Duxbury and John and his wife Doreen of Milton. Sweet and kind Nannie to Jack and Hugh McLaughlin, Kathleen, Walt and Owen Rudicus, Garvin, Murphy and Finbar McLaughlin. Dear sister of the late Mary Christine Kelly (Leo), the late Pauline (Joseph) Scanlon and the late Patricia Garvin. Also survived by many dear nieces and nephews.

Kathleen was a proud graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Brighton and Burdett Secretarial School in Boston. Kathy was a very joyful person and loved nothing more than to be with friends and family and to share laughter. She was an avid reader, lover of crossword puzzles, handwritten notes on special occasions and having her hair styled. She was fiercely proud of her children, grandchildren and her beloved husband of 54 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Wednesday February 17 at 10:30 AM. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON, Tuesday 4-8 PM.

Donation in Kathleen’s memory may be made to Pine Street Inn, PO Box 55945, Boston MA 02215.

Bertha was born and raised in Raleigh North Carolina. Beloved wife of 59 years to  the late John Quincy Flythe.  Loving mother of Kelly Flythe-Sands  and her husband Peter of Dorchester and the late John Anthony Flythe.   Devoted sister of Bernice Faison of North Carolina,  Shirley  Jones of Milton and David High of North Carolina.  Cherished grandmother of Aaron Flythe of Boston and great grandmother  of  Alaiya Flythe.

She was a LPN, working as a nurse at the Health and Hospital in Mattapan, Veteran’s Administration in Boston and providing care for the mentally ill patients in Dorchester.  Bertha was known for reaching out to help others in need, volunteering for many organizations especially at Peoples Baptist Church in Boston.  She is remembered by her family as a woman with a zest for life and love of family.   She also enjoyed all musical instruments, especially playing the organ, singing   and woodworking.  Bertha will be missed by her family who were truly the cornerstone of her life.

Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend visitation on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from 10AM – 11AM in the Peoples Baptist Church, 830 Tremont Street, Boston. A Funeral Service will Follow at 11AM.  Interment will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.  Donations in memory of Bertha may be made to the Peoples Baptist Church, 830 Tremont Street, Boston, MA  02118.  See www.dolanfuneral.com for online condolences and directions.

Collins, Mary Ellen a lifelong resident of Milton, Ma., passed away on February 8, 2016 at the age of 85. Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late Julia B. and Desmond M. Collins and the sister of Julia C. Walsh of Sherborn, Ma. Mary Ellen was a beloved cousin and aunt with many nieces and nephews who will sincerely miss her.

Mary Ellen was a graduate of Milton High School, Framingham University, and completed graduate studies in Nutrition Education at Tufts University. Mary Ellen received the Winston Churchill Fellowship for study at the University of London and a World Health Fellowship in New Zealand and Thailand. She worked on co-operative projects with the federal government’s Department of Nutrition and Harvard School of Public Health, as well as serving as scientific liaison for the White House Council on Food, Nutrition and Health. Beginning in 1953 Mary Ellen served on the dietetic staff of the Beth Israel and The Boston Lying-in Hospitals and in 1958 began working at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In 1975 Mary Ellen was promoted to Director of Dietetics and Nutrition and Director of Dietetic Internships at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital until her retirement in 1998. Mary Ellen’s greatest professional success and joy was her relationships with the Dietetic Interns and following their successes throughout their careers. Mary Ellen served on the Board of Directors at the Milton Hospital for 25 years and was an active participant in the Milton political scene. Mary Ellen was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s of the Hills Parish in Milton and celebrated 75 years with the Parish on the Parish’s 75^th anniversary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Feb. 15^th at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s of the Hills Parish, 29 St. Mary’s Rd. Milton. Visiting hours will be at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave. East Milton Square, Monday Feb 15, 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment at Milton Cemetery 9:00 AM Tuesday Feb. 16. If desired, contributions may be made in Mary Ellen’s memory to the charity of your choice.